SUSSEX FINDS

I'm just back from lovely Sussex in England where the availability of vintage finds is always second to none. The charity shops (we started calling them 'chazzers' on this trip) are stuffed with reasonably priced gems and there are many, many shops in every town. Not everything I buy is vintage but almost all of it comes in shades of blue. It's an addiction.

I was in England on a research trip for novel #4 (which I posted about at my writing blog here) but I was also on a mission to explore as many chazzers as possible in the small time I had. My husband is endlessly patient with this activity and my 7 yo daughter is fast becoming a chazzer enthusiast. (Chazzerist?) Anyway, let it suffice to say that I hoovered up as much blue and turquoise items as I could manage to pack in our carry-on only bags. And I left so much behind - things that were impossible to carry such as these fab chairs in the Debra shop in Crawley:

If you are a fan of mid-century modern, get yourself to that shop. Sideboards for £40.Tables for £20. Unbelievable value. They had v little bric-a-brac there but I found this Balinese frame for £1. The books - a Collins Adam Bede and a Penguin Tortilla Flat were also bought on this trip.

Willow plate - £3, St Catherine's Hospice shop
Aztec blue plate - £2.39, Sainsbury's
Spanish plate/trivet - £1.25, British Heart Foundation shop

Blue jug - £1, St C's Hospice
Floral jug - £3.50, Cancer Research UK

Clear & gold paperweight - £5, Oxfam

Teeny millefiori paperweight - £3

Sass and Belle jewelry tree - £3.50, Cancer Research

Turquoise ball vase - £3, Oxfam

Is it really YSL? Who cares at £6.99?

PARIS MARCHÉ BUYS

I was in Paris for the Emily Dickinson Conference and, of course had to go shopping, most especially to a marché. We went to the one at Porte de Vanves and it was large and pretty expensive. We wandered for ages (we arrived late) and the vendors were packing up by the time I bought anything. My purchases:

A blue lidded Japanese pot for €10

Clearer view of the pattern on the pot in this pic
(lid propped against Buddha)

The orange faceted vase is from Maisons du Monde, and cost 39c in their sale.
Love that shop!

A pendant with turquoise and opalites, by Miracle, for €15

An enameled brooch by Breteaudeau, Paris for €5

And here are some market scenes:

Busker

Snowdrop cup and saucer for my birth month

Clown twins

Two of my darlings, strolling the marché

Beautiful Buddhas

Aw!

HANDPAINTED GLASS VASE

The vase-athon continues apace. I can't help myself but I should try harder, perhaps...This one is from the VdeP shop in Athlone, yesterday. Gold rimmed, hand painted, probably 1950s and in perfect nick. €5.

The painting behind is by Cork artist Frank O'Sullivan, bought at last year's Shorelines Festival art exhibition, in the old workhouse in Portumna.