Vintage Threads is becoming rather well known in Manchester for providing the North with a huge Vintage Fair with a wide range of sellers, entertainment and eras. We know that not everyone has experienced Vintage Threads beforehand so, this article brings you 'Vintage Threads Virgins' from the point of view a first time customer and seller.

First time seller - Clare Potts

Selling at Vintage Threads was all rather last minute for me as Mat and I, both regular contributors to Manchester Fashion Network, realised it would be a magnificent way to clear out our vintage wardrobes and pass them on to happier homes. It was the first time that either of us had sold our wares in the big wide world, preferring instead to stick to the world wide web, so we were a little puzzled about what to bring and how to present our offerings. We settles for bright red tags, recycled carrier bags and a scattering of different coloured hangers only to arrive to see a sea of organised sellers complete with hat stands, cake stands and table cloths...

Though we weren't quite as well presented as the other stalls, I think we had the right attitude and friendliness towards our customers, willing to haggle if they looked particularly amazing. The day went so quickly as business was good, though we did have a sneaky ice pop break leaving the stall in the capable hands of the sellers around us. At the end of the day we packed up the little that remained and left in a flurry of plastic bags and bright red price tags.

This is something we'd definitely love to be involved in again, not only to clear out our wardrobes but just because the entire day was a delight, meeting different sellers, listening to live music and being surrounded by beautiful vintage pieces. My idea of heaven!

Visit Clare's blog at tweet and Mat's at Buckets and Spades.

First time customer - Siobhan Holt

I have to come clean and openly admit that this was my very first Vintage Thread’s fair organised by MFN. It’s terrible I know but true, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I didn’t expect that I would have to hold myself back from spending too much. I was actually quite scared that I would have had a call from my bank afterwards saying there had been some unusual activity on my card! Left to my own devices I would have bought loads and loads of stunning vintage pieces. So I decided to be sensible and only bought specific items that would last me. So I purchased a beautiful vintage satchel (perfect for this season) and I love it. I haven’t stepped out of the house without it. Even my own mother has her eye on it!

At the fair my favourite stall had to be the ‘Passion Jewellery’ stall. Its owner, Claire Smithwick, from Liverpool had a really individual stall. With it’s collection of prepared original pieces of jewellery to stunning beads and jewels from all over the globe it really was a beautiful and unique stall. She was extremely helpful providing advice on how to design your own bespoke charm bracelet or necklace. So I decided to put her expertise to the test. She helped me to create a stunning blue and turquoise bracelet for a bargain price. You can create your own individual piece of jewellery suitable for any price range, from just £10 up to £40.

“I also offer jewellery parties and corporate events” explains Claire. “People prefer to buy vintage or bespoke pieces because they want to be seen as individuals. They want to look unique. I import my beads and jewels from as far as China and India.”
Claire has been designing jewellery for 8 years; originally she was just producing pieces for herself and her close friends. “It began as a sideline but I found it much more fulfilling. I have really enjoyed this Vintage Threads fair; it has been a huge success. I will definitely take part again.”
 

I recommend everyone should own a bespoke piece of ‘Passion Jewellery’. Contact Claire at jewellerypassion@yahoo.co.uk

Words by Clare Potts and Siobhan Catherine Holt. Images by Kate Alexandra McLeish.

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