Last night we took part in Fabulous Places Summer Market! Attending one of Deb’s incredible markets has been on my bucket list for a while. I’ve always dreamt of having a stall there and last night we actually did.
Where exactly was the Fabulous Places Summer Market?
The summer market was really close to our shop, it was held just outside of Ashbourne at Grangefields. I actually didn’t know this place existed, it’s literally down the road from The Bluebell Inn in Kirk Langley. It’s set quite far back from the road so you wouldn’t necessarily see it if you drove passed. As we got close to the venue, we turned down a long, private road towards the barn – the views of the countryside were absolutely incredible! The weather was incredible last night so that made the views even more special.
What did we take with us?
Once we’d parked up, me and mum unloaded the car and started setting up our display. The car was absolutely full to the rafters with cardboard boxes filled with stock and lots of rustic fixtures. I have a habit of taking far too many wooden crates, baskets and things to display products on but I’d rather take too many than not enough. It’s much harder when I’m at a market as I can’t just nip downstairs to our basement and grab something else. For this market, we brought along lots of our beauty and wellness products: lip balms, bath salts, hand creams, eye pillows and lots more loveliness.
So what happened at the summer market?
Visitors began to arrive from 5pm, ready for an evening of shopping, food & drink and demonstrations. When they first stepped into Grangefields, they were met with a breath takingly beautifully room filled with incredible small businesses. This long room followed into a second room – this is where we were! We were at the market with over 30 other small businesses: makers & artists, home interiors, artisan food, home & garden decor, jewellery and seasonal blooms and plants. Including two of the makers we sell in our shop – Ethel & Co and She Is Jewellery. It was so lovely to catch up with Corrina and Fran!
Once visitors had made their way through the two rooms inside, they could then head outside to a beautiful courtyard. It was such a lovely, warm summers evening – the courtyard was bursting with seasonal flowers and plants, an absolutely stunning display by The Greenery.
Later in the evening, there were also two demonstrations. Lou from The Greenery showed visitors how to create a floral table arrangement and the Deb from Fabulous Places demonstrated how to incorporate the arrangement into a Summer table display. Sadly I didn’t catch either of the demonstrations as I was inside manning our stand but from the videos I’ve seen it looked beautiful.
Did we buy anything?
I didn’t get much time to walk around and shop at the market but I did manage to pick up a lovely, handmade doorstop from the stall opposite. I’ve been on the lookout for an unusual doorstop to stop our utility room door at home from slamming shut whenever we’ve got the windows open. I couldn’t resist it, it’s been handmade in Derbyshire from an old whiskey barrel by Winning Works.
Mum had a little bit more time to have a wander around the market and enjoy shopping with the small businesses there. She treated my grandma to a beautiful bunch of flowers from The Greenery which she’s going to give to her today as a surprise.
Will we be taking part in another Fabulous Places Market?
We absolutely loved being part of the Fabulous Places Summer Market! So I was over the moon when Deb asked us back for her autumn market in September. Her next market will be Saturday 14th September at Osmaston Park, which is in Osmaston just outside of Ashbourne town centre. It’s another stunning venue – there’s a long drive leading up to the estate with sheep roaming free.
The Autumn market will have over 70 stalls from a mixture of different small businesses. It’ll be filled with autumn interiors, pumpkins and seasonal blooms, artisan food and drink, handmade jewellery, salvaged goods, creatives and makers and lots, lots more.
We’re planning a totally different display for the Fabulous Places Autumn Market – we’ll have a bigger space to work with, meaning we can bring lots more loveliness with us. We’re thinking of bringing lots of autumnal decorations, greeting cards, artwork and anything else we think would work well with creating a cosy feel.
You can book your early bird ticket online on Fabulous Places website or you have the option to pay on the door on the day too. There will also be a VIP ticket option. For more information on the autumn market and to book tickets, click here.
