What's New.....

First of all - and apologies, know their boring to everyone else, but I LOVE cats and these are my two - always had black cats, next ones are going to be Tabbies.

These two lovely little dogs (sorry Matt can't spell Snauzers!? told you).. visited my new shop last week. Petworth must be THE dog loving town of the whole of Sussex as if you sat in the doorway of my shop for a day, you'd loose count of how many went past/came in - not complaining though as frankly, normally prefer animals to people!

OK, next - well Jill (lucky woman) is on hols this week - tells me she has slept most of it so far and actually believe her. I know that most people think antique dealers do nothing (and honestly, a fair amount don't!), but Jill isn't one of them and works her little socks off, so have a good one Jill.

The Decorative Collective site is growing, both in number of members, which is great and in terms of the upgrading we're doing, which is great as well. So far, so good, just need to now get it out there. We're very lucky as we have some fab dealers and have taken the decision to include bespoke/limited edition/contemporary and modern items as well as antiques, because we think this is what people want - a choice - so who are we not to offer it. NO REPRO THOUGH!!!!

Next - my husband just came back from Sweden, having gone with Dave Wilson drag racing team where they are running nitro in the engine and a thoroughly good time they all had as well. Would have been better if it hadn't rained on the last day - see, it's not just England. He didn't see much of the country unfortunately, but says the Swedes are great people and definitely like a drink! but hey, you can't live in a beautifully clean country and not have some vices...

Oh, opened my new shop as well - its in Lombard Street, Petworth and I love it. Much smaller then my old one, but it's great. Manageable and a lot less stress. Painted it off black outside, which caused some controvesy, and one delightful person posted me a note in the door when I was renovating it saying "..you have defaced Lombard Street with your vile paint job.." - nice huh... and they very boldly decided NOT to sign it.. so what did I do, the only thing a girl could do, I stuck it in the window for all to see, inviting the anoymous writer to come and have a chat, but sadly, no-one stood up to be counted.

Well, that's it for now. Wishing everyone a very Happy August - drive carefully, eat lots, drink modestly and have lots and lots of fun..xxx

20.6.09 - Latest

It's been a wee while since we last posted on here as have been tied up completely re-building the new Decorative Collective website (http://www.decorativecollective.com/), which has now gone from being a 1 page website to being a fully blown one. We're really pleased with it and Rob (ph9), our tech guy has done a cracking job. It's a site for lots of dealers, including those without websites of their own and gives them a chance to show off their stuff to an audience they couldn't before. BUT most importantly, and no offence to others, its a visually good and interesting site, well organised (we hope!) and modern, aimed at only showing great decorative antiques and 20C items from a few pounds to a few thousand, and we intend to keep it looking great and not just allow anyone in and have it become like a lot of sites showing old fashioned and boring stuff. Aimed at the decorating and designer trade, private clients are also welcome and any comments can be sent to info@decorativecollective.com (good or bad!).

OK, what else has been happening. Well Jill and Maurice have been undertaking the monumental task of moving showrooms. Sounds easy, you try moving hundreds of lights (some big chandeliers), even across the road. Jill has battled with BT till she's blue in the face, but finally won the war. I have to give it to my friend, she's been a trooper on putting in as much time and effort on DC as I have AND she's had to cope with moving, running her own business, listening to me moan (long story, too boring), listening to Maurice groan, mother, cajole and god knows what else in the last few weeks and yet whenever I speak to her, it's never too much trouble and she always gives me her time. Jill, thank you, your a great friend.

Mind you, I got a picture from Jill the other day showing it's not all work and no play. Shows them on the beach in Norfolk (can't find it, so going to ask Jill to re-send it). I never realised how beautiful Norfolk beaches were. She also made me laugh with this little rendition of Ria (her dog) day and goes like this:-

?day in life of RHEA POODLE
?get up do a poo, do a wee
?hassle for half an hour?
?get a walk, do another poo, do 26 more wees, get in car sit on front seat although not allowed
?bark all way to garage
?bark more for chocolate treat
?go to office sleep, do a wee, do another poo ( outside)
?bark at customer
?bark at delivery man
?do a wee
? eat a grape
? get in car , get out of car, get in van, get out of van
?do a wee?
?go home?
?sleep? hassle for a walk
?go for a walk , have tea, do a wee
?sleep on blue sofa all night although not allowed.

DAY IN THE LIFE OF GUS, MY DOG (RIDGEBACK)

Yawn, go back to sleep, yawn, go for a pee, yawn, eat breakfast, go for a pee, go to the gate for a walk, decide to tired, come in expect a biscuit as went out the front door, yawn, go back to bed.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Oh and when he plays, rips your arm off with his claws - Bless him!!!

NEW SHOP

One Last thing - Happy to announce am opening new shop in Petworth, West Sussex - Am I mad, probably, but that's the great thing about being an antiques dealer, everyone expects you to be a little of your head, even the bank manager!!!!

Anyway, hopefully open beginning July (if I can convince my husband its a good idea to give up the next two weekends helping me - thank goodness for bribery!) and all are welcome.

All the best

Jane

Rare Day Out with the Husband...

Was meant to spend day with husband, rare occurrence as both self-employed, but finally got out this afternoon and having always wanted to go see Brighton Pavillion, finally got there. Pete couldn't moan as he forgot my birthday yesterday and I got to choose where we went. Had a fantastic Chinese lunch in Brighton and then went to the Pavillion. Loved it. Great building, interesting hand held phone tour (at your own pace), lovely cream tea on the Terrace, by which time the mist had lifted and the sun just shone. Great day, great sight seeing, great meal, go there and take it in would be my advice if you like funky buildings.

Proof that dealers work hard!!

Jill and Maurice on recent trip to South of France - Jill striking a pose in Avignon, Maurice looking very happy with himself!!

Believe it or not, these trips aren't just shopping, shopping and more shopping - they involve eating, walking, walking, walking, walking, drinking, eating, walking, walking, walking, sleeping, rowing, walking, more rowing, walking, walking, eating, shopping etc etc. Never have enough money, never have enough time, never have enough space in van, never want to leave the Sun! It's a hard life, but someones gotta do it!

Sun shining, birds singing, not a cloud in the sky... what are we doing, setting up for the Decorative Fair. Thought you might like to see Jill and Maurice in action and as you can see, as much as we would like to turn up, wave a magic wand and have the stand all sorted, it just doesn't happen like that. Takes three days, lots of arguments, lots of money, lots of paint, more arguments and finally you run out of time and hope for the best... Will post some pics of stands when their finished so you can see the transformation. Also a pic of Alison and Alans stand (On Reflection) and Sarah from Kiki's as well. A great pic of a fantastic light from Phil Varma and a pic of some friends enjoying a quick drink to celebrate Lorraine's birthday.

Jill and Janes updates

Take 3 giant chandeliers, 4 standard lamps from the 1950's, 8 pairs of sconces, 2 lanterns a plaffonier and a murano glass lamp, pop in workshop, wave magic wand, issue 27 PAT test certs
and hey presto all gleaming, renovated and ready for The Decorative Fair on 21st April in Battersea Park.
Take 2 very ancient antique dealers/ renovators add liberal helpings of wine bought in La Grande Ribe on last trip, stir in a quantity of expletives, trip to hairdressers and hey presto ready for The Decorative Fair on 21st April in Battersea Park
Take 2 Antique Carriers, add white van, several blankets and a lot of sweat, 44 boxes, several bread trays from local supermarket , roll of bubble wrap, 3 cups of coffee each and a packet of fags
wave magic wand and stock loaded for Decorative fair 21st April Battersea Park.
Stir all this with giant pinch of gold dust, and thats just one week in the life of members of the Decorative Collective !!
Easter Saturday 10th April

What Jill's been doing...

Jill has just come back from a buying trip to the South of France. Oooooh, your thinking, that sounds like a lot of fun.

Correction, sort of, there is quite a bit of fun involved certainly, but also hours and hours of driving, staying in, currently, expensive lodgings, thanks to the confounding strength of the Euro (Gordon Brown please note!), getting up at the crack of dawn, more driving, hours of walking around and if your lucky, you find a couple of pieces that you can bring back and try and make a few quid on. Hassle at the Ports, both sides, so much for free trade, then hours driving home.
Why do we do it? For me, because I am probably un-employable by now, and actually because for most of us, it really is a passion - or drug - not sure which sometimes!

For all the down sides, and there are many, there's no denying, we love and we're lucky to be able to do it. Do most dealers make a shed load of money, absolutely not, but we love the lifestyle, the freedom (well we convince ourselves we have freedom, but personally, never worked so damn hard and such long hours) and the sheer flying by the seats of our pants because whenever we buy anything, it's certainly not a dead cert that we've got it right, both price wise or any other wise. What are we akin to, I think Gamblers. More on that comparison later.

For now, just glad Jill and Maurice have got back to Blighty safe and sound (I know the dog has missed them) and look forward to seeing them next week, when we all start setting up for the Decorative Fair in Battersea Park, London.

To Alan and Alison, also relieved your home safe and look forward to seeing, what I am told, is the biggest mirror in the World....

PS: Completely new at blogging, so please excuse us while we learn the ropes.

Coming Soon - Jane and Jill's Antique Adventure....