There is a busy weekend stretching ahead in Milton Keynes next weekend, and we're not just talking about those Foo Fighters gigs.
Because while rock fans will be flocking to The National Bowl, fans of the Handmade & Vintage Fair will be flocking to Middleton Hall in thecentre:mk
Over the past five years of business the triannual event has delivered savvy shoppers with the best craftspeople, artists and vintage and retro sellers.
There is no substitute for word of mouth, and there has been lots of nattering about this great excuse for a rummage around the stalls, which are piled high with all manner of cool, quirky and classy collectables.
Every exhibitor is at the event by invitation only too, giving buyers an assurance of quality.
This time around 128 stalls will be brimming with top end vintage clothing and accessory sellers, gemstones and minerals, jewellers, pottery and ceramics, and kitchenalia.
Or how about checking in with the knitters and crocheters, taking a peek at the haberdashery, or snapping up a piece of original art?
All that lot and we've barely scratched the surface.
Here's some more: Candles, dressmakers, jukeboxes and vinyl records, mannequins, and up-cycled trendy retro furniture pieces, new talking point furniture items, unusual personalised scarves and mugs, natural skincare, a quilt maker and collectable glass.
A Japanese origami expert will be on hand, and a silver company will be encasing real flowers, or perhaps you would like to return home with your very own luxury teddy bear or unusual handbag?
“The event is established as an excitingly different shopping experience,” organiser Jacqui Lewis said.
“Our standards are high and our carefully selected mix of exhibitors offer everything from furniture to fashions; the gorgeous, the cool and the quirky – all exhibitors are passionate about what they do and able to take commissions, so talk to them with any bespoke requests.
“There really is something old or new, for every one, every age, every home and every occasion.”
And while on site, as it were, you must make time for a little visit to the food stalls who will be serving up home-made ice cream and with plenty more flavoursome opportunities than mere vanilla!
A tasty sounding selection of beers, ciders, smoked cheese and 'the best brownies in town' will be on sale as well.
“If you love a unique style, high quality items, the thrill of the bargain hunt and want to buy local, don't miss this,” Jacqui encouraged, and she is right, of course.
The Handmade & Vintage Fair will be open on Saturday (Sept 5, 9am-7pm) and Sunday (Sept 6, 10.30am-5pm). Admission is free.
Shop wild in those aisles!
