I'm A Big Fan

 

When we were in Valencia, Spain we went to a shop called Abanicos Carbonell.  Paula Carbonell, seen above, is the fifth-generation owner of the shop. The fan she is holding and the three in front of her are the ones that I purchased.

The shop itself was opened in 1810 and her great-great-grandfather bought the business in 1864.  When we walked into the shop, she and her only employee (the woman seen below) were assembling the fans by hand.  Paula was cutting out silk that she hand-painted and was going to glue to the fan ribs, and her employee was cutting lace to use on the edging of some of the fans.  They do EVERYTHING by hand. 

Paula hand paints the silk herself and has fans in her shop that sell for as much as $5,000.00! My cousin was getting married in November 2023 (we were in Spain in January 2023) and I wanted to get a fan for her.  Paula suggested a neutral-colored silk with gold writing, thinking it would be elegant for a wedding.  I took her suggestion.  On the front of the fan, she lettered my cousin's name and, on the back, the date of the wedding.

The shop has made fans for celebrities and for famous Paris fashion designers to use in their runway shows.  She's had numerous articles written about her which she had displayed in the shop (see photo below) and while we were there she told us that she was making 200 fans for a high-end designer's runway show.  

As a person who carries a fan everywhere, I was thrilled that we found this shop.  I was overwhelmed with all the choices and it was hard enough for me to settle on the four fans that I purchased. 

I have to tell you though, it was well worth the money.  My cousin loved her wedding fan and I was so pleased to be able to contribute a little keepsake item for her special day.  And I, of course, love my fans.  

The owner, Paula, really treated us all so well.  I would definitely recommend her shop to anyone looking for a gift from Valencia that has a history behind it in addition to carrying on the tradition of making the item by hand.  

There's something to be said about this kind of craftsmanship.

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2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2018: Out To The Pacific
2017: Feeding Time For Dad
2016: May The Best Friend Win
2015: 140 Characters Just Doesn't Cut It
2014: Wyoming In June
2013: I Will Not Be Decaffeinated 
2012: Sweeeeeeet
2011: Summer On The Farm
2010: This Should Be The Next “New Parent” Handbook
2009: Would You Like A Little Screech To Go With Your Whine?
2008: Jane’s Anatomy
2007: Plus People Are Here To Stay
2006: Baiting The Hook
2005: Purgatory