Hello World!

NEW!!  Lots of pretty new things!!!

What a jam-packed year it's been so far.  I've been travelling far and wide this year as well as buckling down and working hard.  We've participated in many markets around the state already this year and are also focusing on attending several interstate markets in the coming months as well.  Exciting times!!!


In recent weeks, our brand new range of products has been released and there are lots of bright new colours and interesting shapes to add to the range.  All of our products are now online, but you can also view them in our brand new look book.  Click here to be directed.

Things will settle down a little for the months of August and September and give us a chance to build stock like little squirrels in anticipation for a big 3 months at the end of the year.  Is there a market you'd like to see Pili Pala at?  I'd love to hear from you - shoot me an email; helen@pilipalapieces.com.au.

Over and out, lovely ones!  Stay warm and I hope to see you soon.  Helen xx

Our brand new look book.  Click the above link to view it.

It's been 3 months since my last blog...

Yes, I've been a little absent this year BUT I finally feel like things are ramping up again (and yes, I know it's March already!!)

It's not for lack of 'wanting' to get deeply buried in all things Pili Pala, but other things got in the way.  We've had camping trips, both sets of parents/grandparents stay, friends stay, school holiday craziness and hectic summer swimming and BBQ schedules.  Alas, I'm back and new designs and products are in full swing with the lovely haze of the 'designing' process completely consuming me.

Oh yes, I also undertook a short course to equip me with a few new skills that will come in handy down the track this year.  I've attended several Salamanca Markets, a few Cruise Ship markets and also coordinated the first Barn Market for the year.

So, I've been silently busy and just forgetting to update you about it all.  Alas, in the next few weeks I'll begin to unveil some new products and new designs for some of your favourite products as well.

Also, keep an eye on our market page on the website, as we're starting to get booked up for what is gearing up to be a BIG year of markets.

Meanwhile, these clouds just keep popping up all over the place....

1. Clouds on display at Ballyhoo Art. 2. Clouds on display in childrens room designed and styled by Petite Vintage Interiors 3. Clouds on display at Finn and Dash

'Til next time... 

Helen x

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

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

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

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

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

Winter, Winter, where for art thou winter?

I've had my head down, buried deep within the crazy preparation that Life Instyle entails.  Designing, making protypes, revamping the website, designing a catalogue/brochures/pricelists/signage, making failures of products and creating lovely new pieces to add to the Pili Pala range.  It's been a whirlwind of exhilaration, exhaustion and excitement.  And now that I've found myself at the other end of it all, I feel like I missed out on winter.

Winter for me is the best time of the year - it's all about the boots, stockings, jackets and scarves.  I love it all and I love feeling the crisp air on my cheeks whilst my body is all rugged up in glorious wintery goodness (you should see my 3 amazing boot choices that I've built up over the past 2 years - I want to wear all 3 pairs every single day at the same time!!!)

But, back to Life Instyle.  There is so much to fill you in on, and so many new trends that will be coming at you over the next few months. The easiest way to give you the run down is through photos. So, I'll post some more for you over the coming weeks, but the image below is a bit of a highlight for me and left me feeling all chuffed and giddy!

Homestyle File put us at #2 in their 'Best in Show Report' review of Life Instyle.

(photo taken from Homestyle File website)  

Check it out here.  #insert giddy silly school girl skipping#

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