Petit Connoisseurs

Announcing Our Special Savings for April – Ten Days Only!

Petit Connoisseurs — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:36:16 +0000

Have you always dreamed of displaying this
Carlton Ware Tea for One Set by Este van Niekerk
in your collection?

Then visit the Specials Page on my Petit Connoisseurs online boutique today.
You can save from 50% to 70% on selected items
FOR TEN DAYS ONLY!

Enjoy!

Miniature Greetings
- Francois -

Announcing The Winner

Petit Connoisseurs — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 11:47:49 +0000

Ladies & Gentlemen -
It is now time to announce Our Easter Treasure Winner for 2012!

Yes it is you Pat!
You are the Lucky Winner of these Beautiful Treasures
for your collection.
With Love from Petit Connoisseurs.
Congratulations and Enjoy!

Thank you to everyone of your loyal support.

Kind Regards
- Francois -

You Could Be The Winner! Announcing Our Second Annual Easter Treasure Hunt

Petit Connoisseurs — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:56:10 +0000

A little white bunny was spotted in the Peacock Park Gardens this morning…
That means it is time to announce
Our Second Annual Easter Treasure Hunt!
You Could Be The Winner!

Here is this year’s Easter Treasure and it could be yours!
Everyone can join in the fun – it is so easy to enter.
You have to be a Petit Connoisseurs Newsletter Subscriber.
If you have not join our list before, subscribe today
and I will keep you up to date with all the Petit Happenings.

The photograph of the Easter Treasure is hidden away
in one of the store categories of Petit Connoisseurs.
Once you have found the photograph
of the little white bunny sitting in the doll pram
with her knitted Easter egg,
send your answer – the name of the store category –
to francois@petitconnoisseurs.com

Let’s have a close look again at what you can win.
An adorable little doll pram by Diane Yunnie.

A finely knitted Easter egg by Jenny Tomkins.

A cutie pie bunny by Anna Braun.

Start hunting today – you can enter until April 9th, 2012.
I will announce the name of the lucky winner on April 10th, 2012.

Good luck to everyone and thank you for your support.
Let the hunt begin!

Kind Regards
- Francois -

Memories in Miniature by Montserrat Folch

Petit Connoisseurs — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:35:52 +0000

Montserrat Folch has joint our Petit Family of Artisans
with her beautiful signature style miniature collections
depicting a romantic bygone era.
Her miniature items add charm and detail to any scene.

- The High Society Chimp Lady made by Todd Krueger and dressed by Susan Harmon
is also available on my website –

Montserrat’s love of design and romanticism inspired her
to take home decorating and design lessons.
From here it was just a matter of time
before she got interested and involved
in the wonderful world of dollhouse miniatures.

Montserrat bought her first dollhouse in October 2004.
She started looking for information on the Internet,
trying to learn as much as she could to be able to make a proper dollhouse.

As Montserrat was making and improving on her work,
she got fond of handcrafting miniature accessories.
In her own words:
I wanted to prove to myself that I was on the right path
so I went to a local Miniature Fair on August 2005,
taking my haberdashery items.
I enjoyed the experience so much that I made up my mind
to attend a Tom Bishop Show in November the same year.

It was there that Montserrat discovered
the great range of miniatures that could be handcrafted,
seeing a tiny but very real world.

With this little seed planted in her head
and while walking in the old district of her hometown in Spain,
Montserrat “discovered” the world of antique books.

Her discovery and appreciation inspired Montserrat
to start making her enduring range of books, letters, scrolls – just to name a few.

During 2006 Montserrat attended the Madrid Miniature Show
with her new library collection.
From here she tried different techniques and materials
to be able to make new and interesting miniatures.

Today Montserrat is able to introduce various new collections
due to her experience, perseverance and determined attempts.

I am very happy to welcome Montserrat and her talent to Petit Connoisseurs
this week and I am looking forward – together with my blog followers – to enjoy all Montserrat’s new creations.

Now is the time to add a Montserrat Folch Miniature to your collection.

Happy Miniatures!
- Francois -

When Terry met Anne of Green Gables

Petit Connoisseurs — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 11:23:34 +0000

We are so fortunate in South Africa to be greeted
by this beautiful face of the sun every morning.
Here is a photo taken this morning
with the sun smiling down over our rooftops.
Today I would like to share with you
a lovely email and photograph
I received from one of my dear and happy customers.

Firm favourite Anne of Green Gables made by Debbie Dixon-Paver
left South Africa a few weeks ago to go and live with her new owner in Australia.

Meet Terry Jansen – she has just opened her Petit gift box
to welcome Anne to her home and collection. Terry writes:

“Hello Francois,
Just letting you know that when I arrived home from lunch today
I found a parcel!
Anne arrived safely and I just love her –
just as I’d imagined – thank you very much!
I had a bit of fun with your wrapping ribbon and got hubby to take a pic lol Terry x”

Thank you for sending the lovely photo Terry. I love your chic Petit choker!

I would like to invite all my Petit customers
to send me francois@petitconnoisseurs.com
your photo’s of items
that you purchased from Petit Connoisseurs
for your treasured collections.
I will gladly share your happiness and photographs here on my blog.

Happy Miniatures!
- Francois -

With Love from Petit Connoisseurs – Announcing the Lucky Winner of Our Give Away!

Petit Connoisseurs — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:36:52 +0000

It is time to announce to Lucky Winner of
Our Second Blog Giveaway.
Thank you to everyone that entered –
each one of you sent in the most original answers to the question:
What did Rebecca see at the window?

Here is the lucky entry walking away with the knitted bear girl and her bobbin lace stand –
Why she saw me of course!!!
Rushing up to the door to pick up
my fabulous Teddy and Bobbin Lace Stand
Hahaha thank you Francois for such a fun giveaway

No it is not you Mrs Patmore!

The winner is
Linda Larsen!

Congratulations Linda and thank you for entering.

Hollywood is celebrating its awards season this month and
I would like to invite you to join us every week on our red carpet at Petit Connoisseurs
to welcome the arrival of the most beautiful miniatures.
Real shining stars for your collection.

Happy Valentines Day! Hope you get a special something in miniature.
- Francois –

A Day in the Life of Crown Prince William

Petit Connoisseurs — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:27:03 +0000

Imagine there was Blue blood in this family who calls the address Peacock Park home,
then Sweet William would have been a Right Royal Prince.

William played with his cousins on the estate for the best part of the morning.
Afterwords he practiced violin together with Mama and his cousin
for the secret celebration at Peacock Park.

This afternoon Papa took him to the park to look for a sailing boat
while the women were getting dressed at Peacock Park.

A very proud little boy heading home…

William decided to play outside with his red balloon
so that he could watch all the guests arriving.
However the wind had a mind of its own
and decided to take William’s red balloon for a dance…

…up, up in the blue sky…

A Day in the Life of Crown Prince William
featuring the dolls of Lisa Johnson-Richards

Cast of Characters
Crown Prince – William
Mama – Lucille
Cousin – Kitty

“till we meet again at Peacock Park…

Petit Greetings
- Francois -

What did Rebecca see at the window?

Petit Connoisseurs — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:35:49 +0000

Announcing My Second Blog Giveaway!

I would like to wish you everything that is good and healthy for the year ahead.
It is Giveaway Time at Petit Connoisseurs
and everyone is invited to enter
My Second Blog Giveaway!

What did Rebecca see at the window?
If you think you know the answer,
enter today and you could be the lucky winner of the giveaway.

Here is a preview of what you would take home with you!

A little bear dressed in her favourite sun dress knitted by Jenny Tomkins.
She is starting 2012 with a new hobby – bobbin lace.
The bobbin lace cushion was made by Montserrat Folch.
We will launch a collection of Montserrat’s miniatures to buy on our website later this month.

To enter our giveaway you must be a subscriber
to our Petit Connoisseurs Newsletter.
You can join up today by visiting
Petit Connoisseurs Newsletter Subscribe

Once you have joined up for our newsletter,
please email your answer to
francois@petitconnoisseurs.com

You will have time to enter until the 31st January 2012.
The Very Best of Luck to All of You!

Please visit the following websites showcasing the talents of artisans featured here:
- Rebecca was created by Lisa Johnson-Richards -
- French Lovers Settee was painted and dressed by Maritza Moran -
- Petite Point Carpet was made by Jacques Andre Human NEW PILLOWS COMING SOON! -

Best Wishes
- Francois -

One Magic Christmas – Part III

Petit Connoisseurs — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:45:51 +0000

Dear Loyal Petit Blog Followers, Clients & Artisans -
I hope you had the most wonderful Christmas and Holiday time
with family and friends.
I would like to send you my good wishes for now and for the year ahead.
Thank you to each and everyone for your continued support.
My apologies for the belated third part of One Magic Christmas
that I promised to write on Christmas Eve.
So here then is my Night Before Christmas…

The Darling children are visiting their grandparents
at their house in the Swiss Alps.

All the (adult) shopping has been done…

…most of the presents have been wrapped…

Santa is expected to arrive somewhere after Cinderella time
with a few more special deliveries for the grandchildren.

The warmth of the fire hugs everyone together
while the children dream of more snow days of fun…
maybe tomorrow or the day after…
Cindy Lotter painted the beautiful lady
waiting in the snow to meet her love.

Little Christian is putting the finishing touches on the tree
that he and his siblings decorated with grandma.
He was made by Susan Scogin.

Grandma made a sincere promise that each of them can have a special sweet treat…

…before it is time to say farewell to the night before Christmas!

Harry is admiring one of grandma’s gingerbread houses.

Lisa Johnson-Richards created Harry and dressed him in his best pajamas for Christmas Eve.
His favourite bear is by Anita Oliver.

From one little angel to another…

Angelique has just fallen asleep while she was reading The Christmas Carol
to a few of her travelling friends.

Her collection of bears were made by Anita Oliver, Lisa Lloyd and Anna Braun.

Angelique was made by Susan Scogin.

Grandpa is about to whisk her away to dreamland…

Grandma has prepared most of the surprises coming from her kitchen.
Now it is time for her to enjoy her Christmas decorating
before bedtime.

Grandma’s collection of Christmas decorations and ornaments
bring their beautiful home to life during the festive season.

Grandpa will now go and read to the children
the Clement Clarke Moore poem that inspired my Night before Christmas.

“Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hope that St Nicholas soon would be there.”

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Best Wishes
- Francois –

One Magic Christmas – Part II

Petit Connoisseurs — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:27:54 +0000

I would like to send a Special Christmas Wish to all my loyal blog followers.
May you have the most wonderful time with everyone dear to your heart.

Welcome to my home in spirit.
I hope you enjoy this gallery of my Christmas decorating as much as I do…

Thank you for your visit.

Part III of One Magic Christmas will appear on Christmas Eve. See you soon.

Petit Christmas Wishes
- Francois -