MARKETS

Markets - well markets and a few other things besides. I bought the beaded necklace above about 30 years ago (yes that's 30 folks) I found the detail and pattern fascinating, it also reminded me of crochet. This is where the markets come into the story. We holidayed in Dorset many times when visiting my Grandparents and the area around Christchurch became a second home. I always went to the Market at Highcliffe, I couldn't wait to get to the fabric stall to see what was on the 50p a yard stack. One day my brother and I decided to walk from Avon Beach into Christchurch, it was quite a long way, we used to walk everywhere though, it was more fun. It's strange thinking back now, no one reminded us to take a bottle of water, wear a hat or put on sunscreen it was something we did naturally, and I remember my brother wore his leather cowboy hat. We had to look after ourselves, there were no mobile phones in case of emergencies, I think life was generally more relaxed. When we arrived there was an amazing market in the hall, something quite new, an Antique and Collectors Market. That's where I bought the beaded necklace. It was in a terrible state and as soon as we got home I sat at the table and restrung the intricate beading.

All those years ago the beaded necklace inspired the idea of making a crochet necklace in a similar style. Well you may be thinking to yourselves that I've been a while creating something from this idea, but the time seemed right. I tried the design out a couple of years ago but it's only recently that crochet jewellery has really taken off. If you take a look on Chocolate Creative you will see some inspirational and sophisticated crochet jewellery by Kjoo.

The wool above is the one I chose for my necklace. It is by Noro and if you look at the link there is some very interesting info about the product. I chose this wool because it has a very natural quality as if straight from the spinning wheel complete with slight imperfections, I love the heather colours.

Here is one of the necklaces made with the wool, I sold the necklace at the Woodbridge Market on The Hill. I have put on one of my Blackbird buttons. My husband took the photo at Orford and I printed it onto computer fabric.

These are the cuffs I made along the same theme which also sold. It's so nice to see the expression on a customers face when they are inspired by something I have made. You never quite know whether an idea is going to be successful.

The cuff above was bought by a customer with a daughter at University in Bournemouth and she wanted to send her something different. Funnily enough I met a lot of people from Bournemouth that day.

Here is something a bit more elaborate. I thoroughly enjoy making these necklaces and so much intricate detail can be added with fine crochet to look just like the beaded necklace.

Back to the Markets. The Woodbridge Vintage and Contemporary Market was fantastic. There was an amazingly positive vibe and lots of happy faces. I met so many fellow bloggers with some fantastic stalls. It also gave me a chance to show my Adele Design Products and I sold quite a few t-cloths and prints. There is a great film of the market with some very groovy music FILM

The film reminds me of the great town markets of the 70's, never to be missed and a great social gathering. I walked past a really lively market in Ipswich the other day, there was all the usual banter and a huge veg stall. When I lived in Rayleigh we always walked to the Wednesday market, this was another place to find a piled high fabric stall for 50p a yard, a lovely lady who made dolls clothes, a stamp collecting stall and a huge stall which used to sell slightly out of date packets of food (probably not allowed to do that any more) and then there was the vicar with bric-a-brac and old china. They also had the auction going on at the same time and a little Antique shop where I bought a miniature mouse made of felt.

Later on in life I took my children to the Rayleigh Market, we also used to go to the one in Rochford which we could walk to. Those were the days before my eldest daughter started school, when we could plan our own days. We used to sing all the way to the market and have great fun and then go for a picnic.

It's surprising the memories that Markets can bring.

Which brings me to Lovejoy, Markets, wheeling and dealing and adventure. Am I the only one? Are there any more Lovejoy fans out there? Perhaps I should start a bring back Lovejoy Campaign.