Hello Man

Hey...How do I become a seller on Hello Pretty?

Calling all local creatives and small business owners - we want YOU! Sign up to become a Hello Pretty seller in a matter on seconds ?

Turn your creative passion into an online career. Whats started as a passive side income for many of our sellers have turned into full time, fully successful businesses. Start small, out your designs, arts and crafts out there and see where it takes you. Its such an exciting journey.

We've got three pricing plans for you to choose from. All with different benefits. Have a look through and see which one would suit you best.

Simple transparent fees (a variety of options of differing plans)
Manage and control your own store
No contracts. Cancel whenever you want
Integrate your store with your social media pages, particulary Facebook where you can see your items
Hello Pretty has an extensive customer base - seriously, we have a HUGE reach.
Add Google Analytics so you can keep track of sales

Hey ? HP Seller, Apparition Jewellery

My name is Kristin Miles, owner of Apparition Jewellery. I have always been a very creative person, and it's been my dream to have my own store for years. My parents encouraged me to be creative, and I realised from a young age that is the thing I enjoy most in life. I enjoy metal music, however I also enjoy pop and classical. I don't like limiting myself in terms of the creative mediums I can enjoy.

My store was born from this love of the arts and creativity. I tried my hand at wire jewellery, but it didn't come naturally to me. I had a few extra supplies lying around after my attempts, so I started putting some earrings together - something I had started doing during my years at college. When I looked around online for types of jewellery, I noticed that a few of the items I had made were actually chainmaille weaves, and thus my business was born.

I find immense joy in creating the pieces in my store. Each is made with love, one ring at a time, to ensure the highest quality and care. I used to always go buy jewellery in stores, but then you see so many people wearing the same accessories as you! I feel that, with my business, I can offer something rather unique to people just like me, and allow people to better express their individuality.

I have faced challenges during the short time I've had my business. I've had people upset that I do the same craft as them and them trying to smear my name. But you just have to rise above the drama and remember what your own goals are and who you are as a person. In business, there will always be challenges, but that is just something you need to learn to deal with. The satisfaction I feel when I create something new that I never made before is just so amazing, and it makes it all worth it.

The highlights for me is that I can just keep growing. There is so much for me to still learn and so much to try! There are no limits to what I am capable of, and I can't wait to learn and do more.

The lows so far have really only been facing the unnecessary drama others cause. I strongly feel that as crafters and small business owners, we should be supporting and uplifting each other rather than breaking each other down or trying to hamper progress. There are more than enough people in this world to buy your product, so there is no need to fight or try to hurt each other.

My tips for new sellers is to just go for it! There is nothing in this world you cannot do or learn. You are your own limitation. People will always try to get in your way, but that's an indication that those people should not be in your life. Surround yourself with loving, supportive people, and just do what you love. If your craft makes you happy, then go for it.

This blog post is one in Hello Pretty's guest blog series. Each post is written by a person who is running their online store though South Africa's favourite art, design & craft marketplace.

If you'd like to more view guest posts in this series, and other posts where we interview local businesses, click here.

Wanna write a guest post on Hello Pretty? Email us at info@hellopretty.co.za to find out more.

Sheepskin Slippers SA Giveaway from Hello Man, worth up to R730!

I think we can all agree that it's gotten cold now. Not arctic, but pretty damned cold. PJs, couch, series-and-blanket time never looked so enticing.

Today's giveaway, the 4th in the Hello Man launch giveaway series, has come at a great time. This is part 4 of 8.

In keeping with the fine quality you've come to expect from Hello Man, we're giving away these fine unisex things from Sheepskin Slippers SA:

Best you get your freezing butt over to Facebook and enter:
1) Like the Facebook post below. For an extra entry, comment and tag the cold person who needs a pair.
2) Like Hello Man on Facebook.
3) Follow @hellomansa on Instagram
4) Like Sheepskin Slippers SA's Facebook page

Some stuff to know:
1) This giveaway is open to South Africans.
2) Entries close at 11pm on Tuesday 8th of May.
3) It will take approximately 2 weeks to get your prize to you.
3) Standard competition Ts and Cs apply.
4) Winner will be notified by Facebook.

Hello Man Giveaway from Wild Minds [CLOSED]

Time for the 3rd installment in the launch of our boyfriend site, Hello Man. ICYMI, we're well into our two month celebration of weekly giveaways.

And you're going to have your MANds full with this one from Wild Minds. A hint:

Yes... your MANticipation is practically audible.

So this week, your giftfather is Wild Minds. We've got a bull head for one of you, and it is awesome and looks something like this:

Just look em. You're practically screaming, "World, I will take cr@p from no-one. No-one." with this wall-hanging.

As we're sure you'll agree, this is an important statement to be making.

So now, to enter:
1) Like the Facebook post below. For an extra entry, comment and tag the man who needs this in his home, because he takes cr@p from no-one.
2) Like Hello Man on Facebook.
3) Follow @hellomansa on Instagram

Also take a look at Wild Minds' social media, linked from the sidebar in their store.

Some stuff to know:
1) This giveaway is open to South Africans.
2) Entries close at 4pm on Tuesday 24th of April.
3) It will take 3 to 4 weeks to get your prize to you, because it'll be made up for you by hand.
3) Standard competition Ts and Cs apply.
4) Only one entry per person per day will be counted

Hello Man Giveaway from Cotton Domino

Remember how last week we told you that we've kicked off the launch of our boyfriend site, Hello Man, with two months of weekly giveaways?

In case you missed it, Hello Man is where you go to buy cool stuff for guys. No more wading through babygrows, bracelets and bunting to find your man a gift. We can barely MANage our excitement.

We've got cool stuff coming outta the yin-yang - you'd better get in on that. This week, our fairy godfather is Cotton Domino. They've got stuff for the dudes and the ladies, but this giveaway is for the dudes.

Get their vibe:

“Adventurous, enthusiastic living coupled with a healthy dose of vibrant awesome - is how we like to roll.”

On to the prize: Cotton Domino are giving away a mountain bike t-shirt. One of these guys:

To enter:
1) Comment on the Facebook post below and tag the cyclist (or aspiring cyclist) who you think should have this t-shirt.
2) Like Hello Man on Facebook.
3) Follow @hellomansa on Instagram

Some stuff to know:
1) This giveaway is open to South Africans.
2) Entries close at 4pm on Tuesday 17th of April.
3) Standard competition Ts and Cs apply.
4) Only one entry per person per day will be counted.

Hello Man Giveaway from Native Decor

Hello Man, Hello Pretty's boyfriend, has finally arrived. Hello Man is where you go to buy cool stuff for guys.

So we're way excited and we're celebrating with 2 months of weekly giveaways. Oh, DANG, son.

First up: Native Decor. You've probaby seen them on our social media before, because their stuff is awesome and everybody loves it. Their style is clean, minimalist and has a distinct and unique personality. Here are a couple of our faves:

For today's giveaway, the Native Decor team are giving away a beechwood animal USB stick woth R300, which are from their newest range. Totally cool.

So someone gets to pick one of these guys:

To enter:
1) Comment on the Facebook post below and let us know which USB design you want. Click here to browse the options.
2) Tag a friend in your comment.
3) Like Hello Man on Facebook: http://facebook.com/hellomansa
4) Follow Hello Man on Instagram: @hellomansa

On the Native Decor store you'll also find links to their social media accounts. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Some stuff to know:
1) This giveaway is open to South Africans.
2) Entries close at 4pm on Tuesday 10th of April.
3) Hello Pretty's standard competition Ts and Cs apply.
4) Only one entry per person per day will be counted.

Year of the Goat with Hello Pretty!

Year of the Goat with http://hellopretty.co.za

So 2015 is the year of the goat - not that I need any particular reason to buy new things!

Celebrate with some of the cute goat inspired products on the site:

Clickitty click!

Industrial Chic with Hello Pretty

We love a good factory-feel aesthetic - and what better way to appreciate it than to show you a few of our favourite industrial inspired products from the site?

Luvvit! Clickitty click - Christmas is starting to loom on the horizon!

#WDC2014 Desktop Wallpapers! - part 4

Guys. No but guys. Look at these yellow cats. Are they not the best?

Fathima, fellow cat lady from Happiness Is... has done this most amazing illustration for this months #WDC2014 inspired downloadable wallpaper, and we LOVE it. Can you tell?

Download this bit of tech sunshine for free over HERE.

Talented right? She's so brilliant. You should all go visit her Hello Pretty store right this second!

Check out our past wallpapers over here.

Hello Man Staff Picks: Scott

It's our final staff picks day! And to round it all off, our dev genius Scott is at the wheel with all of his favourite things:

"I don't usually shop. But when I do, I do it online. While Hello Pretty primarily has a strong female focus, there's more than enough for selection for any guy with a bit of style (and in my case, without style as well!). My list covers everything that would add a bit of class to my day to day life. For the flat, an amazing bookcase is a must and Hello Pretty / Hello Man is actually full of them, but my personal favourite (love their simple design) are the illusion bookshelves from simpli decor. I'd round that off with a nice wall clock from Louw Roets, a side table, and a lamp.

A bench for the patio to chill on coffee breaks, and the slippers, because the only thing better than no-pants-friday is no-pants-friday with a pair of warm slippers. especially in these wintery months.

Out and about:

Despite being a techie, I still always carry around a pen and a paper notebook, for that I prefer to use moleskins and the moleskin leather cover from Savior Brand takes those notebooks up a notch (as if they needed it). And then a nice, simple belt (probably several) is a must for any guys' wardrobe. You need to have a great selection of cufflinks for anything a bit more formal, and Hello Pretty definitely doesn't fall short on cufflinks. Though I'm not from there, I love the jozi skyline, so Duke and Dutch's cufflinks are perfect."

There you have it folks. Now you have no excuses come Christmas time!