When it comes to providing healthy and hygienic products at Tynemouth Markets Donald Ball’s hand-made soaps are cleaning up.

The ‘Soapbox’ boasts an impressive array of hand-crafted bathroom wares, many of which are reproduced from his own unique recipes.

Donald has been trading at Tynemouth Markets for more than two-and-a-half years, building a steady stream of regular customers eager to choose from a wide selection of scented and perfumed soaps.

Here’s just a small sample of what’s on offer.

• Lavender
• Sea Minerals
• Honey and Oats
• Rose
• Fullers Earth and Pumice
• Tea Tree and Mint
• Lemon Grass and Lime (Donald’s best seller).

Not only is there a great selection to choose from, but Donald will also create soaps to order. If you have a special occasion coming up; birthday, wedding, anniversary, personalized soaps make an unusual and unique gift.

Catch up with Donald at the ‘Soapbox’ on the east concourse at Tynemouth every Sunday.

Summertime at Tynemouth Markets is the perfect setting for artist Neill Woods, whose unique brand of saucy seaside art is in high demand.

Neill offers a choice of beautiful coastal studies from Tynemouth to Bamburgh. However, his stunning hand-painted local scenes have a cheeky twist… the artwork includes scantilly clad ladies reminiscent of the 1930′s postcards by Donald McGill whose cartoon-style seaside scenes were all the rage right up to the 1980′s.

Neill has worked in the advertising and design industry for more years than he’s prepared to admit and finally decided to strike out on his own a couple of years ago. He has been a regular at Tynemouth Markets for the past two years and is building quite a fan base.

“My main influences are the old railway posters of the 20′s and 30′s, Donald McGill postcards, Carry On comedy films and the old black and white movies of the silent and early talkie era.” says Neill.

Art collector Caroline Baker and Brandy pick up their latest purchase from Neill's stall - Click on the photo to enlarge

“I love to work in a variety of mediums (oils, acrylics, pastels and gouache) but my favourites are Gryffin Alkyd oils and Designers Gouache.”

Neill’s subject matter is inspired by local landmarks up and down the North East coast and he cleverly incorporates local folks in his paintings.

You don’t have to dig too deeply to own one of Neill’s works which range in price from 70p for a fridge magnet to £250 for an original painting.

“The paintings are indicative of an age,” says local collector Caroline Baker, who arrived at the market to pick up her latest purchase of Neill’s art.

“They are funny, humorous and lovely paintings. This is the third addition to my collection of Neill’s brilliant work and I’ll soon be back for more.” she said.

Neill is happy to accept commissions from clients and you can see his work on display every Sunday at his stall next to Porter’s, on the east concourse. You can also see examples on Neill’s web site by clicking this link.

Self-confessed chocoholic and a regular visitor to Tynemouth Markets is Pauline Christie from Walkerville in Newcastle upon Tyne.

So it goes without saying that Pauline finds it almost impossible to bypass Michelle and Steph Thirlwall’s stall on the East concourse.

Although fairly new arrivals to Tynemouth Markets, Michelle and Steph, a mother and daughter team from Ashington, are building a healthy trade selling ‘Kenspeckle’ a local range of hand-made confectionery produced in Northumberland and guaranteed to quicken the pulse of any self-respecting sweet-lover.

Their inventory includes such mouthwatering treats as Northumbrian honey truffles, Puffin Beak pralines, Liqueur Fudge and Peppermint Fudge, as well as traditional favourites like Butter Fudge and Peanut Brittle.

“I cannot recommend the girls’ confectionery enough. In fact whenever I’m here I always buy some to top up my stash at home. Then I hide it from the kids so I don’t have to share”, says Pauline.

Picture at top: Kenspeckle fan Pauline Christie (centre) with Michelle (left) and Steph Thirlwall on their stall at Tynemouth Markets

Visitors stepping off the Metro at Tynemouth a couple of Sundays ago were welcomed by a beautiful sunny (dare we say Summer’s) day and a bustling marketplace with the usual wide array of goods on offer.

As regulars will confirm, there’s no such thing as a ‘quick visit’ to Tynemouth Markets, It takes two to three hours just to have a good old root around and get your bearings.

Then it’s time hunt out those great bargains… anything from a vintage Dinky toy to hand-made soaps, fantastic photo-art or even a brand new guitar.

The choices of products and the range of stalls is breathtaking and a trip to Tynemouth Station on any Saturday or Sunday (sunny or not) is something visitors never forget.

Check out our gallery below to see photographs that were taken on the day…

A fruitful alliance between two top chefs has provided the formula for a great partnership and the perfect recipe for business success.

Elizabeth and Oliver have traded at Tynemouth for more than five years, specialising in hand-crafted cakes.

They started their culinary careers in the early ’90s and have an impressive 32 years of combined Michelin-quality experience between them, working as high-class chefs in many of Europe’s most prestigious hotels such as: the Grand Hotel, Greenhills Country Hotel and Restaurant, and Chateau le Chare.

After a few years of gourmet globe-trotting the dynamic duo decided to settle in Tyneside and fulfill their ambition to establish a blue riband-style fine foods enterprise – Elizabeth and Oliver Fine Foods (elizabethandoliver.co.uk).

Marrying world-class culinary skills to their passion for great food, focus is on producing high quality, hand-crafted products using only locally-sourced ingredients. Specialities include a huge range of homemade cakes with the most popular product lines including cupcakes, Christmas cakes, fruit loafs and sticky-toffee puddings.

Elizabeth says; “We like to think all our products are special but there’s no mistaking, our cakes are best sellers. Which is why we offer such a wide selection on our stall at Tynemouth Markets.

“We only use the finest natural products in all our food. We don’t believe in chemicals or preservatives being put in what we eat and we feel that should be the same for our customers too.”

Elizabeth and Oliver are renowned for their top quality products and service, delivering results of the highest standards. So if you have a special celebration on the horizon, or simply want to spoil yourself, pop in to see them any Saturday or Sunday and experience their great produce. If you buy online you can also collect your order from their stall.

The Picture Tile Company also has an online store: http://www.stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Picture-Tile-Company

The Christmas Market is held on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th December 2010 with live entertainment and attractions as well as numerous market stalls selling seasonal goods.  On 4th December there will be an opening service from the  Holly Saviour Church as well as a Carol Service.  Santa’s Grotto is also in the Bridge every weekend in December – bring the children along to post their letters to Santa!

If you’re not able to attend on 4th-5th December, the remaining weekends in December are also sure to be lively and hosting many fabulous Christmas Market stalls!

Market Traders book your space now at the 2010 Tynemouth Chrismas Market!  Forms are available from the Market Office at Tynemouth Station or by calling (01670) 536 911.  You will need to book well in advance as space is limited and fills up fast!

We are holding a Market of 50+ stalls!  The Market will be on the West Concourse and will include arts, crafts, antiques, food, collectables and general stalls.

The Market will be held along with the Big Green Day Festival which is held on the East side with music and entertainment.

Make sure you arrive early for the best selection – markets open at 9am!

For information on how to get here using the Metro have a look on the Nexus Metro Map.