2^nd Annual Paris In the Spring  -  French Market and Outdoor Café 

Presented by: Country Maiden, Papa Ed’s Ice Cream, Cottage Garden I and II

When:  March 6-7^th  10 til 4    Where:  7142, 7146 and 7162 N. 58^th Avenue  Glendale , AZ   85301  

Story - photos by Jodi Bannwart  - Special to the Glendale Daily Planet
Photos  and captions by Ed Sharpe Glendale Daily Planet

 

BONJOUR! - I was lucky enough to get invited to set up a booth at the Glendale Paris in the Spring Market in  a perfect  grassy park next to the Garden Cottage II  in Catlin Court. 

This being my first time to participate, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. As I started my little trek in the dark of the early morning from my home in Casa Grande, my mind was racing with thoughts.

 

I had been preparing for weeks scouring thrift stores, garage sales and even an auction trying to find Parisian inspired items to offer folks. 

I had just made the decision to pursue my passion a few weeks before. Since moving here from Indiana, where I had a booth in a couple of antique stores and did more than my share of shows around the Midwest, I had decided not to do that anymore. 

I was going to move to Arizona get a “regular” job and only buy things I needed for my home. So I got a job working for the local magazine (Pinal County Lifestyles). I loved going to events and speaking with clients about how to advertise their businesses and make them grow.  Alas the deadlines got to me and I decided to go back to my true love of painting and selling vintage furniture and chotchkees.  

 With the warm welcome I received yesterday, I know my creative career is the  best choice for me. I love talking to the people and hearing how a piece that they got from me will have a special place in their homes. I think of that when I am looking for items to resell, how will it fit into some ones home what can it be used for? You see, I like to have items that have a purpose not just those sitting on a shelf so I think about that when I am contemplating a purchase. I also think about how I can make something look better. Some people see junk or cast- offs, I can see beyond that, I see what it can be. Some see metal rake heads without a handle - I see wine glass holders.

 

I had one piece yesterday that caused quite a number of requests and ideas of the best use for it. It was a large  rectangular wooden box with 7 compartments. I received a strange look from my husband when I purchased it. But I knew that someone would love it and it turned out several someones loved it. It was an egg hatcher for chickens on a farm somewhere and now it will hold yarn for a rug maker.  

 

Jodi Bannwart    -   junque gal        -  Photo by Ed Sharpe  - Glendale Daily Planet
"An eclectic collection of new & vintage one of a kind pieces"  props, decorations & furnishings for all occasions

An egg hatcher for chickens on a farm  and now could hold yarn for a rug maker-  Photo by Jodi Bannwart

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I was pleasantly surprised to have a few visitors who had lived in or visited France, comment on how my booth reminded them of the markets in France.

Minnie Edmonson  -  Photo by Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

 

-  Photo by Jodi Bannwart

 

We had a wonderful group of vendors and  I was lucky to have met them all!

 

What a mix of offerings--  yummy gourmet cupcakes, sweets and decorate- yourself- cookies shaped like the Eiffel Tower. Fashionable solutions such as bejeweled straps to keep your bra from showing. I can't the forget Fresh French baguette from a local bakery (They were very liberal with the samples, YUM!)

 

Good Glendale friends gather together for lunch at the French Market Cafe at The  Cottage Garden II 
(L to R) -  Jamie Gessel, Brenda Born and Linda Parker -  Photo by Ed Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

 

It was so nice to see the people arrive for their lunch at the outdoor French café. Some of the ladies with hats and skirts so reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly. Something else that was wonderful about yesterday and that was that I didn’t see people walking around texting or talking on cell phones. People were engaged in conversations and enjoying each other's company.

 

The weather was perfect for an outdoor market, sunny and  warm; just like a Paris  afternoon, ended in a light rain. C'est la Vie...  I can’t wait till next year!

 

The Cottage Garden Christmas in Catlin Court hosted a garden party Christmas Tea on November 14th.  The cost was $12.50 per person with finger sandwiches, sconces, ice cream and cookie, hot tea and cold tea. The Tea and food was provided by Coffee and Tea Express and the deserts from Papa Ed's Ice Cream, both businesses are also from Catlin Court, There was  a fashion show with original creations from 'Rare Earth' and modeling the spring collection that will be  available at Cottage Garden in February were the designer Leslie Christenson and Cindy Desjardins.

Even though the morning had presented some challenging looking cloud activity by tea time it had cleared and was the most wonderful afternoon anyone could have wished for.

In addition all the other shops along 58th Ave. in Catlin Court had special events or sales going for the guests to partake in prior and after the  tea.

 

Three generations  enjoy tea and treats  with a fashion show at the Cottage Garden Holiday Tea 
- (L to R) Jennifer Hirsch, Allyson Hirsch and Betsy Hirsch.