Eyes Open Ireland: Helen Perry

Helen Perry

I grew up in New Zealand, where I first learnt to knit and sew.  It was only after university that I started producing pieces for sale.  For eight years I designed and produced womenswear under the label Stromboli Apparel in Sydney, where my love of fabrics, hardware and draping came together.  However the pressure of the business led me to leave it all behind and go on an adventure ... to Ireland.  After years of talking about getting back into doing something with textiles, and living and working in Northern Ireland, Strombolitwo arrived enabled by etsy and the opportunities it can provide to connect with fellow crafts people and buyers.

I love my workshop at home in the gorgeous country side of Northern Ireland where the natural environment inspires the creative processes, and our cats nosey around keeping an eye on the quality.  And I just love my family back in Australia who go hunting for bits of 'bling' to add into the mix...

Heres one of my favourite pieces - with a bit of Aussie Bling added to the gorgeous up-cycled Kimono silk clutch purse

Supervisor Ben asleep on the job - literally

In the middle of all this rain, it's hard to remember I will see this in July.

Please check out Helen's beautiful shop on Etsy here