Bowerbird, Barn and a Bonus!

Here are 3 B's:

Bowerbird Bazaar in Adelaide this weekend was amazing!  It was an epic event with thousands of people flooding to the show grounds to view the wares by over 100 talented stallholders.  It was a blast and I can't wait until I get the chance to do it again.  How I love the community of like-minded Makers/Designers that get a chance to hang-out at events like this: so much fun!

Onto our next event: this Saturday we'll be at the The Barn Market at Rosny Barn.  It's their biggest ever market with stallholders jam-packed right throughout the inside and outside of the venue.  If you live in Hobart, this is one NOT to miss!

And finally, a little bonus for those who have signed up to our mailing list. There will be a special code to use on the website right up until Christmas.  If you would like to sign up, there is a link in the top right hand column of this blog.  #wink wink#  If you've already done so, keep an eye out at the end of this week.

Over and out!!!  

Helen x

Your chance to get in first with our simply magical super-sized clouds.

Would you like a cloud meal deal? Would you like to upsize that? To a large? Actually 'jumbo'? Ok, in reality it's more like 'super size'? Well, you might need to feast your eyes on this...

I am now taking orders for these exquisitely, divine, super-sized clouds. You are able to purchase them individually or as a set or 3. Available in either a teal wave pattern (20 available only) or mirrors, you can choose from a Tasmanian blackwood or bamboo frame. They are magical!

Here they are as displayed on our stand at the recent Life Instyle trade show in Melbourne.  

Sizes and prices as follows: 

Small: approx. 55cm wide x 30cm high ~ $425.00
Medium: approx 85cm wide x 45cm high ~ $650.00
Large: approx 140cm x 70cm ~ $1100.00

Set of 3 (small, medium & large) ~ $1950 (save $225.00)

Shipping available within Australia.

My loyal blog/facebook followers: This is your chance to jump to the front of the queue and place your order, as these babies will be released to the public for the first time at the Deloraine Craft Fair next Friday. Please note:  the teal wave pattern is LIMITED EDITION with only 20 sets being made (2 SOLD already). First in = best dressed (house).

Due to the labour involved, there is at least a 1 week turn-around per set of clouds, so if you have the perfect place for these lovely creations in your home and need them pronto, you'd better get in quick.

To discuss your super-sized cloud order with me, either phone or email:

email: helen@pilipalapieces.com.au

mobile: 0407 259 701

I can't wait to talk to you about making some of these yours. 

Helen x

Very Pintresting....

3 of our Pili Pala Pieces Pintrest boards

Personally, I've been on pintrest for a while, but it struck me that perhaps Pili Pala Pieces should pin 'pintresting' things as well.  (How many 'p's can I fit in one sentence?)

Some of what we've been pinning this week.

Since Pili Pala is such a visual brand with underlying values placed on our unique take on style, trends and creativity, it seemed obvious that we should create visual boards that share the things that inspire us.  Not only that, but by pinning Pili Pala products, we can share our pieces all around the world.

I'd love it if you could help us spread a little Pili Pala love and also follow our boards for your own inspiration.  A warning - for those of you not already on the Pintrest bandwagon - it is addictive.

For personal Pintrest accounts, you can make your own boards about interiors, fashion, style, kids activities, tips and tricks, make-up know-hows, etc.  It's a visual place to store all of the things you've seen on the internet and wished that you could retain.  By following other peoples boards, you'll find the most amazing things and tips and prettiness.

For businesses, it's a perfect place to show your customers your style, your taste and your branding undertones.  It shows in pictures what you can't describe in words and helps explain a little bit more about who you are and what you are about.

I hope to see you over there - come follow us!

Helen x

Follow us on Pintrest here.

NEW!!! Version #2 - Smartphone wallets.

Yes, you read correctly.  There is now a version #2 of our smartphone wallets. It will be released at the end of October and we are taking pre-orders NOW - to order click here!

My smartphone wallet story...
For years I've been infatuated with leather wallets and handbags and it had been in the back of my mind to have a go at designing my own leather range at some stage.  The things that I look for in leather products include being well made, being an interesting colour (not your average black, brown or red) and having eye-catching/well placed details.  After obsessive looking, I felt that there was a gap in the market for this kind of product.

So at the beginning of 2012, I decided to actually try designing (it was a huge 8 month learning curve from conception to completion) and I'm so glad that I did!!!  When I looked around, I realised that there was nothing out there with an illustration on it (patterns yes, but not illustrations).  And, since my illustrations had been so successful, it was a natural step to add them to my design.  At the beginning of the designing process it was also clear that having a space to store my iPhone would be more than handy (I'd just had a baby and was sick of trying to juggle a baby on my hip plus a handbag, plus my keys, plus my phone, plus, plus, plus - so the concept of adding a phone to the wallet was obvious).

I set out to create a beautiful coloured wallet, that was uniquely detailed with my illustrations and was clever in storage options.  I chose colours that were on trend, but specifically dyed for me (these aren't colours of leather you can just buy off the shelves).  I chose beautiful 100% linen to print my illustrations on and organic calico to print the cloud interior on.

There is so much more to the design story, including lots of ups and downs, many steep, steep learning curves and new words, terms and phrases to discover, but in the end, it all worked out.  And, I had no idea how much of a hit they would be; of course I dreamt they would be received well, but you just never know with these things.

So, as 2013 rolled on, it was clear that iPhones were no longer completely dominating the mobile market and the much larger (in dimension) Samsungs and HTC mobiles were beginning to creep in and be just as popular; so back to the drawing board I went.  Hence, I have re-designed the wallet to fit a wider range of phones.  Now, with 18 card slots and 3 note compartments, there remains a coin section, 4 illustrations (1 NEW) to choose from, the ever-popular custom colours and of course, a pouch for your smartphone (iPhones, Samsungs, HTC's and Nokias, plus more, will all fit).  This next round is due to be released to stockists and customers at the end of October and I can't wait to see the reaction.

If you want to be among the first to get your hands on one of these babies, you can place a pre-order on our website.  Click here!

New layout inside.  

The new 'Lets go fly a kite' illustration. 

Clouds, clouds, everywhere...

You may be able to tell that I have a slight obsession with clouds. They have taken over much of my branding and products in the past 18 months. You'll find them on my wallets, my wall prints, and in various forms such as brooches and cloud art.

Who doesn't love clouds?  I find clouds to be both whimsical and comforting - like a big fluffy hug. Actually, for me, my absolute favourite part of a plane trip is when the plane descends through the clouds - all I want to do is jump out of my window and skip around in them.  I've always wondered what a cloud feels like - sometimes they bump against a plane during decent, so can you actually feel a cloud?

My cloud art has been a huge hit lately and is consequently popping up in many boutique stores around Australia. Here is a little compilation of the photos that my stockists have been taking....

 As seen at Hope and Me

 Clouds at Incy Interiors

Window display at Melody Nelson.

Loving the crates at Miss Frou Frou

 Photo taken by Life Instyle

Our Life Instyle stall display.  

You'll notice our super-sized clouds on the wall.  Well, if you keep an eye on us, there may just be more details to come in the next few weeks. 

You can find more about our cloud art on the website here.

Helen x

Getting out there in the wintery cold.....

There's snow on Mt Wellington here in Hobart - finally!!!  I love winter and all the wintery clothing goodness you get to wear; jackets and scarves and my absolute necessity (and slight obsession with) boots and stockings!!!

In amongst the cold, things have been heating up here at Pili Pala Pieces.  Some of our products have even been spotted on various facebook pages, curated product round-ups and magazines.  Have a little squiz below; woot!

Our products made it into the amazingly awesome 'Vintage Caravan Magazine' earlier this year.  Chuffed!  

   

Our stunning clouds also made the facebook cover picture for the month of June over at Down That Little Lane.  Have you been shopping in that online store?  Ah-mazing!!!

And then, to top it all off, one of the sellers on Down That Little Lane choose our clouds to feature as part of their curated collection; labelled 'pure and natural'.

I love seeing Pili Pala out and about in the big wide world.  It's like my baby is growing up and heading off to Primary School.  

Over and out.  Helen x

Fun...

I had a bit of fun making this little video to promote the new website (it actually looks better on the facebook page).  I made it during sunset - can you tell?

I'd love to hear your thoughts about the new website - please tell us by leaving a comment on our facebook page.

It's that time of year...

It's that time of year when all of the boutique, artisan markets start up again.  Apart from our regular appearances at Salamanca Market, we'll be participating in the first Barn Market of the year and it's set to be a biggie.

We'll be there with a lovely range of new goodies to show off as well as all of your favourites.  Plus, another run of our overwhelmingly popular wallets have been completed, meaning ALL of the designs are now back in stock and available at markets or online.  

I hope to see you soon happy people. x 

Festivities

Christmas for us meant a trip to South Australia to spend Christmas through to new years with our family and friends in our home town. It also meant some time completely off from all things Pili Pala, but that doesn't mean my creativity was on holidays.  I couldn't stop thinking about new designs and little projects and I'm actually pretty excited about what lies ahead for 2013.... stay tuned!

In the meantime - Pili Pala was a part of many a Christmas around Australia and the world (thank you so much for your 'thank you's' - I love hearing from you).  We also got to do some custom name tags for a stylish party that was held in Melbourne just prior to Christmas (see photos below) - quite lovely and refreshingly zesty!!!

Meanwhile, the day before Christmas I recieved a lovely email from Rachel who eagerly wanted to show me the cushions she'd just finished making.  'Peter' has a significant meaning for her family, and so she'd made 2 cushions featuring our 'Fly Away Peter' and 'Come Back Peter' tea-towels as Christmas presents for her parents.  Rather cute!  Thanks for sharing Rachel: I hope your parents like them.

Well, it's full steam ahead now, with new designs and products in the works as we gear up for a big year at Pili Pala Pieces.  This will be our 5th year - unbelievable!!!!

Jolly and Bright!

What an amazing year for Pili Pala Pieces!! Thank you for your part in our ever growing and expanding business.  The end of 2012 means that Pili Pala has been operating for 4 years now and has been my full-time job for 3 years; and I'm so greatful, overwhelmed and proud that I get to do what I love.  It will continue to be my goal to bring you products that are unique, distinct and desirable and I already have a lot of ideas for new products that will appear in 2013!

I wish you and your families a very merry, safe and enjoyable Christmas.  I look forward to continuing to share new and exciting products with you in 2013!

Any purchases made in the online shop will be delivered in time for Christmas if purchased up until midnight on Wednesday 19th December.  Orders placed after this time will be sent on Monday 7th January.  We'll also be at Salamanca Market tomorrow and next Saturday (see details to the right).

The online shop will be closed from Sunday 23rd December - Friday 4th January.  

With love and joy, Helen