Chris and I took the opportunity to go up to the touristy end of town yesterday, to take our time browsing the craft shops, antiques shops and other such lovely places that we don't get to usually. I came home with a very eclectic mix of things, as you can see. I bought the book on making beads as it has felt and polymer clay in it, as well as paper, metal and glass, which I will probably not be investigating, but it is always good to have inspiration. The other book appealed to the nosey side of my nature, being made from women's letters over 800 years. I shall look forward to curling up with that later. There are also some purple and white patterned napkins which were languishing in a 'each item for £2.00' basket, so I had to buy them, didn't I? There are also some circle cutters for making bigger polymer clay pendants, some beads and a candlestick. (Not exactly a normal day's shopping - even for me).
The stripy beads caught my eye for macrame work and I couldn't resist the cubes of coated haematite which the camera doesn't really do justice to. In real life they are vibrant golds, blues, greens and pinks, depending which face you look at.
The piece de resistance of my trip just has to be this sweet little candlestick. I stood looking at it for quite a while in the shop. The raised flower pattern caught my eye and then I saw the gold pattern on the black background. Once I had asked to look at it and was holding it, that was it, I had to buy it!
How could I resist this beautiful gold dotty pattern?
The little raised decoration flowers are so pretty, in blues, purples, pinks and yellows. Once I got it home and carefully washed and dried it, I looked it up on the internet. (It is at times like this that I really value the internet). The piece was made by RH and SL Plant Ltd between 1936 and 1947 and is Tuscan China although I haven't yet discovered what the pattern is called. They made many, many teas sets in lots of patterns, but did seem to favour the floral. I think my mum owns one with a love-in-the-mist pattern and I will have to check that next time I visit. The factory was in Longton, Staffordshire and continued until 1972 when Wedgwood took them over. The factory closed in 2006.
This little candlestick is definitely my favourite find of the day!
Welcome to a new follower, Melissa. I hope you will enjoy reading my blog.
P.S Don't forget to enter my giveaway - closing date 2nd November.
