Hello Pretty is Winding Down

After more than ten fulfilling, magical years beginning in the good old days of 2012, Hello Pretty is retiring and heading off to the beach with a drink with a tiny umbrella.

Read our goodbye letter

Hello Pretty

Win with i Spy and Hello Pretty!

I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with AWESOME!

Never mind winter, your home could soon be channeling glorious summer, with two gorgeous cushion covers from i Spy, worth R580.

Here’s how you can win:

Lovely Lauren from i Spy started designing her own textiles and prints just for fun, and boy are we glad she decided to share them with the rest of the world. Her stunning pieces are bold and quirky, with a retro twist.

Head over to i Spy to find your favourites, and tell us which ones they are!

Winner announced Friday 5th July.

A Hello Pretty road trip, first stop Swellendam and Rain Africa

We’ve just taken an epic road trip from Cape Town, up the Garden Route and over to Durban (where we’re based for two weeks). Then we’ll be driving back down again, which allows us to spend some time with the special people who make the magic happen on our site.

Our first stop was in Swellendam, about 3 hours from Cape Town. It was late at night when we arrived and we did so in rather an unprepared state. I used the Kayak app on my phone and booked the place that had the best reviews - a small hotel called Arumvale. The decor was gorgeous and tasteful, and the hospitality shown to us by the owners was honestly some of the best we’ve experienced anywhere we’ve been, in spite of our last-minute booking.

The following morning, the owner was seeing us off and asked what we had planned for the day. I mentioned that on our drive in I’d seen that Rain was in town, and that I planned to go see if I could meet the owner because they were going to be selling on Hello Pretty. Bizarrely and coincidentally it turned out that our host at Arumvale was in fact married to the owner of Rain.

We took a short drive over to the shop, and I will be telling every person I know that they have to visit Swellendam and go to this shop and spa. I had expected the shop to be cool, based on their branch in the V&A Waterfront, but I had had no idea of what a gorgeous space we were about to walk into.

The shop is bright and airy. And, of course, it smells a treat. I’d planned to buy a little soap or two, but we walked out of there a few hours later (sorry Scott!) feeling blissed out and with three bags of beautiful things and many photographs.

Besides all their own products, the shop also carries ranges by other local design talent (one of my favourites being Mud Studio’s ceramics).

Something you should know about Rain Africa is their kindness. All ingredients are natural, animal-and-earth-friendly and hand-harvested (as opposed to being farmed), and the company seeks to provide a living to the small communities around where they’re produced.
In both the shop and the spa, all of the staff had no shortage of smiles for us and were passionate about the business and what it stood for.

The Rain Forest Spa
I’d already planned to visit a spa before we even got into Swellendam and discovered Rain Forest, so it was a very lucky find (thank you to my awesome in-laws for giving me this as a birthday present!). I had a 1-hour foot massage and left feeling like a new person.

To get to the spa, enter the Rain shop and the assistant will show you to a small passage way.
It has dim mood lighting (where the mood is relaxed!) and a foresty decor vibe, with lots of running water. The treatment rooms follow the same theme, with soft lighting, wood, and forest features.
The recurrent decor element is a succulent plant, and they have done such a tasteful job to create this unique and serene space. Trust me when I say that you want to visit this place.

Every one of the staff in Rain Forest were friendly and warm, and gave the impression that they were there by choice and not only because they had to be. After my treatment, the lady manning the front desk gave me a solid run down of how Rain creates it products, and about the communities it supports and ways that the company is innovating, as well as a few samples to try. They’re still in my bag as I’d like to share them with Adeline when she gets to Durban later this week but I have some high hopes based on my in-store tests.

I’m sure it sounds like I’m being paid to say all these things but I promise I’m not. This turned out to be a real highlight on our trip and I suggest that those who are considering a refreshing weekend away consider Swellendam as an option. We will most definitely be stopping back in here on our way back to Cape Town.
Of the wealth of talented people selling their creations on Hello Pretty, we’ve only had the privilege of meeting a drop in the bucket in person. Being an online business, there isn’t an urgent need for this but we really enjoy getting to hang out with our designers and make an effort to whenever we’re able.

You don’t have to look far to appreciate the quality of South Africa’s design talent, and we’re working with the cream of the crop. We’ve met some wonderful people so far, and we’re looking forward to meeting more of you.

August 2017 update: we've just learned of a really fantastic site with lots of good things to know about Swellendam. You should go have a look for sure :) https://xplorio.com/swellendam/
 
 
 
 

He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice…

The good news is that Hello Pretty doesn’t care whether you’ve been naughty or nice - we’re still coming to town! As you know, we’ve teamed up with the Woodstock Foundry to hold an awesome market on the 17th December. Go ahead and RSVP. We’ll wait. 

And that’s not all, petals - just by RSVPing, you got yourself a spot on our list to win a Secret Santa Box chock-full of goodies from some of our top designers, worth R1100! What’s in it, you ask? Well, we can’t tell you everything or it wouldn’t be a secret, silly. But here are a few hints:

Sounds pretty sweet, right? It gets even better - when you’re at the market (because you’re definitely coming, right? Right???), get your pic snapped in our photo corner, and you’ll get an extra entry to win this awesome little bag o’ swag.

See you next Monday at The Foundry!

P.S. Never forget that there will be FREE CANDYFLOSS at this market! Free. At no cost to you whatsoever. So come and get your sugar on!

Winners of The Dapper Pack & bonus prize: Lize & Darrin

Amid much anticipation and fanfare yesterday, the winners of The Dapper Pack and the bonus prize from Savior Brand Co, were announced!

These incredible prizes were sponsored by the following fantastic Hello Pretty designers:

The Dapper Pack was won by: Lize Hartley / @lizetheunicorn

The bonus prize was won by: Darrin Thomas / @Dazza_J

Congratulations you two! We hope that you enjoy your phenomenally fancy new handmade things.

And the bonus:

Winner of The Launchbox: Ilze!

Well, as promised, yesterday was Hello Pretty’s launch day, and today we drew the winner of The Launchbox. And so sure enough, that’s what we’re doing! A hearty congratulations Ilze! We hope you have a tonne of fun with your wonderful new goodies.

In case you don’t remember: there are R2 400 worth of things from 8 of our top designers that Ilze has won, in our biggest and most important celebration to date:

We’ll be getting in touch with you in a bit Ilze. And in a few hours, we will be announcing the winner of the fantastic promotion for the guys in collaboration with the What My Boyfriend Wore blog.

It's Alive!

The time has come, the walrus said, to talk about Hello Pretty’s official launch! After months of hard work and sleepless nights, our baby is ready to step out of beta and into the big wide world.

We’ve added gift vouchers to the site, implemented better search, a Sale page, an online seller application form, and tons of other fancy things under the hood. Worth celebrating, right?

So, in true Hello Pretty style, we decided to go big or go home. And what could be bigger than our very own Hello Pretty market? That’s right - we’re having a market, and you’re invited!

We just took care of your Christmas shopping. You’re welcome.

There’ll be 40+ of our designers for you to buy from, plus great food and drink, and some other really fun surprises. Here are the deets:

You should come. Obviously. RSVP on Facebook, and invite your friends: this will give you an entry to win the awesome little Secret Santa bag o’ swag that includes treasures from Duke & Dutch, Savior Brand Co, Maiden Name, Handmade By Me, tjou-tjou and a couple of others, worth R1 100. Details of the prize to be announced next week, so start RSVPing to enter!

Guys, we’re super duper excited about this. We can’t wait to see you there! We’ll be the ones running around hopped up on sugar from the free candyfloss.

See you on the 17th!

P.S.  Keep your eye on us tomorrow. This weekend we’re getting all crazy up in here! We’ll be announcing the winner of The Launchbox, as well as the winner of The Dapper Pack from the What My Boyfriend Wore giveaway.

The Launchbox

Sounds pretty damn cool right? Want to know what’s in it that makes it worth 2 400 sweet South African rands? Sure you do:

What’s the occasion, you ask? We’re glad you did, because it’s kind of a big deal to us. On the 1st December, after a lot of late nights and enough coffee to jumpstart a rocketship, Hello Pretty is officially launching! And since we couldn’t have done it without your help, we have put together a Launchbox o’ swag which could be yours!
 

To Enter:

Buy anything from Hello Pretty (gift vouchers also count!), before the 2nd of December. You’ll get one entry per item purchased. Anyone who’s ever bought anything on the site in its entire history will also be entered. We’ll be choosing a winner on the 2nd December.

Tell your friends, tell your family, tell that random guy you always have that awkward moment with in the hallway. And when you’re done, don’t forget to make a stop here.

Coal Mine Canary / Hello Pretty Promotion

Exciting little promo we’ve got going on with our friends over at Coal Mine Canary: if you were thinking of selling on Hello Pretty, now would be a good time!

It’s an exciting time for online in South Africa. Coal Mine Canary are a pretty, new, South African startup who showcase quality artist, designer and photographer portfolios.

The promotion is this: like both Hello Pretty and Coal Mine Canary on Facebook, then email hello@mycoalminecanary.com and tell them who you are. If your application is approved, you’ll be given a beautiful portfolio site (see Boss Models photographer Teri Robberts’ gorgeous portfolio as an example) for 6 months, and an Unlimited Store Plan on Hello Pretty for 3 months. For those who already have a Hello Pretty store and decide to take advantage of the offer, we’ll give you a voucher for 50% off your next seller plan purchase.

We’re looking forward to meeting you.

Pretty Personal with Kristen Morkel

The story of Design Kist is an almost textbook definition of a happy accident. Onse Kristen actually ended up studying textile design on a last-minute whim, and it’s lucky for us that she did! Design Kist is a treasure chest of gorgeous things with a uniquely Mzansi flavour - and Kristen herself is no different.

Shown about from top left: Egoli Wallpaper, Shweshwe Mossies Wallpaper, Kudus Wallpaper, Bunnies Wallpaper, Zoo Biscuit Cushion Cover, Sheshwe Hearts Wallpaper, Muizenberg Huts Wallpaper, TV Pattern Wallpaper, Dino Zoo Wallpaper, Dotted Hearts Wallpaper, Clouds Wallpaper, South African Alphabet Wallpaper

  1. Hello Kristen! So, how did you land up doing what you do?
    Hello Pretty! :) I’m a textile designer and “owner person” at Design Kist - a Cape Town based surface and textile design studio. I ended up studying textile design on a spontaneous whim when I was 18  (Ed. note: The afternoon that applications closed - cutting it fine!), and within a week I had started classes at CPUT.
     
  2. "Owner person" is an awesome title. We should totally get that on our business cards. Tell us about the wonderful things Design Kist makes!
    We make designer wallpaper, fabric, and digital surface patterns with a uniquely “Mzansi” flavour. Many of the designs start out as hand-drawn sketches, or motifs/images from our handpicked selection of SA designers, which are then translated into seamless patterns to print onto wallpapers and fabrics. This collaborations has resulted in a series of designs with different “handwritings” that still retain a distinct “Design Kist” feel.

    Another special factor is that our products are printed to order, with all printing done locally. Due to the bespoke nature of our products, in most cases we can tweak, recolour and customise to ensure that the product is perfectly tailored to suit our clients’ needs before we print.
     

  3. Even a quick look at the Design Kist collection shows a lot of different influences, or “handwritings”. Is there anything in particular that inspires you?
    There are many Capetonian designers I find inspiring. Right up there are Heather Moore of Skinny laMinx; Jesse Breytenbach of Jezze Prints (Ed. note: Holler, Henri Kuikens!); and Wendren Setzer, owner of The Wren Design (and a former classmate). Watching their creative businesses evolve gave me the confidence to quit my job as a salaried textile designer. I wanted to design in my own name, and create on my own terms, and these women showed me that it was possible. As for my favourite things - right up there are coffee, black ink fineliners, my camera, and books - anything that stimulates/facilitates creativity!
     
  4. With so much inspiration out there, you must be keeping busy! What’s coming up for Design Kist?
    Most of our designs emerge quite intuitively, and as such we try not to adhere to too much of a timetable. Saying that, we’ve been brewing a collection of fresh and vibrant spring florals, which we released on the first day of spring!
     
  5. You have great hair, by the way.
    Why thank you! Five words: Lionel Kim on Buitenkant Street. I met him while dropping off wallpaper samples for a client across the street from my studio. He took one look at my hair, gave me his card, and the rest is history! He actually inspired a soon-to-be-released “scissors” print - just goes to show, inspiration is everywhere!
 
It really is - from cows, to Zoo Biscuits, to hot air balloons. Give your surfaces some Design Kist lovin’ from their Hello Pretty store, and stay updated on new projects in the pipeline through the Design Kist Facebook and Twitter.

Pretty Personal with Ingrid Auret

We all need a little something-something from time to time - and now, you can get sweet and stylish something somethings from Maiden Name. The lovely Ingrid left the daily grind with the intention of creating things that were a little different, and that you were sure to love.

 

  1. Hello Ingrid! Tell us a little “something something” about yourself.
    Well, I originally studied interior design, then started working as an
    exhibition stand designer; but as I’m sure most creatives feel, I hated
    sitting in front of a computer every day doing things other people told me
    to do. I never actually designed anything. I then decided that an 8-5
    office job is very much not for me, so I left the safety of a monthly
    income and started doing freelance stand designs for a company in Holland
    (which I am still doing) - I was very lucky in that regard. My ultimate
    dream is to have my own shop though, so I started Maiden Name as a small
    range and am now hoping to turn it into a loved brand and hopefully a shop
    one day. Other than that, I love food way too much, love cooking and baking
    as well, I am a sports fanatic and think dogs are the best things to ever
    exist. 
     
  2. Ah, a dog person. Oh well, we can’t all be perfect. ;)
    Why did you choose the name “Maiden Name”?
    I never used to like my surname, Auret, but over the last few years I
    have grown to super love it! And knowing that in a few years time I’m
    going to have to say goodbye to my beautiful last name, I actually wanted
    to name the shop Auret, but it didn’t work so well as a logo - so, I decided
    that Maiden Name would work well. So now it’s kind of a tribute to my
    surname, which will one day be my maiden name.
     
  3. That’s a really creative idea! Who and what do you look to for inspiration?
    I am so inspired and proud of where creatives, designers, and entrepreneurs
    in South Africa are at, at the moment. I think we are very much world
    class and I’m so proud to be a South African. And I have to say Cape
    Town is an inspiration, I am so in love with our gorgeous city, I would marry it if I could.
    I love wood, and am trying to keep most of the Maiden Name products natural
    wood - it is something that will always be so loved and wood products are
    just beautiful. At the moment I am also inspired by illustrators and
    beautiful illustrations - they’re right at the top of my “Want” as well as
    "Inspiration" lists. Also, I have a slight ceramics addiction, anything
    from animals to coffee mugs, bowls and plates. 
     
  4. (Hey Cape Town: Call her.)
    What can you tell us about the something somethings Maiden Name makes?
    A lot of the Maiden Name products are handmade, and everything that is
    painted is hand painted. I personally love everything in the Maiden Name
    range, that is where everything starts… I make things that I would love
    to have so hopefully everyone else wants it. The range is still small, but
    growing fast, and I plan to add a ceramics range later this year also, so
    holding thumbs for that. 
     
  5. We’ll hold thumbs figuratively. If we did it literally, we wouldn’t be able to type. Last question: Chocolate or vanilla?
    Haha, well that depends on what exactly you’re talking about. Everything
    flavour-wise definitely chocolate, everything else I’ll have to say
    vanilla. But think that chocolate and vanilla actually ALWAYS go really
    well together. :)

Ain’t that the truth. Whatever your preference, you’re sure to find something to tickle your design tastebuds in Maiden Name’s Hello Pretty store. You can also get acquainted on Facebook and Twitter.

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