Did you win? Karma from Bali
Fri Aug 23 2019 22:30:00 GMT+0800 (Malaysia Time)
Greetings from Bali
It's been a pretty full week, running around Bali like crazy sorting out issues, trying to find new stock, developing ongoing ideas.
Last week I asked you for help in naming our new warehouse.. you can read about it here.
The response has been overwhelming hundreds of suggestions rolled in, with some pretty free-thinking ideas, and some nice iterations on the theme of our old warehouse.. that was called: The Yellow Coconut Depot, after the name of the village.
Now we have moved to what is basically a fishing village (called Jack Fruit Village) on a rugged stretch of the coast.. there are big blue doors so blue cropped up a lot.. I liked the idea: Blue Coconut Depot.. also to reflect the being near the sea.. lot's of people liked the temples connection, near by is a Sea Temple.. so lots of ideas using that theme, but I feel we need to be careful not to offend religious feelings.. not that Bali folk are remotely snowflakish.. so it was hard work choosing a winner.. after long deliberation.. and consultations with Ringo and the staff.. who have to live with it.. we decided on a very popular suggestion that came up a lot.. the first person that made this suggestion obviously wins the prize.. everyone else will get the consolation prize of Free Shipping.. read on to find out what it was..
eanwhile Ringo and I have been running around Bali, Sukawati, Dempasar and Ubud and places in-between - they say up to a million people are employed in the handicraft production on Bali, and much of it is in this quarter of the island. Sukawati is home to the art market, and one area houses a colony of artists.. all living in small studio / flats painting there own particular flavour of art on canvas. These find there way to the showrooms in Ubud or the large export companies on the main road to Dempasar. Ringo had an idea that we could find an artist here that could come and paint the warehouse to make it beautiful. In our lease there is a clause that we have to donate one 100kg sack of rice to the Temple each year and keep the property "Indah" ie not just maintained but beautiful. And since we are in the business of finding beautiful things for lovely people.. it seems perfectly logical that we should make it as nice as possible for the staff that work here.
So we set of in the maze of back avenues draped with frangipani trees that make up the artist colony. Inside small compounds are stacks of ready canvases, and lined up against walls - work in progress.. We find the Buddah painting, the one painting that sells constantly and well in our art range.. That's ours I say!! Turns out this guy supplies the export agent who carries a huge selection, and we have ordered from in the past. Actually it's a two guy partnership, as you'd expect pretty cool guys, artists have to look the part - they turn up our warehouse to give us a quote for the artwork.
Meanwhile in Slovakia, Tomas and Anton have taken the chosen name and come up with designs, we show them to the artists who you can see are seriously into this project, taking pictures on their phones, disusing with Ringo and coming up with modifications..
So it's about time I tell you the winning name.. it had to be a name with deep Ancient Wisdom connections, and it turns out this is very apt.
Roll of drums... Simple and easy.. the name is: "Ancient Wisdom Frangipani Depot"
Frangipani is very AW:
Frangipani is used in offerings in Bali, those little trays of offerings made to the gods every morning, often contain frangipani petals. The gnarled trunk and branches, shows determination and strength, while the flowers are spectacularly elegant and beautiful. All over the world, the Frangipani has spiritual ancient wisdom meanings.. here in Hindu Bali - the "Strength to overcome challenges" some people believe the spirits reside in the branches looking over us. The flowers come in many colours, and it is a national hobby (Ringo tells me) to keep a tree at home and keep grafting on branches that produce different colour blossoms, so in the end, you have a multi-colour tree. This also seems apt for AW..
So we planted a young Frangipani tree near our little temple in the corner of the car park..
The flower is also closely associated with Spa's and aromatherapy.. and since many of these are our customers is also fitting. We don't yet sell real Fragipani oil.. right now trying hard to find a direct supply..
The other day the head holy man called by, he was very happy with our Indah.. he told Ringo so happy in fact that he told us the 100kg of rice was not mandatory, no need - he said you are doing enough. It's all good Karma:)
Our young Frangipani tree, next to the temple, and a big pot with Frangipani petal motif.
Frangipani lines the streets of Bali
Vicki Bonass - was the first person to suggest this and wins the prize! Plus heaps of karma and goodwill all the way from Bali. Congratulations Vicki.. Vouchers on the way to you :)
well done Vicki - Ringo and the team say thank you.
Everyone else we will send free shipping vouchers to.
This is just the artist impression.. not done yet.. (Thank you Anton) The office are will look like this, but will also paint the external wall in a similar way.
Meanwhile in the UK.. it is a Bank Holiday weekend, which means we have been extremely busy. Ula has been in charge and doing an amazing job getting the orders out - it's been manic but, but Ula and her team have been like the Frangipani overcoming obstacles with stubborn determination and.. still looking beautiful. Also, I know the warehouse team have been total hero's dealing with in-coming containers (including one from Bali), whilst getting the maximum orders out. Well done guys.
Hope you have a wonderful Indah weekend 
I read it should be hot & sunny :)
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