PILI PALA
Pili Pala was founded in 2009 by Helen Mansbridge and has had quite the adventure. It quickly grew into a thriving small business with a focus on designing and creating products that were unique, distinct and made you smile. For 15 years Helen and her small team utilised self-taught production techniques to incorporate sustainable Tasmanian wood, resin and paintings to create a colourful collection of homewares, jewellery and leather accessories. However, in 2024, a challenging economic climate meant that we made the difficult decision to close the business.
But, Helen just can't quieten her passion for design and creativity, and has now reimagined the brand with a carefully curated, and intricately designed, selection of joyful and exciting products.
It's the same style and aesthetic that you came to love with our original venture. And each product is designed with the same level of care and enthusiasm - maybe even more! It's Pili Pala 2.0 - a slightly scaled back, re-imagined, re-branded, re-birthed collection of happiness.
MEET HELEN - FOUNDER & DESIGNER
In 2009, Helen began attending local markets with her handmade creations, blending her natural creativity with a keen business sense. The positive response to her products led her to leave her job as a Speech Pathologist and focus on Pili Pala full-time in 2010. Despite not having formal design or arts training, Helen's passion and creativity have been central to the brand's journey.
WHAT DOES PILI PALA MEAN?
Pili Pala is the Welsh word for butterfly. Helen's daughter Poppy was born in Wales whilst on a working holiday. They wanted to give her a Welsh middle name, but found most of them utterly impossible to say. 'Awela' was chosen as her middle name, but 'Pili Pala' came up and along with the fun sound of it, it was a word they could actually say. 'Pili Pala' became Poppy's nickname. Hence, after Helen got accepted into her very first market, it was the first thing that came to mind, and so it stuck.