Thursday, 14 May 2015

An interview with Jo from Hesta Nesta.






 Life is full of beauty.  Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child and smiling faces.  Smell the rain and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.

Ashley Smith 








We have been very lucky dear readers as the lovely Jo who owns Hesta Nesta kindly said yes to an interview about how she started out and her love of what she does.  I am lucky enough to call this lady a friend and she is one of the nicest people you will ever have the pleasure to meet.  Jo is also an animal lover and in particular she loves dogs, especially pugs....  In fact Jo and her husband rescue and adopt them.  If a person has that kind of heart you know they are true and lovely people.

Hesta Nesta goes to lots of the vintage shows and always has a beautiful stand full of goodies and temptations.  You will remember that she attended the last Vintage Bazaar and I had some pictures of her stall for you all to coo at.....  

This is what the lovely Jo had to say:



Hesta Nesta was first conceived about 5 years ago.  After leaving teaching in the prison service I was really at a loss with what to do with my life.  I have had a lifelong love of antiques, my
collecting habit starting when I was about 14, so 30 odd years ago!! I decided to start selling some pieces I had collected to fund my habit so to speak so really that is how Hesta Nesta first began.

I started doing mainly vintage fairs but still felt my look wasn't quite right so it began to evolve and each year I would re-evaluate what I had done the previous year.  My look has ended up being very quirky and eclectic and slightly mad which for those of you who know me suits my personality! ( this dear reader is so true!) oh sorry Jo I interupted you, please continue!)

I adore the theatre and circus as well as costume and textiles from the 18th century up to the 1920's.  Thankfully I am lucky to have a husband that is just as a passionate about antiques so the cottage we live in does resemble a museum.  My main problem is parting with certain things because I am a collector but I am getting better at doing it. I mainly do fairs such as The Decorative Living fair, Frome Vintage Bazaar, Love Lane Vintage Brocantes and The Art of Vintique to name a few but I also have an Etsy shop and am in the process of starting a Ruby Lane shop. 

I have had no formal training and none of my family are in the business so where the love of antiques has come from I have no idea.  I feel very privileged to do what I do and to be able to handle some beautiful pieces.
Through this business I have met lots of lovely fellow dealers and customers over the years many of which I count as friends.  It certainly is a pleasure to do this as a job!








You can find Hesta Nesta page on Facebook and her Etsy shop...... These are the links below!



As you can see from the photo's that Jo kindly supplied, she really does have some stunning antiques and I can quiet understand the desire NOT to sell them.
 Having been to several shows where Hesta Nesta has been exhibiting and looking at some beautiful costumes and fabrics ( Jo is one of my best sources for paisleys ... she feeds my habit nicely) There are not many people who can come away without something.  There is always so much to choose from.

I would like to thank Jo for agreeing to this interview and hope you have enjoyed a peek into the world of Hesta Nesta and her pure love of antiques.

Yesterday went well in the garden and I have nearly finished the Summer planting.  So today it is all about stitchery for me.  I am away to collect my latest project and If the sun stays out, some might be done out in the garden so I can view the fruits of my labour!! ... There is now no sun but rain!! I picked the right day to be gardening yesterday.... 

I hope you have a wonderful day and as always Happy Stitching!








I leave you with this photo ... Oh gosh look at those feather wings!
Do you all spy the antique quilt?  .. because I do!












8 comments:

  1. Thank you Sarah, it sounds Fab. Hope everyone enjoys reading about me xxxxx

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    1. Thank you Jo and I have had feed back already... Thank you again for letting us peek into your daily life....

      Hug xxx

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  2. What a lovely interview. Jo's stall is always the most beautiful and the most fascinating.

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    1. Yes it really is one of the most beautiful stalls and reminds me of gentler times.... I was there when she sold the most beautiful feather fan, it was exquisite. The costumes are so stunning. Also Jo sells beautiful paisley fabrics .... which might be a weakness of mine!!!
      Sarah x

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  3. Oh, of course I love reading about Jo! Really nice to know a bit of background. Beautiful person, beautiful things...
    Zxx

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    1. You are so correct a beautiful person and a great eye for beautiful things ...

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  4. Jo is the kind of curator traders will buy from for personal collections, she has an absolute treasure trove. I didn't consider myself in vintage till I owned my own Hesta Nesta piece. I love her vision, such a lovely person.

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    1. Well said and I really do agree! And yes she is such a wonderful lady. 🌺

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