Good Luck Charm As We Return!

Hello all! Well, we are returning to Bibury Village Hall this coming Sunday, June 6th. Maybe we will see you there? It seems like a while, so I’ll remind you, we open at 10am and close at 4pm. On offer by our dealers, there will be silver, jewellery, pictures, brass and copper items, and even a few items of furniture, and no doubt more! Here’s a photo of a Good Luck Charm, and I think the whole Country could do with some Good Luck, maybe it’s arriving slowly! Best Wishes. Andy.

Hallmarked Silver Good Luck Charm.

Summer Calls!

Hello again folks!

The sound of summer in parts of Britain can be heard by certain birds, well, here is a vintage, (most likely Victorian), bird call. Made to be used in one hand, holding steady, whilst twisting the round wheel with the ratchet to mimic a Corncrake.

This is an interesting item and was photographed by myself a couple of years ago, but the birds will be around again soon, I hope to hear them again, and I say that in hope as today I saw the first grass-snake of the year for me, the summer is looking better!

Ah yes, talking of better, our fair in Bibury returns this Sunday June 2nd. Pop in and see how we all are. Our dealers who were away in May are back. We open at 10 am and I look forward to seeing you! Bye for now. Andy.

Bibury’s magical mermaid!

Many of you will know that Bibury has a little river running along the roadside, but few will have imagined there would be a mermaid in Bibury.

It’s just possible that she will be seen this summer there, but for those who can’t wait, here she is!

Made by Gertrude Baker in 1913, a few photos’ for you to enjoy. Regards, Andy.

Watch out, we’re back soon!

Here’s a watch one of the dealers may well have for sale when the glass has been refitted and just checked for reasonable timekeeping. Many will know already, but for those that don’t, there’s a complicated history! Briefly, Wittnauer was a Swiss gent who emigrated to America, to work for a relative, and eventually made his own watches so good that they were in partnership with Longines. Sadly they closed in the 1990’s when they were bought by Swatch! A better link may be followed here….
https://www.timepiecechronicle.com/features/2015/5/20/losttotimewittnauer

If you’re nearby, call in and see us, we will be in The Village Hall, Bibury, between 10am and 4pm Sunday, May 5th. See you there? Regards, Andy.

Time for Tea?

Last night was a business club meeting at Eynsham Hall. A place I have been to for wakes and weddings, and antiques fairs over the years.

However a group of us went to have a look around and taste the menu, what a treat, so thanks to all there!

Should anyone else want to sample their food, have a look at the link here and enjoy,I’m sure you will. They do fabulous afternoon teas too, bookings are not necessary, but they may be if everyone reading this goes tomorrow!

https://www.eynshamhall.com/

Here is a photo taken as I was leaving.

Regards, Andy.Eynsham Hall

Feeling Cornered? Shelve it in a Cabinet!

Wow! What a find, I love it, but what does everyone else think?

I think here I have saved a potentially fabulous, mostly Elm corner cabinet from, the  1760’s (ish), from the fire! Why? Well, simply because I like it! Is it worth the effort? No most likely not! But……. I like wood, and this is great! When finished, if it was in a posh antiques shop it would be a stunning price, but still wouldn’t sell in a rush, so I get the pleasure of tidying it up, and enjoying it, please follow me on the journey (should enough people want me to, we can have a “Cabinet Meeting!”  just send me an email and I’ll do one for this project!). 

We can then see what can be done. I hope to use this as an advertising item, as it’s bigger than I thought when I saw it, and a good weight, also heavier than I thought! (So not that keen on taking out everywhere!). Here it is today, and I have just bombed it with woodworm killer, he signs were old, but just in case! The interior was covered in fabric, maybe added in the 80’s, as underneath was the original paint! In the current market, I could spend a month working on it and raise the value to nearly £70! (AUCTION?). Only true country furniture folk would buy this! The labour involved is huge, and so I am gambling on a possibility I may be asked to work for someone to repair something for them, by  appreciating the work and materials that go into this!

Please ask about my restoration business or pop along to Bibury Antiques Fair (April 7th!), in Gloucestershire to discuss anything you may wish me to do for you! I do try to please!

Thanks for looking, and here’s the cabinet!

Regards, Andy.

 

 

Sweet Valentine

Happy Valentine’s Day Folks!

Some of you may not know that St. Valentine is one of Beekeepings patron Saints, there are several!

St. Ambrose, St. Benedict, St. Gregory, St. Bartolomew, St. Gobnait, St. Kharlamii, St. Dominic also called St. Modomnoc,  and St Valentine. There are undoubtably others!

So whilst the bees around the country are stirring, responding signs that the weather is getting warmer, the days longer, so too are some of our dealers for Bibury Antiques Fair getting ready for our first event of the year on April 7th. See you there perhaps? Other antiques fairs are available, more news soon!

Regards, Andy.

btr

It’s a summer-var stand!

Well, strictly not, but as ever I can’t resist a bad pun!

Recently I have tidied up a small stand for a client and to their delight, I called it a Samovar Stand, possibly the prettiest one I have ever had to improve, and so I hope you like it too.

Despite the heat and a chaotic summer, I am still restoring furniture, and keeping bees, and I’ll have a few photographs of my work on show at Bibury Village Hall this Sunday, August 5th, between 10 am and 4pm. Yes, refreshments are available, so pop in and say “hi” over a cup of coffee or tea!

Regards, Andy.

 

Ship Shape & Sporting Stuff!

Hello again!

On July 1st, which is this coming Sunday, we will be on show at Bibury Village Hall, a splendid village and venue. Although we are a small antiques fair, we do offer a fabulous mixture of items there’s usually something for most people to enjoy looking at, and quite often buying.

Jewellery is often a top seller, however this photo was taken last month, and I thought it looked good, what do you think?

See us there on Sunday from 10am till 4, and refreshments are served from around 1130, so one can have tea, coffee, sandwiches and cake in the sun on the tables outside the hall, or inside if too hot! All this whilst thinking what to buy, what a day it could be!

Regards, Andy.

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May Day Sunshine!

Hello! It’s May Day and there is sunshine, what a lovely surprise!

This weekend is Bibury Antiques Fair so if nearby, and yes, there is a lot going on, being a Bank Holiday, please find a space t park and pop in to peruse our treasures for sale.

We open at 10am and close at 4pm, and refreshments will be available from noon, here is a cabinet of jewellery that you may like a few items from?

Thanks, Andy.

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