HIBERNIAN ANTIQUES FAIR BUY(S)

We went to the Hibernian Antiques Fair in Tullamore on Sunday. I was in lousy form - a combi of sinus infection and book stress. I was searching for certain things, but no one had what I wanted and it all seemed a bit overpriced anyway. I passed by something sweet I might have ordinarily bought, but the humour wasn't on me.

I did spy these two blue and white cats, though. And the lovely man sold them to me for €4 the pair (probably the cheapest thing there...). They are not pretty, bless them, and they are not marked. I did wonder why I bothered, but since I put them on the dresser, they're really growing on me :)

HANDPAINTED FRUITBOWL

The charity shops here in East Galway (and in Athlone) just keep giving. I find that some of the shops have no value on anything old. If it's new, shiny and tacky, €10. If it's old, quirky and/or interesting, €1. Not always, but often. Which is all fine by me, obvs.

Anyway, as anyone who follows me knows I love ceramics. This fruit bowl (Moroccan? Spanish? Portugese?) was €3 today. Love. It.

BLUE & WHITE CERAMICS

I love nautical things. My new toothbrush holder.
€2 in the local NCBI shop 

I can't resist willow, blue and white or Arklow. €2, local VdeP shop

Mamó and Daideó's #2

I inherited my collecting bug from my parents. They always collected and still do and their house is a treasure trove of the good, the beautiful and the odd. A few pics.

Dawn window

Teeny paw in a jug. Aw.

SPANISH JAR

Today's Ballinasloe charity shop find: a lidded Spanish jar for thyme (I think). Most likely nicked from a restaurant in Valencia and carefully transported to Galway only to be given to the the NCBI shop. (It says El Mussol - The Owl - on the back and the bottom sticker is for a ceramics manufacturer in Valencia.) €4.

The €4 jar, sans lid but avec des fleurs, sitting on a Portugese plate

On the sideboard, under a Pat Jourdan painting

In context :)

KILCONNELL ART SPACE EXHIB

Last night saw the end of year exhibition at the Kilconnell Art Space. Artist and teacher Walter Coughlan hosted us in the Art Space where we are all usually mucky with clay. The studio was transformed into a very swish exhibition space for last night.

Local artist Lily Kelly exhibited with us and Walter had some of his beautiful ceramics on display, as had Galway city-based artist Róisín Gregory. It was great to see Group 8 member artist John Soden there and also storyteller Eddie Linehan. Alas, I could not stay for Eddie's stories.

Walter is running a summer camp next week for adults and children if you fancy getting your hands dirty and making something lovely. Contact walterceramics AT gmail for more information.

Juno enjoying juice and art

Handbuilt cottage with cutesie dogs, by Mary

Students and guests and ceramics

One of my efforts - a ceramic plaque (unglazed)with a quote from my poem Tatú

A Walter Coughlan piece

A Lily Kelly painting, with some ceramics in front

Artists Walter Coughlan and Lily Kelly

FEIRA DA LADRA - LISBON

One tiny corner of the Feira da Ladra, Lisbon

A recent trip to Lisbon took me up into the beautiful and crumbling Alfama district to the Thieves' Market - Feira da Ladra. The market is vast - hundreds of people gather to sell trinkets, clothes, rubbish, antiques and collectibles from cloths on the ground and from stalls. It takes hours to get around and there are bargains galore.

This is my personal haul:

Paperweight (€5), Buddha (€3), two tiny ceramic figures (€1)

I also got this silverplated WMF art deco ashtray for €1. The figa (pendant) on it is a Brazilian good luck charm which I had tried to get in Brazil in August and failed. Very happy to find one in Lisbon which my husband bought for me - aw!

WMF marking on back of ashtray

My daughter (age 3) bought a china Snow White doll for €2 at the market and a cute red handbag for the same price. My husband bought me a Christmas present so I have yet to see what it is. All in all, a fun and successful trawl. I have one regret: I didn't buy three tiny ceramic mermaids I saw. I had shopper confusion/fatigue by then. Bummer :(

Lisbon is a great shopping city. The main stores are reasonably priced (compared to Ireland) and they have some interiors gems such as Area. I drooled my way around this shop - would love to go back. I will, no doubt.