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Where I Work (and Daydream)
Posted on: June 3, 2011Here's a little peek into part of my studio where I photograph and store all my vintage finds and run the website, whilst drinking too many cups of coffee! Continue reading »
Half of my work space in the glorious evening sunshine.
I’ve had a bit of a studio re-jig this week and took this photo in the gorgeous evening sunshine last night. My unit in Hackney Wick is flanked on two sides by huge windows and to be honest I sometimes spend too much time gazing out of ’em and up at the bright blue skies… The sunsets over the Wick recently have been particularly stunning.
My Next Crafty Adventure – Gocco Printing
Posted on: May 31, 2011Thrift-ola craft projects aren't just about using vintage materials to make stuff with, I'm also excited by experimenting with vintage systems and techniques like Print Gocco designed in 1977 by Noboru Hayama. Continue reading »
Hand printed bunting. Yippee!
I’ve always been fascinated by the vintage Japanese screen printing machine – Print Gocco and when researching my next crafty adventure I stumbled upon this range of classes held by Xtina Lamb of Printed Wonders. I’ve booked myself onto the Print Gocco workshop on 16th June. There are still places left and if you ‘like’ her facebook page you can score a 10% discount! Continue reading »
The Best Mode of Transport for a Thrifter?
Posted on: May 29, 2011The only thing on wheels I go thrifting with is my 1970's cherry red granny trolley. It's time to consider the alternatives... Continue reading »
A natty 3 wheeler I spotted at the Braderie flea market in Lille, France last year.
Fifteen years ago I pulled off a most spectacular stunt which involved passing my driving test first time and then writing my car off all in the space of one week. Genius. Scarred from the horror (metaphorically speaking of course) I haven’t sat behind the wheel since. When considering the idea of setting up Thrift-ola it seemed crazy to have a business sourcing and selling vintage finds without any transport. I’ve managed thus far but I’ve had to leave behind far too many things I couldn’t carry *sob* so, I’ve decided to start some driving lessons and take my test again. In the meantime I thought this super Seventies tricycle with big ol’ basket could be a good summertime thrifting aid – if only I’d snapped it up last year at the Braderie flea in Lille. Continue reading »
Hackney Wick Flea Market
Posted on: May 28, 2011It's not always the quantity of stalls that maketh a good flea market as I found out today in Hackney Wick. Continue reading »
Lucy, Stephanie and Emma flogging their thrifted finds at Hackney Wick Flea Market.
Upon turning the corner into White Post Lane this morning my heart sunk a little as I counted just 8 stalls at this month’s Hackney Wick Flea Market. It had only taken me 5 minutes to walk there but if I was feeling disappointed how could I recommend my local flea if some folks might travel from other parts of London? Although, I should really know by now that it’s not the quantity of stalls that matters; I can go to a carboot sale with over 500 sellers and end up spending all my money with just one or two people. Continue reading »
The One That Got Away
Posted on: May 27, 2011In the oddly named 'Swap Shop' in Worthing I turned down the opportunity to snap up what was probably someone's life long collection of novelty kitchen timers. Continue reading »
Let the countdown commence...
The collection of kitchen timers included a bunny, kettle, toaster, pear, apple, pig, can of coke, can of sweetcorn, carrot, juicer, egg, red pepper, lemon, bar of chocolate and more. Why didn’t I buy them? I think I was peeved that I couldn’t swap something of mine for them – why call yourself Swap Shop if you only sell stuff? This has kind of got me thinking about adding a Swap Shop section to Thrift-ola. What do you think?
Hey there! My name is Leona and this is my online shop and blog where you can follow my thrifty adventures and snap up a vintage gem of two.
