The normal proceedure for getting a market stall has been to ring up 'Mike the Market' the day before to book a pitch. What we did not realise is that for Old Spitalfields, we have to ring first thing on Wednesday morning to be in with a chance of getting one.
The Disappointment when 'Mike the Market' told me this information was gut wrenching! However, a ray of hope was on the horizon when he said that should there be a calculation he would let us know. I let him know that should he have to ring in the early hours of the morning, there was no problem, 'Just give us an hour notice and I'll be there!!'
As the evening drew on distraction lead to dispair, lead to the Off Licence for a 6 pack of beer to drown my sorrows.
Having fallen asleep on the couch with can of lager still in hand, I was rudely awoken by my mobile phone at about 4.30am. Under normal circumstances, my first thought would be 'Who's dead?!' however my fuzzy head could only register 'Shut that bloody noise up!' lol
Isn't it strange how awake you can become very quickly at certain information being imparted? We had a stall for Spitalfields that day due to a late cancellation. Thank the heavens!!
After a half an hour nap in the comfort of my bed, and still blurry eyed, cup of tea and cigarette in hand the car was somehow packed and we were soon on the almost empty road to Spitalfields.
Due to the iniquitous tax called the 'Congestion Charge' (Which more often than not charges you to sit for hours in endless queues of traffic), we have to unload and wait for about an hour an half for the market to open so as to not pay the £10 daily rate. There is an advantage to this though, as it gives time to sit in 'The Daily Grind Cafe,' (what an appropriate name) and top up with my 'Blackpool Breakfast' of a gallon of sweet black tea and a pack of cigarettes!! It gives that little oasis of calm before the hard work begins.
The day was slow, and at times it was like watching paint dry! I was spending more on cups of tea than we were taking over the stall (that had to be done though to rehydrate from the night before, lol).
Around midday, a familiar face approached with a big grin. The charming young man who had left the deposit on the stained glass portrait of Pope St Pius X (as mentioned in a previous posting) had returned, money burning a hole in his pocket!! A pleasant half our was spent chatting, and teasing him with the prospect of the arrival of more stained glass pieces. He is now addicted to the charm and glory of that beautiful ancient art!
The afternoon rush never really materialised and there were a few dishartened stall holders, however there were a steady trickle of browsers and buyers that made the time pass.
Of particular note among these were a lovely young couple who showed interest in my 18th Century Oriental Ginger Jars. Two in particular had really peaqued their interest, my one and only Chineese Blue and White, and a really nice Korean one.
After plenty of picking up and putting down, snippets of intreaguing conversation reached as far as my side of the stall. After the deal was done and the jar wrapped and packed (they chose the Chineese Blue and White), I just had to ask!
'Excuse me, I hope you don't mind me asking, but I heard you mention a shoot?'
To my surprise and delight, they were looking for props for an Alexander McQueen photoshoot, and my little Chineese Blue and White Ginger Jar, might be one of those said props being used! I was over the moon, and charmed by them as they wandered off and continued browsing among the other stalls. For the fasionistas among you out there in the ether of the online world, if you come across an Alexander McQueen photograph with a Chineese Blue and White Ginger Jar in it, please let me know, and it will really make my day!
As I have said before, you get to meet some lovely people while working the markets, and usually they are strangers, or regulars that you get to recognise over the days and weeks. For the first time yesterday though, two of my friends made unexpected visits.
The first of these was the delightful and tallented Delores (aka 'Bunny') De Sade whom I have known since taking a Fine Art Degree a few years ago. She was hanging an exhibition in Truemans Brewery off Brick lane in Whitechapel, and decided to take a break and come and visit us and see what we are up to. She also gave us an invitation to here Private View that evening, however we would not be able to attend as by the time we had taken the stock home, we would not be able to get back to the East End before the exhibition closed. Not being too sad, we are able to attend on Saturday, and I will let you know next week how it went!
For those among you that are interested in Contemporary Fine Art, here is a link to Bunny's website:
Trev was on his way to Bunny's Private view, and as he was passing Spitalfields, remembered that we were there and decided to come and see us. Trev was in the same year as me at Uni, and was one of the real star tallents among a very tallented bunch of individuals. As I do not currently have a studio, he has offered me the loan of his when I need it. I have not been able to take up his kind offer yet as I have just been so busy, however, I intend to etch blank WWI shell casings as commemorative pieces of the 1914-18 conflict.
It was great to see Trevor and quickly catch up with him. He is off to Tokyo soon to take part in an exhibition there, that I got to view here in London a few months ago. His tallents never surprise me, however it was one of the best Exhibitions of Contemporary Printmaking that I think I have seen!
Here is a link to Trevor's website for your delectation!
Good Luck to Bunny for her present exhibition, and to Trevor for his upcomming Tokyo Exhibition!
As the day drew to a close, we packed the car and headed off into the traffic queues of the London evening contented at a good days work.
Our next outing is at The George IV pub in Chiswick this comming Sunday, from 11am until 5pm, followed by Covent Garden on Monday from 5am until 5pm. Come along and see us if you are in the area.
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