Shelf Life

I have been very very busy lately. What with finishing off Katie the display corset, and installing her into her new home. Plus work and other sewing bits.. the time just seems to whizz by in a matter of seconds. I am feeling quite overwhelmed.

So on Monday we 'moved in' to our shelf in Antiques on High, in Oxford. There is very little parking in Oxford, so we had to carry her all the way accross town which raised a few eyebrows I can tell you!

I've been making some accessories to keep Katie company on the shelf - not as many as I would have liked, but time is of the essence these days it seems, and come 4'oclock, when the light starts to fade, I have to start wrapping up in the sewing room for the day.

But I am very pleased with what I've managed so far. And here is my little shelf in the Craft Gallery.

Still looking a bit sparse I know. I have to decorate the shelves a little more, make a decent sign, and fill up with a few more bits and bobs. I have already got 2 corsets to sell and another in production. Hopefully all will be done by next Saturday when I do my first shift working in there!

While I was settling in on Monday, a gentleman came in with some vintage bits which he'd found in his mother's house while clearing it out. Look at this beauty!

I was quite taken with it and gave it a full examination to see how it was made, with notes, and photos. It's from Dickens and Jones, I'm not sure which year - probably the 40's or 50's.

Katie is in very good company in her new home. Next door to her, is a lady who makes stained and fused glass gifts and jewelery....

And on the other side is a lady who dyes silk and then makes it into scarves and accessories. In her day job, this lady is a designer for Per Una. These lovely silk things are what she does in her spare time!

On the far wall, there are watercolours of Oxford scenes.

Opposite, is a lady who dismantles broken vintage jewellery parts, and makes beautiful new jewels.

Then over in the far corner, there is another artist, who paints pictures, and cards, and ceramics.

There are a few more people in the craft gallery, but as you can see, the light isn't brilliant and these were the best photos I could manage! Will try harder next time...