Oct

6

Copper-Crazy

Filed Under Consumer Concerns, Home Management, Life & Leisure | Leave a Comment


That would be me.

I don’t know why, but of late, I’ve been a bit obsessed with copperware — from copper sauce pans, copper roasting pans, and copper ice buckets to copper plant holders, copper watering cans, copper wall decors, and even a copper coal holder (to think we don’t even have a fireplace).

Since they are a bit pricey — a set of handcrafted 2.5 mm copper pots and pans, for instance, may cost between USD800.00 plus and USD1,900.00 plus (depending, of course, on the copper products and the number of pieces included in the special package) — I buy my copper cookware and garden stuff in secondhand shops, flea markets, and antique fairs.

At the recently concluded Fete de la Brocante Le Landeron, reportedly the largest outdoor antique fair in Switzerland, I bought a secondhand copper coal holder (see photo) from a friendly Dutch couple for CHF40.00/USD35.00. I now use it as a flower pot holder. I also bought a rectangular plant holder worth CHF35.00/USD31.00 from them (partially seen in the photo), which now serves as our “mini herb center.”

In Le Landeron, I also purchased a medium-sized copper sauce pan from a French-speaking Swiss lady, who generously gave me a CHF7.00/USD6.00 discount — original price was CHF25.00/USD22.00 — after telling her that I’m a ‘mere’ language student in Switzerland.

At a huge brocante shop (a former hotel which now houses probably one of the largest Swiss secondhand shops I’ve visited since 2003) situated in a village near Interlaken, I recently bought two copper sauce pans — among other things, that is — for only CHF25.00 (what a bargain).

Because of this recent copper mania (it’s fast rubbing off on my husband), space has become an issue — again. We live in a rather small apartment, and it’s not the place for a collector like me (I need rehab…fast!). Some things have to be put in boxes and stored in the communal attic. While the other items, which eat up too much space in our cupboards, have to be donated to Salvation Army (we already delivered the first batch of kitchenware to the Heilsarmee Brocki in our town).

In the meantime, the sight of copperware in our balcony garden and kitchen makes me happy. Copper rocks my world in this phase of my so-called Swiss life.

Oct

1

Goodwill Bags

Filed Under Consumer Concerns, Faith & Values, Home Management, Society & Culture, Swissness | 2 Comments

I’m amazed that we were still able to give away some of our clothes and shoes — all in good condition — to charity in late August, despite the fact that we had already filled up those Swiss charity plastic bags as well as sent medium-sized boxes filled with slightly used clothing and footwear to a church in Ukraine prior to our recent SoliTex contribution. (SoliTex has a similar system like TEXAID’s.)

We don’t really spend lots of money on clothes here since the prices, as my Czech friend would say, are “nicht normal” (not normal). And we buy shoes only when necessary. So, yes, we’ve been a bit thrifty when it comes to fashion. It rather goes well with my natural inclination towards the ‘minimalist look.’ So kein Problem.

So, how were we able to give regularly to Swiss charitable organizations like TEXAID and SoliTex (those are SoliTex bags in the picture)? Beats me. I can’t really account for it.

It’s a mystery — and a great one at that. I believe God is behind this; He has always been. His continuous provision never ceases to amaze me. His economics goes beyond human understanding.

I hope my favorite pair of black suede boots will make somebody’s feet warm and comfy this coming winter.

Thanks, SoliTex (and to TEXAID), for allowing us to take part in your noble vision in our own small way.

(Note: Founded in 1996, SoliTex is a Swiss organization that spearheads a systematic collection of used clothes, shoes, and house articles for charity, in partnership with five relief organizations. It’s one of the four organizations — the three others being TEXAID, CONTEX, and SATEX — that collect used textiles all over Switzerland for ‘purpose-driven recycling.’)

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