David's AW News: Trade Secrets,Teak Tales&Special Thanks from Bali

 Greetings from AW Frangipani warehouse, Bali

Yes I'm back from Java, where last week I was telling you about the most friendly people and the village where everyone collaborates together to make beautiful guitars.. If you missed it you can catch up here.

There seems to be a bit of a crisis inside Indonesia with airlines. Prices of tickets have rocketed and every flight seems to be full. I used to even turn up at the airport and get whatever flight was next to leave, now you have to plan well ahead.  I need to get back to Bali from Solo and discovered that no seats were available for the next four days.. so I ended up flying to Batik airways to Jakarta, business class (crazy for a one hour flight - but I enjoyed it), strolled through the rustic but friendly domestic airport to departures, sat in an ancient but comfy business lounge at the one gate terminal just for Batik. Nobody checked my ticket..  As I came out of the lounge I was directed to take the business class mini bus to the plane.. on the plane I took my seat.. I realised nobody had looked at my ticket on my phone, or even scanned the QR code. Well such trusting folks at Batik air...

Whilst in Java we went to visit a supplier deep in the Teak forests of central Java.

I was keen to reinvent our teak fruit bowls collection having seen an impressive range at one of our Spanish competitors.. nothing like a bit of competition to get you motivated!

There is a town in the middle of the forest, which is a bit like the guitar colab village I was telling you about where everyone is focused on the same things.

Actually before you reach that place (I can't tell you the name.. it's a trade secret).. we have one long-time supplier. Husband and wife, they have a small showroom on the side of the road and workshops that actually abuts  into the forest..  The husband was actually working on re-order when we arrived. You can see the teak display pad he is making.

These are carefully managed teak forests, this area actually just planted two years ago. I was surprised at the height they grow in two years. Our supplier lady explained that they don't cut the tree's until the trunks reach a certain diameter and some parts of the forest have trees that won't be harvested until they are fifty years old!  That's a hell of a supply line. More trees are planted than cut and conservation is a serious business. The big trees are cut and harvested and shipped to the mega factories near the port that produce the world's garden furniture. The roots, branches and offcuts find their way to the local artisan community.. where tremendous creativity produces beautiful things. Check out these..

The boss of this place employs dozens of local artisans, he showed us his beautiful house and several large workshops with people beavering away. The guy was very happy to see us, actually all the family came to say hello. It seems his best customer (I think American) has never met or has even talked to them. They just get regular emailed orders, and send truck loads to the cargo house every week. Hense so happy to meet potential customers in person.

We didn't order anything yet.. because the current shipping rates would triple the landed price of such things, but do you think we should?

Meanwhile I'm back in Bali and Ringo has been showing me the garden that surrounds the loading area of our warehouse. He has green fingers.. and really proud of his multi coloured frangipani.

Green fingers..

And a big thank you.

THANK YOU!

Finally news from Bali Baby Home. With our donation (made possible by you.. our amazing customers) they were able to fund the rescue of three more babies in the Yogyakarta branch..

The founder called us with very emotional thanks and his media guy made a little video. 

He also told us that another two babies have been taken into the Bali home. So lots happening right now.

You can help by donating here.. but just being a customer will help us help more. Thank you. If you donate, you can be sure 100% of it goes to the causes we support.

It's September very soon.. and that means CHRISTMAS IS COMING.. not to mention Halloween.. so the Backend Giftware Season officially kicks off.

Wishing you all the best for the upcoming trading season.. let's make it Happen!

Have a lovely weekend, more news next Friday.

David

PS: This is today.. baby born lunchtime in Bali Baby Home...