Today we travel abroad to Ljubljana, Slovenia, to meet maker Zala Pavsek of Hiškarija—the brand known for handmade notebooks made with eco-friendly papers and Spoonflower fabrics. Hiškarija also offers mindfully crafted children’s games that are simple in design and promise to deliver classic childhood giggles and imaginative playtime. Zala, who has two children of her own, says that the spark of an idea to start her company came to her after creating a wall clock for her son’s birthday. Like many makers in the Spoonflower community, Zala discovered a way to combine her life’s passions with creativity to create a sustainable living doing something she loved. This kind of inspiration always makes our hearts happy!
My day starts with…
“Getting my kids ready for the day and walking them to school. After that I have a cup of black coffee with cinnamon while checking daily emails.”
I fell in love with making goods when…
“I started up my company, Hiškarija, and started to sew on the sewing machine for the first time in my life.”
When I’m in my studio, I feel…
“Full of inspiration, happy and overwhelmed with ideas for new projects.”
Who or what influences or inspires your work and why?
“My family who offers their support and the kids with their curiosity and endless flow of ideas. The details on Hiškarija’s products are inspired by useful and simple architecture solutions I come across while reading the newest architectural magazines.”
What’s in your toolbox as a maker?
“Pencils, a notebook, scissors, a ruler and the sewing machine.”
My proudest accomplishment over the last year is…
“Participation at the International Designmarkt Edelstoff in Vienna, Austria.”
What piece of your wardrobe best represents your style?
“A headband—its emphasis on minimalistic style that can be simply added or taken away.”
Before starting a small business, I wish someone had told me…
“That you don’t have to actually do everything on your own. What is not your primary field of expertise can be outsourced to specialists.”
How does Spoonflower meet your business needs?
“I’m in love with Spoonflower’s endless assortment of incredibly beautiful and unique designs, their fast and effective business model and their care for the environment.”
What has been an important resource to you as a small business owner and why?
“I like to attend lectures from fields which aren’t strictly essential for small businesses and neither of my profession. The out-of-the box information and skills then help me put all pieces of the puzzle together.”
My favorite Spoonflower textile to work with is…
“Basic Cotton Ultra since it feels pleasant to the touch and its design distinguishes it from the common fabrics at first glance.”
Not only does Zala create notebooks and children’s games (did you see her chalk sets?), but Hiškarija also features aprons and gift packages on multiple products, too. Keep up to date with Zala and her brand on Instagram and be sure to bookmark her shop for thoughtful and beautifully designed gifts.
Photography by Foto Kuhna
