What begins as a simple clear-out can sometimes lead somewhere completely unexpected.
For Elizabeth Wilson, selling vintage began after a remarkable personal achievement: losing seven stone and finding herself with a wardrobe full of clothes that no longer fitted.
“Well, I had lost seven stone, so you can imagine I had lots of clothes to sell,” Elizabeth explains. “That’s how I started.”
Selling those clothes could easily have been the end of the story. Instead, Elizabeth discovered how much she enjoyed finding new homes for pre-loved pieces—and then she got the bug.
FROM A WARDROBE CLEAR-OUT TO SOMETHING MORE
Elizabeth retired from work early because of multiple sclerosis, a condition she has lived with for 18 years.
She now works in a charity shop, where her enjoyment of meeting people and helping customers has encouraged her interest in selling vintage.
“I work in a brilliant charity shop,” she says. “I love the interaction with customers, and it has been a natural progression from there really.”
Before long, Elizabeth’s search had expanded beyond clothing. She began looking for objects with personality—the unusual pieces that make you stop, smile and take a second look.
“I started looking for quirky, weird and wonderful items—not necessarily clothes.”
THE THRILL OF THE FIND
There is something particularly satisfying about discovering an object that someone else might have overlooked.
Vintage markets give these pieces another opportunity to be seen, appreciated and taken home. They also offer an alternative to buying everything new, giving clothing, collectables and unusual household pieces another chapter in their story.
For Elizabeth, sourcing and selling has become much more than a way of clearing out unwanted clothes. It is now a hobby that continues to grow—quite literally.
“My garage is slowly being taken over,” she admits. “It’s an amazing hobby.”
Visitors to Elizabeth’s stall can expect an eclectic collection rather than one narrowly defined category. There will be pre-loved clothing alongside quirky objects, unusual discoveries and the sorts of things you may not have known you wanted until you spotted them.
WORTH THE EFFORT
Living with MS means Elizabeth needs to carefully manage her energy. Market days can be tiring, and she relies on help to transport her stock and prepare her stall.
“Because of my health limitations, I get very tired and need help when I do markets—but it’s so worth it.”
That determination is part of what makes independent markets special. Behind every table is a person with their own story, interests and reasons for being there.
Elizabeth’s stall began with a personal transformation and grew through her love of people, vintage pieces and unexpected discoveries.
Now her ever-expanding collection is heading to North Shields Fish Quay.
MEET ELIZABETH AT THE AUTUMN MARKET
Find Elizabeth and her weird and wonderful collection at the I Love North Shields Vintage Market: Autumn Edition:
Sunday 25 October 2026
Vintage Market: 10am–4pm
Music, food and Vintage Social until 7pm
Salt Market Social, North Shields Fish Quay
More than 50 handpicked traders will fill two floors with vintage clothing, records, antiques, collectables, jewellery, art, homeware and unexpected treasures.
Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
Come along, meet the people behind the stalls and see what catches your eye. Elizabeth may have just the wonderfully unusual thing you didn’t know you were looking for.
Discover more about the I Love North Shields Vintage Market
