my four bulging suitcases the officer asked me how long I had been in London.
Two weeks I added casually and with what I hoped was a confident grin.
checking the stamps on my pass port and shuttled me to a 'special line' where I
was asked all kinds of questions. I explained that I had been on a buying trip
and pulled out my business cards and launched into the greatest hits of what I
had done in London, and it wasn’t a discussion about the touristy places, the
tower of London and Buckingham Palace it was about the London Markets.
Spittlefields, Deptford, Tripe’s Fields and Portobello Road, about Greenwich
Market, Brick Lane, Wimbledon and boot
sales in Farmers Fields…….. That was my trip, the treasures I had found and the
people I had met.…and I loved every minute of it.
would be great to share some of my treasure hunting tips and my favorite places
with all of Etsyland.
Treasure Hunting:
like to start with Wimbledon Market (held on a greyhound race track) at the
crack of dawn, followed by 2-3 boot sales and then hit up a few of the larger
markets such as brick lane or Portobello in the afternoon….but note that each
of these really can be all day events.
Favorite market was Greenwich for its small size, great, friendly people and amazing
food stalls. The biggest was Portobello Road which has literally something for
everyone. Spittle fields for higher end pieces, down and dirty Deptford and the
fun and fast paced Wimbledon where true treasures can be found after lots of
digging, and the boot sales, sigh, the boot sales which are held all over the
outskirts of London usually on Saturdays and Sundays.
your markets I had a great guide (my dad) but you can also find so much
information now on the web one great place to start is time outs web link…….. http://www.timeout.com/london/shopping/features/1786/Top_ten_car_boot_sales_around_London.html
are made up of non professional marketers that fill the boot (or trunk) of
their cars and head off once a week or so to sell some of their personal items.
This is a great way to find some bargains, learn the history of pieces and a
chance to meet some really great people.
like to start with Wimbledon Market (held on a greyhound race track) at the
crack of dawn, followed by 2-3 boot sales and then hit up a few of the larger
markets such as brick lane or Portobello in the afternoon….but note that each
of these really can be all day events.
was everything you can dream of in a
market, it had the new interesting clothing lines, jewelry and funky home decor
items. The streets were lined with market stalls, each wheeling and dealing
handmade crafts and some of the most amazing antiques I have ever seen… running
alongside the market stalls were the shops, warrens of antique shops housing
treasures from the dawn of time. Ancient roman coins, Elizabethan eating
implements, Victorian décor items, and Edwardian silver, just to name a few.
the ever present delicious aroma of curry houses, was a vintage sellers
paradise, rock-a-billy clothes rubbing shoulders with up and coming high end
designers. Antique furniture piled all over market stalls, second hand china in
every pattern imaginable balancing precariously alongside old toys and fabulous
books.
market I found by far was that of Greenwich, the array of items makes your
mouth water, the food stalls bring people from miles around and the people are
just some of the nicest people in all of London’s market community. I found so
many treasures I had to go back to the car twice, with my backpack loading me
down like a redheaded Santa Claus.
is close to the sea and traditional market food is jellied eels and winkles
(little sea snails) but you can pass these up for a nice cuppa tea and a bacon
roll. English markets are some of the most ethnic in the world ( over 300
hundred languages are now spoken in London) and you will see this
multiculturalism reflected in the food
vendors, hand thrown noodles, dragon candy, curries and handmade exquisite
chocolates…. Not just a hotdog and a coke…it’s a feast for your taste buds….
Even though jellied eels don’t do much for my taste buds except make me
question what the heck I am putting in my mouth…… tee he
wear sensible comfortable shoes….bring your favorite tennis from home… they
will save your feet and your sanity. Pick up a cheep brolley (umbrella) for you
never know when it will rain. Dress in layers as the weather changes on a dime.
Bring small bills and change especially to boot sales…. It’s easier to barging
with small bills, and pound coins. Cash is King, no credit cards on the market
stalls but at the higher end markets such as spittlefields and parts of Portobello
Road big bills are fine, and as always watch out for pickpockets and
panhandlers just as you would in any large city.
was able to have a great packer (my dad) help me but if you are going on a
buying trip bring the ‘extra’ suitcase with bubble wrap and tape or find a cheap
second hand suitcase or three at a boot sale. Wrap all items carefully and pack
things in smaller tins and boxes. Scavenge for packing materials as soon as you
set foot in London, because getting the treasures safely home is part of the
adventure.
haggle a little …it’s a fine art don’t be too demanding or offer something outragesly
low but sometimes you can get a few quid knocked off or even ask the wonderful
catchphrase “What’s the best you can do?’ and either they can give you a discount
or not. I would say that the Majority of places gave a discount, especially
when I bought a number of items from a stall. But know that you must either
walk away or pay full price. Rarely did I walk away empty handed, thus the four
bulging suitcases at the end.
Whatever your treasure is you can find it in London…. First edition Dickens,
Mother of pearl buttons, clay pipes, union jacks, antique keys, ceramics, funky
clothes, beautiful tins or the perfect
royal wedding memorabilia for Willie and Kate. Even if you aren’t finding
exactly what you are looking for chat up the market stall owners as and ask who
might just have what you are looking for the marketers can be a wonderful and
tight knit community and they may be able to direct you to someone who’s got
what you are looking for and who can help you fill your suitcases to the brim
and maybe, just maybe, you can find enough treasures to have the customs agents
shake their heads with disbelief. Tee hee…………… smooches caitie!!!!!
colors: white and blue with some pink thrown in for good measure, oversized
prints, spring greens and a plethora of Britannia colors just in time for the
royal wedding.
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