You could probably call me a "seasoned" Bali shopper, and this time was no exception. During our February 2010 trip it was nice to find a variety of clothing in the markets that actually suited my size 14/16 figure (yes, I've been eating too much on my Bali holidays!). The best thing of all was that the shirred dresses are just that little bit longer this time, and with deeper, firmer lines of shirring, it wasn't necesary to wear a bra!
We generally paid 45-50,000 Rp for the longer length shirred sundresses, around 80,000rp for the embroidered cut-out hem knee length shirred sun dresses, adn 50,000rp for several other sundress designs.
Pashminas were another popular buy amongst our group, mostly costing 50,000rp - Bedugul markets/Candidasa shops/Sindhu markets @ Sanur and up to 89,000rp at the fixed price Geneva Handicrafts.
Tommys for Handbags:
We again ordered various designs of leather handbags at Tommys in Jl Padma. These are always ready on time, can copy almost any design, and are very well made with quality leather. The best discount that they will give is 10%, whether you buy 7 or 2.
House of Komangs, Jl Padma, Legian for Tailoring:
I always use House of Komangs, having known Ketut & Komang since 1998, and was very pleased with the maxi dresses and shorter versions that I had made with the materials I had brought with me from Perth. My friends also had clothing made there, and apart from a couple of alterations being necessary, everything was well-made and ready on time. Always a pleasure to do business with!
Alta Moda:@ The Kuta Galeria.
After this shop being on my list of places to check out for several years,I finally made it there, and what a joy to find that it was the first day of their sale, with everything being 10-70% discounted! Needless to say, we all bought materials to be made up at Komangs on our next trip. We only checked out the first floor this trip, and were very impressed with the range/colour/quality of their stock, and I definitely won't be buying any more material here in Perth to take with me, as that is weight in my luggage that I can well do without!
French Leather: In Garlic Lane, Legian.
Another regular "haunt" of mine since 1998, and this time I had a pair of my daughter's boots copied in a dark brown leather for myself.They have a flat sole, with antique brass studs on the upper part, and I am happy to say that they were very well made this time - after a few hiccups last trip, which they did correct/remake at no extra cost. Mat Roni is back living in Australia at the moment, but Ivan his cousin, who has been his manager for many years, is wonderfully diplomatic and a pleasure to deal with. His wife had a baby boy, whom they called Kaka, whilst we were there, so he is a very happy man at the moment!
Rizqi for paintings: Directly opposite Geneva in Kerobokan.
This is the 3rd painting that I have had done through Rizqi, and I am once again very impressed with the work that comes from his shop. It measures 1.2 W x .65cms H, and they have used the colours from my doona cover to match in the picture of bamboos. This cost me 350,000rp, and I left it on the wood frame to bring home. I had no problems with customs re the wood, as I stressed (as I always do), that I need good wood to bring into Oz. My last 2 paintings from Rizqi were in the pointillism (dot) style, and Perth Customs have commented on all 3 as to how well they are painted.
Brochures & Business Cards: @ Indograph in Jl Petih Jelantik, Kuta.
I have previously had some personal cards made here, and this time I needed some brochures for our Holiday Villa in Dunsborough, as well as new business cards.The graphic artist who was assigned to my job was called Jovi, and he did an absolutely professional job from the little information adn photos that I actually took with me.I had a minimum number of brochures done in a thin glossy cardboard, and just 100 cards, as we need to add a website and other details to them when I go back in June. The cost for 200 cardboard brochures and 100 biz cards was approx $AUD163, but Jovi has also designed a LOGO for the villa, and was able to "resurrect" my photos from low quality to a higher grade, take out the date, and add South West photos to the brochure.I spent a total of 2 hours with him over a 2 day period, and he presented me with a couple of samples to choose from. I did have him change the header colours etc, but quickly reverted to his original colours, as they definitely had more "zing". Thank you to BTF poster LuvtheNT, who sent me some samples of her stock printed at Indograph as well. I am Very Impressed and Very Happy with their Work!
B Design Jewellery: In Double 6 Road, owned by Joanna Casson, an Australian.
We always make a Bee-line for Joanna's shop, as she stocks the most gorgeous "bling" jewellery, and will make extras such as bracelets or earrings to match. Her prices are VERY reasonable, and I always stock up on presents from there as well. Joanna has lived in Bali for 6-7 years and is extremely knowledgeable in all things Bali/Quarantine & Customs and other regulations, and we always spend a few hours just chatting with this very wise lady. If she is away on a buying trip, her very capable 2IC Putu, will be just as helpful.
Komang Adi Silver Jewellery: In Celuk.
Another outlet we always visit for very reasonably priced silver jewellery. This trip, I was delighted to find the same bracelet as my friend Judy has been wearing for the past 5 years, as I have searched in vain in the interim years. Whilst her shop is not as elaborately set up as U C Silver, the prices are vastly better, and it is well worth arranging a car and driver for a trip here. We also have a look at the upmarket UC Silver, buy one or two pieces there, as it is quite unique, but these days, we don't bother checking out any others as we have done that in the past. We make a day of it, and venture further afield to Tegallalang as well.
Tegallalang:
Being the "shopper" that I am, I just love going to this small village and finding most of the homewares that I want in such a small area(well, the area is 3-4 klms in length), and at such wonderful bargain prices.
A couple of my "finds" here this time, were large leaf metal wall artworks at 60,000Rp each, silver wooden buddha "eyes" ornament (40,000rp), plus mozaic buddha head lamps for 70,000(small)-90,000rp(large). For an extra 10,000rp, you can also buy the cord with on/off switch, but you will need to have it wired up here in Oz. You can also buy many of the mozaic dishes here in a myriad of colours & different designs, for under half of what they cost in Kuta.
Other items purchased here over the years have been lamps, a set of cranes with wobbling metal necks, paintings (lots of dot style), mirrors and other wall decor as well. Not much in the way of clothing, but a great area if you are re-decorating your house.
If you are in this area, don't forget to head further up the hill to Kamplung Cafe for a meal. Great views, relaxed ambience, delicious food and the prices are cheap.
St Isador: For Table Linen etc: In Jl Laksmana, Seminyak:
Here I had a large table runner, 8 placemats and 4 cushion covers made using my material in 2 colourways of aubergine purple & avocado green. I had previously checked many outlets to see if I could buy something already made, but soon realised that I needed to provide the material.
After some discussion, I decided to have circular patterns embroidered onto each piece, using the contrasting material as a cut out on each colour, and because one of the materials was slightly stretchy, they had to back that area with double backing.
I had also looked into having them made through a market stall, which woud have been a little cheaper, but at "the end of the day", decided it was worth paying more for what I hoped would be a more professional job.
The order was ready when they said it would be, and the end product is absolutely top quality. It cost me a total of $AUD59 using my own material, but I would hate to think what it would've cost me here!
I think that the trick to getting a very pleasing end result, is to do your homework first, whether it be providing your own material, or a swatch of colours to be matched to, or even a picture of the room & samples of the decor, in which the product is to be placed/used.
No 2 Putu Shop for Sandals;
In Jl Pantai Kuta. Both my friend and I had several pairs of sandals made in other colours than what they carried as a general line in their shop. These were made in rapid time (approx 2 days by Made at Putu 2 - DONT GO TO PUTU 1), cost 110,000rp for a mock suede, metal studded gladiator style, leather soled,with a zippered back -colours of purple/red/burnt orange/soft citrus green & ming blue.
I would like to have included Adi Ayu Shoe Shop in this section, as I have been having sandals made there on each of my last 3 trips, but this time, they did not complete the making of them at all,the ballet flats had a leather sole not the requested black plastic one, so they will feature in my "lowlights" section!!
Ms Paks: @ Bali Rani Hotel: Jl Kartika Plaza.
Last year I had a couple of Pandora charms and other pieces created from my own gold by Burhan at Permata Dewata Gold in Denpasar. Whilst I was very pleased with the ring that he made for me, I was unhappy with the "chunky" look of the charms, so this trip, I took them into Ms Pak along with an enlarged picture of the original charms, and had them re-done, plus 2 new ones made.
The end result was much better for one piece, (still not an exact flower shape, but close enough), and the hanging flower charm was exeptionally well done. The total cost for 4 pieces was 1,000,000Rp(AUD120) plus my leftover gold returned for future use, so I am very happy with that.
Ms Pak will be re-locating into the inside of the hotel area very soon for all those that may want to0 use her services. She is a charming lady to deal with, and all work was finished on time, plus I was able to negotiate a better price for the work, once it was completed.
I am sure that there are other things that I have forgotten, so I will add another shopping highlights JBR if there is. Otherwise, watch for the lowlights of my trip - both shopping & taxi drivers - be forewarned, don't get into BLUEBIRD CAB NO VV769!
Cheers til next time.