Bandit Wines
A quick trip to Paris
Confectionique is a Parisian flea market in the most unlikely space - in other words, in a Middleton business park. Proprietors Anastasia and Adam Korbitz comb the markets of Paris (and other parts of Europe) for special finds; they bring a new theme to their haute Midwestern flea market each month. You might find anything from furniture to jewelry.
Confectionique is usually open only the second weekend of every month, though for October, and a special Halloween event, it switches to the third weekend. From 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18, Confectionique kicks off its October market with "Midnight in (Spooky) Paris," followed by open hours 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20, and noon-4 p.m. Oct. 21.
Confectionique: 8300 Airport Rd., Middleton; 608-620-4783, confectionique.com
Green wine two ways
Some wine bottles are green, sure, but these wine bottles are put to a green use no matter what their actual color. Madison artist David Guilfoose takes wine bottles and cuts them with flair to make them into vases, candlestick holders, "bells" (like a windchime), "lamps" (really glass shades for suspended tea candles, which are nestled in corkscrew-like wire), and earrings (using the small part of the neck as a dangling hoop). The unique shapes and shadings of various bottles are celebrated, especially in the vase cuts. Find Guilfoose at the Saturday Dane County Farmers' Markets or greenwinebottles.com.
There's another way of looking at green wine. Instead of recycling bottles, reduce the carbon footprint of your wine consumption by lessening the packaging weight and overall impact. While there are a number of box wines on the market, Bandit (banditwines.com) and its commitment to sustainable packaging stands out (along with its bright, most picnic-able Pinot Grigio). The paper Tetra Pak is lighter to transport to market and, in the end, also recyclable. It's available in a size comparable to a bottle and a smaller, packable half-bottle size, in Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangria and Moscato.
Use it again
By now we're familiar with the concept of the ReStore, run by Habitat for Humanity as a clearinghouse to help homeowners, remodelers and other building pros keep materials and supplies out of landfills. The second, west-side store is new this fall, and customers can keep up to date on what's in store by following the ReStore's Facebook posts. Need to paint something when it doesn't matter particularly what color it is? Somebody else's failed paint experiment will save plenty of money.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore West: 5906 Odana Rd.; East: 208 Cottage Grove Rd.; phone for both: 608-661-2813. Hours for both 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. restoredane.org/shop
Make it at home
Brew & Grow of Madison, currently located at 3317 Agriculture Dr. on Madison's far east side, will be moving to the old Hans' Sewing Center space at 1521 Williamson St. The store sells kits for beer and wine making; ingredients for beer, wine and soda making; and all kinds of hardware and equipment, from fermentation locks to grain mills. The move is not expected to take place until January.
