Wow...
So....five years ago I started the website up as a way to help out kite builders get their product out to the kite world.....
Now, I have shipped packages to all over the globe and especially all over this continent! I have moved about 45 times since the site started (there has only been one issue of a shipment being sent to an old address - luckily the new address was about a mile down the road and I had the same post man!)
As some may know I worked at High Flyers in Newport, Rhode Island, for 9 years....I learned soooo much at that shop..made wonderful life long friends and had a blast! (Newport Saint Patrick's Day parade with Irish coffee streetside is just one example) I learned so much from Sue about this world of wacky kite people!
High Flyers closed at the end of 2005 and I was stuck out there with only my environmental education job to keep me going....I kept in touch with many of the kite people from the shop; during one conversation with Scott Hampton I started thinking that I should generate an outlet for the kite makers and kite public as well.
I am now working with 16 kite makers (discussions are in place for #17 right now), these people are based in the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, US, Canada, Singapore and France. Getting in packages from these makers is great, I love it! I also love then sending out new designs to those interested kite fliers. Experiencing customers finding out that new and different items are out there and not being mass produced is awesome.
Then shortly after I started the website an old customer from High Flyers called me and asked if I could liquidate his collection for him. Turn of events had him not flying at all and putting all of his free time into other avenues. He drove the van over to my house and unloaded a bunch....that first van load was the beginning of The Yard Sale, a place where used/preloved kites and items are offered up on good deals.
There have been a lot of amazing kites that have passed through The Yard Sale.....many boutique kites....kites from many years ago....pieces that have been sought after....some pieces that i have regretted sending along to someone else too ;)
I will admit that it is all on a shoe string budget....very little money comes in, just enough to pay for the website...and any extra $ goes right back into getting more products...It is busy for me sometimes, but I still love it, and plan on keeping it around for a long time!!!
Here's to new kites for everyone!
Good winds
Rob
News from Windswept Kites
Artistic single line kites, banners & ground display items
1/27/13
closed for a couple of days
The website will be closed for a couple of days due to a death in the family.
Back in a few.
Rob
1/14/13
resolution? well...not really.....
Over the years I have had different jobs that allowed different liberties.....some of those jobs were restrictive, or demanded a good bit of my time mentally (whether or not I wanted them to).
So, of course like many others the activity that I loved dropped off.....
I am in a position right now where I can run down to the beach at lunch time and relax my mind by flying!
So.....I am trying to get out flying at least once a week.....I know it is not THAT restrictive of an attempt - but I am being real about it (a skeptic mayhaps?)....
If I can get myself out of the office or house at least 52 times to fly that is enough for me at this time....maybe next year i will go for two times a week....
I will be going through my bags to find some of those neat or different kites that end up tucked away in the bottom of the bag and do not come often enough....
So.....
Last week I was able to get out a couple of times....I have been working on rehabbing a handful of 25 year old kites and therefor i need to get out to test them....that helps!
Starting this week off strong as it is sunny, windy, and 60 dang degrees here in Gloucester Massachusetts in January!!! Pulled out a Christophe Tournay leaf kite to fly....
(a guy walked up to chat with me as he was drawn to it since the kite is a maple leaf and he is Canadian....Love the relationships that form around kites!!!!).
You can follow my attempt (photos and all) on Twitter at hashtag #Flayakiteaweek.
Any one dare say i might not make it?
Rob
1/7/13
What a funny word: Plutz......
Have you heard?
The newest super sweet xUL gliding kite is coming out before KTAI!!!
ceewan has brought out his new MEGA plutz!
There was a Mega plutz about 3 years ago, but very few were produced,
and extremely few (maybe just 1) are here in the states.
So, if you are looking for a
no wind - low wind
gliding
active flying kite
that is not small you will want a Mega Plutz!
Framed in full skyshark p90s that makes this kite 65" wide and long.........
All icarex for an outstanding colored lightweight skin....
The flight ability that is designed into this is astonishing....seriously....it will climb extremely well in 1 mph wind...and it glides as long as you feed it line....
Check out the detail pictures over here on google+,
including the picture that shows the 7 color choices to pick from.
Retail will be 240$ but our preorder price is 216$ and gets you the exact one you want from the first batch.
If this tempts you then head over to Windsweptkites.com and hit the button.
We are also able to get some of the limited number of the POP Plutz3s as well. These are the model that the Mega is based on (as well as the Prism ZeroG). They are 40" wide/long and only 85$ shipped to you.
Keep flying whether there is wind or not!!!!
WsK
12/11/12
A thought....
You know, an iFlite makes a GREAT stocking stuffer!!!
So do our new decals! (made out of a heavier duty vinyl than the previous ones!)
Also, all of the shirts have been restocked with larger sizes than before - up to 3XL!
Cheers
r
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