During September I took a trip to De Kelders near Hermanus to meet friends from PE and do some whale watching. I made a stop in the town of Stanford to get some shots of Thaya’s house. Thaya is a lover of all things vintage and the owner of online shop Beatnik Bazaar, amongst other things. Check out all the beautiful things for sale here.
You are a true creative. Tell us about the various creative things
you are involved in.
I am currently playing the lead role in the first local amateur production; the musical, The Boy Friend. I’ve learnt to tap dance especially for the play, and I’m attempting to act for the first time (which I am finding incredibly trying)! I sing with various musicians, and am part of a duo, called The Texas Chainsaw Musical. I write and take photographs almost daily.
How did you come to start Beatnik Bazaar?
While I was employed full-time as a copywriter, there was an incident when my child was left out in the rain at his aftercare one afternoon, leaving him soaking, and I was so upset that I felt I had to work for myself in order to be more present for him. This inspired me to put the word out…I was looking for a shop space. Someone phoned me from Kalk Bay within 1 week, standing inside a tiny shop that was for rent. It was clear that I needed to grab the opportunity with both hands!
What other old and vintage things do you love?
Gosh, anything old and beautiful makes me weak in the knees, from an old floral teapot or a weathered pack of old world tarot cards, through to record players, musical instruments or vintage cars. My dream car from 18-years-old was always a Morris Minor. I’m a romantic through and through, so old, crumbly Victorian houses make me glow inside. Furniture with history speaks to me, as do old pianos, vintage bicycles, vintage clothing…when I was 22-years-old, I even insisted that my fiancee return the new ring he’d bought for me and we found the most exquisite antique engagement ring instead.
My favourite musicians of all time, (I call them my ‘soul’ musicians) are:
Kate Bush, Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, David Bowie, Department of Eagles, Led Zeppelin, PJ Harvey, Jeff Buckley, Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen… and a few more.I believe, like films and books, music must move me – or what is the point?
Name some of your favourite books.
Metamorphosis 0 Franz Kafka
Naked Lunch – William Burroughs
Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
The Doors of Perception – Aldous Huxley
The Unbearable Lightness of Being – Milan Kundera
Tell us a bit about life in the beautiful town of Stanford.
It’s slow-paced life, with a sense of community. We all look after each other, and each other’s children. People truly engage here. It’s real and unpretentious. It’s about nature, children, cooking, baking, growing vegetables and much more. It’s a beautiful life, a slow life.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself that few people know,
but that you don’t mind sharing.
My father was a jockey and has been a horse-trainer most of his life. My mother had a horse-riding school when I was born. I basically grew up on a horse!
As a single mom, do you have much free time and how do you like spending it?
I live in the country so I have plenty of time – that’s why I moved here! I bake a lot in my free time, take photographs, work on writing new songs, play the guitar and piano, play scrabble with the neighbourhood kids, take spontaneous road trips, read, watch vintage films at the local little cinema at Romantiques in Hermanus, hunt for vintage clothing at charity shops, swim in the river, paddle and tap dance.
What would be your dream car?
I’ve always wanted a vintage Chevrolet pick-up truck
According to your Twitter profile you love bearded men. What is it about them that you like so much?
I confess that I have never dated a bearded man, so perhaps it’s the allure of the unknown?!
Lovely interview and a lovely space.