Weekend Treasury

We so enjoyed the recent TV series 'The Crimson Petal and the White'. Set in Victorian London, we followed the main character, a prostitute called Sugar, and rooted for her all the way. It was visually ravishing, even the dark stuff. I occasionally ruined the suspension of disbelief by exclaiming 'I just love the way they've kept her out of focus even thought she's now the one talking!'. Spoddy, moi? Anyway, when I could shut up long enough we loved the story, costumes, sets, jewellery, acting, well everything really.

I couldn't resist putting together a treasury of crimson and white, with a good dose of black. A slight difference from the TV series though - this is set in Paris and kind of took on a Moulin Rouge theme as it progressed. I just couldn't find enough Victorian London themed pictures on Etsy. I expect they are there somewhere but I really couldn't spend any more hours looking! Anyway, here is my Crimson and White. Let's hope we get more drama of that calibre on TV soon.

ara133photogra... $30.00	WanderkinPhoto... $25.00	olgaitaly $25.00	MADART $49.00
TCaponePhoto $30.00	SweetMagnolias... $148.50	JenBogartzStud... $275.00	kinsellaart $50.00
AmiKami $85.00	overthetopover... $85.99	twillypop $18.00	TwoBackFlats $70.00
labellefairy $399.00	locketsnlace $24.00	SkeletonsClose... $176.00	CorsetLacedMan... $295.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Steel cut

In my last post I mentioned a Victorian steel cut beaded purse I had just bought at a local antiques fair. I have to admit that I hadn't heard of steel cut beads before I picked up this little purse. That's one of the things I love about vintage - I learn so much all the time. It's also why it takes me a long time to list each item - I enjoy doing the research. Of course, I don't know what I'd do without the internet. I guess I'd have even more books than I do now!

I love this little purse. So faded and beautiful.

It turns out the French made a lot of delicate little purses and bags out of tiny metal beads which were chemically dyed, often in gold, silver and bronze.

Purses were made of other metals too so from now on I'll be carrying a magnet with me when I go shopping so that I can test heavy beaded purses and see if they're made of steel.

While on the subject of steel - I've also just listed this vintage carving fork.

When I see old cutlery like this I'm reminded of my Nan's great old knives - worn away to thin slivers after many years of use - all those delicious home cooked meals - makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

Home from home

My blogging has been a little sparse lately and for that I apologise. However, I haven't been twiddling my thumbs here at English Rose Vintage. Oh no. I've been a very busy bee creating a little work space all of my own. It must be a Spring thing - you know - feathering my nest. Just like the little black bird that keeps stealing bits of the matting I've got on top of my tomatoes. I went into the garden the other day and wondered what had been scrabbling about and throwing the matting everywhere. Then later I saw a bit fly across the patio from the corner of my eye and spotted the culprit. I thought I would save it some time and also prevent more havoc so I broke some of the mat into little bits and scattered them around. They had all disappeared within a couple of hours so somewhere around here there is a very cosy little nest!

Anyway, back to my little nest. I decided that I needed to get organised. I'm constantly adding to my collection and, as much as I would like to just keep listing things on my Etsy shop, I was in danger of descending into chaos. I had no particular place of my own and things were being kept all over the house. As I'm currently living with a relative (my husband is a full time carer) It had been a matter of making do and fitting in. The time had come though to shuffle about the furniture and come up with some more useful space. And here it is.

It may be small but it's all mine.

It's got shelves for my accumulated goodies and space for my sewing machine.

Everything looks so pretty and it's much more inspiring to have a little space of your own to sit and ponder what to create or list next. I can't wait. In fact, I may be so happy sitting here that I may be unavailable for other stuff - household chores for example!

As you can see from the pictures, I have plenty of treasures to list in my shop, including a gorgeous Victorian steel-cut beaded coin purse picked up at an antiques fair over the weekend.

I've just listed my first item on Ebay too - a wonderful portable vintage Imperial typewriter - Good Companion Model T. If you love the idea of typing up your letters or thoughts on something vintage do pop over and take a look!

Weekend Treasury

My latest weekend treasury was inspired by the lovely colours in Ayca's confetti scarf (first pic below). So bright and fresh!

I had a very successful trip to a car boot fair today and I've got plenty of new treasures to photograph and get listing. Some lovely old bone-handled cutlery, delicate lacey doilies, some vintage brooches and a Kodak Box Brownie - I'm thinking I may try and get some film for this and try it out. It's just like the one that used to be in our garage when I was a kid. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw it sitting on the end of a table in it's own little carry case just waiting for me to buy it!

Confetti curly mulb... Ayca $12.00	LET'S RIDE . Do... 3crows $3.00	Alone In a Crowd - ... blockpartyprin... $16.00	Mini Top Hat - La L... TwoBackFlats $45.00
Green Monster, shab... artofsisters $12.00	donkey and elephant... amandakindrega... $12.00	Original textured A... SwallaStudio $89.95	Water-resistant ten... ikabags $59.00
S t r i p e d F l o... babartlett $20.00	Plain Jane Aromathe... HandmadeWhimzy $10.00	Lifeguard Pillow - ... lesliejanson $80.00	ON SALE Circus ... ... pomtree $37.00
Union Jack Print D... ahueofduckeggb... $12.00	Little Town House -... thelittlereddo... $18.00	Red White and Blue ... Mazizmuse $43.00	Two new 16 inch han... CoupleHome $25.00

Have a good week everyone!

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Traditional Girl

I can see this becoming a tradition. First a frothy cup (vintage of course) of fruity Madagascan hot chocolate. A small but scrumptious truffle made with milk chocolate and a hint of sea salt. Then the choosing; very difficult - hmmmm, bunnies or eggs, eggs or bunnies? We eventually came away from the chocolate shop in Henley with eggs for us (one milk, one dark - so we can share), eggs for others, and a bar each to stop us nibbling the eggs before Easter!

Slightly buzzing from all the chocolate we popped into the charity book shop over the road and came away with a great haul of vintage books for my Etsy shop - more on that story later ...

It was such a beautiful day - bright but chilly - we took our little fella (Parsons Jack Russell / Whippet cross) for a trot along the Thames footpath. Blossom is everywhere and glossy new leaves are gently unfurling.

It's such a beautiful time of year, with every day bringing something new to look at.

This day should definitely become a tradition. Do I have to wait 'til next year? 

Spring is here!

All this beautiful Spring weather has turned my head to thoughts of bunnies and flowers in my latest Etsy Treasury ...

A5 art print - Midn... StudioHolly $12.00	April Morning 8x8 F... andieedwardsar... $20.00	Personalized Chocol... andiespecialty... $20.00	portrait of a hare ... TheHauntedHoll... $145.00
Womens Round Neck A... CreativeChics $34.00	I Am Watching You -... peylu $	Vintage Cottage Flo... robinseggbleun... $34.00	design your own peo... eclu $
Mini Spring Bunny RoyalMint $15.00	Hello Spring - Croc... sarahndipities $18.00	Easter Sale: Plush ... ArtTales $16.00	Peach Blossom Wreat... HornsHomeAndGa... $59.98
100 Little Finger C... Thebearfootsha... $1.95	Bunny's Brand N... paintedbliss $15.00	Sprinkle Of Fairy D... galleryzooart $35.00	An Original Pastel ... autumnlanearti... $20.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

... and of course chocolate! I'm planning a visit to my favourite chocolate shop, Gorvett & Stone in Henley, next week. I stopped in there for a little bag of truffles a few weeks ago but didn't have time to stay and try their new hot chocolate. This time I'll be putting that right and trying out their drinks as well as choosing some Easter treats. It's going to be difficult not eating it all before Easter so I'll probably end up bringing back some of their truffles to keep me going in the meantime! In my previous life as a chocolatier I grew to love fine chocolate - particularly Valrhona and Amedei - and it's well worth the short journey to get something wonderful. I'll post some pictures of my purchases before I eat them - honest!