July Magpie Market Preview

I was going to brag about for once getting my act together for this Sunday's Magpie Market, but I don't think taking preview photos three days before the fair counts as being on top of things.

At any rate, here's a little glimpse of some pieces I'll be bringing along on Sunday (accessories are my own and sadly neither vintage or for sale).

Blue silk sleeveless top, black button skirt with camel polka dots

French pastel stripe top, blush pleated maxi skirt

Leopard print burnout top, zigzag pleated skirt

Nude polkadot top, blue button skirt

I'll have lots of summery things - more dresses than last time and loads of silk shirts, tops, skirts and blazers as usual. There's a small chance I'll get a few more up on the blog beforehand - if not you'll just have to come to the Hub and check them out in person. Hope to see you there!

Merci, Magpie Market!

Has it only been a week since the Magpie Market? Maybe it's just because this was the first five day work week that I've had in a month and a bit (thanks for the holidays, JC and Wills and Kate!) but it feels like eons ago!

This was the first time that Magpie was being held in the Hub on the Royal Mile. Despite the fact that I lived just across the road during my first year in Edinburgh, I had never seen the inside of the hall before (though I had been in the cafe). In short, it was stunning - bright, colourful, spacious, the perfect venue! 

In the hustle and bustle of getting all my stock over to the Hub (in a downpour, no less!!) I forgot to bring my camera. My lovely assistant (also known as the best boyfriend in the world - who also designed my awesome blog header!) had already made it halfway home when I realised that we had forgotten to take pictures - so I had to summon him back and he took the pics below on his phone (did I mention that he's the best? in the world?). A little on the fuzzy side but better than nothing, right?

All in all it was a really nice day with a great mix of items for sale, not just vintage clothing but handmade jewelery, stationary, art and more. I'm always blown away by people's handmade items - not only because they clearly take so much careful time and effort to make, but because so many vendors pay such close attention to their packaging, branding and display. A lot of hard work and a lot of talent in that hall on Sunday! Thanks to everyone at Magpie for putting together such a great day.

I'm hoping to be at the next Magpie Market in July, but I will post here when I can confirm for sure. There are a few other opportunities for  you to see more of On the Mend in the works, but mostly in the very early stages. I met with the lovely Agata of Whispering Grass this afternoon to discuss one idea in particular but I'm afraid mum's the word for now!

One secret that I can let out of the bag - On the Mend is now on Facebook! Please give us a "Like" to stay updated on future fairs and the odd preview and promotion.

Until next time! x

Magpie Market Tomorrow!

I am madly hemming and ironing and sewing buttons in preparation for tomorrow's Magpie Market. I did squeeze in a few minutes to take some before and after pictures of dresses that I'll be bringing along with me tomorrow!

Two former shapeless sack dresses now cute and ready for summer! I hope they find new owners tomorrow... otherwise I might be tempted to keep them myself.

I'll also be bringing along loads of skirts (pleated, polka dotted and generally pretty!), silk shirts in every colour of the rainbow and lots more. Can't wait to give them all new homes. See you tomorrow between 11am and 4pm at the Hub on the Royal Mile!

Vintage fairs, past and future

So... regular blogging is not my forte. Meant to let you know that the Funk Fair was a success and that I was booked to sell my duds at Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair at the beginning of March... and then I got caught up in a whirlwind of hemming and ironing and swing tag preparation (I lead a thrilling life, I know).

And then after Judy's I meant to let you know that the fair was a super success (with over 1,000 vintage lovers in attendance!), but I went away on holiday. And then I was just lazy. Pure and simple.

But a three day weekend here in lovely Edinburgh means no more laziness, no more excuses. So I thought I would share some pics of Judy's with you, as well as a little preview of what's to come.

I should probably get straight to the real point of this post before I do anything else: I will be selling at the Magpie Market on Sunday May 8th. I've been to Magpie as a customer before and they always have the coolest handmade goodies. This year they've moved to the Hub on the Royal Mile (right by my old flat, actually). Doors will be open 11am to 4pm and I really hope to see you there.

I will try (emphasis on try) to do more previews this time around, so here's a tiny teaser to start off with.

(leftover scraps of fabric from some skirts I was hemming this aft - and my wooden duck)

(a rainbow of silk shirts and silky blouses - you have no idea how tempted I am to keep some of these for myself)

And, as promised, some pics from Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair back in March. Originally I was a bit worried they wouldn't have the same turn out as in the past, since this year it was held down at the Drill Hall in Leith, but the size of the queue quickly reassured me! I always get super nervous the night before a fair ("will anyone buy any of this? or will I be stuck with a flat full of hemmed pleated skirts?") but luckily all the other sellers were lovely people, and the response to my stock was fantastic. Thanks to all who took home a little piece of On the Mend!

My only regret is that I didn't have a chance to browse the other stalls until late in the day - which means lots of the best items had already been snapped up. Oh well - probably better for my bank account in the long run. Judy's is back again in the autumn, so fingers crossed I'll be there too. But with Magpie in May (and possibly again in July), I'll definitely be keeping busy this summer!