The Paris Market Pâtisserie

Valentine's Day is 2 weeks away 

which means The Paris Market Pâtisserie is officially a go! 

So come & show affection among the confections!

Have a seat & take a photo with your sweetie 

& then post it to instagram with the tag #pmpatisserie!

Pick of the Week: Gunner & Lux's Little Lux Line

Last week we enlisted the help of a few of our favorite pint-sized Paris Marketeers to show off our newest (& only) line of jewelry that's made especially for kiddos: Little Lux! As fun as these necklaces are, we knew it was sure to be a good time & we definitely were not disappointed. The kiddos had a blast getting to model these one-of-a-kind necklaces, especially because in between takes they got to run around & play. And for us, it was a nice reminder to appreciate the simple things in life, like laughter, friendship, & golden lion necklaces. So if you're anything like us, these necklaces are sure to bring a smile to your face (especially when they're attached to your favorite kiddo), so be sure to check them out in store & online! 

Get to Know: Christine Hall

Christine Hall has been a long time friend of The Paris Market family so we couldn't be more excited to finally be featuring her & her photography on the blog. Although we have a few of her striking black & white marsh photographs gracing our walls here at the store, what Christine is mostly known for is her beautiful fine art portraiture. And after owning and operating a photography studio for over 15 years, Christine definitely knows a thing or two about making beautiful portraits. We recently had the chance to catch up with Christine & pick her brain about what it's like being a working photographer in today's world. She certainly had some great things to say so keep reading below to check out her answers, as well as see some of the stunning images from her portfolio. And be sure & stay tuned to the blog, because next week, Christine is going to take over the blog for a day & share some images she's made featuring products from the store! You definitely don't want to miss it!!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I came to Savannah from Palm Harbor, Florida in 1993 to attend SCAD and then graduated in 1997. I have always loved photographing people, and spent a lot of time in the darkroom in high school. I started photographing people I waited tables with and my business has grown from there. It started with word of mouth since nobody had websites then, and I just kept working on referrals. Many clients I started with, I still photograph today. 

What is your first memory of using a camera? 
I remember having one when my friend won a trip in a limo to school. I probably was around ten and I was so excited.

When did you know that you wanted to pursue photography as a career?
I decided in high school to go to art school. I originally started out wanting to be a nurse, thinking that maybe I couldn't make a living as an artist, but then I sold a few art pieces to people I didn’t know and I just really loved it and knew I had to go to art school.

You’ve been out of school for a while now so you’ve had many years of experience as a working artist. What would you say is the hardest and, or most important lesson you’ve learned since graduating? 
I struggled for many years trying to find my place as an artist/business person. My constant question to myself was whether or not my photos were art or if they were just pretty photos of families. I think I have been able to merge both creativity and what people want to document of their families. I believe I have been able to attract people who love art and want me to show them in an creative way. The business side has been my biggest struggle and also realizing you have to know your numbers and run it like a business and hire the right people. And did I mention know your numbers: very important. 

What is your favorite thing about what you do?
I enjoy meeting new people and seeing the same families every year. I have seen kids grow up. You become very sentimental and you feel like a part of their family. The relationships I have formed over the years are so special to me. I have been through happy and sad times with families and photography has let me experience things and places I would have never otherwise experienced. 

What do you see as the biggest challenge of being a working artist & what are some ways you try to overcome it? 
The biggest challenge is balancing three kids, one who has special needs, and a business. I am not sure that there is a true balance, but I know my art helps me express my struggles and happiness, and my family keeps me grounded. 

What inspires you? 
Other artists inspire me: Katherine Sandoz, Troy Wandzel, Sally Mann (of course, really who doesn’t she inspire), Marcus Kenney. Artists who think outside the box and are always pushing themselves to be better artists.

Check out Christine's website to view more of her amazing work! 

Behind the Scenes: The Paris Market Pâtisserie

This past week & half, The Paris Market has become a veritable pâtisserie as our design girls have been hard at work getting everything ready for our dessert-themed Valentine's Day windows & display. From three-layer cakes to petit fours to mini donuts & more, it was amazing to see what the girls were able to create with just a bit of spackling paste, model magic, & piping tubes. Keep scrolling to check out some behind the scenes photos of the girls hard at work in the "kitchen." And then be sure to come by the store soon to see the amazing finished products for yourself. They look good enough to eat!! ;)

Pick of the Week: The Fragrances of Santa Maria Novella

When it comes to selecting the perfect fragrance, quality is everything. It takes the perfect balance of precise ingredients to create a scent that is unique, flattering & lasting. Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is one of the world's oldest pharmacies - they've been around since the 13th century, in fact - so we're pretty sure they know a thing or two about fragrances by now. Keep reading below to find out more about their amazing history...

The old pharmacy

The Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was founded in 1221 in Florence by the Dominican Friars who started making herbal remedies & potions to use in the monastery. Their reputation became world renowned and the pharmacy, sponsored by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, opened to the public in 1612. 

Many of Santa Maria Novella’s products have become a part of history: the world famous pot-pourri is still hand crafted in large terra cotta vats using local essences & plants as has 
been the tradition since the 1200’s. The first “Eau de Cologne” has been attributed to the pharmacy’s creation in the 1500’s of Catherine de Medeci’s “Water of the Queen.” She used the citrus & bergamot scented water constantly & gave it to all of her closest friends during her reign as the Queen of France. It’s popularity in France lasted into the 18th century whereupon a certain Italian, Giovanni Feminis, took it with him to Cologne & began to make it there, renaming it Acqua di Cologne or Eau de Cologne as a tribute to the city where it was produced. Today this refreshing mix uses the same original formula from the time of Catherine de Medeci & is simply called Santa Maria Novella. It is Santa Maria Novella’s Signature Fragrance and surely the most sought after of all of their scents. 

Some of the oldest products from Santa Maria Novella are among the most popular today. The Almond Paste is an excellent rich cream made from almond butter. The Rose Water can be used on the face for washing & removing make-up or for scenting linens. The Pot-Pourri with its pungent, spicy scent, is still hand made & left to ferment in large terra cotta jars. The Milky Soaps, scented with Santa Maria Novella’s own fragrances are made with whole milk to protect & soften delicate skin. And of course the Santa Maria Novella fragrances themselves; classic scents like Honeysuckle, Rose & Iris, exotics such as Patchouli, Marescialla & Calycanthus, &, romantics like Jasmine, Violet & Lily of the Valley.

Today, the Pharmacy is run under the direction of Eugenio Alfandery, a gentleman who has kept the tradition & legacy of Santa Maria Novella intact, while at the same time updating the centuries old methods & procedures that are the mainstay of the reputation of this great brand.

An early 20th-century photograph of the old distillery

Get to Know: Meredith Anne Sutton

One of the things we love the most about being located in Savannah is all of the amazing local artists, especially because that means we get to fill our shelves with their beautiful hand-made products. And although we don't like to play favorites, we are especially enchanted by the work of local jewelry designer, Meredith Anne Sutton. "Her style uniquely balances industrial & feminine influences & reflects her enamoring of found objects, including vintage pieces, architectural finds & hardware procured from old furniture. Sutton’s work is highly romantic & takes inspiration from literature & poetry, as well as structural relics. With an aesthetic that is at once clean, ornate & bold, Sutton works with mediums of sterling silver, 18k gold, bronze, & acrylic to present pieces apropos for the most discerning & mature woman to the chic young trendsetter." So naturally, you can see why she fits right in here at The Paris Market. We recently had the chance to visit Meredith in her studio & find out a little bit more about her process as a jewelry designer. Keep reading below to get to know Meredith Anne Sutton!

Working at her desk

Look familiar? ;)

How did you get your start as a jewelry designer?

When I began my studies at SCAD, my focus was Graphic Design. During my sophomore year, I was at a friend’s house who was majoring in Metals & Jewelry. I will have to say, I owe it to her because if I hadn’t seen all the cool things she was making, I wouldn’t have been inspired to use one of my electives for an Intro to Jewelry class. Two weeks into the course, I switched my major. From then on, I knew I would be a jewelry designer. 

What is your favorite medium to work with? 

Pretty much any kind of metal, but recently I have really enjoyed working with brass. It makes a great price point for my work & I love the contrast I can create with patina. 

In addition to working as a jewelry designer, you also work at Service Brewing Co. Can you tell us a little more about what you do there?

I am the creative marketing director. I handle all the creative direction for the company’s identity. I work with our graphic designer, writer & illustrator for our labels, merchandise, & other media outlets. I also designed the tasting room & curated the Tap Handle Project, a collection of 22 tap handles all created by artists.  

Piecing together a cuff 

Soldering

Filing the edges of a completed cuff

What is your favorite part about what you do in both of your professional roles? 

Being creative, working with other artists/designers & passing on a product that makes people happy. I mean, jewelry and beer… it doesn’t get any better than that. 

What do you see as the biggest challenge of being a working artist & what are some ways you try to overcome it?  

Finding the time to do everything. I think every artist’s biggest challenge is time. I am constantly making lists, establishing daily deadlines, & have learned to bring in help during the holidays. I have had many sleepless nights just to make sure I meet those deadlines. 

What are your main sources of inspiration, particularly when starting a new jewelry piece?

Lately, it’s been the material. I think that is where it all starts. Whether it’s the metal or a found object, the idea takes shape as I create the piece. 

Studio details

From behind the artist's desk

Our Photo Collection is Back!

After taking a brief hiatus during the holiday season, one of our favorite collections is back out on the shelves! Our photo collection is back & better than ever!! One of our favorite things about this collection is that we find cool, new things about it each time we go through it. From vintage instruction manuals & camera parts to unique tintypes & hand-colored portraits, there's something for every photo enthusiast & collector out there! So be sure to come by the store & find a little piece of photo history to take home with you!!

Throwback Thursday: 36 West Broughton Street

One thing that we get asked about a lot is the history of our amazing building. And while we know bits & pieces, we decided to take a little field trip to the Georgia Historical Society to do some more serious digging. And we found out some pretty interesting stuff!

Our building in the distance on the left

Our building is located in Derby Ward, which was one of the first four original wards in downtown Savannah when the city was founded in 1773. In 1851, the structure in our current building's location, as well as many of the buildings around it, were completely lost in a fire. This was due largely in part to the fact that the buildings at this time were primarily constructed of wood.

Derby Ward

It wasn't until 1878 that the building that we occupy today came to be, thanks to a man named John Lyons. We found this excerpt published in the Savannah Morning News on May 31, 1978: "The handsome building known as the "Lyons Block," at the corner of Whitaker & Broughton streets...is the adoration of every citizen & is justly regarded as not only a decided ornament to Broughton Street, the great retail business thoroughfare of Savannah, but as probably the handsomest & most stylist row of buildings in the city." (Whew those writers back in 1878 were wordy!)

The article goes on to say: "The first floor of the corner building, which fronts on Broughton & Whitaker streets, will be occupied by Mr. John Lyons as a wholesale & retail grocery establishment...The store is provided with large magnificent show windows on both streets & splendid commodious entrances, and will be the finest looking establishment in the city. The cellar is 30 x 90 feet, has a brick floor cemented, thorough ventilation & light, and is perfectly dry & clean. In fact, no better cellars can be found anywhere than those with which the various stores in this block are provided."

Early 1900s

From then on, the Lyons Block became the mixed-used commercial center of Broughton Street. In addition to Mr. Lyon's grocery store, other rooms in the property served as everything from a dentist's office to a shoe store to a pub. The third floor of the building was even at one time known as Lyons Hall & served as a meeting place for social organizations. Although the facade of the building was drastically altered & modernized in the 1950s, by the time 36 West Broughton Street became home to The Paris Market in 2005, the building had been beautifully restored to it's original Italianate style.

1941

Currently Inspired: The Great Outdoors

One of our favorite things about living in the south is that you can pretty much go camping any time of the year. And our latest entryway display, starring one of our favorite new finds: a vintage canvas cot, has got us inspired to pack our sleeping bags & spend a night out in nature. Unfortunately, the weather is a little dreary right now, but we're already looking ahead to the weekend &, thankfully, the forecast calls for a whole lot of sun. In the meantime, come on by the store & get inspired by our homage to the great outdoors!  

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Isaac

It's been far too long since we've gotten to share a few of our favorite things with you & there are definitely a few new members of The Paris Market family who are eager to do so! Today we are so excited to officially welcome Isaac to The Paris Market team as one of our awesome coffee bar baristas. Originally from Illinois, Isaac recently moved to Savannah to pursue film & music. When he's not behind the coffee bar perfecting his latte art, you can find him writing for online blogs, including Savannah's own music blog, Hissing Lawns, & working on his own artistic pursuits, whether that be working on films or writing & recording music. The ginger of the family, Isaac always makes work more fun with his witty banter & film trivia. Check out a few of Isaac's favorite things below & be sure to say hi the next time you see him at the coffee bar!!

1. Price's Anti-Tobacco Candle Tin | 2. Minimalist Lamp by Collin Garrity | 3. Vintage Ledger Book | 4. Honey Breve | 5. Black & White Photography Print by Kelia Anne

Currently Inspired: Dried Botanicals

For those of us with a green thumb, winter can be a particularly lackluster time of year. It becomes even harder to bare these brisk days when all you want to do is get outside in the garden & get your hands dirty. And while there are a few winter-hardy vegetables that you may feel brave enough to try & grow, we've found another way to please our gardening urges during the winter: with our collection of beautiful dried botanicals. Although it's not quite the same as maintaining a living plant, we've been having just as much fun making arrangements of these dried beauties & placing them all over our homes. So even if you may have already started the countdown for spring, come on by the store & find the perfect way to keep your green thumb inspired in the meantime.