Despite the not brilliant summer weather wise, Hang Around has been busy in many ways! Braving the CLA Game Fair was an interesting experience. Now known as the "Dogs and Dubarry's" Fair I am sure it will become a regular event for Hang Around. Thank you so much to those of you who popped by, it was lovely to see a familiar face in a very new environment! Thank you to all of you who came to see me at the Country Living Spring Fair. That seems like an age away but what a fantastic fair that was. Such a boost to morale so early in the year but incredibly exhausting despite the drip feed from the Yorkshire Tea stand!

Again I have been scouring antique fairs to find new and interesting bits and pieces that will look stunning on the wall. It is has not been a disappointing search and the final results will be on my stall for all to peruse. There are some particularly eye-catching textiles, buttons and old sporting items mounted on silk for those difficult 'men presents'. The old button collections on silk have had a real resurgence of interest which may be down to the current 'vintage' theme, but there are now many walls enhanced by them.

The original art has been flying out of the workshop this month. Sue Peake's wonderful sailing and beach pictures have really

hit the spot; I am told they are reminders of wonderful holidays! Cannot argue with that! Charmaine's beautiful intricate feathers, eggs and shells have all been making great presents. Priced at around £50-60 framed, they are in a great price bracket for that special present. Annie Boag's gorgeous animal studies continue to be as popular as ever. I also have a new artist who does great farm yard animal watercolours which are full of character and will look fun in any kitchen or child's room. At around £38 they again make a very thoughtful unique fun present which I am sure will be much appreciated.

The old antique print collection is expanding and changing and offering new opportunities to add to existing collections or just to buy as a 'one off'. The Children section now has some more wonderful JH Dowd prints added to it including some evocative coloured ones. The Equitation section now has some original hand coloured 1800's prints by John Leech et al which look fabulous in a particular frame that I use. I am now doing city/town Maps particularly of University towns which are proving very popular. The Dogs are all present and correct as ever and the Schools/University collection is a fulfilling solution to many difficult gift questions. The Sports section continues to delight as people sift through the Punch Prints and

find an appropriate item for the appropriate sport. The Military has a continual turnover of prints of old Regiments and the framed cap badges. All prints sold at fairs can be framed, if they are not already, and then sent on a few days after the fair.

Now for the website update– You can now buy Maps, Children prints and hopefully by the time you receive this, Schools and University prints on line at www.hangaround.co.uk. You can also choose a frame for your purchase if you wish. It all has a new look, a blog and stock images which are often updated, so do please have a browse and let me know what you think. The list of all the fairs is up there too. There is still lots of work to do on it but we are beginning to get there!
For anyone who cannot get to the fairs or who just wants to make an enquiry, please do email or call. I now have a brilliant new camera and have done a camera course, so I can send much better photos of products or framing options. I find this is a very popular way of buying Hang Around products.
I hope that you have an enjoyable season in the run up to Christmas and that I can catch up with you at one of the many great fairs coming up.