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cat123creative
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![[*]](./images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif) posted on 5-3-10 at 01:02 PM |
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Who'd have thought . . . . UPDATE with Photos!
Just wanted to share my latest news. I've not been on the forums as much as I'd like to of late because I've been developing a new website called
Vintage Bizarre. It's a new business venture I'm taking on with Beth of Faux Brit (also a VFG trade member).
Beth and I met last April but it seems like we've known each other for years. I actually wrote about our very first meeting in my blog, Catwalk
Threads. Read it here. Who'd have thought that a year down the line we'd be in business together. 
We're both carrying on as usual with our online selling (website and Etsy) but for the longest time we've wanted to get out and about and actually
meet our customers face-to-face. So, that's how our idea for Vintage Bizarre started. We've now got two regular selling venues in the Manchester
area. You can read about them on our Events page.
Faux Brit girl, Beth at Village Vintage
This is me at Village Vintage last Sunday. I'm wrapped up warm against the winter chill but still smiling!
Thanks go to Tin Trunk
(also at Village Vintage) for taking these lovely photos.
Tomorrow we're at our second regular venue in West Didsbury. This is going to be so much fun. My sister is coming along to do retro and vintage
style makeovers. All money raised will be donated to MacMillan Cancer Support. The owner informs me it's going to be a very busy day. The sun is
shining so I'm hoping it carries on. I'll post photos of the event next week.
Hope you'll take a look at the website. It's been set up purely to advertise our selling venues, rather than sell merchandise online. Hopefully
it's a fun read anyway . . . . .
Let me know what you think. We have a guest book too so please feel free to leave a comment.
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fauxbrit13
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| posted on 5-3-10 at 02:27 PM |
Reply #: 1 |
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OMG ....those Bizarre Twins look like they are up to something
BIZARRE & VINTAGE !!!!! SCANDALOUS too....Thanks for posting...BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ'g. 
Thanks, Sarah {"tinny girl"} for the photos!!!!
xox
bb [ox]
beth bertenshaw
FauxBrit *Recycle Vintage*
[wearable vintage & handmade all*sorts]
Pledge 2 Recycle Vintage 4 Life
http://fauxbrit13.etsy.com |
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fuzzylizzie
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| posted on 5-3-10 at 03:45 PM |
Reply #: 2 |
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What a great idea! I wish I were in the UK so I could go and shop with you ladies and Sarah.
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joules
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| posted on 5-3-10 at 05:41 PM |
Reply #: 3 |
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I think this is really WONDERFUL. I'm so happy for you both, and it looks to be great, creative fun. That's the best kind, isn't it? And, when you
can share it with friends. I'm a little bit jealous, I will admit. You, Beth, and Sarah are having too much fun!
Best of luck to you, with Vintage Bizarre!!
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thespectrum
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| posted on 5-3-10 at 06:41 PM |
Reply #: 4 |
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Your website looks great & you both look fabulous 
Best wishes for lots of success!
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cat123creative
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| posted on 5-3-10 at 06:45 PM |
Reply #: 5 |
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Thanks so much everyone! I'm having to pinch myself that all this is happening. It just seems to have snowballed from a tiny idea we had. I feel
very lucky to have found Beth. It's great having someone that lives close by that has the same interests and outlook. I like that we're learning a
lot from each other too.
As Beth originates from the States, she's thrown a whole new perspective on everything. She's full of energy and enthusiasm which I love and of
course she's a great saleswoman! The only problem we have is that we both like to talk - we're working on that one!
We are indeed a bizarre pair but that's what makes it so special.
We've already set up our area for tomorrow and just need to put the clothes and jewellery in first thing. Joe, the owner of the shop, has been so
supportive of what we're doing. He's been looking forward to this day for ages. He'll be there bright and early tomorrow morning so we can get
organised. My little Martha wants to help out and so we're giving her the task of handing out our flyers and postcards. She's got a little
vintage outfit sorted so we're now grooming her for vintage stardom!!!
I'll definitely post photos next week. 
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poppysvintageclothing
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| posted on 6-3-10 at 12:58 AM |
Reply #: 6 |
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How great for both of you! It sounds like so much fun! Wish I could come by and buy!!!
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amandainvermont
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| posted on 6-3-10 at 01:26 AM |
Reply #: 7 |
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How VERY nice. I remember when you all first met. And you are both lovely.
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Leisa
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| posted on 6-3-10 at 07:23 PM |
Reply #: 8 |
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Awesome! I'm coming over with Lizzie! ;-)
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cat123creative
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 10:48 AM |
Reply #: 9 |
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Here's some photos taken from our 'Vintage Bizarre' boutique weekend. We had lots of fun despite the cold weather. Met lots of lovely people and
looking forward to next month.
My 'claim to fame' was that I sold a skirt to Olympic athlete, Diane Modahl. I thought I recognised her face from somewhere but couldn't place it until later. She also asked me where I got
may hair done and asked if I'd write down the name of my salon and hairdresser. Whoo hoo! High praise indeed.
Part of our window display at Joe Petrillo
A few little trinkets . . . .
Beth (Faux Brit) having a little 'vintage' fun with Joe's niece, Sophie, who is off to study at Oxford University in October.
Me getting ready to open shop on Saturday morning
The lovely Joe Petrillo himself
My sister, Alison, setting up her makeup (my 6 year old took this photo, hence the fact you can't see Alison's face)!!
Part of our window display of fascinators
Beth's toy poodle, Remi, looking at Martha for a bite of sandwich!
Me tidying up my clothes rails - the white skirt was sold to Diane Modahl!
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amandainvermont
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 12:11 PM |
Reply #: 10 |
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cat123creative
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 12:18 PM |
Reply #: 11 |
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hehe! Thanks Amanda.
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Catbooks1940s
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 04:47 PM |
Reply #: 12 |
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you're both gorgeous, and a big CONGRATULATIONS on your wonderful new collaboration!
i'd happily sign your guest book but for my cranky old browser.
i really want to go browsing through your rails there. i can spot some lovely things, just by the colors and prints.
hooray for you both!
Joan
The Catbooks1940s Boutique on Etsy:
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cat123creative
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 05:03 PM |
Reply #: 13 |
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Aw! Thank you Joan. I'm so tired today but very much looking forward
to next month.
There were a couple of funny moments, like the lady who was looking through our clothes rails very enthusiastically only to say "Oh I'm so glad to
know you'll be here once a month. That's very handy to know for things like fancy dress parties and such." Mwahhhh! I just replied by saying
that I like to wear vintage every day and that I didn't really see it as 'fancy dress'. However, . . . . . . . I don't think she 'got me'.
I also had a lady come in just as we were about to leave for the evening. I'd just changed the mannequin in the window to a very brightly coloured
summer frock. Anyway, this lady saw it and wanted to try her on. She then decided on buying two dresses from me and then asked if she could come in
to pay the next day. I agreed to save them and asked if she was sure that she wanted them both. I even knocked £5 of the total price. She said that
she definitely wanted them both but of course never came in yesterday to pay. I'm kicking myself for not taking at least a £10 deposit. Yikes! I
guess you live and learn. She may contact me this week but if so, she's going to have to buy them off my website and pay full price.
Apart from that little hiccup - all was fine and dandy.
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poppysvintageclothing
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 05:03 PM |
Reply #: 14 |
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All of you look fabulous, including Joe! You'll be having mobs there soon, I'm sure!
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cat123creative
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 05:24 PM |
Reply #: 15 |
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Thanks Mary Jane. It might take a while for word to spread but we're hoping to build it up little by little.
Yesterday, we met a lovely girl from Orange County (is that California)? She lives just around the corner to me and has lived in Manchester for a few
years. Anyway, Beth told her that she just has to come and model for us in the Summer. Beth has already lined up several non-suspecting customers to
model for us, including a bongo drummer named Paul. He won't be modelling, he's just coming along to play the bongo drums of course!  . I thought Beth was an old friend of his but as it happens, she
just met him that day. Like I say - never a dull moment with Beth around. We had a really good giggle I must say!
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cmpollack
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 05:33 PM |
Reply #: 16 |
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Thanks for posting these photos of all the fun and fabulosity, Louise!
Looks soooo tempting, I'm trying very hard not to mind the size of the Atlantic right now... 
Oh, and the website looks wonderful! LOVE the slide show on your home page...
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cat123creative
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 05:35 PM |
Reply #: 17 |
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Thanks so much Carrie. It really means a lot that you've taken time out to have a look at the new website. 
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wire9vintage
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 06:17 PM |
Reply #: 18 |
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I just wanted to pop in and say I've loved looking at the photos of the shop! Everythings looks super. You are living my dream! Have FUN!!
Elizabeth
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Linn
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 08:16 PM |
Reply #: 19 |
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Great photos, Louise -
Congratulations on your success. Sounds like it was great fun! I love the dress in the window on the manni - spotted it immediately. Shame on
that woman for not coming back to pay.
Linn
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vintagedevotion
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 09:05 PM |
Reply #: 20 |
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Really looks great! Congrats and may it be a huge success!
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anothertimevintageapparel
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| posted on 8-3-10 at 11:07 PM |
Reply #: 21 |
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I know you will be a huge success!! And isn't more fun to do it with a friend?
My Mom used to help me in my shop for 6 years and did a lot of buying too. We always has a good time. So much more interesting than on ones own.
The website is amazing. Did you do it yourself?
Suzanne
www.anothertimevintageapparel.com
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TinTrunk
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| posted on 9-3-10 at 07:10 AM |
Reply #: 22 |
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Big congratulations to you and Beth, Louise!
I'm so sorry I missed your first Vintage Bizarre/Joe Petrillo event, especially because it looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing all those great
pictures. And you managed to attract a celebrity customer too, my goodness!!
Joe looks lovely too, btw! What an exciting venture for you both, you must be on cloud nine right now! 
Sarah
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cat123creative
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| posted on 9-3-10 at 08:13 AM |
Reply #: 23 |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by anothertimevintageapparel
The website is amazing. Did you do it yourself? |
Thanks so much everyone for your words of encouragement. It really does mean so much to me.
And Suzanne, yes, I did the website myself using Microsoft Office Live. It's not super-fancy but hopefully it's eye-catching and easy to navigate.
It's a free website package too.
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BijouVintage
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| posted on 9-3-10 at 02:29 PM |
Reply #: 24 |
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what fun! I want to come shop!!
 You are fabulous 
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fast_eddies_retro_rags
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| posted on 9-3-10 at 02:32 PM |
Reply #: 25 |
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Looks like you guys had a blast! (I wish I was able to go and dig around the shop!)
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cat123creative
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| posted on 9-3-10 at 02:41 PM |
Reply #: 26 |
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hehehe! You're all invited to the next one on 3rd April. 
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TangerineBoutique
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| posted on 9-3-10 at 06:15 PM |
Reply #: 27 |
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Best of luck to you both!!!
Melody
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joules
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| posted on 9-3-10 at 06:32 PM |
Reply #: 28 |
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Remi and Martha.... I heart them!
You guys are having too much fun! Good going!!!
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cat123creative
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| posted on 9-3-10 at 06:41 PM |
Reply #: 29 |
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Thanks Joules. You know Martha adores little Remi so much. She was
carrying him around and made a little bed for him to lie on. So cute!
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