so excited

New found respect for H&M as I recently found out a lot more about how the company operates - very anti sweat shops.  

Even more so when I found out they are collaborating with Brick Lane Bikes

[best bike shop in town]

[just the way] i like to shop

Tuesday was a day well spent. 

It started with a quick trip to my local charity shop Scope, as I'd seen a dress in there last week and was silly enough to walk away from it. 

Lucky, though, it was still there.

It's not usualy something I'd go for, but it really called out to me and for £5, you can't go wrong. 

I had an Etsy order to ship out to the States I was quite happy about - the first chain maile necklace I'd put online sold, so watch this space for more very soon.  For now, though, I still have bicycle chain bracelets, chain maile earrings & my charity bees for sale...

I enjoyed the nice 4 or so mile walk down to Spitlefields and met up with my good friend Penny; then spent the day wandering Old Spitlefields market & reminiscing in the vintage shops along Brick Lane.

I got some great buys...

First up, was these cool carved characters:

Hand crafted animal pens!

Ace.  There were so many others too... Turtles, lions, wolves, sharks, birds...

 Then I came across the stall of Conquer clothing.

Original (and ethical) illustrated vests, tees, sweatshirts, hoodies and artwork.

So refreshing.
Actually some unique illustration out there which makes a change. 
Fell in love.
Although my vest has quite an optimistic feel to it, a lot of the designs had a real dark side to them. 

I like.

The third amazing find was a stall full of the most beautiful handmade, semi-precious stone jewellery I have possibly ever seen:

 (My own chain maile necklace is sneaking in this photo - and the charity shop dress I'd picked up that morning...)

This fabulous woman was making these beauts using gold wire & stones to create rings, which she sells with a chain, so you can choose to wear it on your finger, or round your neck.

I found it so hard to pull myself away.
So I came away with this white quartz necklace and this turquoise, rose & lilac stone ring ~

Here's mine & Penny's new rings...
  She was such a wonderful person too; unfortunately she didn't have a website, but go find her in Old Spitlefields Market or Portobello. Now.

The green beaded ring I got for Penny as part of her birthday present (this Friday 13th) from Trade charity shop on Holloway Road.  {Love that shop}

She also got a token pair of hand knitted socks this year, too ~

~ and she loved them, hurrah!

Older & Bolder

Flicking through one of last week's Metro paper on my break, this article snapped up my attention:

I always used to see the lady on the right on Brick Lane when I had my market stall there.
She always looked so good.  I hope I'm as stylish when I grow up.
These lady's look amazing.  I bet it's so effortless for them too.

Backyard Market

~A few slighty more recent pics of my market stall, as I don't think I have posted some since those first wobbly days a year ago!

I am there every Sunday, in the Backyard Market on Brick Lance (opposite the Vibe Bar and next to 93 Feet East) 10am - 5pm.

After a year of permanent trading, it was so rewarding to have more than the one customer come and see me on Sunday, having purchased/admired my creations a year ago, for some more of the same!

I'm meeting more and more repeat customers as the weeks tick by and it really does make it worth it. Usually sat by my stall with a spot of knitting and sometimes even a cup of tea, I welcome a little chat from the punters so come and say hi, there's lots of other fantastic stalls to be seen too!

Photos - Backyard Market

A few photos of my stall all set up and ready to go last Sunday morning at the Backyard Market:

Come see me every Sunday at the Backyard Market, Truman Brewery, Brick Lane.

www.laurabaxendale.co.uk

Backyard Market - Brick Lane

I'll be back at the

BACKYARD MARKET

Truman Brewery, BRICK LANE

Last Sunday of the month -

28th FEBRUARY.

Get in it your diary... Hope to see you all there!

Last one was great fun - looking forward to returning.

Ring pull earrings, stickle brick jewellery & bottle top cufflinks were probably the most popular items at the previous stall. I shall be returning with these, my usual creations and some new ones to come and have a look at in person.

Backyard Market @ Truman Brewery

COME SEE ME AT THE

TRUMAN BREWERY BACKYARD MARKET

THIS SUNDAY!

For directions and more info please go to:

http://www.backyardmarket.co.uk

ALL THIS AND MORE!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

WWW.LAURABAXENDALE.CO.UK