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

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

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. 

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