Vintage Baker Finds - The Dig for Victory Show

Every so often I find a vintage supplier who's so good I have to share. So while they might not always be 'Bristol' based, they certainly get the Bristol Vintage & Vintage Baker Finds seal of approval.

This week is all about The Dig for Victory Show.

The Dig for Victory Show is a 1940s themed festival that takes place at the North Somerset Showground on 5th and 6th July.

It's a fabulous family festival with a fantastic programme of events, including a Victory Dance.

Enjoy a Spitfire fly past, get up close to a WW2 Sherman Tank or pick up your own bit of history from one of the many vintage stalls.

You can get involved with ‘upcycling’ 1940s style in one of the Make Do and Mend workshops or listen to a host of high profile speakers and entertainers, including BBC historian James Holland, Chef and food Historian Seren Evans-Charrington and author Colonel Stuart Tootal. 

Activities for children include a handling museum of artifacts, traditional games and a children’s trail – a ration of sweets is waiting for you if you complete it.

And rest assured you won’t go hungry – you can feast from an array of culinary delights from local food and drink producers.

Most of all make sure you don't miss the Victory Dance on the Saturday night! Enjoy a dance lesson by Swing Dance Bristol followed by live music from the era. Sip a cocktail from the bar and enjoy some delicious local food while playing the traditional games with friends on the lawn. 

Find out more on the website, have a read of the blog and buy tickets here (only £10 for an adult or £22 for a family of four). Make sure you check out their promo too and then it's chocs away for a fabulous 40s weekend.

When Sarah Baker isn't writing children's books she writes features for Vintage Life Magazine and Pretty Nostalgic. You can find her on Twitter @bysarahbaker or via her website www.bysarabaker.com 

Vintage Baker Finds - Rebecca Jade's Vintage

Every so often I find a vintage supplier who's so good I have to share. So while they might not always be 'Bristol' based, they certainly get the Bristol Vintage & Vintage Baker Finds seal of approval.

This week is all about Rebecca Jade's Vintage.

Rebecca Jade's Vintage is an independent online shop specialising in high quality, wearable (and affordable!) vintage clothing and accessories from the 1940s to the 1980s.

Whether you're after a pair of fabulous Gina shoes or a reproduction 1950s cherry swing dress, her online shop is a treasure trove of vintage finds.

How about a rock 'n roll underskirt for your 50s dress?

Or a peach and cream lace blouse complete with original receipt from 1947!

Rebecca Jade sources and sells the very best so you can buy with confidence. Each piece is handpicked, washed and steamed so it's ready to wear.

Find out more on the website, follow her on Facebook or check out Pinterest for more inspiration. You can also find Rebecca Jade's Vintage at fairs throughout the UK. Check the website for more details.

When Sarah Baker isn't writing children's books she writes features for Vintage Life Magazine and Pretty Nostalgic. You can find her on Twitter @bysarahbaker or follow her on Pinterest.

Miss Jones

Bristol Vintage is delighted to introduce you to Miss Jones.

Miss Jones is an exquisite range of bespoke lingerie, handmade to order from pure silk with French Chantilly lace and Swarovski crystals.

Perfect for romantic brides, the honeymoon boudoir and the burlesque starlet in us all.

Designer Jacqueline Jones is behind every item of the Miss Jones range. A trained theatrical costumier who has styled period dramas and movies, her collections are inspired by vintage glamour and elegance.

“I wanted to create a collection of beautiful, delicate, highly decorated pieces that create a special blend of English Rose femininity and sensuality. Miss Jones lingerie is flirtatious; empowering each woman to create a sense of tease with her own style, to enjoy her sensuality and express herself with her lover whilst looking and feeling irresistibly beautiful and confident.”

We think Miss Jones lingerie is perfect for your wedding night and honeymoon trousseau. Find out more on the website and Facebook, but make sure you come and meet Miss Jones herself at our next Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair. She'll have the collection on hand for you to see and she's created a brand new and original negligee to be revealed on the day!

Lilygrace Originals

Bristol Vintage is delighted to present Lilygrace Originals.

Lilygrace Originals make beautiful original jewellery with a vintage twist.

Inspired by the 1930s and 40s, each piece is a collectible, one-off treasure.

The gorgeous range includes earrings, chokers, pendants, cuffs and necklaces all made from an array of corals, glass beads, vintage silks, lace, organza, freshwater pearls, embroidery and rhinestones.

Halfway between fine and costume jewellery, Lilygrace Originals can design a unique piece to go with your wedding dress or theme. These pieces also make ideal bridesmaid gifts. Designer Hazel can work with your favourite colours and stones and even incorporate family heirlooms.

You can find out more on the website but make sure you come and meet Hazel at our next Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair. She'll have plenty of treasures for you to see and will be on hand all day to talk through commissions.

Shellac Sound

Bristol Vintage are thrilled that Shellac Sound will be joining us on March 16th.

Shellac Sound are gramophone DJs.

There's no sound quite so evocative of vintage as a gramophone and now you can hire Matt Jones and Kate Wright to play at your wedding reception.

Playing music from the 1920s, 30s and 40s on original wind-up 1930s His Master's Voice 102 gramophones, they will tailor their set to suit your tastes.

"On the beach, in the woods, up the river, or wherever you may be, there is no instrument to compare with His Master's Voice portable" - HMV, 1929.

You can find out more on their website, but do come and see Matt and Kate in action and hear the glorious vintage tones of Shellac Sound at our next Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair. We'll see you there!

Bristol Vintage Crockery & Prop Hire

For those of you who don't know what Bristol Vintage actually do (apart from organise the Fair), it's about time we introduced ourselves! Over the last 4 years we've been supplying our beautiful vintage mismatched china for weddings and events throughout the country, and we're happy to say we've been loving every minute!

Photography courtesy of Frances Taylor Photography

Over the last year SO much has happened and it's really exciting to share our news here before the Fair!

Photography courtesy of Nikki Kirk Photography

We never stop adding to our collection (it's a bit of an obsession!) and we pride ourselves on having a fabulously eclectic mix. We can now supply afternoon tea crockery for over 300 people and full vintage dinner crockery and cutlery for up to 150. We're also able to dress and style your venue and we regularly work closely with Kirsten, The Little Wedding Helper to give you a really fabulous event styling service.

Photograph courtesy of Nikki Kirk Photography

Our props collection is always growing and we're now able to offer bunting, gramophones, picnic hampers & rugs, typewriters, candlesticks, a 1940's tea trolley, embroidered linens and even our gorgeous bike, Mabel (who now has a beau, Sam!).

Photograph courtesy of Alexandra Brezezicka

Over the past few years we've worked with some really fabulous people and can recommend beautiful dresses, stunning accessories, quirky venues and almost everything you can imagine for your wedding.

Photograph courtesy of David J Berwyn

Last year we created Jezebel Events with Sue from Auntie's Vintage to set up bespoke events and we're currently organising the launch party for the re-opening of Clifton Hill Costume & Textiles.

We've also joined forces with Emily from Fishee Designs Photo Booth to organise Bristol's first truly alternative wedding event, The Weird and Wonderful Wedding World Show.  We recently completed the most amazing pre-show shoot with Laura Power of Laura Michelle Photography - here's a sneak peek!

Photograph courtesy of Laura Michelle for WWWW

And finally ... if you're looking for something totally different, Katie has started up Bristol Vintage's sister company, The Dandy Cabin - a stunning Teardrop trailer, from which she can serve teas, coffee and even bubbly from our very own Babycham glasses.  You can see Katie and the Dandy Cabin at the Wedding Fair on Sunday!

For more information on what we can offer, take a look at our website: www.bristolvintage.co.uk  or follow us on Facebook  & Twitter, but do make sure you say hello on Sunday at our next Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair!

Til There Was Uke

Til There Was Uke are a fantastic Ukulele/Vocal Duo who perform an eclectic range of covers from 1920s to the present day.

Providing the perfect musical backdrop to your wedding day with their relaxed, enjoyable sound during the all-important ceremony and with entertainment during your drinks reception, they can add atmosphere to your wedding breakfast or simply keep your guests entertained whilst the photos are taken.

  

Til There Was Uke will bring a touch of originality and vintage style to your day, making it as special and individual as yourselves.

With a variety of packages to suit every theme and budget and everything tailored to your requirements, choose from the Classic Reception (includes 2 x 45 minute sets (with a 15 minute break) and your pick of a mixture of 35 songs from our extensive set list), Classic Plus (same as Classic Reception but with a personalised twist, the set list of 35 songs can include up to 10 songs requested by you. They’ll source the songs, learn them and perform them with a sprinkle of Til There Was Uke treatment or Decade Defined… This package is perfect if you have chosen to have a specific vintage theme to your wedding defined by an era, we can play an entire set to suit. Choose from: Totally 20s, Thrilling 30s, Fabulous 40s, Fun-Filled 50s or Swinging 60s.

After something for the ceremony itself? Til There was Uke will learn and perform up to 4 personal song choices throughout your wedding ceremony. They can provide music as your guests arrive, play for the entrance of the bride, during signing of the register, and as your guests leave.

You can find all the details you need for Til There Was Uke on their blog, Twitter and Facebook. You can also sample their style on YouTube.

Intrigued? Why not come and listen to them at our next Fair!  See you there…

(With thanks to Caroline Blake for photographs 2 & 4)

The Marionettes

The Marionettes are a Bristol based 1940s 3-part harmony trio.

With a passion for music and classically trained, Sophie, Charlotte and Katie choreograph every song – think The Andrew Sisters meet The Puppini Sisters – and will tailor their set to your requirements.

Singing predominately 1940s songs, they will slip in the odd 50s or more modern ballad a la Amy Winehouse, if it’s in keeping with your theme.

You’ll be able to see just how much they love performing when The Marionettes feature at our next Fair. They’ll be singing twice on the day, so while you enjoy your tea and cake, you can sit back, relax and be swept away by the show.

You can find out more about The Marionettes on their website, Facebook and Twitter. For a little taste before the Fair, check them out on YouTube, but don’t forget you’ll be able to meet and chat to all three Marionettes on March 10^th – don’t miss it!

Custard House Clothing

Custard House Clothing is the home of beautiful reworked vintage clothes, a professional alterations service and Customising and Sewing Design Hen Parties.

Owner, Janine Chisholm, has had quite a year.  Her first book “Thrifty Style” was published and her business has gone from strength to strength.

A former student of Theatre Design, Janine specialised in Costume, completing a Post Graduate in Innovative Pattern Cutting at St Martins College of Fashion. She worked in Professional Theatre and Television for years and her passion for clothes and helping people with their dress led her to create her ingenious business.

At the Fair, Janine will be showcasing some beautiful period pieces, which will include an exciting eclectic range of Vintage Bridal and Party Wear ranging from the 1940s to 1990s. There’ll also be a stylish mix of exciting accessories for Brides, Bridesmaids and Guests. 

If you have a item of clothing that you’d like altered or customised or perhaps you have something you’re longing to wear as a Wedding guest but you’d like it to look more vintage inspired, Custard House Clothing provide a professional dressmaking service that’s perfect for you. 

Find Janine at our Fair this year, but if that outfit just can’t wait, you can contact her through her website or Facebook page. Happy sewing!