Before I knew how to pronounce it, I loved Quimper (Pronunciation per Merriam Webster: \kaⁿ-ˈper\)Faience Pottery – especially if it has paintings of the Bretons (per Merriam Webster: inhabitant of Brittany) on it.
Being a bargain hunter, over the years, I purchased a few pieces of faux Quimper pottery when I found it on sale. (My test for faux or authentic Quimper is the price! Not a good test, but I’m not educated about the markings on the back, so I know I could easily be fooled-it doesn’t take much to fool me. If it’s inexpensive enough for me to buy it, then I know it is not the real deal!) I know-somebody could fool me by putting a high price on a faux Quimper, but as a bargain hunter, there is no chance of me buying a high priced faux. (Don’t ya love the way I call myself a “bargain hunter” instead of “cheap”?)
About ten years ago, my husband and I were in an antique store that was having a sale, when I spotted 6 small (possibly salad size) plates and a small serving container that were the REAL deal! (Of course, I knew that because they were marked with a high price tag! I also knew I was shopping from a reputable dealer.) After educating my husband about what Quimper is and how I’d always thought it was the most charming pottery I’d ever seen, he told me I should buy them. Even though they were on sale, I couldn’t bring myself to pay that price. I’m way too tight much of a bargain hunter. My sweetheart surprised me with them for Christmas that year. They have been hanging on the wall in my kitchen with two framed needlepoint pictures for ten years, just as you see them above.
Recently, my sweet friend, Sarah, at Hyacinth for the Soul, asked me if I’d like to get emails from a Quimper seller. I told her that I thought it would be fun to see the emails, but I wasn’t going to be buying anything, so I signed up. (I’ve been eating a lot of my words lately). I think it was the second week of receiving the emails that I ordered the two plates pictured above.
I replaced the two needlepoint pictures with the two plates, and I love how it brightened up that wall. It’s not much of a metamorphosis, but it did make a big difference on that wall of my kitchen.
That’s the end of a mini-morphosis, but unfortunately, it’s not the end of my word eating! Since then, I have ordered this wall pocket (I’m still trying to decide where to hang it)…
..And, I ordered this pretty little Baptism plate (which resides in a china cabinet in my kitchen).
My faux Quimper happily resides with my REAL Quimper, and I have no space left, so I’m not buying any more Quimper (until the next email that has something I just can’t resist!)
Don’t forget the Blog Crawl at Cuisine Kathleen’s on March 16th! Get your green on and join in the St. Patrick’s fun!
A QUESTION ANSWERED: I had several visitors to my Oscar night post, who inquired about the place cards with the stars names on them. I couldn’t show you the “credits” I created for the dinner, because I didn’t want to post first and last names of my guests on the internet. On a door, I hung a long sheet of white paper on which I had stenciled the name of each star with a guest’s name beside that star’s name. On each side of the paper, I hung curtains to give the impression of a theater screen. Guests looked at the “credits” to find out what star’s name they should look for to find their seat at the table.
I’m joining Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and Mosaic Monday at Little Red House. Click on these blog names to go get links to some REAL metamorphoses and some beautiful mosaics.
As always, I really appreciate your visit to my blog, and I love when you leave me a comment. I also want to say a big thanks to my four Facebook “fans”!! laurie
33 comments:
I love them Laurie. So pretty and cheerful.
Laurie, they are so pretty. I know that our friend Debbie will just love them too. They really are stunning. I love your collection. Hugs, Marty
Hi Laurie! Oh, there you go making me sin again! Making me envious of your pretties! :) I love these pretty plates and have only laid my tiny eyes on real ones one time! You have a great hub who pays attention!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
These plates are lovely! All of your collections amaze me, so special!
Smiles,
Carol
Your collection is amazing! Faux or not, it makes your happy that counts! Bargain Hunting sounds so much better than cheap...It will now be part of my vocabulary!
Hi back at ya Laurie! I'm trying to figure out Facebook and how I can work it.... I too love quimper, but don't have any yet. I love how you mix the reproduction with the real deal.
Laurie, I so happy that a few more pieces found their way to your home. The wall grouping looks terrific! Now that wall pocket . . . I have a grouping of wall pockets in one of my guest rooms. I keep dried lavender in them most of the time, but if we are having house guest I put in a fresh bouquet. They work on a narrow wall just fine. I also use on by my computer to hold pens and pencils. There are lots of ways you can put these little pockets to good use.
Thanks for sharing you new arrangement. Love it!
OH MY...I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGGERS OUT THERE THAT WILL(Oooops caps on lol)
simply have heart thunders when they see your display...collecting turns into a passion, does it not?
I have always loved those colors!
Bargain Hunting sounds so elegant next to cheap !
Your blog gets better and better. :-)
Oh Laurie,
Those are just gorgeous and I can't tell the difference between the real and the faux! I love the display you have made, what a bright cheerful spot! I am a bargain hunter to the max and it's cool now to be one! So my dear, you a very cool!
Big Hugs,
Cindy
Your wall of Quimper is beautiful, Laurie. I've loved it since I first learned about it years ago, but I don't own any.
The motifs are so charming and your collection looks great clustered together like that where you can enjoy it every day!
Amanda
Laurie, the quimper is charming and I can defiitely see why you are drawn to it - faux or not!
Your wall looks so nice! The exchange of the framed linens for the plates really did lighten the wall. I have admired quimper for years, but do not own any. One of my friends designed her whole kitchen around her pieces.
They are so pretty and colorful, Laurie. What makes the plate a "Baptism" plate? Isn't it amazing how we seem to "find" the money to spend on these treasures we desire so much? THat's me and vintage china! I have to stay out of antique and consignment shops!
Pretty collection! I know nothing about Quimper, so I could easily be fooled on what is real or faux. I think I must be one of the few around that still does not have a Facebook or My Space account.:)
Glenda
I never knew about Quimper till I saw yours! They are precious..and so much fun to mix the faux with the ones for a lot of dough.
Will the real Quimper stand up!
Enjoy your collection!
LOVE quimper, even though I don't have any. You have a great collection...Plate Addict love it also!
Forgot to add - all of the flowers in my mosaic were not mine. The ones in the photo in the center were mine, but the others I took pictures of around the neighborhood - all taken last Spring.
I would never had known about these plates until blogland. Hmmm, seems like you have become quite taken with that newsletter!! have fun shopping.
I had never heard of Quimper Pottery until this post. I love how thoughtful your husband was to gift them to you and you have them displayed so very nicely. The light switch plate is cute, too!
What a gorgeous collection!!
Very pretty!
Have a great week
Diane
Very pretty collection. I love how you displayed them on your wall. Anita
Those are so cheerful and homey!! I like them!
They are so pretty. Very simple.
Love the wall pocket you have ordered. They look wonderful on your wall. I want to do a wall of plates.
My neighbor collect Quimper also. It is addicting. Your collection is very nice.
My neighbor collect Quimper also. It is addicting. Your collection is very nice.
Laurie,
Faux or the real deal all your Quimper looks super! I love the country feel of them and their vibrant colors.
I also think I’m now your #6 Facebook Fan.
Cathy
OMG Laurie! You ae making me drool over your lovely Quimpers. They are so pretty! You wouldn't think replacing the needle points with your new plates would make a difference but it does. It is so much brighter now and it looks like the wall came to life. Good job!...Christine
Well, you know I love this post, Laurie! I love your new Quimper ware! I'm afraid I'd do the same thing if I got regular Quimper emails! Have a great week!...hugs...Debbie
Whatever you do, DO NOT GIVE ME THE NAME OF THAT EMAIL SELLER. Because I really do not need another thing to collect... lol LOVE your Quimper, Laurie. Thanks for sharing at MM. :)
I also love quimper and I have a few pieces. I am always on the look-out for new pieces. Love your collection.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and your kind comment on the silver dome transformation. If you are not familiar with this blog about Quimper check it out. http://quimperclubinternational.blogspot.com
Sherry
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