Wholesale The creative heart of the world - Ancient Wisdom

Greetings from Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Yes I'm back in giftware heaven, Ubud the creative heart of all things esoteric, artistic, handicrafts and the yoga capital of the world (don't tell India).

Last week I was with our man from India (and his son) Mr Chatterjee in the city of Kuala Lumpur , a reunion after more than two years.. if you missed it you can read about it here.

Ubud sits in the Gianyar regency of Bali, and whilst you will find folk all over Bali and other parts of Indonesia making things by hand, Gianyar is ground zero for handicraft exports. Some claim the most creative people on earth live here.. people who almost can't help themselves making things day and night. Villages often specialise in strange things, I have told you about the hand carving village before, but there are towns that just make bamboo items, a whole town making silver items a glass blowing village.

Mr Chatterjee went back to India and I cam to Bali.. but while this maybe a Yoga capital, India likes to claim they are the home of Yoga and now every year they have an international day of Yoga day... but mostly in India where President Modi loves to show off his moves. The children's home that with the help of Mr Chatterjee AW supports got in on the act.. here are the kids doing Yoga.

In more good news one of our older kids achieved top marks in all the town schools.. it seems we have a super smart guy.. Mr Chatterjee went to congratulate him.

Mr Kundo is the home manager here with our Super-star and Mr Chatterjee.

Meanwhile back in Ubud I have spent the last few days visiting suppliers, checking work in progress and reviewing potential new products.

Ringo, his assistant: Bondhan and me buzzing round the villages meeting up with our old suppliers and friends.. it's one of my favourite things to do..

Bondhan and I had an evening out in Ubud, we went to see a band that we know.. what I can tell you is Ubud is busy again and by far the biggest visitors are Russians, and all the ones I have chatted to are not really on holiday, they claim to be digital nomads and are not planning on going home anytime soon.

Ringo & Bondhan in action.

I was last here only a few months ago.. last time Bondhan who is a trained graphic designer worked on a range of Mandela inspired cushions..I fed him the ideas he drafted them up and working with our supplier we developed this luxury range of linen cushions with mandala designs.

OK simple I guess, and maybe just an idea who's time had come.. But our idea has been copied and now you can see pretty similar cushions in showrooms and gift shops everywhere. We went to the main city market in Denpasar, a large multi-storey craft market in the heart of the town. Every other textile store has our cushions..same look and feel.. Stores in Ubud have them selling to Russians and Australian tourists.. I said to Bondhan.. look your work has gone viral.. It's not the first time this happened.. years ago I developed the Hati-Hati angel.. and now you can find it in most gift shops.

So already have a few ideas in the pipeline, but you have any suggestions - I'd love to hear from you.

At the end of the day new products are what your customers want and drive better profitable sales for your business..

Hopefully Coco will be here by the time you get next weeks newsletter..

Take care,

David