"Mini Marché for Mum" Sat. May 10!

If you can't take you Mom to Paris for Mother's Day, bring a little Paris to her!

Join us on Saturday May 10 from 10am-5pm  for our second Petit Marché (Little Market) of 2014 -- it's a Mini Marché for Mum!  This one-day market will be our only market event in the month of May -- and we're honoring our mothers by taking 10% off everything in the shop for all moms and anyone who has a mom -- I guess that includes everyone!  If you missed our April market, or you can't wait until our next 4-day market in June, stop on by!  (You can join the event or RSVP via Facebook here.)

Remember, the Fête des Mères (Mother's Day) is Sunday May 11!  We can't wait to see you again!

May "Mini Marché for Mum":

Saturday May 10:  10am-5pm

a bientot,

Anastasia

April: "La Jardiniere" Market!

"Garden as though you will live forever."  -- William Kent.

At long last it's April, and we're finally beginning to believe that Spring is actually here to stay.  To celebrate Spring's long-awaited arrival, Confectionique's April market theme is "La Jardiniere" -- the gardener!

In addition to gardens and gardeners, April evokes all things Spring, including Easter.  Our April market theme weaves all of these together into one tapestry.  (What's more quintessentially Spring than visions of bunnies, chicks, and lambs?)

And Mother's Day is just a month away --  we just restocked the shop with tons of vintage gifts from our favorite Paris flea markets.  Also, Easter is April 20 -- we'll have lots of Paques merchandise -- let us help you fill your basket with vintage, Parisian and handmade treasures!

Join us for a complimentary glass of wine on Thursday, April 10 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm as we kick off the "La Jardiniere" market with our traditional Nuit Blanche celebration!

Our April "La Jardiniere" Market Hours:  

Thursday, April 10:   5pm-8pm
Friday, April 11:         10am-5pm
Saturday, April 12:   10am-5pm
Sunday, April 13:       Noon-5pm

a bientot,

Anastasia

Le Poisson d'Avril

Vintage April Fools Postcard

Ok, as you guessed, we didn't really buy a "masterpiece" by P.D. Breeding while we were in Paris.  Did you know the tradition of the April Fool's joke may have originated in France?  Here's a good summary of the history of the holiday and how it may have originated due to a change in the calendar system used in 16th-Century France.

Today, April Fool's is still referred to as Le Poisson d'Avril (literally, April Fish).  A common prank, especially among children, is to surreptitiously tape a paper fish to the back of an unsuspecting friend -- who is then referred to as the April Fish.  A century or so ago, adults would commemorate the day by sending postcards to friends depicting people holding dead fish in ridiculous poses.  

We hope you had an enjoyable April Fool's Day.  Be sure to join us next week for our "La Jardiniere" (The Gardener) Spring and Easter Market April 10-13!


Our April "La Jardiniere" Market Hours:  

Thursday, April 10:   5pm-8pm
Friday, April 11:         10am-5pm
Saturday, April 12:   10am-5pm
Sunday, April 13:       Noon-5pm

a bientot,

Anastasia

Incredible Find in Paris!

Adam and I had to pinch each other while we were at Porte de Vanves flea market in Paris one sunny Sunday morning in March, just a few weeks ago. We saw it and looked at each other, amazed that we found an authentic painting by the one and only P.D. Breeding!  

For those of you who are art aficionados, you are most certainly aware of the works of P.D. Breeding, of particular interest to art collectors given the inspiration Breeding took from the renaissance period. The man posed in the painting appears to be deep in thought, and what seems critical here is the rationally explicable relationship between the painter and his subject.  Breeding intends the viewer to attach to this "meta-message," which implies the search for meaning in this piece of art is not unlike the search for meaning in something equally ineffable, such as a fleeting utterance or even the true nature of dark matter in physics.  We are pretty sure that dark matter exists, as this painting exists, but we continue to look for it's truth.

We knew that, if  authentic, it could be worth quite a bit. So, we acted nonchalant about this potential little goldmine as Adam (who had some training in college authenticating fine art) took a closer look. 

He studied the depth and number of layers of paint used to achieve the color P.D. Breeding was known for, examined the patina and found the texture and brightness of color (along with the dirt from aging), all of which seemed support the evidence that it was likely painted in the 80s.  He studied the canvas thread count and looked for some patina on the back of the canvas and found that indeed it was present (as patina is hard to reproduce and comes with the aging of the artwork itself).  He smelled the art and found that it smelled old, but had no smell residue from the paint itself.  He ran his hands against the paint and could feel the ripple of several layers of paint. (It is difficult to reproduce such textures).  He looked at me and slyly nodded "yes."


Our hearts beat faster as we approached the dealer and asked in our best but still-tortured French, "Sil vous plait, combien?" He looks at us, astonished we were even interested in this piece of art.  "Dix" he said holding up all ten fingers. We were not going to quibble with a few euros, so we gave him a ten euro note and promptly hurried home to our apartment, protecting what we knew was a small fortune in our satchel.

Currently, we have our newly acquired painting in the hands of an art appraiser at an auction house in New York undergoing an exhaustive study and evaluation to certify that we have indeed found an authentic P.D. Breeding. We have been informed the process of authentication could take several months. So, we wait.

It really is remarkable thinking that perhaps we found a piece of valuable art history at a flea market in Paris. We will give you the verdict once we know!

 a bientot!

Anastasia

First 3 Classes at the Académie!

Well, here we go, here are our first classes for Confectionique's new Académie -- they'll be held on Saturday and Sunday of our upcoming "La Jardiniere" (The Gardener) market April 10-13!

The Little Necessities: At least 3 members are required to conduct a class.  A $10.00 deposit, which is refundable unless you cancel with less than 48 hours notice, will hold your place.  We will refund your deposit if I do not hold the class.  The deposit will go toward the class fee. We will maintain a wait-list for classes or add additional classes if needed.  You can get details for making a deposit by contacting Confectionique through email  or Facebook.

Saturday April 12 : Beginning Knitting with Mary

1:00-3:00 pm
$20.00 - 6 Adults for Beginners
Instructor: Mary

This is your opportunity to learn how to knit in a supportive environment with other beginners.  Mary, our wonderful friend and Confectionique contributor will give you one- on- one attention as you learn how to make of our own wash clothes, just like your grandma made and used for her Spring cleaning! Plus, wouldn't it just be fun to hang out with others while knitting together? All supplies included.

Saturday April 12: Wing and Fleur 
4:00-6:00 pm 
$30.00 - for 6 adults with intermediate level skills.
Instructor: Anastasia

You will work with your hands to make a little bird out of fabric and paper, a butterfly out of paper and a flower from fabric. This trio is part of the petite life in a French garden! In this class we will spend time together working with lovely paper, simple fabrics, needle and thread, and French embellishments. You will leave class with 3 completed projects and perhaps you will want to make more on your own!  All supplies included. This class is for 6 adults and is for the intermediate crafter.




Sunday April 13: Broken China Mosaic
2:00-4:00 pm
$40.00 - 6 Adults with intermediate level skill.
Instructor: Connie Jean

Create a one-of-a-kind mosaic using bits and pieces of broken china! Connie will supply an assortment of china, but feel free to bring your own broken pieces to personalize your project.  The wood base, adhesive, and grout will also be provided. Connie is a delight and you are certain to have a fun time in this class. Plus, this is a wonderful opportunity to make something beautiful and useful for your garden!

Cee Cee Caldwell Painting classes with Ashley will be provided according to her availability. Contact us if you wish to be added to her painting class contact list!

Our goal is to offer classes during each of our market weekends that coincide with our market theme, however, we are always open to your ideas! Sign up and come create with Confectionique!

Our April "La Jardiniere" Market Hours:  

Thursday, April 10:   5pm-8pm
Friday, April 11:         10am-5pm
Saturday, April 12:   10am-5pm
Sunday, April 13:       Noon-5pm


a bientot,

Anastasia

The Académie: Come Create with Us!

"We cannot accomplish all that we need to do without working together." B. Richardson

You've asked for more classes -- and now we are excited to announce the creation of Confectionique's Académie !

Our Académie is your opportunity to learn from talented and supportive educators who love creating as much as you do; learn in a warm, intimate and comfortable atmosphere.  Académie classes will focus on meditative learning, finding your creative soul and nurturing your own creative process. 

At our Académie classes, we will serve healthy treats and beverages that support mental energy and creative clarity. The classes will remain small with no more than six creative minds working together.  You are welcome to bring a favorite meditation, poem or thoughtful word to share at the start of each class.  All supplies will be provided unless you would like to bring something special to add to your creative project.

Our first Académie classes will be during our April market weekend. Since our market theme for April is "La Jardiniere" (the gardener), many of our classes will focus on Spring and the garden. Once we have the final details in place, we will publish the first of our first classes. 

We hope you will plan to come create with us at Confectionique!

Our April "La Jardiniere" Market Hours:

Thursday, April 10:   5pm-8pm
Friday, April 11:         10am-5pm
Saturday, April 12:   10am-5pm
Sunday, April 13:       Noon-5pm

a bientot,

Anastasia

Package from Paris fun to begin soon!

"Hey Jean-Paul, I just read that Confectionique will be hosting it's Package from Paris event again."

"You're right Henri, but there are some useful facts we need to know before we get started."

Jean-Paul and Henri are excited. We hope you are too, but read the "Users Guide" to make certain you know how this event works.

The Users Guide to a Package From Paris.

Our "A Package from Paris" (PFP) event is really quite easy. On March 17, 18 and 19th at 5:00 pm CDT we will publish several vintage Paris market finds on our "Brocanturee's A Package from Paris" Facebook page -- just "like" the page to keep track. If you see something you want, click on the link. This link will take you to the item's listing in our "Package from Paris" section of our ETSY shop, Brocanturee, where you can purchase it and have it shipped to you directly from Paris!  Who wouldn't want to receive a Package from Paris?


Tips to Remember:

1. This is a "first to purchase, first to win" program.
2. In general each item is one-of-a-kind. It's not easy for us to find the same item again.
3. If you put the item in your ETSY cart someone else can still purchase the item until you complete the       purchase. If you really want the item, it's best to purchase it right away and not try to "save it" in your cart.
4. Be careful. If the item you wanted was already purchased, ETSY may make suggestions on other similar items from stores not associated with Brocanturee or "A Package from Paris."
5. The very last day to purchase from PFP is March 20th at 11:55 PM CDT. After that, the items will be taken off ETSY pending our return to the United States.
6. It will cost you less to purchase through PFP even with the shipping, since we won't have to bring the items back with us.
7. Have fun! "A Package from Paris" is supposed to get you close to the Paris market experience!
8.  Have an Android phone?  Try our new free app -- it will make the whole experience even more fun!