I Spy...Soleil

October issue of Country Living Magazine has a feature with several pictures of Quimper.

A wonderful Soleil tea pot filled with beautiful flowers.

A charming Soleil plate filled with nuts.

The October issue of Country Living magazine gives a very updated look to Quimper. Often we see Quimper adorned in only french country style homes - which I favor as I would think must of us Quimper collectors do! The above pieces are owned by a hip, young family whose home has an Anthropologie feel.

The "Soleil"glaze is the perfect Quimper to take us into Fall. I believe it started being produced in the 1920's. It reminds me of my favorite mustard corduroy skirt. Here are a few pieces I sprinkled around the house to get some Fall color.


I found this large (11') scalloped bowl at the Long Beach Flea Market in California. Co-founder, Lucy Williams introduced me to this market which is a must if you visit Southern California. Much like the Rose Bowl Flea Market you may see a few celebrities. Speaking of, I was told that actress Michelle Pfeiffer collects Soleil. This piece is marked HB Quimper France.


This set of coffee mugs were a gift which I believe were purchased in Petaluma, California. Petaluma is a quaint town that is a perfect stop on your way to Sonoma wine country in Northern California. Just past Petaluma is Healdsburg which has a town square very similar to what you will see in Savannah.


Lastly, this small plate which is marked HB Quimper France F303 D 201. I am not sure how I acquired it but I think I just fell in love with it again. I thought I would take a tip from Country Living and enjoy some nuts with my Quimper .

Please share with us how you use Quimper to decorate for Fall...

Confessions

I really really like NEW Quimper. There I said it. It may make me unpopular in the Q Club world. Most members have magnificent collections that focus on old, antique, and other French faience. But truly I love seeing the new stuff just as much as the old.

I also must confess that even thought I am a co-founder of this wonderful club I would say I have a very simple and small collection. Could be because I am very cautious when it comes to buying ANYTHING or it could be because I never had the means to spend big bucks.

You will see a little glimpse of my collection here but since we are in the process of moving much of it has been packed away. Also, I live with two small children and we have already had one Quimper related accident which I will post about later.

So for now, I would like to share with you some Quimper that has been seen in one of my favorite magazines, House Beautiful.. A great article titled 101 Plates" - a plate for everyone. Quimper is featured in the Fleuri Royal pattern, available at Pierre Deux. To me this pattern, shouts SPRING and also how cute would some of these plates be hanging in a little girl's room! Another thing I like about this pattern is its not typically Quimper meaning there are no peasants depicted, so its a great pattern in that it could appeal to both Quimper and Non Quimper collectors.

For a while Pierre Deux stopped carrying Quimper and started carrying another brand that to me screamed, FAKE! Now it really wasn't fake it just wasn't to my liking, the colors were muted and the peasants just didn't "speak " to me.

But back to House Beautiful, they also did an article called, A Collector's Fantasy in Nantucket. The homeowners have lovely blue cabinets to display their collections. The Soleil pattern featured was described as contemporary. Readers what do you think, contemporary to you? Anyway, I do have a couple of pieces of this pattern. My first purchase of the Soleil pattern I believe was at the Long Beach Flea Market in Southern California. There was a large scalloped bowl with a hairline fracture and I am thinking I paid around $100 for it. Lucy Williams (the other co-founder) and I used to love this market and she taught me to always ask for the "best price".

Another reference to Quimper in House Beautiful was back in 2007 in an article The Best! For the Kitchen: "English and French pottery, a German silver sink...you don't have to leave home to bring European countryside into your kitchen." This article also pictured the Soleil pattern.

I love feedback, stories, pictures, etc. And since I have not been involved in the club for quite a few years it would give me the chance to meet the new members and get reacquainted with the old. So tell me collectors, do you like the Soleil pattern? Do you prefer a mix of old and/or new?

Wishing you happy collecting! Katie

My Dream Doll House........by Carolyn H

I have been asked to write a new blog on an article that was featured in the Autumn/Winter Quimper Club Journal on miniature Quimper.
Some of you will remember it but for those of you who missed it, I hope you find it informative and entertaining.
This all started two Decembers ago, when my dear husband bought me a doll house for our anniversary. He had spotted it in a Hospice Thrift Shop in High Springs, FL and surprised me with it!
My dream of someday, owning a doll house had finally come true! Granted, it took a while----some sixty odd years----But dreams DO come true!! And there it was; my childhood rediscovered.

This was no ordinary doll house. It was a marvellous creation consisting of seven rooms in Victorian style.
The scale of the house is 1:12, or 1 inch is equal to 1 foot.
It had just enough furniture and accessories to perk my artistic imagination and personal taste. Over the last year and a half many changes have taken place. To date no room has gone untouched.
I've painted miniature scenes that now hang in the living room and library, made and painted furniture, etc. All the fun stuff!

My greatest joy has come from redecorating the kitchen. I gave the house "indoor plumbing" by adding a pitcher pump that I made from Fimo clay to the existing dry sink. I filled glass canning jars with clay fruit and vegetables that now sit on a newly made shelf overhanging a new prep table.

A drying rack that I made with the wood from a tongue depressor and cotton bud sticks now hangs over the fireplace from which handmade herbs, onion and garlic braids are also hung. My latest creation was to add a real flickering "fire" to the fireplace.

The existing cupboard looked dismal with it's out of scale accessories.
Something had to be done! Why not Quimper? That had to be the right direction to go with since my "other house" was already filled with my overflowing collection of Quimper.

I decided on the happy color of "Soleil" decor. I located some white mini dishes and a soup tureen at a miniatures shop in Orlando. The fish platter, I made, using a two part epoxy putty that I also use for ceramics' restoration. I spray painted them yellow with lacquer acrylics; then, using a 20/0 brush, I painted on the design with water-based acrylics. A clear coat followed to protect and simulate the shine of fired glaze.
With a few other additions, my cupboard is now complete.
My doll house is a work in progress! Many pieces have been added and moved around since it was first received and It brings me a great deal of pleasure to watch it's metamorphosis! I can highly recommend it as therapy-----At any age!

I will be glad to answer any questions you might have on trying your hand at painting your own Quimper "mini" dishes, or on any other subject that you might be interested in.
Leave a comment by clicking below, or I may be reached through this blog by emailing quimperpix@gmail.com.