Meet the Stallholders - John Chamberlain Art & Illustration

John Chamberlain at York Does Vintage in March 2012

Time to meet another one of stallholders.  We like to offer a range of stalls at our events, including artists and one who we've had at our York fairs is the artist and illustrator John Chamberlain.  This year John  has been at York Does Vintage and also our sister fair Yorkshire Best. 

1. At our events what do you have on your stall?
 I have a range of screenprints, original drawings and paintings as well as the chance to get your portrait made in the John Chamberlain style.

Marc Bolan. Ink, acrylic and pastel pencil on watercolour paper.

2. When did you decide you wanted to be an artist?
There wasn’t a ‘Damascene’ moment where I decided to become an artist but simply a series of fortunate events I have stumbled into up to the present time of writing.  My North Norfolk ‘grandpop’ was always highly skilled at making wooden toys, chocolate, jam, bread, ships in bottles and light bulbs as well as having writing, drawing and storytelling skills. I think I would like to be similar to him, simply making and doing things with no interruptions to the process.

I have a degree in Illustration from Edinburgh College of Art and I suppose the influence of my art school years is undeniable. It was an incredibly tumultuous and difficult three years but definitely worth it and I would say to any younger person thinking of pursuing their creative passions to do it.

Carlos Slim, Mexican Tycoon . Ink on freepost envelope.

3: How would describe your style of art?
Narrative art inspired by magic realism.

4. Who are your major influences?
It depends on the commission or the project but at the time of writing I am interested in the writing and illustration of the late Mervyn Peake. Otherwise a canter along Cecil Court in London, with the bookshops, poster and art print shops is always inspiring. At one end of Cecil Court, there is a shop that sells prints and posters of Picasso and Matisse and opposite there is a framers that sells rare engravings of Hogarth and Rowlandson.

The Duchess. Fine line pen and graphite pencil on sketchbook paper.

5. If someone wanted a portrait do you do commissions? 
Please do send me your ideas, questions, queries or general enthusing via email or otherwise. In short, commissions are always welcome in order to ‘put bread on the table!’
Over the last year there has been such an unexpected raft of commissions, opportunities and queries, from making storyboards for a York based Film Company to being artist in residence at the York Theatre Royal to creating theatre posters and pamphlets for various York based theatre companies.

6. Have you done any exhibitions and where can people see your art work?
I have done countless art shows but currently I have some screenprints in the Lotte Inch gallery, York. The interest this gallery has shown has galvanised me into rediscovering printmaking and given me fresh impetus to persist in making things.

Uxorious Chet. Screenprint on tea stained paper for the Lotte Inch Gallery, York.

7. What projects are you currently working on?
There are numerous but one of the most important ones is collaboration with a Scottish storyteller and dancer currently residing in the capital of France on a children’s book set alternately in York and Paris.
My hobby time is spent meeting up with a Hertfordshire computer genius living in Leeds. We have a music project underway and are composing and consolidating a music E.P. under the name of ‘B.T.D.’ or ‘Beat the Devil.’ For this I am creating a lush raft of album art.
(www.facebook.com/officialbeatthedevil)

A Christmas Carol. Promotional poster for Nightshade Productions.

8. Where would you like to be in five year’s time?
In an ambitious art workshop shed adjoined to a Georgian terrace building with drawing room piano.

If you're interested in John's work and would like to find out more, then follow the links below:-

www.johnchamberlainishere.com

www.johnchamberlainishere.wordpress.com

www.johnchamberlainishere.bigcartel.com

twitter.com/inkchamberlain

https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Chamberlain-Art-and-Illustration/155732564500386

Did You Enjoy York Does Vintage at Christmas?

Christmas Is Finally Here!

We certainly made sure Christmas started in style at York Does Vintage on Sunday 2nd December 2012.  From the feedback we got we know you all enjoyed it!  Lots happy people went home with some truly lovely gifts for their friends and family. 

We had an amazing 1400 people through the door and through the day we had queues forming of people.  So a big thanks to our fabulous flyerers, who despite the cold did a sterling job walking round York to let people know about the fair.

Apart from all the shopping, there was plenty of other things to do.  As always we had our tearoom run by Yorkshire Teas.  There were plenty of Christmas treats for sale, including Christmas cupcakes and mince pies.  I sampled one of the mince pies - the first one I've had this year!  And very nice it was too.

Entertainment on the day was provided by Phil Lyons, who sang some vintage style big band tunes, and threw a few seasonal ones in there too.  In fact we had a couple of comments back from customers who said he was so good that at first they didn't realise he was a live singer and thought it was a CD on.  One customer even asked him for his autograph!

We had three craft workshops on the day.  Granny's Sewing Box ran the bunting workshop.  If you're wondering how they made all this lovely bunting in the photo on the left, then I can let you in on a little secret - it was cut out and glued on.  The bunting was then left to dry on a radiator.  It's so easy to do anyone can try it at home.  Go on, give it a go!

Capricorn Creations were doing jewellery making demonstrations throughout the day.  Look at these lovely rings on the right that people had a go at making!  We also had some beautiful cake making demonstrations from Cakes by No More Tiers.  These Christmas cupcakes in the photo on the left were so cute! 

So, that's the end of our vintage fairs for this year.  We hope you've enjoyed the vintage experiences we've brought you in 2012 - and now it's on to 2013!  Keep an eye on our blog, Facebook page and Twitter to see what we've got planned for next year! 

York Does Vintage at Christmas!

Yes it's nearly here!  YORK DOES VINTAGE AT CHRISTMAS!!!  

We're back at the Merchant Adventurer's Hall on Sunday 2nd December where we can promise you all the things you love about our fairs, but with added extra Christmas sparkle!

We have forty vintage stalls. selling clothes, homeware, kitchenalia, and lots Christmas inspired items that will make perfect gifts for your friends and family.  As well as all of that we've got our regular York tearoom from the fab Yorkshire Teas, who will be selling Christmas treats and a special blend of Christmas tea.  We've got our Lindy hoppers from Pure Lindy back again giving dance workshop through out the day.  You can learn some new moves for the Christmas party!



This time we don't have just one craft workshop - we've got three!

Capricorn Creations are doing jewellery demos.  You can have a go at making a beautiful ring like the one in the photo on the right.  For a mere £1 it's the perfect party dress accessory or would make a great present for someone.

To book a place, email nowandthenevents@gmail.com. Sessions are at 11:00 - 11:45, 12:15 - 1:00, 1:30 - 2:15, 2:45 - 3:30 and 4:00 - 4:45

There's also a cake decorating workshop with Cakes by No More Tiers (York), and the wonderful Granny's Sewing Box, is doing a bunting workshop.  How good will your Christmas be with a vintage inspired decorated cake and home made bunting decorations?

The bar this time is provided by Perfection Beauty York.  Prices are as follows:-

Makeup - £5 + lashes £7
Hair - £5
File and Polish - £7
Eyebrow shape - £5
GELeration soak off gel polish application - £10
 
Perfect bit of pampering if you've got a Christmas party coming up soon.

And that's not all - there's a vintage style photo booth run by Vector-Photography.com, and live singing from Phil Lyons and the New Vintage Band.  You can see Phil in the photo on the left entertaining the shoppers at our last fair in York.  He'll no doubt be doing a few vintage Christmas tunes!

You get all of this for the entry fee of £1!  We're at the Merchant Adventurer's Hall from 10:30am to 5pm.  You could spend all day there because we've got Christmas covered!

Don't forget that it's York's St. Nicholas Fayre from Thursday onwards.  They'll be lots of things to do in town including a pop-up vintage shop at the Inkwell on Gillygate, on Friday 30th November to Saturday 1st December.  So you could have a whole weekend of vintage shopping!

Our First Ever Durham Does Vintage 24/11/2012

Yesterday we held our first ever Durham Does Vintage at Durham Town Hall.

I'd not been to Durham for years, and even though it was a very cold day it was fun walking round the very pretty streets with the boards promoting the fair.  We had loads of people coming up to ask us where the fair was.  Did you spot us?




The Town Hall is a very beautiful building and was a great backdrop for all the lovely things that were for sale.  It's always interesting with these fairs to see what our stallholders bring to sell.  Now the weather's turned colder the clothes stalls of full of Christmas jumper, coats and hats.

There were also lots of items that would be great for to wear to Christmas party.  Sophie our interns had fun trying on some things.  In the photo on the left she's modelling a fur hat from Vintage 18.  You won't get cold in one of those!

If you really wanted to make a splash at the Christmas party then an eye catching hat from Trica Stikans stall might just do the trick!  In the photo on the right, Sophie tried on this beautiful orange hat with feathers. 

And she also (in the photo on the left) tried on a stunning tiara made from up-cycled jewellery by lovely people from Pippy's Vintage.  Perfect for adding some Christmas sparkle to you party dress!

The tearoom at Durham was provided by Lavender Fields - who not only had the array of cakes on offer in the photo on the right, but also did some winter warmers such as soup and toasted tea treats.

We're now on the run up to our big Christmas event - York Does Vintage which is on Sunday 2nd December 2012.  It's going to be amazing!  So join us for some Christmas shopping and loads more at the Merchant Adventure's Hall from 10:30am.

York Does Vintage at Christmas!

Now and Then Events enters The Press’s Local Business Accelerators competition

Now and Then Event were featured in the York Press today for entering the Press’s Local Business Accelerators campaign.  Three local York winners will be chosen and one will then be selected to enter a national competition with a chance to win free mentioning from Deborah Meaden of Dragon’s Den fame.

Now and Then Events enters The Press’s Local Business Accelerators competition

We're keeping all of our fingers and toes crossed that Now and Then Events win. It's such an amazing prize!

Short Film About York - 'Undressing the Viking'

In one of the last days of Summer 2012, I had the opportunity to be an extra in short film about York called Undressing the Viking.  It tells the story to two friends, one who's a bit hippie and romantic and one who quite rocky and modern, as they discuss their dream ways to spend a day in York.  The film was made by Parashoots, who also made the rather brilliant York 800 film.

I took part in the scene where the hippie lady describes her dream party.  Basically my role was to be a guest at a party at Gray's Court, and drink Pimms.  My acting abilities just about stretched to that!  It was a beautiful evening, sunny and warm, and when it got dark we set off Chinese lanterns - which look magical in the film.  I must add that we tied nylon thread to the lanterns and they were all pulled back and extinguished after we'd finished filming! 

So, here's the final film!

I'm in it at around 2:33, I'm quite chuffed with being a guest at someone's dream party!  You might notice that when hippie lady gets to the party she changes into a purple vintage dress, I got to see it close up - it was beautiful.

The film also features lots of other cool shops and venues in York - so if you live here, or are planning a visit, you might get some ideas for fun things you can do around the city.

A Beginner's Guide to Vintage Shopping - What's Your Era?

If you ever wondered what is and isn’t vintage – there doesn’t seem to be a 'definitive' answer.  Some people say vintage ends in the 1990s and some might tell you that it ends in the 1970s, with the 1980s and 1990s classed as retro.

When you first start getting into the vintage scene, it’s often a good to get an idea what eras you like and start building up your wardrobe from there.  If you like a certain style for what ever reason - such as your favourite film or TV programme is set during those times, you love the music, or just feel you belong in that decade, then that’s a good start.

Of course you don’t have to go full on into that era dress up everyday (although it’s fun to do that!) if that's not you.  You can always wear touches of it, like vintage jackets and accessories with modern items.  Plus, why stick to one era?  I have pieces in my wardrobe spanning from the 1920s to the 1990s.  It’s simply about what you feel comfortable in and enjoy wearing. 

   

You might find it difficult to source clothes from some decades - simply because a lot of clothes haven’t survived. I find 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s are the easiest decades to find clothes from, but if you like the look of earlier eras but can’t find the clothes you can always go for replica clothing. A few vintage stalls at our events sell beautiful replica dresses, and they’re not always brand new. Fashion is cyclical and many styles keep coming back into fashion. For example this lovely 1940s style tea dress in the photo on the right, probably dates from the 1980s, so you can get a 1940s look and still be buying retro second hand clothing.

Also, if you've been in the high street stores lately, vintage style clothing is very fashionable at the moment.  There are loads of items in 50s style prints, 60s Mod styles, and 70s Bohemian styles on offer.  These can be teamed them up with a beautiful vintage silk scarf or some retro jewellery to give them a more authentic vintage feel. How about buying a vintage handbag from one of our stalls to go with your outfit?  One of the great things about vintage handbags is they have a pocket in them for a cigarette case – which is the exact size of a modern day smart phone!  

Don't forget we're still on the look out for the 'Face of Yorkshire Does Vintage' for our next issue of our magazine in the Spring.  So the next time you come to one of our events, why not dress up a bit and show off your collection of vintage finery? 

York Does Vintage 14th October - It Was Epic!

So, were you part of York Does Vintage on 14th October 2012?

It really was one of the best fairs we've ever had.  There was such an upbeat mood all day and we had an amazing 1600 people though the door!

Thank you to all of you who came along, because not only did you have a good day, but you helped our stallholders to have a good day too.  By shopping at our fairs you're supporting small businesses, proving that even in these hard times that we can have success!  You're also helping the environment by buying second hand and recycled items.

So, the public, our stallholders and the Now & Then team can quite rightly feel proud of how well it all went.  It was lovely to see so many happy people enjoying the day.

We had some wonderful entertainment in the form of Phil Lyons, who kept all the crowds entertained singing vintage style big band tunes.

Our Lindy Hop dancers were there all day running workshops.  What's so great about them is even if you don't join the workshops they're so fun to watch.










Plus, we had the fab Louise Jakobsen, from the Jewellery Channel running craft workshops to make some beautiful rings.





There were lots of cool stuff for sale!  There were gorgeous glove, beautiful bags, fab fur coats, and lovely lace collars!

Did anyone have a vintage make-over, or a photo taken in the photo booth? There really  was something for everyone!

Our crafts people brought some creative handmade goods to their stalls.  So many talented people have stalls at our fairs.  There were items made from vintage fabric, such as purse cushions and pin boards, you could buy knitted mobile phone cases, button hair grips, and really unique jewellery.

Oh and I haven't even mention the cakes!  Every good fair needs good cakes, and we had such a choice on offer in the tea room.

If you're now looking forward to our next fair, then we've back in York for a spectacular Christmas event on 2nd December 2012.

If you can't wait till then, our next fair in North Yorkshire will be Harrogate Does Vintage on 10th November 2012.

What better place to do your Christmas shopping than Yorkshire Does Vintage?  

York Does Vintage - It's Tomorrow!

Are you ready for York Does Vintage Tomorrow???

Starting at 10:30am we've got quite day planned. 

There's a real buzz about this fair online.  We're got so many new follower on our Facebook page, so thank you for everyone who's liked our page.  We hope you all come along and have a great vintage day out.

Don't forget while you're there to check in on Facebook or mention us on Twitter to spread the good news about York Does Vintage amongst all your online friends.

We have over forty stalls selling a range of vintage goods, from clothes, memorabilia, homeware, and so on.  Our stallholders make such an effort to make their stalls look beautiful so don't forget your camera!


Even if you're bringing someone with you who isn't into vintage there's enough to keep them amused, from dancing workshops, craft workshops, live music, a photo booth, and our charming tea room. 

Plus, were launching the Yorkshire Does Vintage magazine.

Remember, if you want to be part of it, all you have to do is turn up, and it's only £1 entry.  So, you're only got one day to wait!

York Does Vintage - The Full Line Up!

So here it is folks - the full line up for York Does Vintage on Sunday 14th October 2012!

• 40 hand-picked stalls
• A vintage tearoom, serving sandwiches and afternoon tea
• Lindy Hop dancing
• Live music
• A beauty parlour

• A fun vintage inspired photo booth

• A mini vintage cinema

• Children’s entertainment

• Workshops (Bunting and Ring making)

• An in house artist, creating master pieces while you wait

• Entry into the stunning Merchant Adventurers’ Hall 

 All this for just £1 entry!

 

Plus, we're launching our brand new magazine! 

Yes, if you've not heard Yorkshire Does Vintage has a new free magazine that will be available for you to pick up at the fair on Sunday.

We're on the look out for a cover star for the next issue, so if you love our events and would like to be on the cover, then come and introduce yourself on Sunday to us on the front desk.  You could be the face of Yorkshire Does Vintage.

It all kicks off at the Merchant Adventures Hall from 10:30am to 5pm.  See you there!