Saturday, January 16, 2010

Cote de Texas Giveaway



About a year ago, I had a vivid dream, that I was on Oprah talking about my baskets, alternatives to plastic bags, Fair Trade/Fair Wage and the womens' cooperatives in Africa that make my baskets. I've not been on Oprah, of course, but let me tell you that Joni of Cote de Texas is my Oprah of the Blogosphere: I am in awe of her-- well-informed, brimming with constructive information & design ideas and always perfectly illustrating her points with photos. And let's not forget a dose of her singular wit. That's the short list! I am in the basket business, but I've always loved interior design, not to mention I am still in the process of renovating our house in Beaune, so that's part of why I love Joni's blog, at http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com/

So, I am thrilled that this week Joni is giving away one of my rolling carts; getting a mention on Cote de Texas is, to me, like being on Oprah! The winner will have their choice of color, natural or brown. The carts are 36" tall from the floor to the top of the handle, and the top of the basket is roughly 12" deep by 15" wide. Both carts have the lovely twisted handles. Full measurements are on http://www.frenchbasketeer.com/ under the Rolling Carts tab.

These carts are made for me in Burgundy by a 3rd generation basketry and caning family. Made of what the French call osier, a type of willow, the cart comes in the traditional blonde "osier blanc" or "osier brut" ("smoke") which is naturally colored brown (not stained). The osier brut cart also has a lid, attached with two leather straps. These are true artisanal French rolling carts; less expensive carts are found on the market, but they won't be made in France. We use this same cart (in osier blanc) in Beaune for heavy-duty grocery shopping trips...it is very sturdy. We use another one here in California to hold all of the barbeque supplies on the patio; it's 10 years old and going strong.

The second place winner gets their choice of one of my baskets; I have a lot of great merchandise not shown on the website; it's at my farmers markets or on my blog, and I will help the runner up select their perfect basket.
Bonne chance a tous! Good luck everyone!

























22 comments:

  1. Joni is the Oprah of the blog world. A mention on her blog helped the charity where I work raise more than $6000 for the kids in our care. I can't say enough good things about her and her generosity!

    I adore your baskets, too!

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  2. Beautiful,simply stunning baskets and simply French!

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  3. Adore your baskets!
    Especially that honey cart and any of your classic totes ... .
    so glad to find you through Joni:
    I'll bookmark your website.

    Judith

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  4. LOVE those baskets! My fav is the honey one. The totes are amazing too! The black and white houndstooth is my favorite of the totes.

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  5. Fabulous baskets, I would choose the honey color and for the tote I agree, the black & white is timeless and colors I wear a lot. True craftsmanship

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  6. I love the baskets, I currently take a woven basket to the farmers market and get lots of positive feedback on it but I would love to win the covered backet. It's stunning! I'm happy to find your blog via Joni. Mary

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  7. Love your baskets and your blog. Thank you for the giveaway on Joni's blog.

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  8. These are just lovely, as is your blog. I would choose the brown smoke color, but would love to have either one. Anything French is for me! Best wishes to you..Cerelle

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  9. When I saw what the giveaway was on Joni's blog I was so excited!!! So happy to know about your beautiful baskets and blog. I would love to have the honey basket to take to the farmers market and any one of the totes would be a perfect too!

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  10. OOH LA LA!!!!! Your baskets are tres chic and so wonderful - to roll one would feel like you were in your own french story!!!! I would adore to roll the beautiful honey basket full of my favorite treasures - I can't think of anything more fun!!!!! I love all of your totes, but especially the natural ones with leather handles - gorgeous...so simple and perfect - pair it with a bateau neck striped t and you are Coco!!!!!

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  11. One more comment to add to my thoughts above - your baskets would be so perfect for our Texas Round Top Antique show!!!!!

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  12. I love these baskets!! I carry baskets full of "goods" everywhere I go-kid's school, dinner parties, for crafts etc.. I love your lidded basket.
    Going to check out summer totes on your website next!

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  13. I bought a similar basket in Aix and it holds my magazines from Paris among other souveniers to look at on a rainy day. Thank you for making more awareness about plastic bags. Tina Baker tinabakerdesigns@gmail.com

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  14. Oops, was I supposed to say which basket I like? The honey or lighter one is preferable and of course a large pink one for a ballet bag. Tina Baker tinabakerdesigns@gmail.com

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  15. Love your baskets and carts!!! I've already asked Joni, the blog fairy, for the white (honey) cart and a Marseille large basket. Fabulous!!! Thanks for your generosity!
    Lory

    lquist56@gmail.com

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  16. Andrea~It's such a pleasure to have found you and your beautiful shopping carts. I was hoping you could tell me if you're a participating vendor in the Portland or Seattle trade show? I would love to visit your booth if your ever there.

    Sweet wishes,
    Sara

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  17. I'm so happy to have found your store and blog through Joni's blog. I love your wheeled market baskets, to have to choose is agony, I love them both! I actually believe I prefer the honey one and the tote in black and white that she compared to a rug would also be my choices. Thank you for doing this!
    Marion Estes

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  18. Wonderful baskets!!! I'm so glad Joni shared you with us..... I would definately choose the smoke basket, and secondly the large tote that Joni says reminds her of a sisal rug!!! again, I'm so glad to know you are here, and producing these wonderful baskets!
    xxxx kim

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  19. Fantastic blog...I just came via Joni and WOW what a giveaway...thanks for the chance !!!

    All the best,
    Kathy :)

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  20. I won second place for Joni's giveaway. Thank you so much for your generous gift! I cannot wait to use my basket!!!!!! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I've put a link on my website to yours.

    Thanks again,
    Ruthie

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  21. Hi Andrea. I won the rolling basket in Joni's giveaway! I'm so excited to receive my prize, I'll be pacing every time I spot the postman this week.

    Joni and her blog are truly treasures for all of us that love design and everything French. Thank you again for your generosity.

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