Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas you lovely bunch!  I hope you have an absolutely fabulous festive time with family and friends over the next few weeks.  

I want to pass on my sincere gratitude for your amazing support and encouragement this year.  2013 has seen Pili Pala grow exponentially into something that I am really proud of and absolutely in love with.  In fact, I'm only on day 2 of my Christmas break and I'm already overflowing with ideas about new products and designs for my new range.  I really do love what I do! When the year begins I have a few commission pieces to begin work on, and then a lot of designing to start.  I can't wait! 

But for now - it's Christmas cheer and frivolities, family, friends and a lot of scrumptious food. 

Enjoy.  Helen xx

In keeping with my vintage theme, here is a sweet illustration from a vintage French children's nativity activity book from 1953.  Divine. (image from here)

Muddled Male Mayhem

The final Saturday at Salamanca before Christmas is usually rather busy.  Along with the usual last-minute Christmas gift hunters it brings with it a collection of confused men.  I like to call it 'Muddled Male Mayhem'.  Yes, it's the day that many males have put aside to do their entire Christmas shopping, and they're often hunting for that one special gift for their significant other. 

As a consequence, there are a lot of completely bewildered men wondering around Salamanca, considering buying the first thing they see and running triumphantly back to the shelter of their cars, but deep down knowing that they should put a little bit of time and thought into their purchase.

In recent years, I've had many males arrive at my marquee, upon instruction from their partner, smile like they've won an award because they actually found the marquee they had been told to look for (thats quite a task with over 300 stalls) and then completely draw a blank on what it was that they were sent to purchase.  

So, if you (I'm assuming you are a female) would like your significant other to purchase a piece from Pili Pala this year as a Christmas gift,  I have a 4 step plan for making it happen...

1) Go to my 'look book' (click here) and print the relevant pages that contain items that you like.

2) Circle a selection of pieces that take your fancy.

3) Write 'Pili Pala Pieces' and 'facing Knopwoods Tavern, backing onto the grass' on the back of the page.  

4) Hand the above printed pages to your partner and give him the ol' 'nudge, nudge, wink, wink'. 

Voila and Ho, ho, ho!

We'll be at Site 169 tomorrow at Salamanca; yep, facing Knoppies and backing onto the grass.  Do pop by and say hello; we will be bursting at the seams with goodies. 

Helen x

I may have been M.I.A in Melbourne....

I may or may not have been M.I.A. in Melbourne for the past 3 days.  My husband and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary in November and - courtesy of babysitting by my mother - we found a few spare days this past weekend to disappear.   After working 24/7 since the beginning of May without a day off from all things Pili Pala, it was nice to do 'nothing' for 3 days.  And while we were doing nothing, we did find ourselves doing something, (like sleep-ins, movies, eating a little too much good food and general exploring) but it was nice to not have an agenda and just go with the flow.

The highlight of my trip was discovering a few little amazing boutique stores scattered throughout Melbourne.  Here are some images of my most favourite stores that were filled to the brim with beautiful wares.  Please note: these are not images that I took; I was too busy doing 'nothing' to take photos.  

Photo from here.

The Woodsfolk is a whimsical store in Hawthorn filled with bright colourful home wares mixed with a smattering of vintage finds.  Sensational for the senses.

Photo from here.

Maiike was just across the road from The Woodsfolk and equally filled with a collection of mouth-watering goodness.  A bit of adult fashion, a bit of children's fashion and home wares and a lot of just plain prettiness.  I ended up buying a chalk-board T-shirt for my daughter here; such a lovely shop.

Photo from here.

We discovered Rap on Little collins street jam-packed with a colourful array of boutique brands, including home wares, fashion, bags, children's goodies, stationery, etc.  The lovely thing about this store is that they will wrap (get it - 'rap') each product using a special japanese wrapping technique.  Love it - that means 3 less presents for me to wrap this year. 

Photo from here.

And finally, this shop was a treasure trove of delightful special pieces.  Wilkins and Kent on Little Bourke st.  My husband even stayed and had a decent look in this shop; thats clearly a 10/10 for awesomeness!

Well, for now, it's back to it:  4 markets, the final bunch of stockist orders for 2013 and keeping on top of the online orders will keep me busy right up until Christmas. 

Remember to check our facebook page for Christmas online order cut-off dates. 

The look book AND a pick-up promo!!

Fa, la, la, la, laaaaaa, la, laa, la, laaaa!  The festive season is certainly in full swing with Christmas trees and decorations going up everywhere and so far the weather feels very Christmassy too!!!  I love this time of year.  Oh, and the Christmas carols - how can you not love them when they make you feel like you are in a wonderland of cheerful, warm fuzzies.

If you missed out on this on facebook last week, you might like to check out our look book.  It contains photos of all of our products/designs in the current new range.  Click here to view it; I'm so chuffed with how it turned out.  

Click here to view the look book.

And, now - thanks to the suggestion of one of my lovely customers - I am offering a Salamanca PRE-ORDER, PICK-UP service for the next 3 weeks.  This means, you can peruse our look book, place your order and simply swing by on one of 3 Salamanca dates to grab your order.  It's quick, it's simple and it gives you time to thoughtfully and strategically tick off your Christmas list and make sure you have everyone covered.  Ho, ho, ho!!

To place your order, ready for pick-up at Salamanca, click here!  

image from here

Over and out for now!  Enjoy the festive season!  

Helen x

P.S. For those who have signed up for the newsletter, there was a special code to use for online shopping.  I'll be re-sending the code next week, so if you're not already a VIP, you may want to jump on board.  (see top right hand corner).  

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

Prepping for a stall set-up!

The presentation of my stalls is VERY important to me.  And people ask me all the time what inspires me and how I come up with a display.  The simple answer is that it has to fit these 3 characteristics:

1) A touch of vintage

2) a splash of 'on trend' colour 

3) a little bit of whimsical magic.  

I'll let you in on a little secret.... I'm heading to Bowerbird Bazaar in Adelaide this weekend (hip hip hooray) and I'm quite nervous about my stall presentation.  It will be the first time I've ever attended an event without jam-packing my van full of the usual Pili Pala props and display pieces.  Thats right - no meat safes in sight!!!!  I can hear you gasping from here!!!!  I'm relying on a few crates sourced from my parents' friend, a spray can and some flowers to do the trick.  Gee I hope I can pull it off....  

Here's is a mood board of what in my head..... wish me luck! And if you live in Adelaide - definitely check this event out; it's going to be HUGE!  If you can't make it, you can always do a spot of ONLINE shopping here...

(Images from here, here and here)

Bye for now.  I'll let you know how I got on next week.

Helen x

An awesome affair: Tasmanian Craft Fair 2013

Another amazing year at this truly spectacular event!  Run primarily by the (ever-supportive, 'nothing's-too-hard') Rotary Club members of Deloraine, the Tasmanian Craft Fair is the biggest craft fair in Australia: which is quite a feat for little ol' Tasmania.

I had such an amazing time, met so many new/return customers and 'made great friends with'/'met up with existing' fellow stallholders.  I love being apart of this amazing community where Makers and Designers support and understand each other.

Another bonus was that I also decided to stay in Deloraine this year at the fantastic Bonney's Inn where I, along with a beautiful bunch of other stallholders, were thoroughly looked after.  I loved it so much, I'm already booked in for next year.

Here is a little look at how the Pili Pala Pieces stand turned out this year!

I love that it looks like God is shining down on my clouds in this shot!  

It needs sound effects: cue big booming organ sound 'wwwaaaaaaaahh'

I found some cute little boxes to highlight each of my products.  

The NEW smartphone wallets were a hit!

Thanks to everyone who came along, and for your support, kind words and enthusiasm for my work.  I'm already counting down until the TCF 2014.  Put it in your diary now and make sure you don't miss it. 

Helen x

P.S - This is my 100th blog post and last week I reached 1000 likers on facebook. Round numbers like that make me smile!    Thank you for your part in that. xx

Pili Pala Picks: Christmas Gift Guide 2013. Part 2

I've been asked over and over again to make cufflinks.  I should have listened earlier.

I offered my brand new cufflinks up for sale at the Tasmanian Craft Fair on the weekend, and had no idea how quickly they would sell!

Here is the rest of my picks for Christmas gifts....

For Him. Who knew how popular cufflinks were as gifts?!  And, it turns out the men are equally as interested in the clouds as the ladies; perfect for his desk or bookshelf.

And finally, something just for you; as a reward for all of your Christmas shopping.  

Products available either online or at markets.  (If you see something that you would like to purchase that is not online, please email me ~ helen@pilipalapieces.com.au)

Have you got your Christmas list ready? 

Helen x

Pili Pala Picks: Christmas Gift Guide 2013. Part 1

It's that time of year, and with a long list of markets lined up right through until Christmas, I thought it was time to give you my Pili Pala Christmas Gift Guide 2013.

All products are available at markets, and most of them are available online.  If you see something below that you can't find online, please email me and I'll organise to get it to you.

Happy shopping.  May your days be merry and bright!

Helen x