Book signing at Pearl and Queenie

Harriet and I had a real adventure yesterday. After swinging by our Kent workshop, we drove to Hastings to deliver books and ourselves to Pearl and Queenie for our book signing. Before we got there we wandered around the high street in Hastings Old Town and found lots of treasure in Roberts Rummage which is in a house that is over 700 years old. Harriet bought a badge and a giant bead for 50p. I found a great 50's dress suit which I can't wait to wear. We also looked around Shirley Leaf & Petal which is the most incredible place with a museum in its basement. The museum has thousands of cutting tools for making silk petals for the artificial flowers they make for theatres, designers and films etc. It's so beautiful there. We used petals from there for our Spring/Summer 2010 silk flower pieces. Pearl and Queenie is a beautiful shop in Hastings Old Town that specialises in jewellery. It is full of fantastic old Victorian cabinets and also artisan perfumes, lotions and potions. Harriet did an event at Pearl & Queenie last year on Pirate Day, when she took all our pirate and sea-themed jewellery down for the day. When we got there we were presented with the most delicious fairy cakes doused in white chocolate and raspberry icing and topped off with chocolate moustaches. These delights were made by Iona Williams, a regular customer at P&Q. Harriet's eyes are too big for her tummy! The doors opened at six o'clock and in poured customers, local shopkeepers, locals and friends. This lady was also at our Museum of London tape measure rosette workshop. She is wearing the rosette she made! This is Lili and India. These girls were loving the book. One of our customers wearing the Owl Mask Large Wooden Necklace. He was eyeing up shop owner Kathy's Giant Zip Necklace all night. Kathy was recently awarded 'Retail Star' at the Hot 100 Professional Jewellery awards, while we were heralded with the title of 'Trendsetters', so we were in good company. Kathy's brooch is by Amanda Fatherazi (a jewellery designer who we love). Kathy gave us each one of Amanda's P&Q brooches. They're very beautiful. There was such a friendly atmosphere in the shop, and such a buzz. We signed books all night, trying not to make spelling mistakes! These ukulele players are brothers. They played all night, mostly outside where people were hanging out eating delicious nibbles and helping themselves to wine from a pirates chest. Afterwards we went for fish and chips. There's nowhere quite like being by the seaside to enjoy some fish and chips. It was quite late and we got the last piece of fish, but Harriet and I shared it. Yum, a lovely way to end a brilliant night. Thank you for a lovely party Pearl & Queenie! Love from Rosie.

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