Vintage by Nina ~ Coming Soon!

I am very excited and proud to announce that Betty & Violet has been selected as the exclusive distributor of Vintage by Nina books within the UK.  

Collected and admired around the world, Nina Hartmann’s books will now be available with English text in the UK for the first time!  Nina is an internationally renowned interior stylist with an established business in Sweden specialising in sourcing beautiful goods in the French Nordic style.  The books reflect her love of authentic vintage & antique pieces and are exquisitely photographed capturing every last detail of Nina’s style and the unique patina of the past.

The books will be available to purchase from Betty & Violet and selected retailers across the country.  If you have a shop and are interested in stocking the books for your customers, please do contact me! 

The original Vintage by Nina book is now in stock ready for immediate despatch, available from my website at www.bettyandviolet.com. 

Nina's new book 'Among Vintage & Friends' is due for release in September 2013 and will shortly be available to pre-order.  

Until next time...

Ali x

Summertime?

I do hope that Summer might have finally arrived ~ we have a lovely sunny day here today...

The new Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine, June issue has just arrived in stock from Denmark and is full of inspirational photographs to cheer me up after all the horrid weather in the UK over the past few days!

Here is a little taster...

Available from my website at www.bettyandviolet.com.

I shall be attending the Vintage Festival at Farnham Maltings in Surrey for the first time this Sunday ~ really looking forward to this busy fair, lots of fabulous stallholders!  It would be lovely to see some familiar faces if you can make it... 

Ali x

Hospital camp beds...

are not at all comfortable...as I found out last week when my gorgeous girl was admitted to hospital...

Five nights later with lots of care and the right medicines I am very glad to say that she is home again and well on her way to recovery ~ her smile has come back!

I wanted to say a big thank you to all customers, friends and people I have never met before for such kind emails, texts and messages over the past week and for your patience if you were waiting for an order to arrive!  I am just about catching up with packages so if you haven't received it yet, it should be with you in the next couple of days and I do apologise for the slight delay in despatching them.  Normally, I am the fastest shipper in the West!

I must admit I feel a bit shell shocked and am gently easing myself back into normality...

I had to cancel my space at The Vintage Bazaar at Devizes on Saturday, sorry that I missed you, but I will be out and about next month in Hartley Wintney and Frome ~ and I am glad to say that there will be another at Devizes later in the year and I will be there!  

So, in the meantime I plan to catch up on a bit of creativity, making lots more stock for my website and fairs, alongside some tidying up and sorting out!  I am planning a workroom declutter and will be making up some 'Betty & Violet Special Vintage Selection Packs' with scraps of antique and vintage textiles, buttons, ribbons, ephemera etc.  

I also have re-stocked my online bookstore with Jeanne d'Arc Living books that were previously out of stock, so if you were after a copy of 'Fairytale Easter', 'Amazing Retreats', 'Best Recipes' or the original 'Christmas' book I have limited quantities available here.

The March issue of the magazine is also available ~ with lots of gorgeous inspiration for Springtime....

Looking forward to catching up with you all again soon...

Love

Ali 

x

Beautiful books...

Due to popular demand, I will have back in stock a small selection of books from the Jeanne d'Arc Living range including 'Fairytale Easter', 'Amazing Retreats', 'Best Recipes' and 'Christmas'.

There will be a limited quantity available only...copies can be pre-ordered here.

Ali x

Catching up...

Gosh, where does the time disappear to?  Busy bees all of us....

Looking forward to my next fair on Saturday 2nd March 'The Vintage Bazaar' which is taking place at the Corn Exchange in Devizes, Wiltshire.  The first time for this new venue which looks great!

Have been busy with some new stock, stitching, painting, gluing & writing to get ready for a nice display for the occasion!  I love putting my 'pop up shop' together for the day and the girls at the VB always organise such lovely events ~ and so looking forward to catching up with the vintage gang (sellers and customers!)

Here is a little taster of what I shall be bringing with me...

Lots of gorgeous trims & lace ~ I have recently acquired quite a lot of beautiful collector's lace pieces including a Victorian Honiton veil, stunning Maltese lace Bertha collars, whitework embroidered cuffs and some shorter lengths of rare lace including the small piece of 17th century Venetian needle-lace known as Rose Point.

I have also been making some pretty Easter decorations like these ~

I will also have the March issue of Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine with me...

In the meantime, I am a very lucky girl as I am going to Venice this weekend (wellies or waders at the ready as it is mostly underwater at the moment!) and am hoping to take some photos to inspire my next collection of hand-made designs.  I've never been and it is somewhere that has been on my wish list for years...

Ciao until next time!

Ali x

And the winner is....Liz at Shortbread & Ginger!

Please email me your address ~ there is a link to my email on the sidebar of my blog on the right hand side.  I can then pop the magazine in the post for you!

Congratulations!

Ali x

Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine Giveaway

The new Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine ~ February issue, is so wonderfully, gorgeously covetable and joyful ~ perfect for this gloomy time of year to lift our spirits and provide us with pages of inspiration and glossy loveliness.  

Giveaway.....simply post a message before midnight on Valentines day 14th February and one name will be pulled out of the hat to win a copy!

 Good luck!

Ali x

Fairy dolls looking for good homes...

I shall miss them...the last little gathering of hand-made fairy dolls has been added to my website today.  These are the last ones available and are looking for trees to adorn, and loving homes ~ for Christmas and forever...

www.bettyandviolet.com

Betty & Violet's next vintage production...

The Vintage Christmas Boutique at Woburn Abbey!

Gathered together with 36 other talented sellers, we will be creating a vintage winter wonderland of beautifully displayed, original vintage & antique goods and artisan wares.  We are all like-minded souls who love vintage style, many of us creating our own original designs that cannot be found on the high street.   There will be a mixture of sellers travelling from around the country and local businesses too, all selected not only for their amazing products but for their skill and creativity in setting up magical ‘pop up shops’.  

We will have an amazing array of authentic vintage and antique goods, including fashion pieces (that can be tried on before buying) linens and textiles, furniture, homewares, accessories and jewellery.  For the vintage addict who loves to make, find haberdashery, trims and ephemera ~ vintage Christmas heaven!  Designer/makers will be showcasing their original creations, including festive decorations and gifts that are made with and inspired by vintage materials.   

Betty & Violet’s Tea Salon will be serving hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, homemade cakes and fancies, all served on elegant, pretty vintage china of course!  Flowers on the tables,  silver gilt chairs and white table linen ~ hope you get the picture!  We are also delighted to have Fiona Harrison, a costume artist and vintage style singer entertaining us with music from the 1920’s ~ 50’s.

We will be running a free prize draw consisting of a vintage themed Christmas giveaway too…

The event will be a perfect girls’ vintage style day out, shopping, music, lunch and afternoon tea ~ what more could you ask for under one roof?!

The Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey is an old orangery and the building provides the most stunning backdrop; a twinkling, festive emporium for the day!

The Vintage Christmas Boutique opens at 10.00am (gate & ticket office will open at 9.30am) until 4.00pm, entrance is £5.00 on the door or £4.50 if booked in advance online via the website. 

The Sculpture Gallery

Woburn Abbey

Woburn

Bedfordshire

MK17 9WA

More information can be found at www.vintagechristmasboutique.com

I do hope that you can come!

Ali x

The winner is...

Julie at The Cloth Shed!!

You have won a copy of the October edition of Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine!  Please email me at by using the contact me link on my sidebar with your address details and I will pop the magazine in the post for you!

Happy Reading....

Ali xx

Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine Giveaway...

I feel that I have neglected my blog and followers for a little while ~ too much going on!  So, as a little thank you to everyone for sticking with me I would like to have a little giveaway!

For a chance to win the latest edition of the Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine, simply leave a comment on my blog before midnight GMT on Sunday 28th October.

Good luck!
Ali x

Creative Customers No. 1 ~ Madeleine Lee

For a while I have had an idea of writing a little series of posts about some of the talented and creative customers that I meet (in person and online via my website).  I am always intrigued and often amazed by the wonderful businesses out there and love to know how customers use the items that they buy from me.  Many purchase trims and haberdashery to finish beautifully made fashion pieces and home accessories, some are fellow dealers buying to sell on to their own customers.  I also have a growing list of customers who buy Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine and books for inspiration and a love of the French Nordic style that I also share...

Madeleine Lee is one such customer...we have never met in person but I know that if we did we would click immediately as we have done via email.  Madeleine is Creative Director of Swedish Interior Design and a UK ambassador for Swedish fashion label Ewa I Walla.   She also writes a Swedish cooking blog!  I would love to share with you some photos of Madeleine's home and her business ~ I think it is just beautiful....

I asked Madeleine where her inspiration came from and why she started her business...here is her reply...

"My mother is Swedish and we spent our holidays in Sweden -  I have always brought the country that I love into my home.

My husband and I started Swedish Interior Design seven years ago.  It started with an 1800's antique sleigh that my father bought us for a Christmas gift that we turned into a sofa and we then decorated our Victorian apartment in Hove with antique Swedish furniture. 

Everyone who visited asked us where they could get the stunning Swedish pieces and Mora clocks , so we thought we'd give it a go as a business and Swedish Interior Design was born.  My vision was always built around creating a lifestyle - one that we live every day surrounded by beauty, art and craftsmanship.  We use our home as the showpiece for what we do and our design ideas.  Each room has a different theme - the fairy tale white bedroom, grand Gustavian living room, country folk art kitchen, Swedish grey office, country manor house hallway etc.

We also launched a specialist bespoke workshop crafting amazing one off beds, armoires, mirrors, dressing tables, server tables and much more in antique wood with special finishes. We also make beautiful rugs and runners from antique hemp linen and soft furnishings using antique lace that we collect in Sweden.

We have around 50 antique Mora clocks in stock ~ the largest selection in Europe!  We have a beautiful 2220sq ft showroom and specialist workshop in Brighton and ship to customers all over the world."

Madeleine can be found at her interiors blog, home & fashion blog and also her cooking blog (very busy lady!)

If you want to see more photos of Madeleine's beautiful home take a look at her website and blogs.  

....saving up for a Mora clock and Gustavian bench!

I am now researching Creative Customer No. 2 ~ watch this space!

Until next time,

Ali x

Save the date...and win tickets!

For the chance to win a pair of complimentary VIP entrance tickets (normally £5 each) to The Vintage Christmas Boutique at Woburn Abbey on Thursday 15th November, simply subscribe to my mailing list by clicking here.  All new subscribers to add their details before midnight on 31st October will be entered into a draw with the winner notified on 1st November.

Good luck and hope to see you there!

Ali x

www.vintagechristmasboutique.com

If I sit down...

I won't get up again, so I just keep going...!

This week has been a whirlwind without much time even to take a breath.  I am just about to pack the car in preparation for tomorrow's trip to Chipping Sodbury for the Vintage & Handmade Textile Fair.  This is a lovely, friendly and jolly fair brimming with vintage goodies ~ really looking forward to it.

Hope to see some of you there...

The Vintage & Handmade Textile Fair
Chipping Sodbury Town Hall
Glos  
BS37 6AD

10.00am - 4.00pm 

Ali x

On the calendar..The Vintage Bazaar

 A lovely new venue for this event at the Victoria Halls in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire.  It promises to be just as good as its established sister event in Frome ~ I'm really looking forward to it and it's not too far from home either!

I will be there with some lovely new stock ~ lots of buttons, trims and other haberdashery perfect for getting creative along with my usual array of pretty textiles, handbags, ephemera and a few sparkly bits...

I will also have the latest issue of Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine which features one of my favourite items to collect and display ~ vintage mannequins.  The home photographed for this issue is full of them!

Please do come along to the fair if you can ~ Saturday 22nd September.  Full details of the event can be found here.

Ali x

The Windsor Emporium...

I shall be attending this lovely fair for the first time this weekend on Sunday 2nd September.  Held at The Guildhall ~ a beautiful building in the centre of Windsor, it has a vintage style tea room open all day and a great variety of sellers.   

More information can be found at www.windsoremporium.co.uk.

Hope to see some of you there!

This Weekend ~ The Cotswolds Vintage Fair

Just a reminder that the 3rd annual Cotswolds Vintage Fair takes place this bank holiday weekend on Saturday 25th August.

We have grown in size this year and have a fantastic gathering of over 40 specialist sellers, kindred spirits who come together because we all love vintage.  As well as the village hall, we take advantage of the gorgeous lawn at the back overlooking the pretty Cotswold countryside with a large marquee and outdoor sellers. 

There will be lots of fabulous vintage stock and artisan made goods ~ everything from the tiniest button to larger pieces of furniture.  Homewares, kitchen & gardenalia, fashion, textiles & haberdashery, ephemera, jewellery ~ something for everyone.  We take pleasure and pride in displaying our goods and hand~made wares at our pop up shops for the day.  Expect high quality, with creative displays to inspire....

Lavinia's Tea Party will once again be creating a vintage style tea room and we shall have seating outside on the terrace (let's be optimistic about the weather!).  Home~made refreshments will be available all day.

We also have Sheunique with us who will be offering mini vintage style makeovers for hair and make up ~ don't forget your cameras!

Lots of free parking opposite the hall (thanks to the local farmer!)

The address to find us is:

Toddington Village Hall

Stow Road (B4077)

Toddington

Glos

GL54 5DU

We open at 10.00am ~ finishing at 4.00pm

Entry £2.00 (children under 16 and OAP's free)

It promises to be a great day out again ~ hope to see you there!

All the information you need can be found at www.thecotswoldsvintagefair.blogspot.com

Ali x

A unique vintage fair...

In case you hadn't quite got the message by now, I thought I would say it again ~  I love vintage...and I love Christmas....

So, a new and unique event has been created to combine these passions...

The Vintage Christmas Boutique will take place inside the stunning Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, one of the most treasured and historic privately owned country houses in England. 

 There will be over 35 carefully selected purveyors creating a vintage winter wonderland of beautiful, original goods and artisan wares including; homewares, textiles, fashion, furniture, jewellery, kitchen and gardenalia, decorative accessories and much more…

If you love vintage…and you love Christmas, this is the event to find one~off gifts that cannot be found on the high street.  There will be a vintage fashion boutique with dressing room to try on pieces before buying and ideas for unusual festive decorations for the home.   For the vintage addict who loves to make, find haberdashery, fabrics, trims & ephemera ~ vintage Christmas heaven!  A vintage style tea room will be serving home~made refreshments to complete the vintage experience. 

The Vintage Christmas Boutique takes place on Thursday 15^th November 2012 at Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Bedfordshire, MK17 9WA.   Opening times are 10.00 am ~ 4.00pm  (gate & ticket office will open at 9.30am).  Entry £5.00. 

The Vintage Christmas Boutique is a Betty & Violet production.  Full details of the event can be found at www.vintagechristmasboutique.com.  

I have been so quiet on the blog due to working hard to get this new event up and running and of course, putting the finishing touches to The Cotswolds Vintage Fair taking place on Saturday 25th August.  

Hope to see you some of you at an event soon!

Ali x

 

The Avington Brocante 24th May

Just a reminder that the lovely Avington Brocante takes place this Thursday!

Click here for all the details...

Ali x

A Weekend in Monaco...

I finally got something ticked off my long term 'wish list' ~ a visit to Monaco!  We had a long weekend break with some friends ~ a grown up weekend ~ the kind where you can take a neat handbag on the flight without the need for a backpack containing wipes, snacks, toys and other items to be used for bribery...

It lived up to all my expectations ~ we even stayed in a hotel on The Avenue Princess Grace.  Grace Kelly is one of my all time favourite actresses and we visited a small exhibition of some of her personal belongings including some gorgeous handbags, and clothing (sadly I wasn't allowed to take photos inside).

The buildings were beautiful ~ they reminded me of delicately iced wedding cakes with pastel coloured render and pale paintwork shutters.  I dream of having a little apartment with a front door like this one...

We didn't gamble ~ but decided to spend our money on champagne cocktails instead in the famous American Bar inside the Hotel de Paris on Casino Square ~ I was instantly transported back in time, and sat gazing at old photographs of movie stars from the 1950's sitting exactly where I was....

The whole weekend was such a departure from normal, everyday life, but sometimes it is good to escape, refresh and recharge and I feel very lucky to have even glimpsed how the other half live!  Back down to earth with a bump!

Ali x