Popping Up at The Minories

This weekend brings Lesley's Girls Vintage to our final stall of the year, we are thrilled to be participating in this one. It takes place in The Minories Art Gallery, Colchester on Saturday between 10 and 4pm.  There are a plethora of art, design and vintage stalls and treats to enjoy all day. But not only that- Mary Lu's vintage shop is making it's third annual Christmas pop-up shop home in the garden room from today through until Saturday.

I popped along to have a chat with the girls and look at some of the delights they have available, I bought a gorgeous crochet blanket and a Mary Ratcliffe exclusive upcycled cardigan- all in the name of research obviously!

Mary Lu are two friends- Mary Ratcliffe and Lucy Tiffney, they met while working in the art school of the Colchester Institute. In Mary's words they are "a pair of hoarders who love collecting". It is lucky for us they love collecting because we get to enjoy some fabulous and unusual vintage finds- not just fashion but also homewares and trinkets. They regularly sell at all the vintage and retro fairs, and will be attending Vintage Vogue in Brentwood on Sunday after they close up the pop-up shop.

The upcycled selection was gorgeous as well- sometimes I was hard put to tell whether it had been upcycled or was original vintage, so tastefully have the pieces been done.  There are also a selection of original art, screen prints, decorations and cards.  

Lucy and Mary are both textile designers and they are looking forward to an exciting new project in the New Year, when they have decided to branch into something a little bit different.  We can't wait to see more on this as their pop-up shop is so creatively put together and displayed that there next project is bound to be just as interesting.

Mary Lu are in residence until the end of the Minories Art and Design Fair on Saturday 8th December.  The main part of the fair on Saturday will take place on the first floor of historic building which is The Minories- in the refurbished, beautiful ballroom and other heritage rooms (usually closed to the public- so a rare treat)  Selling at this festive event are a variety of unique and handmade and vintage items: jewellery, art, fashion and Christmas gifts. We'll be there selling our usual range of vintage and up-cycled clothing, accessories, haberdashery and lifestyle items, Gem Jewellery selling beautiful hand crafted jewellery, Dottie Dollie with artist dolls and dollie brooches. As well as handmade fabric buttons, mini bunting, crochet blankets and bows, costume jewellery and many more offering prints and cards, ceramics and glass and lots of other one-off, lovely gift ideas. Plus the wonderful Friends of The Minories will be on hand with a delicious selection of cakes, mince pies, jams and chutneys... and most importantly mulled wine.  

The Minories Galleries and Shop are both still open in all their glory with a wide range of beautiful artist-made Christmas decorations for your home and Christmas tree, wonderful and unique gifts for the whole family, lots of affordable artwork.  The current two  free exhibitions are amazing ones by local artists Michael Smee and Alison Stockmarr, just another reason  to come to this Saturday’s festive art and design fair.

The Minories Art and Design Fair, Saturday 8th December 2012 10am-4pm at the Minories, 74 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1UE

Credit: SJR Photography for a selection of these images
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