Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Pilgrims Antiques Centre Dorking. My section.
I understand now just why I took no photographs of my section at the shop last Tuesday.
I normally do when I have re-arranged things.
I realised, today, when I set about putting weekend acquisitions on the shelves that I needed to some further adjustments. What I did last week just didn't work for me.
It seems to have worked for the customers though. This time of year can be abysmal for selling, but I feel I have done rather well. I sold 17 things in the last 7 days.
It has been a pleasant and relaxed day - just what Jo needed. She also managed to get some re-arranging done and a little new stock in.
We have laughed and talked shop a lot.
We have also talked of the trials of widowhood - from not having enough concentration to watch TV to understanding pensions.
I was very glad for Jo when she admitted at the end of the day she had wondered if she would manage a whole day. Yesterday she had done half a day in her other shop and at lunchtime couldn't wait to leave and get home. Today we have provided the background for her to cope.
Now for a few glimpses of the "new" section - some of the stock might look familiar! This afternoon I went through my books and wrote new labels for things I have had for over a year - down to about what I paid for them.
The cook book dates from 1898.
The "Clarice Cliffe" sugar shaker.....well, isn't!
Isn't Clarice Cliffe!
It is a cheap, modern item in the style of Clarice.
I bought it this morning from Iris. Iris is in her 80s. She is enjoying playing the game of bringing treasures to the shop.
I like to help her play the game - and she brings us cake!
Pictures of Jo.
She has a red glow in the picture on the left because we have a heater suspended from the ceiling which emits a powerful red glow. Bill thinks it gives him a head ache.
And if you have ever heard me grumble about how chilly it is at the back of the shop - then rest assured that I had a warm jacket, which I removed just for the photo.
Now quickly, make a cup of tea and watch The Mystery of Edwin Drood. I might as well allow the BBC to educate me, at last, on the merits and tales of Dickens.
I normally do when I have re-arranged things.
I realised, today, when I set about putting weekend acquisitions on the shelves that I needed to some further adjustments. What I did last week just didn't work for me.
It seems to have worked for the customers though. This time of year can be abysmal for selling, but I feel I have done rather well. I sold 17 things in the last 7 days.
It has been a pleasant and relaxed day - just what Jo needed. She also managed to get some re-arranging done and a little new stock in.
We have laughed and talked shop a lot.
We have also talked of the trials of widowhood - from not having enough concentration to watch TV to understanding pensions.
I was very glad for Jo when she admitted at the end of the day she had wondered if she would manage a whole day. Yesterday she had done half a day in her other shop and at lunchtime couldn't wait to leave and get home. Today we have provided the background for her to cope.
Now for a few glimpses of the "new" section - some of the stock might look familiar! This afternoon I went through my books and wrote new labels for things I have had for over a year - down to about what I paid for them.
The "Clarice Cliffe" sugar shaker.....well, isn't!
Isn't Clarice Cliffe!
It is a cheap, modern item in the style of Clarice.
I bought it this morning from Iris. Iris is in her 80s. She is enjoying playing the game of bringing treasures to the shop.
I like to help her play the game - and she brings us cake!
Pictures of Jo.
She has a red glow in the picture on the left because we have a heater suspended from the ceiling which emits a powerful red glow. Bill thinks it gives him a head ache.
Now quickly, make a cup of tea and watch The Mystery of Edwin Drood. I might as well allow the BBC to educate me, at last, on the merits and tales of Dickens.
Labels: shop and stock
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
In the world of buying and selling.
Epsom Racecourse - but not for the horses.
That's where we have been today.
The skies were blue for a while today.
But the wind swept across the downs and cut like a knife.
It was a day to be indoors.
Monika sells at this antiques fair once a month.
We decided to go and see her there.
The fair is not too high class, but I didn't expect to buy.
But it was pleasant to look round and learn and chat to people.
In fact I did buy. I have a 3 tiered cake plate - with art deco plates.
And I bought a table.
I bought it from Monika's friend.
I am afraid I beat her down rather.
It is quite special.
If I had trusted my knowledge at the time I might not have haggled so hard.
It is a 1950's coffee table (picture tomorrow).
It is is so, so stylish.
I wonder, I thought.....could this design be one of Lucienne Day's?
Her designs command high prices these days.
With hardly more than 2 clicks at the computer when we got home, I knew it was indeed, Lucienne Day.
I think my first move will be to list it on Ebay, on a free listing day, just to see what happens. I will have to put is as "Buyer Collects" because it is glass topped.
But for now, I welcome you to Pilgrim Antiques Centre.
There's Bill inside chatting with a customer.
Looking out into the street.
On the right I am standing by the shelf unit that, for 3 weeks , I am thinking of as my Christmas present section.
That's the cake plate I bought at Pulborough last Saturday.
And the Scottie dog tea pot that I bought at Ford.
There's a little glass jar at the front with a silver lid at the front. At least it should be a silver lid, but the plate has all worn off. I took it in yesterday, having bought it in Chichester. Today it was sold.
I know that because we came home from Epsom, via Dorking.
I was able to have a good long chat with Jo.
We don't do this enough. Both of us are busy and rarely seem to meet up. Normally we depend on phone calls.
Bill must have been tired when we got back. He is carrying a bug of some sort. He doesn't feel ill really, but his voice is sinking lower and lower....it sounds kind of interesting.
Time to make him a cup of coffee.
That's where we have been today.
The skies were blue for a while today.
But the wind swept across the downs and cut like a knife.
It was a day to be indoors.
Monika sells at this antiques fair once a month.
We decided to go and see her there.
The fair is not too high class, but I didn't expect to buy.
But it was pleasant to look round and learn and chat to people.
In fact I did buy. I have a 3 tiered cake plate - with art deco plates.
And I bought a table.
I bought it from Monika's friend.
I am afraid I beat her down rather.
It is quite special.
If I had trusted my knowledge at the time I might not have haggled so hard.
It is a 1950's coffee table (picture tomorrow).
It is is so, so stylish.
I wonder, I thought.....could this design be one of Lucienne Day's?
Her designs command high prices these days.
With hardly more than 2 clicks at the computer when we got home, I knew it was indeed, Lucienne Day.
I think my first move will be to list it on Ebay, on a free listing day, just to see what happens. I will have to put is as "Buyer Collects" because it is glass topped.
But for now, I welcome you to Pilgrim Antiques Centre.
There's Bill inside chatting with a customer.
Looking out into the street.
On the right I am standing by the shelf unit that, for 3 weeks , I am thinking of as my Christmas present section.
And the Scottie dog tea pot that I bought at Ford.
I know that because we came home from Epsom, via Dorking.
I was able to have a good long chat with Jo.
We don't do this enough. Both of us are busy and rarely seem to meet up. Normally we depend on phone calls.
Bill must have been tired when we got back. He is carrying a bug of some sort. He doesn't feel ill really, but his voice is sinking lower and lower....it sounds kind of interesting.
Time to make him a cup of coffee.
Labels: shop and stock
Monday, November 14, 2011
Bill in a hat at Pilgrim's
I didn't buy very much at Ford on Saturday.....so how come it took me all morning to get those things on the shelves in Pilgrims?
Well, of course one or two things had to be moved, which led to one or two more things being moved and so on.
But we did have time to sit with cups of tea and lemon drizzle cake.
Thank you Monika.
I spent a while helping Chris again this week...."You remember me don't you?" he asks as he walks in.
His carer had given him £10 to spend on antiques!
It is my job to steer him to anything that might be worth having and would interest him - and also to see if he would like something of mine!
Bother - he didn't want the dog ornament that I have had for months and would like to be rid of.
Finally I think I did well for him. He had a vase of Julie's and a mug commemorating the 1st moon landing, of mine.
I wonder how and why he went all wrong.
He knew the name of the first man on the moon.
He was fascinated that Julie was French and told us he liked French at school.
When he left I asked if he could remember how to say "Goodbye" in French....and he could, with a good accent too.
Talking of French, I give you now another comment on a school report of my brother Robin's French. Different teacher this time. "He is not really with us".
Bill was busy this afternoon selling furniture - not his, of course. A young man came and bought 3 items, all of which had lots of small items on them.
One of the things was a tallboy - exactly the same as the one we had at home when I was a child, in my parents' bedroom. It was basic wartime utility furniture. This one had been presented in the shabby chic style with uneven paintwork.
Yesterday I actually saw the family tallboy.
Jenny and Ruth don't want it.
I don't want it either.
If Roger, or anybody else in the family doesn't want it, I know that Monika would be interested in taking it on as a project for her new venture. She is using a section of a shop two doors down the road from Pilgrims to display just such furniture and items that fit the current trends.
To be discussed!
I yearned to buy something today that Jo had for sale.
It's a hat.
But not just any old hat.
It should be had by a collector of old Crawley items - but I am not a museum and don't feel justified in spending out £40.
This will mean something only to people who lived in Crawley many years ago.
Fogden's moved from The High Street....when?
They had a shop in the new town centre....but for how long?
If only Bill would concede that he looks good in a hat or could be bothered with one.
I would buy it for him, if only he would wear it.
But we did have time to sit with cups of tea and lemon drizzle cake.
Thank you Monika.
I spent a while helping Chris again this week...."You remember me don't you?" he asks as he walks in.
His carer had given him £10 to spend on antiques!
It is my job to steer him to anything that might be worth having and would interest him - and also to see if he would like something of mine!
Bother - he didn't want the dog ornament that I have had for months and would like to be rid of.
Finally I think I did well for him. He had a vase of Julie's and a mug commemorating the 1st moon landing, of mine.
I wonder how and why he went all wrong.
He knew the name of the first man on the moon.
He was fascinated that Julie was French and told us he liked French at school.
When he left I asked if he could remember how to say "Goodbye" in French....and he could, with a good accent too.
Talking of French, I give you now another comment on a school report of my brother Robin's French. Different teacher this time. "He is not really with us".
Bill was busy this afternoon selling furniture - not his, of course. A young man came and bought 3 items, all of which had lots of small items on them.
One of the things was a tallboy - exactly the same as the one we had at home when I was a child, in my parents' bedroom. It was basic wartime utility furniture. This one had been presented in the shabby chic style with uneven paintwork.
Yesterday I actually saw the family tallboy.
Jenny and Ruth don't want it.
I don't want it either.
If Roger, or anybody else in the family doesn't want it, I know that Monika would be interested in taking it on as a project for her new venture. She is using a section of a shop two doors down the road from Pilgrims to display just such furniture and items that fit the current trends.
To be discussed!
I yearned to buy something today that Jo had for sale.
It's a hat.
But not just any old hat.
It should be had by a collector of old Crawley items - but I am not a museum and don't feel justified in spending out £40.
This will mean something only to people who lived in Crawley many years ago.
Fogden's moved from The High Street....when?
They had a shop in the new town centre....but for how long?
If only Bill would concede that he looks good in a hat or could be bothered with one.
I would buy it for him, if only he would wear it.
Labels: shop and stock
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Extra day in the shop.
Today was an extra day in the shop for us.
We were on duty with Jill, a glass specialist.
Monika came in for a while too, which was lovely.
The morning was very quiet indeed - lots of time for chatting.
This afternoon things went quite hectic. A glass buyer came in - Jill knew that her luck would be in!
He was with us for a while and bought lots.
Meanwhile Bill and I sold a cupboard for Jonathan and a Lloyd Loom chair for Jo.....and lots more.
There were some things for us too.
But I spent more than I took today.
Huh! My takings would be better if I took a bit more care. I sold a musical poodle dog yesterday (very 1950's). It would have made me a tenner if only I had re-labelled it. It still had the label on that the seller down at Ford had put on it. Thus I made nothing and it sold for £5.
I wonder if I can do better on the things I paid out for today.
I had rather hoped that the woman with the mahjong set would take it away and stay away. But she came back!
I was duty bound to pay what I had offered.
I know nothing about mahjong - except that it is a game of Chinese origin.
Later I bought a small flat iron on a basic but quite quaint stand that had been home made.
I didn't have the man's tatty spoons, but I hope the iron will prove to be ornamental in somebody's kitchen.
I have Bill's grandmother's flat iron in my family cabinet at home.
We were on duty with Jill, a glass specialist.
Monika came in for a while too, which was lovely.
The morning was very quiet indeed - lots of time for chatting.
This afternoon things went quite hectic. A glass buyer came in - Jill knew that her luck would be in!
He was with us for a while and bought lots.
Meanwhile Bill and I sold a cupboard for Jonathan and a Lloyd Loom chair for Jo.....and lots more.
There were some things for us too.
But I spent more than I took today.
Huh! My takings would be better if I took a bit more care. I sold a musical poodle dog yesterday (very 1950's). It would have made me a tenner if only I had re-labelled it. It still had the label on that the seller down at Ford had put on it. Thus I made nothing and it sold for £5.
I wonder if I can do better on the things I paid out for today.
I had rather hoped that the woman with the mahjong set would take it away and stay away. But she came back!
I was duty bound to pay what I had offered.
I know nothing about mahjong - except that it is a game of Chinese origin.
Later I bought a small flat iron on a basic but quite quaint stand that had been home made.
I didn't have the man's tatty spoons, but I hope the iron will prove to be ornamental in somebody's kitchen.
I have Bill's grandmother's flat iron in my family cabinet at home.
Labels: shop and stock
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Shop, lunch and neighbours.
I suppose it could be raining on Saturday, too....which will upset family plans.
But at least it will be warm rain!
Today rain changed our plans. It was dismal for a while and we opted not to go to Brighton.
Instead we went to Dorking. I am glad I did because with the kitchen chairs gone I was able to put some other things in front of the main shelves.
Those kitchen weighing scales are extremely heavy and much to large for most modern kitchens.
The doll's pram is in very good condition, despite being 40 or 50 years old.
General view of my section.
I wonder how much will have gone by the time we are next there....October 17th.
It was a very sociable time with about 7 of us dealers chatting and laughing .
It is a good place to have as part of my world.
Bill and I came home via Horley and had the bargain afternoon meal in The George Fairman (Wetherspoons).
But I had to battle for it!
Bill had ordered and thought he had been understood - but the silly girl had sent through the wrong order to the kitchen and slices of ham with egg and chips arrived - and not with the tea or coffee included in the price.
I think Bill might have muttered "Never mind"....but I did mind. I wanted gammon and I didn't want to have to pay for the drinks.
I got it sorted and I enjoyed my meal for £3.49, as it should have been.
By this time the weather was much improved.
Once we were home we went to see our neighbour Rose - enjoying more tea with her.
Rose is over 80, but in no way are her faculties diminished. I need to know that she is around in the back ground to keep a watch on Frieda - our 90 year old neighbour, who does have difficulties holding life together these days.
It is now time for Who Do You Think You Are - Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees this week.
BBC TV is one thing I miss when we are out of the country.
I miss the interesting programmes about people - their triumphs and tragedies and the way people cope with things.
I definitely won't be blogging tomorrow evening - at this time (9 o'clock) we will actually not have yet left the country - but should be boarding the plane for a late supper and hopefully some sleep.
I shall try to put a very brief blog posting on most days when we are away - but there will be 6 of us chasing just one computer!
I think pictures will get on to facebook - from one or other of us. Maybe not on to the blog.
Time to finish the red wine from yesterday evening.
Bye for now.
But at least it will be warm rain!
Today rain changed our plans. It was dismal for a while and we opted not to go to Brighton.
Instead we went to Dorking. I am glad I did because with the kitchen chairs gone I was able to put some other things in front of the main shelves.
Those kitchen weighing scales are extremely heavy and much to large for most modern kitchens.
The doll's pram is in very good condition, despite being 40 or 50 years old.
General view of my section.
I wonder how much will have gone by the time we are next there....October 17th.
It was a very sociable time with about 7 of us dealers chatting and laughing .
It is a good place to have as part of my world.
Bill and I came home via Horley and had the bargain afternoon meal in The George Fairman (Wetherspoons).
But I had to battle for it!
Bill had ordered and thought he had been understood - but the silly girl had sent through the wrong order to the kitchen and slices of ham with egg and chips arrived - and not with the tea or coffee included in the price.
I think Bill might have muttered "Never mind"....but I did mind. I wanted gammon and I didn't want to have to pay for the drinks.
I got it sorted and I enjoyed my meal for £3.49, as it should have been.
By this time the weather was much improved.
Once we were home we went to see our neighbour Rose - enjoying more tea with her.
Rose is over 80, but in no way are her faculties diminished. I need to know that she is around in the back ground to keep a watch on Frieda - our 90 year old neighbour, who does have difficulties holding life together these days.
It is now time for Who Do You Think You Are - Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees this week.
BBC TV is one thing I miss when we are out of the country.
I miss the interesting programmes about people - their triumphs and tragedies and the way people cope with things.
I definitely won't be blogging tomorrow evening - at this time (9 o'clock) we will actually not have yet left the country - but should be boarding the plane for a late supper and hopefully some sleep.
I shall try to put a very brief blog posting on most days when we are away - but there will be 6 of us chasing just one computer!
I think pictures will get on to facebook - from one or other of us. Maybe not on to the blog.
Time to finish the red wine from yesterday evening.
Bye for now.
Labels: shop and stock
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Diary of the day and pictures from Pilgrim's Antiques.
It has been a day of several small episodes.
My first was to visit the doctor.
As I drove there I did wonder if it would be a waste of time.
But decided that it can never be a waste of time to be told there are no particular problems at the moment. My parathyroid glands are behaving well!
Bill's computer - the original one we got over 10 years ago has not been behaving well.
He collected it from Crawley Computers today with the original hard drive wiped and gone.
His second hard drive is the only one now.
Many of the programmes and activities on the original hard drive are not on the second one.
So, Bill is now beginning the task of sorting it.
I mused earlier that maybe the ominous silence was worse than the mutterings and huffings and puffings of frustration as things didn't go quite right.
I spent a while this afternoon on the phone. I was talking with old friend Lyn. At one time we spent a lot of time together on timekeeping steps; but she and her husband seemed to suddenly burn themselves out and all enthusiasm had gone - so we meet no more. "After Thailand" we must put that right.
Later we went to see our two young nephews - one had a 3rd birthday on Sunday and the other has his first day at school tomorrow.
He is part of the free school experiment.
It maybe isn't really right that money is put into these schools with better facilities and pupil/staff ratios - money that could be used to improve main stream schooling.
But I do know that had such a school existed I would have been very much for my boys being part of it.
Good luck to the new school and all the new pupils.
And now I will sahre with you the fresh re-arrangement of my section at Pilgrims Antiques.
General view, as seen by the customers as they reach the end of the shop.
Mostly 1950s and 1960s. The musician ornaments are from the USSR.
The next pictures show how I came to be moving everything around again.
I decided to combine the pretty feminine stuff with the children's toys and books and call it the Mother and Child section.
The kitchen area had to be squeezed into a smaller space than before.
View of my section from the back door.
My first was to visit the doctor.
As I drove there I did wonder if it would be a waste of time.
But decided that it can never be a waste of time to be told there are no particular problems at the moment. My parathyroid glands are behaving well!
Bill's computer - the original one we got over 10 years ago has not been behaving well.
He collected it from Crawley Computers today with the original hard drive wiped and gone.
His second hard drive is the only one now.
Many of the programmes and activities on the original hard drive are not on the second one.
So, Bill is now beginning the task of sorting it.
I mused earlier that maybe the ominous silence was worse than the mutterings and huffings and puffings of frustration as things didn't go quite right.
I spent a while this afternoon on the phone. I was talking with old friend Lyn. At one time we spent a lot of time together on timekeeping steps; but she and her husband seemed to suddenly burn themselves out and all enthusiasm had gone - so we meet no more. "After Thailand" we must put that right.
Later we went to see our two young nephews - one had a 3rd birthday on Sunday and the other has his first day at school tomorrow.
He is part of the free school experiment.
It maybe isn't really right that money is put into these schools with better facilities and pupil/staff ratios - money that could be used to improve main stream schooling.
But I do know that had such a school existed I would have been very much for my boys being part of it.
Good luck to the new school and all the new pupils.
And now I will sahre with you the fresh re-arrangement of my section at Pilgrims Antiques.
General view, as seen by the customers as they reach the end of the shop.
Mostly 1950s and 1960s. The musician ornaments are from the USSR.
The next pictures show how I came to be moving everything around again.
I decided to combine the pretty feminine stuff with the children's toys and books and call it the Mother and Child section.
The kitchen area had to be squeezed into a smaller space than before.
Labels: shop and stock
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Saturday with energy.
Somehow oomph has carried me through today - a busy day.
It has been a long and varied day.
We were up at 6 o'clock - still almost dark at that time now.
Ford was busy and I was busy buying.
I bought over 100 books from one stall.
He was a house clearance man - somebody now had no need of hundreds and hundreds of books relating to transport - and DVDs, videos, photographs.
I was not alone in creating a vast pile of books to take away.
Others also have outlets - maybe also EBay.
I doubt that these books (and maps) will get written up before we go to Thailand - certainly not sold before then.
They cost me 65p each. They should sell for an average of £3 each.
So, almost immediately I was pushing the trolley back to the car.
But not before buying 2 1950s blankets for a pound each.
Now isn't that always the way?
Yesterday the carrier came to collect 2 blankets for a German buyer and not much more than 12 hours later I have 2 more.
There are the blankets with a wonderful 1950s 60s dish displayed on them, which, incidentally was made in Germany.
The next item to be displayed on the blankets was one of those must have items.
I saw it from a distance away and knew it would be mine (for a while).
I didn't even know what it was at first.
I thought it was just a 1950s fruit bowl upside down on something.
But no - it's a lampshade; quite unlike any I have seen before.
I have the opriginal chain, too, to suspend it from the ceiling.
Another item to suspend is a 1960s wall hanging - a pottery wall hanging.
I love it!
I feel that today I have really boosted my stock for the coming winter months with some very interesting things.
Of course, we enjoyed a breakfast in Littlehampton. Our Balaton breakfasts will soon end. We may be with them perhaps 3 times before the family enjoy their 3 month long winter break.
We walked along the river.
Today we saw large gravel boats. With the high tide this made it necessary to open the sliding footbridge.
And then we went to Findon.
What would the sheep fair be?
It was huge and popular and really buzzing. I loved it. I look forward to going again next year.
We talked with all sorts of people - and were there at the time that children were showing sheep in the show rings.
We stayed until it rained a bit.
We took lots of photographs - which I will sort out tomorrow. Bill can only sort them out on this computer, because he hasn't got his back yet.
We talked over breakfast about whether this is the time to replace that old machine.
Well, this isn't the time.....it would have to wait until "after Thailand".
Since then we have eaten bits and pieces and drunk endless cups of tea and watched TV.
Yes, it's winter Saturday evening time.
Dr. Who was good this week - interesting that The Doctor can often take a fairly minor role. The love story between Amy and Rory was very central today.
Interesting, too, is that if I had had my way then our Ashley might have been named Rory. That would have been 2 sons with the names of Dr Who assistants!
Now, time for another cup of tea and then an early night.
I shall be up to go to Pease Pottage in the morning. It won't be a long day out - far too much to do at home.
It has been a long and varied day.
We were up at 6 o'clock - still almost dark at that time now.
Ford was busy and I was busy buying.
I bought over 100 books from one stall.
He was a house clearance man - somebody now had no need of hundreds and hundreds of books relating to transport - and DVDs, videos, photographs.
I was not alone in creating a vast pile of books to take away.
Others also have outlets - maybe also EBay.
I doubt that these books (and maps) will get written up before we go to Thailand - certainly not sold before then.
They cost me 65p each. They should sell for an average of £3 each.
So, almost immediately I was pushing the trolley back to the car.
But not before buying 2 1950s blankets for a pound each.
Now isn't that always the way?
Yesterday the carrier came to collect 2 blankets for a German buyer and not much more than 12 hours later I have 2 more.
There are the blankets with a wonderful 1950s 60s dish displayed on them, which, incidentally was made in Germany.
The next item to be displayed on the blankets was one of those must have items.
I saw it from a distance away and knew it would be mine (for a while).
I didn't even know what it was at first.
I thought it was just a 1950s fruit bowl upside down on something.
But no - it's a lampshade; quite unlike any I have seen before.
I have the opriginal chain, too, to suspend it from the ceiling.
Another item to suspend is a 1960s wall hanging - a pottery wall hanging.
I love it!
I feel that today I have really boosted my stock for the coming winter months with some very interesting things.
Of course, we enjoyed a breakfast in Littlehampton. Our Balaton breakfasts will soon end. We may be with them perhaps 3 times before the family enjoy their 3 month long winter break.
We walked along the river.
Today we saw large gravel boats. With the high tide this made it necessary to open the sliding footbridge.
And then we went to Findon.
What would the sheep fair be?
It was huge and popular and really buzzing. I loved it. I look forward to going again next year.
We talked with all sorts of people - and were there at the time that children were showing sheep in the show rings.
We stayed until it rained a bit.
We took lots of photographs - which I will sort out tomorrow. Bill can only sort them out on this computer, because he hasn't got his back yet.
We talked over breakfast about whether this is the time to replace that old machine.
Well, this isn't the time.....it would have to wait until "after Thailand".
Since then we have eaten bits and pieces and drunk endless cups of tea and watched TV.
Yes, it's winter Saturday evening time.
Dr. Who was good this week - interesting that The Doctor can often take a fairly minor role. The love story between Amy and Rory was very central today.
Interesting, too, is that if I had had my way then our Ashley might have been named Rory. That would have been 2 sons with the names of Dr Who assistants!
Now, time for another cup of tea and then an early night.
I shall be up to go to Pease Pottage in the morning. It won't be a long day out - far too much to do at home.
Labels: shop and stock
Monday, September 05, 2011
Birthday celebrations.
There will be some more family pictures from yesterdays' celebration.
But not this evening.
I have another celebration to record.
Bless Monika - she worked hard to make up for missing my birthday and this morning's mug of tea turned into a birthday celebration.
The pretty mug was a gift and there were chocolates and an amusing card - about eating cake and not your friends!
So much to wish for!
I wish I had had a sale today!
But not to worry - I am busy writing up the sales of the last 2 weeks; still not finished.
One sale I feel just a tiny bit embarrassed about. I had a bowl, bought very cheaply, which I deemed to be quite valuable. It was made by Wilkinson's with a Clarice Cliffe design.
It is on the chair, on the left.
I had priced it up and later on I thought maybe I had gone too high.
I hate charging high prices!
But it seems I never got around to changing the price ticket and on Saturday it sold.
It will soon be time for sleeping - I must put the kettle on for a night cap cup of tea.
But not this evening.
I have another celebration to record.
Bless Monika - she worked hard to make up for missing my birthday and this morning's mug of tea turned into a birthday celebration.
I wish I had had a sale today!
But not to worry - I am busy writing up the sales of the last 2 weeks; still not finished.
One sale I feel just a tiny bit embarrassed about. I had a bowl, bought very cheaply, which I deemed to be quite valuable. It was made by Wilkinson's with a Clarice Cliffe design.
I had priced it up and later on I thought maybe I had gone too high.
I hate charging high prices!
But it seems I never got around to changing the price ticket and on Saturday it sold.
It will soon be time for sleeping - I must put the kettle on for a night cap cup of tea.
Labels: shop and stock
Thursday, August 18, 2011
A Thursday Dorking Day
Thursdays are not like Mondays......the days in the shop have different feelings about them.
On Monday we sometimes feel we are leant on a bit too much, but I, at any rate, feel very comfortable.
When we help on Thursday I tend to feel like I am walking on egg shells - trying to make sure how Jill likes things done.
She is a lovely person and I get on pretty well with her, but she is a stickler for her rules and is very protective of the shop - having been in it longer than the rest of the dealers.
I think she would have been pleased that I spent a lot of time working on my own at the back of the shop.
She likes to think that customers are being watched.
The task I set myself today was to go through my stock file and reduce the prices of everything I have had for a year or more.
I don't like to cross out old prices and write on a new price - that would seem to convey to a potential customer that nobody has wanted it. So I make new labels for all reductions.
It's not really hard work, but today I have felt tired and muzzy headed.
I finished off by taking a few pictures of my section.
A general view from the back door.
Now looking towards the back door.
A section to interest the men.
The nursery and the kitchen.
China and glass of all sorts.
Life is good there and sales continue - selling something each day, pretty well.
Today has felt really quite chilly - are we almost at the end of the summer?
Surely the next month will bring us more sunshine.
There was rain today - but nothing like that which Bournemouth to the west of her received.
On Monday we sometimes feel we are leant on a bit too much, but I, at any rate, feel very comfortable.
When we help on Thursday I tend to feel like I am walking on egg shells - trying to make sure how Jill likes things done.
She is a lovely person and I get on pretty well with her, but she is a stickler for her rules and is very protective of the shop - having been in it longer than the rest of the dealers.
I think she would have been pleased that I spent a lot of time working on my own at the back of the shop.
She likes to think that customers are being watched.
The task I set myself today was to go through my stock file and reduce the prices of everything I have had for a year or more.
I don't like to cross out old prices and write on a new price - that would seem to convey to a potential customer that nobody has wanted it. So I make new labels for all reductions.
It's not really hard work, but today I have felt tired and muzzy headed.
I finished off by taking a few pictures of my section.
A general view from the back door.
A section to interest the men.
Life is good there and sales continue - selling something each day, pretty well.
Today has felt really quite chilly - are we almost at the end of the summer?
Surely the next month will bring us more sunshine.
There was rain today - but nothing like that which Bournemouth to the west of her received.
Labels: shop and stock
Monday, June 20, 2011
PIlgrims Antiques Centre Dorking - Paula's section.
I did it! I rearranged all my things at the shop. The 1950s chairs are in place and the bread bin which I bought on Saturday.
I wonder why so much had to be moved to incorporate 2 chairs and a bread bin!
Here is a closer look at the chairs........
This view shows how I started moving things - I wanted the 1950s/60s red shelf to be the background for the chairs.
And here is the bread bin.....with as selection of kitchen items which loosely match in colour.
I have always liked to create displays which show similar items and colours together.
Here we are, back in the kitchen in blues and greens.
My kitchen section had been somewhat decimated this week.
There have been sales.
I went in this morning planning to remove a bread bin, plain white which I have had for ages. I wanted to create space for the more interesting bread bin.
The white one sold last Wednesday.
In addition, Sue, our window display creator has created a kitchen to attract the passers by - with lots of my stuff.
I moved the blacks and yellows to the shelf in front of the little window.
Not everything from the 1950s and 60s was in bright colours - here is a selection of more muted tones.
I have a section for Mr Collector.
Today I sold from that section - 2 books of cigarette cards and an old map.
Bill sold 3 model cars from his section.
I forgot to take a picture of my Mother and Child section.
Maybe I will do it tomorrow.
Yes, we have to return because I left my handbag in the shop.
This forgetting things is catching - everybody has been doing it lately.
Never mind, the weather looks reasonably promising and perhaps we can enjoy a day out.
So, yes - I did it.
And Andy Murray has just done it.....won his first match at Wimbledon.
Here is a closer look at the chairs........
I have always liked to create displays which show similar items and colours together.
My kitchen section had been somewhat decimated this week.
There have been sales.
I went in this morning planning to remove a bread bin, plain white which I have had for ages. I wanted to create space for the more interesting bread bin.
The white one sold last Wednesday.
In addition, Sue, our window display creator has created a kitchen to attract the passers by - with lots of my stuff.
Today I sold from that section - 2 books of cigarette cards and an old map.
Bill sold 3 model cars from his section.
I forgot to take a picture of my Mother and Child section.
Maybe I will do it tomorrow.
Yes, we have to return because I left my handbag in the shop.
This forgetting things is catching - everybody has been doing it lately.
Never mind, the weather looks reasonably promising and perhaps we can enjoy a day out.
So, yes - I did it.
And Andy Murray has just done it.....won his first match at Wimbledon.
Labels: shop and stock
