1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 246 This will definitely be the core symbol of rural aesthetics in southern France in the future!

The unceasing autumn wind is like a drunkard, pulling out the leaves on the grape vines bit by bit.

The bald vines are like whips covered with barbs, lashing the culprit who blew them bald to show their anger. They will even indiscriminately attack anyone who walks into the vineyard.

Grapevines are very tough and the wood inside is also very hard, so it is very painful to hit people with them.

Cornell, who was not afraid of pain, led the way, and Pierre walked behind him, checking the situation in the vineyard while explaining to Ronan:
"Grape vines have too many fibers and will not rot even if they are buried in the soil for the entire winter, so they cannot be used as fertilizer. Our previous practice was to cut them off and burn them all together."

Ronan looked around:

"Pile them up and burn them together?"

Ronan came to a vineyard that Pierre was in charge of. It was much larger than the one in front of his house and one could not see the end of it at a glance.

Pierre pointed to a rusty wheelbarrow on a ridge and said:

"We cut and burn them at the same time. We have a special wheelbarrow-type incinerator. Burning them all at once is too dangerous. We leave 2-4 buds on short branches and 8-12 buds on long branches, and cut off everything else. We can cut more than 1 kilogram of branches from a single grape vine, and 10-3 tons of fresh branches from every 5 mu of land."

Henry, who came along, muttered:

"You can also take them home and use them as firewood, but the grape branches are uneven in thickness, so the flame is very unstable and needs frequent adjustments, and it also produces a lot of smoke."

Henry is one of the poorest people in the village. If even he says this thing is not useful, it means that no one will use grape branches to make firewood.

Ronan stopped in front of a grape vine, picked up a few and looked at them carefully for a while:
"No one ever comes to collect them?"

Theo pouted:

"Do you know how many hectares of vineyards there are in Provence? This thing is like weeds on the road, worthless. Who would buy it?"

The other farmers all expressed their approval.

What else can we do with the cut branches if we don’t burn them?

Ronan put down the grape vine in his hand:

"Henry, don't throw away what you cut later. Take some to the restaurant."

"Okay, Mr. Ronan!" Henry would not say no to anything Ronan said and would only obey unconditionally.

But the other farmers didn't understand.

What does Ronan need this garbage for?
After leaving the vineyard, Ronan did not return to the restaurant, but went home, took out his phone book, and called Cafu.

He guessed that the whole Luberon was now under the shadow of the fire, and Cafu should have temporarily stopped working.

Sure enough, Cafu's wife said Cafu was at home today.

"Hey man, are you renovating something again? It's peak renovation season in Provence now. Those big bosses want to move into their upgraded holiday villas for Christmas. I have to go back to work tomorrow, so I'm afraid I won't be able to take on your request until next year."

Ronan suggested with a smile:
"Since we don't resume work until tomorrow, why don't you come over to my place for a drink today?"

Cafu said in a depressed tone:

"The wind is too strong. I won't go."

Ronan paused:
"What if I say I could consider selling you some weaving crafts now?"

Ronan heard a flurry of voices coming from the other end of the line, and the receiver seemed to have fallen to the ground:
"I'll be there in 25 minutes."

Cafu is very interested in the various rattan furniture, Chinese lamps and accessories in Ronan's restaurant. He hopes to bring this style of items to the Provence market. But the prerequisite is that Ronan can supply him with them.

He had mentioned this matter to Ronan many times during the decoration stage, but at that time the restaurant was about to open, and Ronan had no energy or time to consider it, so he refused again and again.

The restaurant's customer flow has been greatly reduced this month due to strong winds and arson. The employees have nothing to do every day. Maybe you can consider arranging something else for them to do?

Especially when Ronan discovered that the farmers had burned all the grape vines, he felt that this matter had to be done even more.

All the rattan used to make rattan chairs were bought by Ronan from Apt at the price of 1 franc per root. If purchased by ton, the price of twigs that meet the requirements is 500 francs per ton.

Although the vines purchased were of a different type, Ronan had just checked the vines and found that their diameters ranged from 0.5 cm to 2 cm.

Thin branches with a diameter of 0.5 cm to 1 cm can be used to make lamps and decorations after processing, and thick branches can be left to make other handicrafts, all of which are money.

10 acres of land can produce 3-5 tons of fresh branches. There are more than 3000 acres of vineyards near Lourmarin. In Ronan's view, there is a whole gold mountain waiting for him to mine!
It took Cafu less than 25 minutes to show up at Ronan's restaurant.

There were no people or cars on the road now, and he was probably driving on the dirt road in Luberon as if it were an F1 track.

"You finally figured it out." As soon as Cafu saw Ronan, he put his two big hands like bear paws on his left and right shoulders.

"Sit down and talk." Ronan asked the waiter to bring Cafu a bottle of red wine, but Cafu couldn't wait any longer.

He picked up the pink wine on Ronan's table, poured it for himself and Ronan, and smiled like an innocent big child:

"You know, I've been thinking about this every day for the past few months. Maybe we can start a decorative style reform in southern France."

The unreliability of the people of Provence is ingrained in their bones.

A team of craftsmen as reliable and efficient as Cafu is harder to find in Provence than a three-legged toad.

He has no time to rest all year round, and his wife is as busy as a switchboard operator every day.

But Cafu's energy and manpower are limited, and he can only decorate so many houses every year. But if he sells things related to decoration, it will be a different story.

Over the years, he has cooperated with countless clients, as well as clients he approached but failed to cooperate with, and he knows everyone working in the decoration-related industry in Provence. As long as the product is good enough and unique enough, there is no shortage of sales channels.

You can't be a craftsman all your life. It's purely physical work. Who doesn't want to be a big boss like Ronan?
"I've heard too many beautiful fantasies lately, so let's talk about practical matters." Ronan pulled Kafu down from the sky. "Have you recommended any Chinese-style accessories to your clients recently?"

Kafu slammed the table angrily:
"No, how can I recommend something without your consent? What if the customer wants it but I can't give it to him?"

It would be difficult to deal with the situation without knowing the market's acceptance. Ronan did not have time to wait for Cafu to slowly find out the situation. What lay before him was the issue of employee salaries this month.

He asked Cafu:
“How would you like to market this style of jewelry to the Provence market?”

Cafu said seriously:

"Give me 2 or 3 samples of each thing you know. The more the better. I will recommend them to my customers and channels."

Ronan pointed at the straw lamp above his head, then at the straw and rattan ornaments on the wall and asked:

“How much do you estimate one would sell for?”

Cafu thought for a moment:
“小饰品50-100法郎，墙面挂饰80-150法郎，灯视繁复程度200-500法郎。”

Ronan began to calculate the time limit.

After mastering the skills, you can make two small ornaments in an hour, wall hangings in 2-1 hours, and two of the most complicated lamps a day.

Calculated this way, this rate of return is completely acceptable.

If the market opens up, not only will the employees' salary problem be solved, but maybe we can also make money from it?
But this price.
"Are you sure someone would pay such a high price for these decorations?" Ronan confirmed again.

The women in the village spend 8-12 days sewing an embroidered quilt, but they can only sell it for 300-500 francs.

Cafu smiled and spread his hands:

"My friend, don't forget who my clients are. This is just the price I paid you, and the price I sell to them will only be higher."

Ronan smiled and nodded.

Understood.

It seems that the first target customers for these Chinese accessories when they are put on the market are wealthy businessmen from all over the world.

"I can make samples for you to sell. If they are sold, I can also provide you with long-term supply." Ronan and Cafu have worked together many times and are considered good friends, so he didn't hide anything when talking.

He pointed at the deserted restaurant and said with a wry smile:
"But it will take you a long time to sell those Chinese ornaments, and I want to make some money quickly. Is there any way to make quick money?"

Kafu stroked the cup, thought for a long time and then said:

"There's a way to make some quick money, but I don't know if you can do it."

"What?" Ronan looked over expectantly.

Cafu waved his tree-trunk arms:

"Christmas is coming soon, and now's the time to sell some Christmas decorations. Rich people want something different when they return to their holiday homes; they're tired of stockings and Christmas trees. If you can make something unique, I swear it will sell well. I might even stock up."

Christmas is at the end of December, and now it is mid-November, so we can start preparing.

Without saying anything, Ronan turned around and shouted to the waiters behind him:
"If anyone has Christmas decorations, can you bring me some?" Christmas in the West is like the Chinese New Year, and every household will make festive decorations.

Ronan said a word and four or five employees ran home to get something for him.

At this time, Henry also took some cut grape vines to the restaurant according to Ronan's instructions:
"Where should we put them, Mr. Ronan?"

Ronan picked out some of the items and asked Henry to move the rest to the second floor. Then he said to Cafu:

"These rattans have not been processed yet, so the things made from them will definitely not be perfect, but the style is fine."

Cafu was stunned and asked:

"Do it now? Don't you need to think about what to do and how to do it?"

Ronan tidied up the vines and smacked his lips:
"I'll make the samples today, and you can take them away and sell them today. Stay for lunch, and I'll finish the work after lunch."

Cafu: “.”

It was the first time he met someone more efficient than him in Provence!

Although there was a northwest wind, the artists who moved to Lourmarin would still come to Ronan's restaurant to eat and drink as usual, and the fire did not defeat them because of their more avant-garde ideas.

The artists who braved the strong wind to come here today all had their trip worthwhile - they actually witnessed the entire creative process of the 'artist boss'!

Ronan has been known as an "artist" for a long time, but he rarely sits down and chats with artists. This is the first time he has revealed his artistic side.

Ronan's hands bent the wire-like vines into a circle like magic.

Then he used the Christmas ornaments to play with the ring like putting on clothes. Before we could see how he did it, Ronan closed the ring and held it up to show Cafu:
"Actually, they're not very suitable for making such a brightly colored 'wreath'. But it wouldn't be right to have Christmas without red."

There were sounds of "wow" all around.

Can grape vines also be made into wreaths?
Cafu looked at the clock on the wall:

"I don't think I need to stay for lunch."

He had just ordered the food and Ronan was ready?

And you’re doing so well?

Ronan waved:

"Eat, eat, eat. This meal is on me. First, can you tell me the style of this wreath?"

The history of wreaths can be traced back to ancient times, especially the Greek and Roman periods.

Wreaths are always present in major festivals and celebrations in the West, but they are usually made of laurel, olive or other flowers and plants that symbolize life and prosperity - implying harvest and hope.

However, with the progress of the times and the awakening of human environmental awareness after the 90s, society began to advocate the use of reusable materials to make holiday decorations. Dried flowers, fruits and various decorations began to replace flowers and laurel, olive trees, etc. as materials for making wreaths.

Ronan happened to be able to take advantage of this and put this "concept" into use a few years in advance, creating something that made everyone feel fresh.

Cafu frowned, stroked his chin and looked at it for a long time.

Ronan thought he was thinking about whether grapevines could replace flowers and be accepted by the rich, but unexpectedly Cafu suddenly slammed his palm:
"120 francs each. Make me 30 first."

This thing is great, and has a good meaning. I haven’t seen it before, and it can definitely be sold to those rich people!

Cafu was very satisfied with Ronan's work, but Ronan seemed not completely satisfied with his work. He thought for a moment and said:
"I'll make another style. This one is a bit exaggerated."

Same steps, same speed.

Soon, a new grapevine wreath appeared in Ronan's hand:

"Look at this again."

The artists spoke before Cafu could.

“Can I have one, please? I love this one!”

"I want me too!"

"You have such skillful hands!"

Cafu compared the two wreaths:
"The simple ones look good, and the complicated ones look good too. I want both. They're 120 francs each, and I'll make 30 of each."

Cafu's dish was served, and he said to Ronan:
"Try selling these two first. If the feedback is good, I'll call you anytime to place an additional order."

"No problem." Ronan agreed, "Enjoy your meal. I'll go to the kitchen to check."

Ronan was stopped by an artist before he reached the kitchen.

A girl asked timidly:
"I want a wreath with bells, okay? I'll pay for it!"

This person is a regular customer of the restaurant. Ronan saw that there were still a lot of rich materials on the table and agreed:
"No need to spend money. These grape vines have not been processed, so they won't look very good when made. I'll give them to you."

Soon, the girl had a Christmas wreath in her hand that she couldn't let go.

"It's beautiful! I'm going to hang it in my closet for Christmas."

When the other artists saw that Ronan could still "order" here, they immediately surrounded him.

"I like something simple, even if it's not for Christmas."

"Okay." Ronan agreed.

They are all his 'God'. He satisfies one and not the other, which seems like he is partial to one.

The artist soon received her beloved custom-made wreath.

"Ah? Is this okay? My friend is getting married soon, can you make a wreath suitable for her?" another artist asked.

The surrounding artists looked embarrassed.

Are you putting this in a bit of a difficult position?

Is it possible to set such detailed usage scenarios?

Ronan thought for a while and started working.

After a while, he asked tentatively:
"Do you think this will work?"

What appeared in his hand was actually a heart-shaped ring!

"Oh my God, this is art, this is art!"

"Boss Ronan's ability to improvise is too strong"

"Boss, can you come to the restaurant more often in the future?"

Paulette, one of Zoe's good friends, said eagerly:
"Ronan, make one for me too!"

What girl can resist a beautiful grapevine wreath?

Ronan looked bitter:

"There are no more accessories. I can't make them anymore."

Paulette said indifferently:
"It's okay. You know, I like simple things. The simpler the better."

Ronan made something for her and raised his hands high:

"It's gone. Everything is gone. I really can't do it this time."

“What an artistic look!!!” the artists exclaimed.

Isn't this what they wanted to see when they moved to Lourmarin?!
The female artists were comparing their favorite wreaths with each other when a burly man, 1.9 meters tall, suddenly appeared among them and snatched all the wreaths away:
"Sorry, these are samples. Please wait a moment. I will give you the finished products for free in a few days. Sorry, sorry!"

Cafu shouted at Ronan's back:

"Make me 30 of each of these styles! Not just for Christmas, I want to sell these things for a long time!!"

Just by looking at the reactions of these customers, Cafu knew that this business of his and Ronan's would be a success.

In the near future, all kinds of hand-woven fabrics will definitely be the core symbols of the rural aesthetics of southern France!

(End of this chapter)