Welcome to the Thimble Society. You have found our web site, if you want to meet us in person, come to our little shop in the Portobello Rd. Stand 72, The Admiral Vernon Arcade, 147 Portobello Rd, London W11 2DY. Open Saturdays only 7am-4pm. All correspondence to 1 Cathcart St. London NW53BL.

We specialise in thimbles and sewing tools although we sell many other small objets d'Art and collectables. Gold thimbles, especially set with stones, are a favourite with collectors all over the world, but they are very hard to find and consequently expensive. We have a large selection of antique silver thimbles. Many different makers, designs, and hall marks. Prices start around £35-£100, depending on the rarity of the design.

We also sell collectables such as antique sewing tools, card cases, ball cards, hat pins, Samplers, needle work pictures, purses, stamp boxes, posy holders, skirt lifts, buttons, fans, and any other small items you can think of. If you are looking for something special that you don't see here, let us know and we will try to find it for you.

Collecting opens up a small passion that can last a lifetime. Bigger passions often don't ! So if you have not yet started collecting, browse through our pages and see if anything there interests you. Men often enjoy card cases, bachelor buttons, and stamp boxes. Surgeons often collect thimbles and needle cases, you can guess why.

We will let you know if we are doing an Antiques Fair anywhere. Otherwise we are in our shop in the Portobello Road every saturday from 7.30am until we have our last cup of tea at approx 4.30pm. We can meet you there on Fridays after 12pm-4pm, by special arrangement.

Fresh news. It is possible that the Admiral Vernon Arcade in the Portobello Rd will open either Friday or Sunday as well as Saturday. We, the stand holders, will be taking a vote on which day we want. It will be nicer for customers who don't like the Saturday crowds. Will keep you posted.

So far , no more developements on the opening days. Portobello continues to attract large crowds, especially during the holiday months. If you prefer a bit of P&Q come before 11am or after 3pm. There is free parking after 1.30 on any single yellow lines.

Cleaning tip. If you put foil in your washing up bowl, then add a tablespoon of bicarbinate of soda-put the silver in to soak for about an hour. Then take out and the tarnish rubs off easily.

We have signed up to do the next Alexandra Palace antiques fair next year as we had a successful fair this November. Next year's dates are Feb 6th, May 1st, September 18th, November 20th. We have also booked to do the 'Affordable Little Chelsea antiques fair' next Spring in the old chelsea Town Hall, King's Rd. March 7-8th a two day fair. let us know if you want tickets.

Nov 28th. I have been asked if we are bringing out a commemorative thimble for the royal wedding. We hope to do a silver and a gold version. However, we have the problem of the couples initials. Kate is to be known as Catherine in the future. Traditionally the couples initials are put on the front. How do we put WC without giving the wrong idea ? Ideas welcomed.