Shopping in London ~ Bermondsey Square Antiques Market

Bermondsey Square Antiques Market may be the most fantastic place to shop ever! Or, at least, in the English-speaking world . . .  

This weekly market has been around since 1855. These are the things to keep in mind:

First, it's a dealers' market. It opens at 5:00am. The vendors start arriving around 4:00am. Get there early! This is the real "you snooze, you lose" market. It closes before 9:00am so shopkeepers can take their newly acquired finds to their shops to sell. Sure, there are the ordinary dust-catching tchotchkes  you'd find anywhere, but there are also tables heaping with Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian antiques.

During my trip, I got up early, heated a cup of yesterday's coffee, hailed a cab and arrived as dealers were setting up. My jaw dropped when I saw a dealer pull milk carton crate after milk carton crate out from under his table and dump crate after crate of sterling silver on to the surface. Yowsa! Fantastic.

You'll find art of all kinds ~ oil paintings, watercolours, sketches, ephemera like sheet music, post cards, unframed etchings, theater tickets and programs, glassware, china, furniture, etc.

If you'd find it in an antique store or second-hand shop, you'll see it first at the Bermondsey Square Antiques Market.

Listen to the voices. Dealers from all over the world cruise the aisles in search of treasure. And, to quote another, "it's a mecca for serious collectors."

Because, as you know, I'm traveling and on a budget, I look for small things; in this case, canister shaped demitasse cups. I love the eclectic look of several different patterns out for coffee or cocoa after dinner. It's fun to see how each is chosen. My friends all have personal favourites they always select.

While it is true, I love Portobello Road antique shopping, there is something very cool about getting up really early, throwing off your jammies, throwing on your clothes, and heading off to shop while it is still dark.

Talk about hidden treasure!

http://www.londontown.com/LondonInformation/Attraction/New_Caledonian_Market/a544/

Day 24 Everyday Grateful ~ Ramses and I are going

for dinner at Barb's.

Misty morning. Sunny afternoon. Thankful.

A Family History in Linen

Way before I had my first son, a friend of mine was traveling in London. Walking the stalls on Portobello Road, she found this darling vintage christening gown and brought it home to me. I decided to make this creamy linen gown a family tradition. I put our family name in the center with the name of one of my sons on either side.

The grand plan was to have their children flow from their father's name. Both my sons were christened wearing this lovely piece of history. When my oldest son and my daughter-in-law had their first child, the wonderful gown was pulled into action. And, the name of my first grandchild was embroidered beside his father's. Since then, two girls have arrived in our family.

The grands are coming from Milan to visit this summer. Between now and then, I will be embroidering the youngest girl and her date of birth along the hem line beside her father, her brother and her sister.

I love tender personal sentiments like this. They make me profoundly happy.

If you are going to London, I recommend two markets. More about my other favourite tomorrow.

http://www.portobelloroad.co.uk/

Day 17 Everyday Grateful ~ Sunny!

We're planting the pots on the back deck.

And, it may be warm enough to eat outside!

Yee haw!