Marsac - The BIG One!

This Sunday we woke up at 5.30am in order to get to one of the largest brocante fairs in France as soon as it opened.

The Bric à Brac in Marsac is a two day event but we went on the second day in the hope of being able to haggle down the prices a bit (although we also ran the risk of missing out on some real treasures).  At 8am we stood in a queue waiting to pay our 3€ entry fee before being let in after a quick security check (understandable in light of recent events).

I do not exaggerate when I say that this fair is MASSIVE and covers about four large fields but this did not dampen our enthusiasm as it was such a joy to see so many traders in one place with such interesting stock.  

I found loads of trucs and spent a small fortune and had our future antique shop been open I honestly could have bought ten times more.

By about 2pm we were seriously flagging.  Tiredness had set in and the stifling heat that had been with us all day was beginning to get to us so we literally staggered around the final field (almost hoping we didn't see any more things to buy!) and made for home. 

Here are just some of the buys from Marsac that are in my office waiting for a good clean:-

This antique fair is not for the faint-hearted but in my opinion was well worth the effort - I can't wait to get my new acquisitions listed on my Etsy shop!

Enamoured with Enamel

One kind of truc that I never seem to tire of is enamelware.  Via my Etsy shop I have sold many of these pieces, picked up from brocante markets and vide greniers, to people all over the world.

They invariably have a few little chips here and there giving them their trademark rustic shabby chic appearance. Here are some favourites that I have had the pleasure of owning if only for a short time:-

A gorgeous 1950's kettle in a pale duck egg blue 

This lovely enamel box originally made for storing matches

This sunny yellow coffee pot with filter

I wish I had kept this stunning little jug but it sold so fast I didn't
 withdraw it from my shop on time

A 1950s industrial style alarm clock

One of many trivets I've sold - an enduring and popular item

Another favourite of mine - a delightful 1950s desk lamp

My stock is still on the low side at the moment which will hopefully be remedied by my long awaited visit to Angleterre next month.  However I do still have a lovely red trivet and a beautiful enamelled soap dish for sale although I don't expect they will hang around for long.

Click on photo to view on my Etsy Shop

Click on photo to view on my Etsy Shop

Roll on the Spring when the brocante season in France really begins and here's hoping I come across more of these enamelled gems.