Saturday, March 25, 2017

Introducing "Paris Brocante"




















This is the post that formally announces our new Instagram presence. Please welcome:

@PARISBROCANTE

Behind Paris Brocante is me and my Paris-based cousin, Bea.  We both love spending our weekends (when I'm there!)  browsing the flea markets, and we figured we might as well do something more productive than just strolling aimlessly among the tables and tents.

Ma cousine et moi!

If half the pleasure is in the hunt, then the other half is in the capture.  Selling what we hoard enables us to repeat the cycle without much guilt. I know some people love vintage things but can't be bothered to spend a day at the fleas, or venture to the more exotic places we go to score our finds.

The more knowledgeable vendors are always eager to share what they know, and we area always eager learners. We don't claim to be experts (yet), so for now, we are just "vintage enthusiasts."


Service a Bonbon; French pastry servers


Many of these things are of a certain era, so there will be similar items every now and then.  But then there will be a unique item from the middle of the last century,  or something from a now defunct company. Very exciting for us.


Fine Bone China Teacups from England are also found at the French brocantes

We really never know what we come across, and that's what keeps it so exhillarating.


Notice my stab at a logo-design (we have a professional-looking one now)

So far we have very limited things because it's what I could carry in my suitcase coming home. As we get used to doing this, I'm sure we'll figure out more efficient ways to get the goods here.  (We are only selling in Manila for now).


Antique Ice-cream serving set.  Icecream used to be churned in a bucket and the finished produst was a frozen log--therefore the knife and the flat palette server.

We are making also lots of contacts along the way--and we will be establishing relationships with dealers who trade very desirable vintage and antique home/tableware. So maybe eventually, we can be your personal shoppers for that antique Christofle tea-set or that vintage chandelier your heart desires.

Antique Silent Butler in plated silver

After the haggling, lugging and packing (none of these things come pre-packed in boxes!)--and taking them home, I still don't know if it will worth our time financially. But one thing I know is that our souls are happy and we are constantly excited about possible finds.

And that for us is enough for now.

Browse IG @parisbrocante!





French Vintage Treasures in Manila

Antique terre de fer from Longchamp, France

Oh my, so much has changed in BLOGGER since I last posted a year ago!

It was getting too tedious to maintain this blog. Now with all the photos on my smartphone, it looks like it will be easier.

I can definitely get back to this!

Antique Salad Servers in Horn and Silverplate

Also, I have a new little hobby that I'd like to introduce to all of you! TAAAA-DAAA! 

Introducing: @ParisBrocante on Instagram!

If you've read this blog from the very beginning, you will know what my passions are and this one speaks directly to my soul.

We are a two-person team. Every weekend, the Paris end of ParisBrocante browses the Paris flea-markets, brocantes and vide-greniers looking for discarded treasures from old estates. Then she sends it off to Manila where the Manila end (that's moi!) offers it for sale on our Instagram account. 

When I'm there, we shop together, otherwise, I accompany her to the fleamarket via viber or facetime. Technology is great.

Our gracious customers write us such sweet notes on beautiful stationery

So far it's been well-received and I'm so surprised to learn that there are more kindred souls  here than I thought!

Considering all the legwork done in Paris: the searching, the lugging,  packing, shipping...then in Manila: the polishing, sorting, stocking, posting...Honestly, it is quite tedious and tiring. BUT we're in this little business to feed our souls. And a nourished soul is empowering.

Vintage hotelware creamers

Why only on Instagram? Because Facebook is just *too distracting* for me! By the time I would've posted one item for sale, I would have also wasted 30-minutes going through everyone's posts and clicking on news stories. FB is time-consuming.

Antique Luneville plates

So we get straight to the point with Instagram.

Suffice it to say, our market are the IG people--almost everyone below 40 years old.  Sorry FB friends if we have no presence on FB--anyway, you guys should be decluttering, not acquiring! Lol.

Vintage Fish Service with faux-nacre handles makes a unique wedding gift

I'm so looking forward to reviving this blog now that it is easy to post photos. You'll be hearing from me!

Do follow @PARISBROCANTE on Instagram now!

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