SHOPPING IN CUENCA - Friday Morning at ARTESA WAREHOUSE

My SPECIAL friends just bought a condo in Cuenca.  Time for them to decorate!  So it was my decorating passion to accept my girlfriend's invitation to accompany her on her first trip to Artesa Warehouse to find their dinnerware.  I have not been there since my first Artesa shopping spree back in April when I bought dinnerware pieces for our unfurnished apartment.  I still remember that Friday morning, poking and picking through all the beautiful artistic colorful "segundos" - knowing I was getting a 50% to 60% discount.

Have you been there yet?  If you haven't, you should!  Just for the experience!  The warehouse is opened every Friday morning at 8 a.m.  Sometimes people (mostly ex-pats) will be lined up early and waiting for the doors to open.  We arrived at around 9:15 am and there were about 15 other people already hunkered over the piles of wares picking through the vast assortment of dinnerware, cups, saucers, vases, teapots, mugs, salt and pepper shakers, large artistic platters, artistically painted tiles, and so much more.  

So, what makes this ceramic ware so special?  For me, it is absolutely one-of-a-kind beautiful ART.  As you know, I LOVE ART.  When I was furnishing my current apartment, I didn't want ordinary dinnerware.  I've always had bright colorful (remember, I'm not AFRAID of color) dishes and table settings.  I also have the motto, "ALL BEAUTIFUL THINGS GO TOGETHER."  So, this has set me free to NOT MATCH but to MIX AND MATCH.  I remember how much fun I had that morning picking various dinner plates that were completely different colors and patterns, as well as salad plates, bowls, mugs, and vases.  Every time we have friends over for dinner, I love placing a different non-matching setting for each special guest, and because all of it is beautiful, it goes together!  For me, matching is bondage!  Hey, it doesn't make it wrong for you, it just makes not matching it right for me!! 

My understanding is that this ceramic business was started in the 70's by two famous Cuencano artists - Eduardo Vega and Raymondu Crespo.  Apparently their sons took over the family business, and Vega's son started his studio in this area of Ecuador.  Thus, the famous name VEGA on these beautifully designed pieces.  You will see the VEGA dinnerware at some of the finer local restaurants in Cuenca such as Tiesto's, Nectar, and others.  The first time I saw this beautiful art was at Tiesto's, and I knew I had to have some for ME!  And, so I do!!

I'm a bargain shopper!  I love living frugally, and the hunt, the find, and the savings is how I enjoy decorating. So, having an artistic ceramic "segundos" warehouse right in Cuenca is a shopping gold-mine for me.  Back in the 70's, I took some community college pottery classes, so I have a real appreciation for this art medium.  I shudder at melmac and plastic dinnerware.  UGH!  I love breakable!!  Then you have to shop again and replace it - yea!!!  REMEMBER:  Though this is a seconds warehouse with amazing 50-60% discount flawed imperfect or chipped wares, you cannot see on some items that there is a chip or flaw.  Also, I read that you can cover up some of the chips with fingernail polish of that color.  Hey, whatever works to have this amazing art in my home.  

The business began about 40 years ago, started by two famous Cuenca artists, Raymundo Crespo and Eduardo Vega.
Their sons carried on the legacy, with Raymundo's son starting a studio in Loja and Eduardo's son starting one in Turi, just outside of and above Cuenca. They recently sold Artesa to the Eljuri family.
- See more at: http://www.captivatingcuenca.com/artesa-ceramics-cuenca.html#sthash.XgnZutjI.dpuf

The business began about 40 years ago, started by two famous Cuenca artists, Raymundo Crespo and Eduardo Vega.
Their sons carried on the legacy, with Raymundo's son starting a studio in Loja and Eduardo's son starting one in Turi, just outside of and above Cuenca. They recently sold Artesa to the Eljuri family.
- See more at: http://www.captivatingcuenca.com/artesa-ceramics-cuenca.html#sthash.XgnZutjI.dpuf

Today's Treasures from Artesa Warehouse (except the teapot - I broke the lid and needed a new one).  CAN YOU SEE THE FLAWS????  Not really!!

 

TOTAL:  $18.55  En serio (seriously) !!!!

Tiny flowerpot plates:  63 and 80 cents each

Flour pots: 62 cents each (I bought 4, they charged me for one)

Oil Jar: 3.10

Sugar bowl: 2.27

Creamer: 2.21

Large plates:  2.75 each

Vase:  Another no charge item!

I can't give you an accurate accounting, since they didn't charge me for certain items (God's Favor AGAIN).  Being the honest person that I am, I was unable to point it out.  Why?  Well, the process is a bit backwards, go figure!

1 - You pick your treasures in the warehouse then take them to the front packing table (be sure to ask for a box or tray so that you don't have to hand-lug dishes around as you pick through them.  I saw people with arm-loads of ceramics, carrying them while they still were perusing the piles - and one woman almost knocked over an entire area of ceramics with her backpack when she was turning around - yikes! How in the world.....?   I had a large tray that the woman at the packing table gave me, put it in a safe corner outside the narrow back seconds area with a paper on the tray that I wrote on saying, "Linda's stuff - please do not touch!"  Some (I said SOME) ex-pats are very GRABBY.  Every time I found a treasure, I walked it over to my tray.  Pretty clever, hey???

2 - The packing person will hand-write every item you are purchasing with a tiny pencil on a torn piece of paper (so antiquated).  After you are done selecting your treasures, you go to the packing area.  I once again received God's favor when the "joven" (young one) helping me smiled and said she wasn't charging me for a tea pot lid I had chosen.  I carefully reviewed the list with her to make sure the items matched what I had chosen (people make honest mistakes).  They matched!!

3- While the packers are carefully (and I mean carefully) packing your treasures, you then go to another area where someone will enter your items into the computer.  That person then hands you back a computer print-out of your items and your original piece of penciled-written paper with your itemized treasures.  At this point, you still have no idea how much anything costs.

4 - You then go out the door and across the walkway into the "store" - where table displays of absolutely amazing artistic colorful dinnerware sets, and walls displaying breathtaking ceramic VEGA art are crying out, "BUY ME."  There is a woman at a computer who takes your print-out and penciled paper, asks you for your passport or cedula, and then proceeds to ask for your address and phone number.  She then begins to enter each item (AGAIN!!! - Wouldn't you think that the person who ALREADY entered your items in the warehouse connected to the store computer and she had that information in front of her?  NOT!!).  She now gives you your total (by now you have no idea what you chose and what's on the list).  So, make sure you are SURE about what you chose, 'cause it's already packed!  If you don't like the total, too bad.  Yeah, they can unpack everything and take out what you decided you don't want because you didn't like the total or didn't have enough money.  Come prepared, and keep it simple.  My friend had picked some items in the front of the back warehouse area, and it boosted her seconds amount from $75 to $130.  She was in a bit of shock, but being the gracious woman she is, she accepted the total and PAID IT!  The items in the front of the warehouse by the packing tables are the ORIGINAL prices with a 20% discount.  Be sure you know what you are purchasing and doing there!! 

5 - After you pay the "Store" cashier (CASH ONLY), you go back to the warehouse across the walkway and pick up your perfectly packed box or bag of treasures.  

When I arrived home, I was able to unpack and compare the penciled paper with the computerized paper to my chosen items.  I saw that the penciled paper had 14 items on it.  The computerized paper had 10 items on it.  So, I took the time to compare and figure out that I was not charged for the teapot lid (I already knew that from the packing girl who winked at me), and also for three of the flowerpots and a vase.  So, my total of $18.55 was a steal, truly.

I don't like the fact that I wasn't able to point this out, but when you go there you will see that the process is not amenable to pointing out errors.  They herd you along, and you pay what they figure for you.  I'm not interested in changing their process and making it better.  This is Ecuador, and they have their antiquated way that works for them.  I am happy with my items, what they decided to charge me, and my new artistic additions to my already beautiful apartment.  Again, if you haven't visited VEGA Warehouse and you love beautiful things, you must go!!!

PS - I am an "Earthy Color" woman.  The fish dish is going to be a beautiful gift for a special Cuencana friend who is having a birthday soon!!! Artesa Ceramics make great gifts!!!

I  LOVE MY ARTESA FINDS TODAY!!!!

The business began about 40 years ago, started by two famous Cuenca artists, Raymundo Crespo and Eduardo Vega. - See more at: http://www.captivatingcuenca.com/artesa-ceramics-cuenca.html#sthash.XgnZutjI.dpuf