I've been busy adding to my collection of wicker bags and baskets for sale, all of which have had a thorough wash and brush up and a new lining added, with pockets where possible and new fastenings if necessary. They'll be coming with me to the Helen Rollason Charity Vintage and Makers Day Out at Cressing Temple on 13th July, should you be free! Or following that will be listed mainly on Folksy with a couple on my website and a couple possibly on Etsy.

This year I shall be mostly turning preloved to reloved tired vintage wood, wicker, straw and rattan bags by adding new embellishments and linings. Making existing items pretty, practical, lovable and functional once more, using less of the world’s resources and creating unique one-off pieces to enjoy!
Each bag will be carefully chosen, delicately cleaned, sympathetically mended and re-lined with a pretty colourful cotton fabric in keeping with its age.

Each one will have:
*A genuine vintage wicker, rattan or wooden outer.
​*A contemporary or repurposed vintage fabric lining.
*A soft interior wadding to cushion your belongings.
*An interior pocket or two, one zipped, one elasticated.
*And of course any major flaws will be carefully described.
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Please remember these are vintage items, up to 75 yrs old! 
​Use them for special occasions and treat them with love!❤️ 

...at the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Vintage Day Out on Sunday 14th July? The sun shone, the music and dancing on the green was fabulous, (I was right by the door so had a ring side seat), there were three sets of classic cars to stroll around and admire, oodles of vintage and plant stalls to browse and food and drink to consume. Everyone was so appreciative of my efforts, stopped to admire my work and chat and I made some sales, which is always a bonus. A big shout out to Sharon & Brett from Manningtree Vintage Vibes, a clothing shop, who were opposite me and made the day more enjoyable and to the staff and volunteers of the Charity who made the day such a success!

This little wicker bag came to me through the post unnecessarily squashed flat in a cardboard box. The flap wouldn't close properly , there was a gaping open space each side and the base was misshapen. I was livid! The seller didn't seem that bothered and offered a refund, but I could see its potential and decided to keep it. With a bit of research and a steam iron later I was able to restore it to an acceptable shape. The wicker fastening at the front wasn't secure so I glued and sewed the top piece into a heart shape and attached an elastic instead. I've since added a magnetic fastener as well to make it more secure.
​The handles were frayed beyond redemption where they joined the bag and I knew I would have to replace them when I bought it. I removed them carefully and to begin with I thought I was going to use some lovely red leather handles as a complete contrast. They looked good pinned on but sewing them through the wicker was going to be problematic,  so I had to have a rethink...
I picked up the old handles and had a brainwave! I managed with bit of trial and error (ok a lot of trial and error), two clothes pegs and a lot of glue to fashion them into some circular handles which I have fastened to the flap with some rings. I'm now quite a dab hand with  a couple of pairs of pliers to prise rings open and closed! 
Now to the lining. I had just enough of this pretty vintage Laura Ashley fabric and with a thin layer of wadding and a cute elasticated pocket it finishes it off to perfection even if I say so myself!

​Remember that rather sad looking vintage natural fibre bag without a lining? She’s looking much happier and pretty enough for an outing now! She has a new elastic fastening, a double cotton lining with soft wadding in between and two useful pockets, one elasticated, one zipped, with a beaded zip-pull. And a pretty vintage rose appliqué to finish her off!