Hello ,
Greetings from Spain
Last week I was giving you a quick update on our EU operations and also on the volcano situation near our warehouse in Indonesia. You can read about it here. - It's now rumbling alarmingly, lots of ash and steam being thrust into the air. So far no massive eruption but Ubud is a ghost town as people move off the mountain area. More updates direct from your man in Ubud, as it happens.
Since last week I have driven from Trnava in a snowstorm (where our warehouse is in Slovakia) across the border to Vienna and flown down to slightly warmer weather in Malaga, Spain.
Raul our IT Wizard joined me flying in from KL where he lives (and works) to spend a week at our house in La Cala de Mijas, working on new software updates to help bring you better stock faster and cheaper :)
This Sunday we will fly into the snow, and join everyone at AW HQ, to make our plans for 2018.
It's Christmas.. OMG it really is - The season of goodwill, warm socks, and cinnamon scented candles is upon us... and I know you are busy. Hopefully very, berry, busy:)... So I'll keep it short and sweet.
Christmas consumes us, it is all around, but I was just thinking that much of the world, actually doesn't know it's Christmas. Mostly they don't care, they have there own traditions and celebrations, every bit as rich and colourful (probably less tacky) than ours. Where we do business in India, China, and Indonesia, for many folk Christmas is just something they have heard of.. Only 12 days ago I was in China, checking out a new flashy shopping centre, I thought, I'll do a spot of Christmas shopping. A few Christmas bit's and bobs, mixed in with the Halloween stuff. They have some nice shops, including some high street names you would know, like C&A and Zara. After two hours wondering around, I bought nothing. I couldn't find anything that I couldn't buy in Sheffield.. why are the big cities of the world becoming homogenized?
That's when I saw the light!
Yes, Ancient Wisdom is an antidote to all that sameness. You'll never find a Bali magic box cat in Boots. (not handcrafted anyway), because the guy that makes it sat on his courtyard floor in a mountain village can only make eight a day. We just buy all his family can make in a given period. Artisan crafts like that you simply cannot find in the mega stores, but you can find these special things on the shelves of your shop or online store.
My Friend Patrick of Le Bon Vin, sells French wine. He always tells me (read this with a French accent if you can): "Zere are two types of ze wine.. from ze real Chateaux and from ze factory". One of which, you might add is made with love and one.. heartlessly mass produced. It's the same with gifts. Artisan or Factory.. you choose.
So it's Christmas time... and everyone is giving gifts. Is'nt that great? Ever since some wise men came bearing gifts to give to baby Jesus have people given gifts this time of year.
And we are in the gift business, do you want to give (or sell) Artisan or Factory gifts? Of course we have to sell factory stuff, but wouldn't it be nice if all the gifts were made with love.
Another container arrived from Bali, it's got stock ideal for Spring, including hand carved and painted Albasia Wood Buddhas. Each one created lovingly within sight of that volcano. This albasia wood, so sustainable, and made by artisan families in Bali. They are arty and cool, and somehow the real deal and totally zen-like. One lady, a customer asked me to import them, she had some from another importer... "They just flew out like hot cakes" she told me.
You might want to stock for new year sales time. See below.
Hope it's not too early to wish you a Very Merry Christmas.
Take care
David
