“Is it spring?” I ask my new best friend (nbf) in the queue outside Derby’s Roundhouse. “Only I have goose-pimples the size of mole-hills.” My nbf laughs and agrees the sun is deceptive as the wind is bitter but, we muse, it wouldn’t be the Derbyshire Spring Market without a bit of bracing weather; last year it was delayed by snow.
Once we have queued a bit, and moaned about the cold a bit, we’re both more than ready for a bit of sharp-elbowing around one of busiest artisan markets in the Midlands. It’s so busy, it hard not to be caught in a rabbit-like trance as your tiny brain computes that all your favourite things – vintage/cake/gifts/crafts/cheese/gin – are all under one very stylish metal-girded roof.
It’s not my first roundhouse. Far from it. I’ve swirled around the market a few times with the intention of ‘just taking a few photographs’ and then coming home with £100-worth of fancy flimflam, a bucket of daff’s and four Bakewells. But it’s been a long cold spell…and I was in the mood to drag some ‘spring’ over the step of my little cottage; which involved a little splurge.
So it was wonderful to see some newbie marketeers – new to me at least – including a couple of stalls where I could cheerfully spend my entire life’s savings. As I stood and sniffed at the bespoke candles made by the delightfully named Ethel & Co; I talked about my desire to ‘buy everything’ with my nnbf (new new best friend – I ditched the old one).
“Me too, I’d like all the candles in every flavour,” she said longingly.
“Don’t you wish you were rich enough to say to Ethel ‘Go home now, I want the whole stall,’.”
My nnbf agreed but our actual budgets could only run to two small cassis and fig ‘Santorini’ candles. Such is life. Never mind, there’a a Summer Market due on June 30th. By then, I am sure my lottery numbers will be up.
Watch out Ethel, I’m coming to get ya….
Featured photograph; bunnies (and chicks) available from Busy Little Things
Derbyshire Spring Market took place on Sunday March 24 2019; here’s some of the high-lights with details of why you should have these retailers on your ‘spring watch’ radar and where you can contact the stall-holders for orders.
Greenery in the Home
Spring-watch? The Greenery is best known for flowers but this Derbyshire-based business has blossomed to include homewares…and what homewares. Effortlessly stylish and very fresh; just as you’d imagine from a crew with such bloomingly good taste. The colours of those dusky pinks and smoky greys – with that zingy splash of mustard – are jaunty enough to warm-up any interior.
Had me hopping with joy: A tasteful throw is all very nice but – oh – those little pink piggies and Jack Russell dollies.
Fancy some spring shopping? The Greenery has an online store.
Maisie Parkes handmade ceramics
Spring-watch? Why stop at one little house when you can own a whole village? These are all handmade by Maisie..she even hand moulds the clay which sounds a great way to spend an afternoon. These would look great on a shelf or printer’s tray and I was quite taken with the ‘Dutch’ style cottage. Would imagine those church buildings would look nice as centre pieces on a wedding table – but what would I really know? I had my reception in a port-a-cabin in a carpark…I’d like to say I’ve moved seamlessly up the greasy pole since then but my ‘little cottage’ isn’t that much bigger than Maisie’s.
Had me hopping with joy; Maisie had made some lovely cards with dinky ceramics but my faves were the funky fungi.
Fancy some spring shopping? Maisie sells through online store Etsy.
Caroline Quinlan; crochet, wood and ceramics
Spring-watch? How could you not feel more spring-like with a crocheted balloon brooch…I mean, I want a whole bunch. Irish designer Caroline is really helping to make crochet – and brooches – this year’s must-haves. I love the mix of ceramics and crochet on her little houses; it’s new, it’s zany and yet it works.
Had me hopping with joy; The cloud brooches which, Caroline tells me, were inspired by the skies around her Peak District home.
Fancy some spring shopping? Follow Caroline on Instagram.
Maison Brocante
Spring-watch? It’s always fun to visit the Instagram feed of some of these stallholders. Here’s a stall which oozes elegance and relaxed country charm but – over on Insta’ – Madame Maison Brocante (aka Nicole) admits she’ll be ‘faffing’ behind the scenes ‘Like a headless chicken.’ Now I could lose my own head over the things on this stall; not just the aroma’ household bits – which I know will make my home smell like a French chateaux – but all the wonderful grain-sack cushions and table-runners. If you can’t find the time or budget to escape to a crumbling ruin in France this year like Dick and Angel; a few pieces from this stall will see you droite.
Had me hopping with joy; French soap, a grain-sack floor cushion for my beastly hound Eddie with matching linen placemats for me…
Fancy some Spring shopping? Nicole has her own online store.
Blu Beau
Spring-watch? Now it really isn’t fair to have a favourite stall but…this one really took my fancy. Talented ceramicist (and jewellery maker) Liz Janson was inspired to start making by her own Jack Russell. I also have a Jack Russell who inspires only despair – hence the fact I quite like buying inanimate versions.
These little chaps are slightly longer and thinner in the body than my little fiend (sic) but they are so deliciously crafted; I have to sit on my backside and bay at the moon in pleasure.
Had me hopping with joy; Those little doggies not only had me hopping – they had me buying. I also loved the animal brooches and drooled over the much more grown-up gold bowls. Imagine your rice crispies in one of those?
Fancy some spring shopping? Liz has her own Etsy store.
Made by Shannon
Spring-watch? Love a stall-holder with a sense of humour. These little bags make the still embarrassing journey of a tampon-to-toilet fun. Yes – I did say tampon and toilet…like Shannon, I can be discreet. There’s also bags with life affirming messages like ‘I got this gift from someone who loves me’ and ‘make yourself a priority’ which, I hope, will be filled with things a little more glamorous than panty pads.
Had me hopping with joy: Shannon does wonderful things with old fabric ..the lavender bag smelled so good, I seriously considered changing my name to Kim.
Fancy some spring shopping? Shannon has her own online store.
Harry & Frank
Spring-watch? Stall No1 at the market for a reason. There’s few people who know how to collate a look like Emily who curates Harry & Frank (with exception of Amanda Hamilton a few stalls down). Everything on this stall is just so harmonious. There’s something a little Victorian library belonging to a famous naturalist about the look – and I like it. Your style book will be bursting with ideas…
Had me hopping with joy; Nature books simply tied with twine, French coffee pots, marmalade pots….and everything else.
Fancy some spring shopping? Emily has her own online shop Harry & Frank
Bow beaus
Spring-watch? It’s usually impossible to get close to the Bow Beaus stall – those handmade wands, hand-decorated animals and jazzy hair-clips etc have proved such a hit…there’s hardly a lifestyle account on Insta’ which hasn’t been sprinkled with a bit of Jo’s glitter. Even the helper on the stall admits it can be ‘expensive’ being friends with such a talented maker. Yes, you always have a smile on your face…but empty pockets. If I were she; I’d ask to be paid in chimps.
Had me hopping with joy: The rabbits decked with floral garlands. I also wanted to buy a Llama but a tiny chap beat me to it…I hadn’t the heart to snatch.
Fancy some spring shopping? Jo’s eagerly anticipated on-line store opened earlier this year.
Lotta’s House
Spring-watch? Lotta’s stall is always one of my house-calls. In common with the other women around the stall, I just love these quirky textiles made by the incredibly talented Charlotte Toyer. I’ve been following Charlotte since she first attended the Fabulous Places market in 2017 – and the range of stock (and her imagination) is seemingly limitless. Love the new additions of bunting – blue whales? – and I want my own personalised bunny.
Had me hopping with joy; The hand-painted florals – leaves and flowers – on wire loops.
Fancy some spring shopping? There’s an on-line store on notonthehighstreet.com
And when your spring is all sprung out….
There’s always cake courtesy of Lovely Pear; proving once and for all that vegan bakes can be enjoyed by everybody. Even better, if you missed the market, they do deliver.
Derbyshire Summer Market will be held on June 30th at The Roundhouse in Derby.
