Thursday is Market Day in Ampthill

Ampthill Country Market stall is on the market every Thursday from around 8 until 12 every week, we close from Christmas until the first Thursday in February.  We find our customers are giving eating baking 'a rest' following Christmas and also as it can be very inclement weather we like to have a rest too.

We have recently moved the stall to the 'other end' as the market is only small (but perfectly formed) this wasn't an amazing distance, but thought it would be a nice place to be.  We have now got some new stands, have made enough room for customers to shelter and shop inside, and have even put some flags up.  It would be lovely if you visit us each week, all of our products are made or grown locally.

Handmade in Ampthill

We have a selection of handmade products most Thursdays on Ampthill.

How about these notepads with matching accessories.

Watch out for new fabric making an appearance, and more designs, perfect for gifts or just to treat yourself.

We're back...on Ampthill Market

Tissue pouches & lavender bags 

We always close for a few weeks after Christmas, and last week was our first day back.  We will now be on Ampthill market every Thursday until Christmas....yay

We pack up at around 12, as most of our baking has gone by then, would love to know if you think we should stay longer.

Don't forget that we are only a small group of 'producers' and if you think you would like to join us, even if you just want to do sell a small amount and help with the rota to 'man' the stall - here are some details Join us 


I thought I would share some new items in the last few months, lots of matching items - great for Mother's Day - which is only around the corner

Cases in various sizes for glasses, makeup, phones and needlecases & pincushions

Re-use and re-purpose - Jeans

One of our producers is turning old jeans into bags, lots of different sizes and shapes.  

If the jeans have zipped pockets or other fasteners this will mean that they will have an extra pocket.  So maybe you have some jeans destined for the bin drop them off at the stall.  

If they are of no use they will be added to a charity bag, charity shop or the recycling.

Holes on the knees are perfectly usable.


Above are the latest acquisitions that are destined to be bags in the near future.

So the jeans are laundered and then stared at for a few days :) to try and decide how to make them into pretty bags!  The fabric to line and make the strap is chosen from a large stash of fabric that seems to be ever growing after a visit to the shops....and also a large drawer of haberdashery...oh dear :)

Once cut up into pieces they are accessorised with lace and other trimmings.  The linings are made from a pretty contrasting fabric and have a slip pocket added, and maybe a button pocket, really as the fancy strikes.  Normally a handmade fabric flower added using the same or contrasting fabric as the lining, big button and a strap made that loops around or buttons through and adds to the 'decoration'.  Button holes are great fun on the new machine.

The challenge is to get the right size bag, with enough pockets, It can often mean piecing together denim to make it wider, but it all adds to the charm.

You can be assured that any sales will mean that more fabric can be purchased.....fabric obsession confession

So as you can see they are all made with loving care, and take quite a while...

And here are a few that have been on the stall in recent months:

More denim bags

Hand crafted bags using preloved denim jeans

We have a range of handcrafted bags made from preloved denim.  Each item is unique, and cannot be repeated, so you can be sure that you won't meet anyone with the same item.

These are some of the designs that have been on the market over the past few months.

They are fully lined, with a contrasting fabric, that is featured elsewhere, the bags are trimmed with lace and other 'interesting' trimmings.

If you have a preloved pair of jeans that are destined for the bin or recycling, especially if they have a different design or pocket, bring them to the market :)

More crafts

As promised here are a few of the other products that we have been selling on the stall, some of them have that "vintagey" feel with some lovely floral fabrics.

If you see something you like come along to Ampthill Country Market Stall - we are there every Thursday morning until 12 noon.

Bags and other bits

We have just started selling a range of crafts that have been sewn from beautiful fabrics, so I thought I would put them on here so that you can see some of the lovely ideas our ladies have.  Some of the bags have pockets and we even have some that are suitable for tablets.  Each item is handmade and therefore potentially one off, so if you see something that appeals you need to buy it :)

We do do other items, such as carrier bag holders, aprons, peg bags, tissue pouches and decorative hearts - some with lavender.  I will share some pictures of these items in another post.  

Mother's Day - handmade cards

There is normally a basket of cards on the Ampthill country market stall every Thursday, they are handmade and suitable for a number of occasions.  Some are stamped and then watercoloured, others have been cut from paper and card, and other techniques.  We also have a selection of cards made using photographs, including some local scenes.


They are all blank inside for you own greeting, but will often have a sentiment on the front, they can be customised if you give us sometime to prepare it and bring it back to the stall. 







As Mother's Day is March 15th we now have a few that would make the day extra special.  Don't forget you can buy a gift from us too, a delicious homemade jam or cake.

If you like one of the cards and need a greeting changed or added, this is often possible just contact us either on the stall or through the website (see link at side), and it can be arranged.


Check out our facebook page for more news and photos, and to contact us see the links at the top.

Scarves

We have a small range of knitted scarves this year, perhaps if you like to knit, sew or crochet you could join us and add your wares to the stall.  It is certainly the weather for a nice snug scarf, what do you think....I hope that you like the model.


 

Handmade cards - Summer

There are generally a basket of cards on Ampthill Country Market stall every Thursday


An occasion in the summer, means that a summer themed card will fit the bill perfectly.  Or maybe someone that lives by the sea.  We have greetings cards that have both these theme covered, and here are a few that might appeal.

Most of them are stamped and then watercoloured, they are all blank inside, but often have a greeting on the outside.  

If you like one of the cards and need a greeting changed this is often possible just contact us either on the stall or through the website, and it can be arranged.  Here are few examples of cards, we cannot guarantee that they will be available, but there should always be some similar.

Handknitted Baby Cardigans

We have a small selection of handknitted cardigans and jumpers for babies, they are mainly for age up to one year.  Our knitter isn't a fast knitter and is unable to take orders, but enjoys knitting little things, they would make a lovely gift that is unique, not just off the High Street shelves.

Cute short bolero, will fit for a while :)

Pop by the stall and see what is on offer there is often some cute hats as well, send a message if you are interested and we can make sure that there will be some knitting there.

This one has recently sold, it was a pretty pink and thought it was worth sharing, as it may be made again!

Handmade cards - retro

There is generally a selection of handmade cards on Ampthill country market every Thursday.  Some are stamped and then watercoloured, others have been cut from paper and card, and other techiniques.

They are all blank inside, but often have a greeting on the outside.

The retro feel of the 1950s and 1960s are popular at the moment, and here are selection of cards with this theme,  Suitable for female and male recipients.

If you like one of the cards and need a greeting changed or added, this is often possible just contact us either on the stall or through the website (see link at side), and it can be arranged.  

Whilst we cannot guarantee that these actual cards are available, as each are unique, there will be similar cards always available.

Handmade cards - local photos

We have a selection of cards featuring photos that were taken locally.  Perfect to sending to friends and relatives that love the locality, or maybe to those that have moved away, just a little bit different, not available in any High Street.

There are pictures of Ampthill Park, Holly Walk, Maulden, Houghton House and a few others.  

If you have a spot that would look lovely on a card - please suggest and I will wander over there on a sunny day and take a photo.

The exact style may not be available, but there will generally be something similar each week.

 


They are all blank inside, but often have a greeting on the outside. 

If you like one of the cards and need a greeting changed or added, this is often possible just contact us either on the stall or through the website (see link at side), and it can be arranged.  

Handmade cards - afternoon tea

Vintage, tea and cakes are very much the 'in thing' at the moment, why not buy a homebaked cake and match it in with a handmade card.

Some are stamped and then watercoloured, others have been cut from paper and card.

They are all blank inside, but often have a greeting on the outside. 

If you like one of the cards and need a greeting changed or added, this is often possible just contact us either on the stall or through the website (see link at side), and it can be arranged.  

These are just a few examples of cards, we cannot guarantee that they will be available, but there should always be some similar.