David's AW News: Secret Factory in Java

Greetings from Bali

Hope you are doing well!

Last week I was telling you about our Java road trip, we went to beautiful Blitar City and I sprinkled petals in a special place.. if you missed it you can catch up here.

I was also telling you what product comes from Blitar City and why you should be selling this. (see below)

From Blitar we drove three hours to the nearest commercial airport in Surabaya. The route took us through small rural villages on almost dust track roads in real backwater Indonesia's, occasionally catching views of Mount Lima. Eventually getting to the new toll road then arriving in

Indonesia's second mega city with modern fly-overs across the city to the beautiful and efficient airport.

The contrast between rural and big city was dramatic...

Last week I was also telling you about the marble city we visited on the way to Blitar - we made some content for YouTube there that's really interesting.. Watch your feed!

We have another YouTube just uploaded here about the Big Buddha Statues.. where I explain just how we get them to the EU cost effectively.

I really liked Blitar City, it's small neat city with well cared for tree lined streets and nice parks and the most lovely calm people. And for a small city in the middle of nowhere, I was amazed how everyone could speak relaxed confident English. There is a well kept secret that not many people know about Blitar. It's not coming up on google or even AI yet.. but this newsletter, blog and coming YouTube everyone will know.. you will know first.

That is.. In Blitar there are Drum factories supplying the worlds Djembe Drums, the kind used by musicians from Africa to India to Europe.

We visited to factories and discovered absolutely amazing artisan skills to make these drums.

This boss lady showed us around her factory. She told us she has a 1200 a month standing order for this drum to a Chinese company. But also customers in Bali, India and even Africa.

But then we found a guy two streets away with a huge warehouse and he told us he made two 40ft container loads a month for China also. And one 40ft to a German company.

Amazingly made from raw logs of jackfruit wood, sustainable they told us (with certificates) that are carved skilfully on a lathe. That wood has to be treated and dried, then later it's painted and carved, a goatskin drum covering is fixed and tuned with a wire and shoe lace type string, finally a rubber base is attached. Seems like a lot of work to make a drum and all artisan work.

Here you can see the lathe process the carving and the tuning and stringing process.

It was actually amazing to watch, the skills were just awesome. We have a YouTube in process.. coming soon.

Bondhan is a musician, and he tested the products and told me they were good professional quality. So with the lady above we have an order placed for our own design a professional standard range of drums. We are buying more gift style and designer ones from the other guy.. meanwhile we have stock online from our current supplier. Djembe Drums here.. 

Father's Day

Yes the Big Daddy Day is almost upon us.. at AW we have more products than most for the big day - Father's Day Gifts Here.

Something New is Coming

Meanwhile - I'm still in Bali at our digital marketing office working hard to bring you a major update..

I can't believe it's June already..

Wishing you a lovely week!! 

David