News from Windswept Kites

updates

2012-01-22T18:26:00.000-05:00

Patriots win
iFlites are on order again
Some new surprises have been added to the website
Vapids are coming from NZ
We will be helping build a set for a show at Radio City Music Hall (you will be able to read about it from the Drachen Foundation website afterward)
There is snow on the ground
From mass produced kites there are some very special kites coming out-check out the ZeroG (you will recognize this as the Plutz variants that we have had for the last two years) and the Emong, the Soar, the Flick - just a couple that have caught our eye
The dogs are not shedding as much this week and that is good!

Just a couple of updates!!!

Good winds

rob

Google + & Social Media

2012-01-15T14:37:00.000-05:00

There now exists a Windswept Kites Google + page: It is here! Go on and add us into your circles!

The Windswept Kites facebook page has been up for awhile: WsK on FB

And here we are on Twitter: WsK on Twitter

Just trying to pass along all of the ways to connect!

Back to shipping the orders that came in this week.

Good winds

rob

Closed this week

2012-01-08T20:26:00.001-05:00

Due to a death in the family we will be closed this week, January 8th to the 14th.

Welcome to 2012 the Yard Sale has been updated!

2012-01-03T20:36:00.001-05:00

We got a large number of kites up for grabs: power foils, single lines, dual lines.......
Also keep watching the website for new offerings as well!
Hints: initials are PT & JL & also SH! Any guesses???

Cheers everyone, keep flying!

Here is a picture of our New Years Day @ Colt State Park.

Happy Holidays everyone!

2011-12-24T12:01:00.000-05:00

Here at Windswept Kites we wish everyone out there a wonderful holiday!

Hopefully that gift that you REALLY wanted is the one wrapped up right now with your name on it.

Good winds

rob et al

iFlites on their way

2011-12-14T08:55:00.001-05:00

More of the newest phenomenon indoor kite, Patrick Tan's iFlite, are on the way. Hopefully we will get them in time to ship some back out for the holidays. What better way to spend Christmas day then flying an iFlite around the tree, kitchen, and holiday revellers.

Keep an eye on this blog or the windswept kites Facebook page for news.

New kite alert!

2011-11-12T11:38:00.001-05:00

The new kite to get is the iFlite made by layangman in Singapore. Our shipment just arrived, check the website to see when his page gets uploaded.

A super sweet indoor fighter style kite at a great price, these will go quickly!

Good winds

Brasington Workshop recap

2011-10-14T15:05:00.000-04:00

Robert does not know i took this one :)

Well now....it has been 5 days since Robert headed back out of here.

He is safely back in Tasmania, with his bags a little lighter!

I cannot begin to guess at how many miles were traveled to get here but we made 17 Concentrix kites, and 11 Wind Tulip Kinetic spinners, sold some more kites, flew some sweet indoor kites (on order btw!) and had a LOT of laughs. Other fun things to note are that we had three people who had never made a kite before take part, and also that Robert got to see the Stanley Cup up close and personal!
The Hastings House staff loved having us there, and the question from both kite makers and the HH staff was "when is the next one?" answer: it is in the works.....

Here are some pictures to share

Sunday Wind Tulip Day

Saturday Concentrix day

Beth and I want to say thank you to everyone who took part in the workshops.

We enjoyed having you, and hope you all had fun too!

See you at the next one!

Yard Saling

2011-10-07T08:46:00.000-04:00

The Yard Sale has been updated again.

There are some new pieces in there, some AMAZING pieces, and some new prices too.

A big box kite made by Bill Lockhart, pieces from Normand Girard, Ruth Whiting, sport kites and more!!!

Check it out, there is not much there right now, so grab it while you can!

Over to the Yard Sale

We are up here getting ready for the Workshop weekend with Robert Brasington.

The amount of colors that will be in the Hastings House workspace will be WONDERFUL!

I am certain that there will be lots of pictures to follow!

Good winds

WsK

NH bound...

2011-09-16T17:18:00.002-04:00

Heading up to Coppal House Farm in Lee, NH this Saturday to fly at their corn maze.

Come on up and check us out!!!

http://www.nhcornmaze.com/cornmaze.html

Sale!!!

2011-08-31T06:44:00.000-04:00

Prices have been dropped on a few kites from the Longbottom collection for a bit of time.

The Angel series are amazing beautiful kites that are beautiful enough to hang in an office and they also fly like a dream as well. Keep one in your bag for a memorial flight, or add a neat kite to your night fly. We only have a couple of each of these so, if this kite tempts you grab it while you can!
Pterodactyls are a bit lower as well, we picked up a handful from Karl and Sara in Dieppe and these guys are looking to climb into your bags. Awesome flyers, they are also great to use as part of your Halloween decorations too!

Kites are coming and going all the time here; so keep checking back, or subscribe to the rss feed (link on the right) to get the most current news sent to your email box.

Good winds

WsK

new kites, new old kites too

2011-08-29T06:59:00.000-04:00

New kites added up onto the website.....have you checked them out yet?

The Pipa fighter from Karl Longbottom, pterodactyls, doves as well.

Handful of new pieces from Robert Brasington, including a new kinetic piece.

The Yard Sale has some new pieces in there as well, including a gorgeous original Bill Lockhart box kite (more on this later).

Hopefully if you were in the path of Hurricane Irene you made it through okay, we had a bit of a blow and a bit of rain, not too bad.

Good winds

WsK

You like to fight? like birds? like dinosaurs? like to sew?

2011-08-20T18:10:00.000-04:00

Well, we have all three in from Karl Longbottom, as well as a couple of Swan kite kits.

Go and check them out over at his page:

Karl Longbottom

New things are coming up!

good winds

Dieppe!

2011-08-05T17:20:00.000-04:00

Windswept Kites is headed up to Dieppe, New Brunswick for their festival!

New kites will be picked up from a couple of kite makers :D

So.....make sure to check back here or the website in a couple of weeks!!!!

There are some new Yard Sale kites going up soon as well, some very special creations......

Bon vent everyone

WsK

Update on the Brasington workshops in October!

2011-07-13T07:43:00.000-04:00

@7/13 7:45am

Wow, the response was great!

Registration closed 6 hours after the first person signed up (Thank you Kevin!)

We are able to open the registration up for 5 more spots for each workshop.

Please email me, and I can then I can send a paypal invoice to you for the deposit.

I am sure that these will go very fast, and I will say that the other classmates are going to be a blast!

Head over to the website to grab the email:

http://www.windsweptkites.com/brasington.html

Good winds

Rob

Brasington Workshop update

2011-07-12T13:32:00.000-04:00

As of July 12th at 1:30pm the workshops are full.

Please send an email if you wish to be put on a waiting list.

Thank you everyone!

rob

Workshop update -7/12 @ 1:00pm

2011-07-12T13:19:00.000-04:00

As of 7/12/11 @1:00pm

The Saturday Workshop is FULL.

If you wish to be put on a waiting list please email me:

rob@windsweptkites.com

Good winds!

thanks you everyone

rob

October Brasington Workshops!!!!!

2011-07-11T21:32:00.000-04:00

October 8th & 9th, 2011, we will be hosting Robert Brasington here on the lovely North Shore of Massachusetts!!!

Robert is a master kite maker from Tasmania who has a very distinctive style of colors and patterns that make beautiful kites!!! He is taking a couple of days off of his traveling schedule for this workshop for us.

You will have the chance to make one of his Concentrix kites, or a spinning Wind Tulip

(see the picture above) at each of the workshops.

Some people decided to stick around and take both classes, if their schedule allows.

These two days are limited to 16 people all together (that means 8&8 of course)

so if you want to get into one of these get in quickly!

I will be keeping a waiting list in case someone backs out, and the open spot will fall to the next person in line.

Please see the official page on Windsweptkites.com for more details.

http://www.windsweptkites.com/brasington.html

Good winds!

Newport!

2011-07-07T21:35:00.000-04:00

Are you going to Newport? Newport RI???

Well....maybe you should.

This upcoming weekend is the Newport Kite Festival.

This is one of the best kite festivals around the country.......in one of the prettiest spots!

We will be down there....again (some where around festival #14 for me).

If you are going and there is anything you would like to purchase let me know and it can be tossed into the vehicle for a pickup - nothing like hand delivery!

Good winds

See you on the field!!!

Chiropteras

2011-06-22T18:44:00.000-04:00

Check this out:

http://windsweptkites.com/sturdydesigns.html

We have Will Sturdy's new single line kite on hand.

These are big gliding kites that are meant to be used indoors or outdoors in xUL wind conditions.

They are quite responsive for their size and can glide quite a distance with ease.

These are all microcarbon, flat carbon, and icarex handmade by a master kite builder!!!

slide show of the colors we have

The Chiropteras are 137$ shipped in the US.

By the by: each kite comes with a .25$ back too!!!

Welcome to summer everyone (in the northern hemisphere)

Quick updates!

2011-05-31T11:44:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the sunny summer time!

We just received a box of Chiropteras from Sturdy Designs.

These xUL gliders looks phenomenal!!!

The webpage will be updated soon to reflect this shipment.

What are you doing in October 2011 the weekend of the 8th/9th?

We will be having a couple of workshops here in Massachusetts with Robert Brassington!!!!

This will be the first time that Robert has come up here to teach us little people!

More info will be announced as it comes in, but this will be a fast filling weekend of classes!!

We will be trying to bring kite makers in for workshops into the Northeast more often.

Good winds

rob

Ty Billings Kites!!!!!

2011-05-04T06:52:00.000-04:00

A stash of new kites made by Ty Billings has been uncovered!

These are old stock kites that had never been unrolled since they were made and they are beautiful!!!!!

There are Dancing Bear Arch Eddy kites; these are able to be flown individually or connect their bowlines together to form an arch. These are all appliquéd, with Ty's trademark tye-dyed material on the neck of each bear. There are only a handful of these, so if you want one email to claim one quick!

There are also two of Ty's Yotzu kites.

He did a lot of research on this design and kept tweaking it until it flew just right.

These are neat shapes, that are bursting with color.

Head over to Windswept Kites to find these treasures!

These are only a handful of the newly arrived kites we have on hand.

Looking for a deal?

Make sure to check out the Yard Sale too! Some new items were just added in there.

Welcome to spring!

2011-03-11T06:48:00.000-05:00

Well, with out 6' tall snowbanks melting down to 4' ones it certainly feels like spring. We hope that you all made it through the holiday season with lots of fun!

If you have not checked out the website in a bit, you might want to! There are new prices in the Yard Sale and some good deals over the rest of the site too.

The limited edition prints by Scott Hampton are going, and once they are gone there are no more!!! So if you want to put real kite art on your walls here is your chance!

Looking forward to warm sun gentle breezes and good friends, see you on the field!

WsK

spot light on a kite maker - Merritt Beck

2010-12-29T19:44:00.002-05:00

Merritt Beck is a kite maker whose name I had heard over the years, but had never seen any of his kites.

In the last bulk consignment lot for the Yard Sale there happened to be 3 of his kites.

I googled his name to see if I could learn more about him and his kites.

Sadly, the first thing that I learned was that he had just passed away in October at the age of 95. I wish that I had been offered the chance to meet him and comment on his kites.

While popping open kites to photograph them i found these spectacularly colored kites that were impeccably sewn!

But, sewn with red and green thread.....a trademark of Merritt's.

If you happen to be a collector of kites, or just want a very nice kite to add to your collection here is your chance.

These three kites have never been flown and are beautiful!

KS83: ~3' snowflake $120*

KS84: ~12' Delta V $200*

KS85: ~12' DC $200*

The deltas are framed in 1" square basswood spars (ala Sun Oak Kites) and are going to be fun to ship! The leading edges do not break down. The snowflake is a smaller much easier to ship package.

These kites are probably the only ones out there in such pristine condition. If you do not grab these while you can right now, you will probably never get the chance to again!!!

Drop an email to claim one or all of them!!!

Good winds!

WsK

*prices do not include shipping.

Holidays and Blizzards

2010-12-28T17:03:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone!

We have gotten through one holiday weekend and a blizzard.

Now we are looking at one more holiday weekend and a move!

Yep, we are moving!!!! Just around the corner a bit though.

Feel free to keep ordering, and emailing questions.

We will be on top of communications as much as we can be with the

internet being up and down et al.

Hopefully, every one of you got what you were hoping for over the gift giving season -

if not, we have a bunch of great great kites looking for homes!

In case you have not heard it enough:

"Have a happy and happy holiday!"

Good winds.

We hope to see you in the new year!

WsK

New Kite Alert!!!!!

2010-12-18T18:05:00.000-05:00

Robert Brasington's box of kites have arrived!

We scurried to get them on the website before Christmas!

Who would not want a special Kindness of Strangers under their tree?

Or one of Robert's new kite; The Electric Slim - BUT in a special color pattern?

I know that I would LOVE that (hint hint family and friends ;) )

Head on over to Windswept Kites,

find Robert's page (yes you have to see the other kite makers we have as well)

and see what we have got!

The kites from Robert are sure to be all special one of a kind kites!

Shipping via USPS priority mail for the US is included in the price!!!

Good winds

WsK

New kites in time for the holiday!

2010-12-18T12:55:00.002-05:00

We just received in a packet of kites from Karl Longbottom.

These are all individual one-of-a-kind hand dyed kites.

They are great for popping into a suitcase, briefcase, or backpack to carry along your travels, or as a car kite too.

Fantastic flyers these kites will light up the sky everywhere!

You have two color schemes to choose from: Hot or Cool. Both colors look great!

These kites retail for 67$ shipped in the US via Priority Mail

(if you order soon they might make it to your house for Friday!).
Head over to Windswept Kites to claim one (and some other nice kites too!)

Keep checking the website out for changes and new kites!

Happy holidays to everyone

-WsK

The Yard Sale

2010-12-02T23:14:00.001-05:00

The Yard Sale has been updated again!

You will see that there is a new format; this one is a little easier for us to work in

and also it does not take as long for your computer when you click into it.

You can also see the pictures of what you want to see.

There are sections for single line kites, for dual line kites, for quad lines,

and also for the line laundry/ground display/banners/other kite related items.

http://www.windsweptkites.com/Yard_Sale.html

A quick list of some of what you might find:

fighter kites

Windfeather banners

Peter Lynn giants

Pins

Prism sport kites

Guildworks items

Historic kites!

Catch the Wind spinsocks

kites that had not been opened since they were first made

Wander on in, you never know what you might find!

Reminder: the Yard Sale is updated on an ongoing basis.

Usually, any updating of the Yard Sale (or of any part of the website) will also be associated with a blog post here, but sometimes items get sneaked in. Seriously , you never know what might pop in there or when!

If you happen to have a pile of kites that you are no longer flying, in need of money,

or just want to pass some kites along and need some help with it please drop us a line!

We have been helping people to sell used/preloved/unwanted kites

and kite related items for over three years now.

We have the knowledge, we have the drive to do it,

and we are set up to ship kites every day (well except Sundays - thats football)

Good winds

WsK

GINGA part 2

2010-11-17T18:16:00.000-05:00

Big thanks go out to Christoph and to kitebuilder Imagin!

We are back in business with the Ginga.

Head on over to: http://www.windsweptkites.com/ginga.html and you can download a folder that has the info as well as two templates!!!!

Lets see what you guys are going to make from this.

Please send any/all pictures of finished kites to info@windsweptkites.com so we can share them.

Good winds

WsK

Decals!

2010-11-08T19:00:00.000-05:00

Weatherproof decals are in stock and ready to fly to you!

These decals are 3x4 inches and can be stuck on water bottles, cars, kite cases, people, kayaks, SUP boards, laptops, you name it! Show the world what you love to do!

$3.00 for one mailed to you in the US, we can make a deal if you want more too.

Want to purchase one?

Head over to the Lafney designs page on the website!

Good winds

WsK

Ceewan's Plutz kites!

2010-11-06T17:02:00.001-04:00

UPDATE!!!!

You can now find Ceewan's phenomenal Plutz kites for sale

on his page of Windswept Kites!

These kites excel at a smooth gliding flight!

They are best for no wind/indoor or up to about 4mph of wind.

Very light framing and a great design

keep these kites up in the air when not much else is flying.
Here is a video showing how well they do:

There are three sizes of them,

but only the Large and the Standard sizes are in stock right now.

These kites are going fast, so grab them while you can!

The indoor season is almost upon us up here in the Northeast!!!

Good winds!

We are back...and the sales continue

2010-11-02T20:28:00.000-04:00

Back from the vacation, and we are jumping straight back in with both feet.

The Yard Sale has been updated.

There are a couple of new kites, as well as some discounted prices too!

Grab them while you can!

Keep checking out the website and the blog for changes that are occuring!

Good winds

rob

Closed

2010-09-28T18:12:00.000-04:00

Windswept Kites will be closed from September 29th to October 17th.

Any and all orders, emails, requests, complaints will be handled in the order received as promptly as we can when we return!

Good winds!

shh...you might see us at Seaside!

Argh. Ginga plan needs to be tweaked.

2010-09-24T06:44:00.000-04:00

For those of you interested in the plans to make the Ginga kite,

Christoph has requested the plan be pulled down as he tweaks it.

We want the plan to work as well as it can for all of you.

There is a couple of discussions on the forums right now about this kite:

http://www.gwtwforum.com/index.php?topic=4007.0

http://www.kitebuilder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9291

http://fracturedaxel.co.uk/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10396

The plan will be back up as soon as it is fixed up.

Here are a bevy of pictures of the High aspect and the Vented versions, as well as some not-so-great videos.

http://picasaweb.google.com/corgimas/GingaKites#

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Good winds

WsK

Attention kite builders: a new plan added!

2010-09-20T21:13:00.002-04:00

Ginga

Christoph Tournay

The Ginga is the next set of plans we are offering.

This is a neat neat UL kite, that is based upon a fighter kite.

But, it is enlarged and tweaked and contorted as well.

The spine is curved front to back, and the spreader is made of two different materials to provide a curve not available from either separately!

There are 4 versions of this design that Christoph has made:

the small, standard and stretched versions are pictured above.

There is also a vented version as well.

Differences:

The Stretched is a higher aspect version. It is more of a gliding kite than the others.

The small is most fighter kite like, faster than the others.

The vented is not for high winds, it is for very smooth flying in those ultra light wind conditions (you know the type with small gusts buggering things up).

If you are int he New England area and want to try them out please let me know.

I have a vented and a stretched in the bag at almost all times.

If you make one of these (or more) please share pictures with me!

Christoph loves to see more of his kites out there, as do the rest of us.

Your pictures will be posted online.

You can find the plan here: Windsweptkites.com/Plans.html
Just click on the image of the kite you wish to build and you will get to read more about the design.
Then if you are tempted, click on the link and you will download a compressed folder of plans and pictures.

Okay, get out your dremels, sewing machines, hot cutters, and get your printer ready for a few pages; now go and get cracking!

Bon vent!

rob

Yard sale updated

2010-09-15T19:23:00.000-04:00

The Yard Sale has been updated again.

A few more kites have arrived! Some nice ones too!!!

A couple of Martin Lester 20' Spirit Men,

an original Peter Lynn 20' Octopus,

a 50' Shannon foil, some Guildworks kites....

Come on over and check them out!

www.WindsweptKites.com

(at the bottom of the page)

Good winds!

WsK

CEEWAN's Pointers!

2010-09-07T19:26:00.000-04:00

The Pointers have arrived!!!!

This is the first one here in the States!
(these are a size between Premier Kites' Pointer and Skyburner's GEOPointer!)

They came out great!
I cannot wait to get one out tomorrow into the wind,
with pictures of course.

Grab them while you can as there was only a few of each color in the first batch.

The Pointer kites are designed for a very wide wind range.
In very light winds you have two small spreaders mid way down the skin and the pigtail at a low point.
In higher winds you remove the accessory spreaders and attach the pigtail up higher.

You can order these two ways:

1. Framed and ready for you to put your line on and fly.
2. SKIN and tension lines only.
You will need to frame it, but it is a discounted price
(preferred frame is SkyShark p200 and p90s and a few bits and bobs).

You can learn more at Ceewan's Page on Windswept Kites.

Next blog post for Windswept Kites will be about Ceewan's Plutz kites. They came in too!

Good winds
rob

More Guildworks kites!

2010-09-04T13:31:00.000-04:00

A batch of Guildworks kites came up. Some great ones to add to a collection!!!!

Ty Billings dyed Minergies,
X-handles
Zero winds minergies

These, and more, are all in the Yard Sale

Also, some of the webpage has been updated silently, did anyone notice?

There is more coming this week as well!!!

Check out the website and see if you can find some!

www.WindsweptKites.com

Good winds

WsK

Orders on the way

2010-08-06T10:44:00.001-04:00

Got two shipments on the way to us right now.

1. A good sized box of Pointers, Plutz2s and a couple of Large Plutzs coming in from Malaysia from the desk of Ceewan.
Lots of choices to go over!

2. A hand delivered box coming in from Karl Longbottom that has Swan kite KITS, Large Pterodactyls, and Mini Mad Hatas.

Lots of fun and great designs on their way.

We ship international, just contact us for shipping costs.
Good winds everyone
-WsK

Garden sale! Garden? well sort of!!!

2010-07-23T07:03:00.000-04:00

We have to get some of Gill's kites and windsocks out there!!!

So, more than 10% off on items from Gill Bloom.

Her expertly dyed-then-appliqued flower kites

are a great way to bring color into the air (or onto an office wall).

Her koi windsocks are second to none! Trust us we have had lots of fish windsocks in our hands over the year - there have been none that match Gill's for quality and design!

Yes, the flying pig windsocks are on sale as well!

Kites are marked down to 48$, and that includes shipping in the states, and windsocks are down to 18$, shipping included as well.

So, if these are tantalizing you at all head on over to the Skyblooms page on Windsweptkites.com and grab them while you can!

Good winds!

WsK

Ceewan's Pointer Kites!!!! Special size and colors!

2010-07-15T18:37:00.001-04:00

These are MID sized Pointer Kites direct from Ceewan

At just over 13' they are bigger then the Pointers from Premier,
but smaller than Skyburner's GeoPointer.

We are running a pre-order page for you.
You have a choice of 5 colors (see below)
as well as two different ways that you get the kite:

1. Full kite, framed and ready to put your line on. The pre-order price on this is 170$ shipped to you in the States (contact us for international orders). The regular retail price on this option will be 200$ so grab these while you can!!!

2. The kite kit. The kit will come with bridle, skin and the rod sewn into the bottom of the skin. You will need to get rods to frame this! The recommended frame is SkyShark p200 and p90's, with a couple of 2mm solid carbon rods and a few pieces of hardware, but you can frame it any way you like. The pre-order price on this is 95$ shipped in the States, and its regular price will be 115$.

So, check out the picture below of the color options (the Flame color might not come in, so please keep that in mind but feel free to ask for it) and head over to the Windswept Kites web page for Ceewan and put your order in! The estimated shipping is the end of July as these kites have a long way to come from Malaysia!

We also will be getting in the Plutz gen2 from Ceewan in the same packet, as well as a couple of the Large Plutz's as well!

More kites are also on order from Karl Longbottom too.

Good winds!
WsK

kisa!!!

2010-07-07T08:36:00.000-04:00

New kite alert!!!!!!!!
We are bringing in kites from kisa!
At this moment we just have the production Scubadoo (also the only kite that we offer that has line included and is ready to fly!)

The Scubadoos are good for indoor flying, outdoor flying, tethered to the top of a telescoping banner pole, and even underwater "flying".
One of the more adaptive kites ever!

At under 40$ ready to fly it is a great item to add to your bag!

Get out there and fly!!!
WsK

That gorgeous Bobby Stanfield cellular kite......

2010-06-16T21:08:00.001-04:00

You can own this spectacular kite!!!

This is the final price drop on the Stanfield.

If no one grabs this kite up at 600$ then it is going back off the market.

The neat stuff:

This is 1 of only 4 kites. Bobby only made 4 of this specific kite. Two were sold on the East coast, and two were on the West coast. The other East coast kite flies on Horseneck Beach in Westport, Massachusetts.

Bobby made most of his own fittings. To look at this kite you see it as a marvel of design. He designed the kite so that it is very easy to adjust the tension on the skin, that way it looks the best at all times.

This is a massive cellular kite - it is about 7' tall, over 8' wide and almost 3' deep!

The tail is a separate section. This kite will fly without it, but does look more complete with it.

This kite will look beautiful up flying in the wind, or hanging in a office or museum!

This kite will definitely make you more popular on the kite field.

Are you a Florida Gators fan who loves flying single line kites? Then this kite is very appropriate for you!

Links to more pictures: here & here

Drop a note to us to claim this beauty!!!!

Someone needs to take this home and display it!

Good winds to everone

WsK

*claim about this kite increasing our popularity might be stretching the truth a bit!

Updates

2010-06-14T21:16:00.000-04:00

So.....some updates have occurred:

The last banner from Scott Hampton went to a new home this weekend.

New prices in the Yard Sale on some items are in place.

Sold items have been cleared off the Yard Sale (there might be one or two items pending sale though).

A new kite maker page is almost ready to launch.

and......

it was a rainy but friend-ful day at Nahant for the the KONE regional event this past Saturday.

We did have a fun time, just not exactly as expected!

Keep an eye peeled for the new page of kites!

Good winds

WsK

...and its over.......

2010-06-11T12:50:00.001-04:00

Sale is all done for now.
Next week:
Kites by kisa of Germany

Upcoming:
Ceewan's Plutz 2
Ceewan's Pointer kits

and maybe some other stuff

Off to Nahant, Mass, in the morning for the KONE Regional.
Good wind, good friends, great to be flying!!!

Good winds!
rob

Gentle Reminder of the sale

2010-06-10T12:05:00.001-04:00

These are good until tomorrow!

Any item number that starts with SD is 10% off!
Purchase any two Yard Sale items and you get a free I Fly t-shirt.

So...if you like older sport kites (revs included) you can get them at 10% off.
If you like our t-shirts AND want a couple of items then you can get that too!

(These promotions only last a little while - until June 11th, 2010, and do not apply to previous sales)

SALE in the Yard Sale

2010-06-03T21:30:00.000-04:00

A sale is happening in the Yard Sale!

Any item number that starts with SD is 10% off!
Purchase any two Yard Sale items and you get a free I Fly t-shirt.

So...if you like older sport kites (revs included) you can get them at 10% off.

If you like our t-shirts AND want a couple of items then you can get that too!

(These promotions only last a little while - until June 11th, 2010, and do not apply to previous sales)

We will be attending the KONE Regional Festival, on the Nahant Causeway on June 12th. If you are going and would like an item or two or three please give a holler beforehand and we can be sure to bring it! (there will be new kites available before then too!)

Good winds!

WsK

"M" kite reviews: McBird & Manta

2010-05-25T18:25:00.000-04:00

The McBird is a nice indoor/light outdoor wind kite. Christine and Daniel work hard to make a lot of nice kites and this is definitely one of them. All icarex and carbon tubes keeps the weight down. Like a few other xUL (extra Ultra Light wind)) single lines there is a nicely designed pocket in the nose to accommodate a coin or two to produce more of a glide out of this kite.
Rods are all attached to the skin with thin bungees for easily removal/assembly.
The flight is very easily controllable, although i have had a bit of trouble coaxing a flat spin out of it since the skin forms a deep keel at the spine when moving forwards. Practice makes perfect though as I imagine if you wait a second or two before giving a tug to allow the kite skin to go slack much better spins would be the outcome.
In terms of a gliding flight I have not had any change in my pockets (a normal occasion) to be ableto drop another coin in there to help bring the nose down - but then I also like McBird as a better tracking and up-and-over kite, a little more active flying than other kites.
Overall, the McBird is a very good quality kite to add to your Light wind arsenal!
You can find more about McBird, how to order one, and about Christine and Daniel (and their projects as well) here at their website: http://lcvs.ca

The Manta, made by Hunter and Paul of Focus Kites Designs, is a scaled up, and tweaked version of their already well known xUL/indoor kite, the Skate. Having owned a Skate for a couple of years I am very familiar with its flight characteristics, and quality; and both are top notch!

Focus has a line of top end sport kites and the guys bring their designs into their single line kites as well.

To start with, the Manta is not small! It is over 10' wide and its spine is over 6' long. That creates a vast area of skin that, along with its nice light framing, gets this kite up and flying in almost no wind. Indoor flight is possible, but I would rather pull out my Skate since it is a bit more manageable in the areas I get to fly in now.

The spreader has an adjustable bow line on it that is done in a very classy way with the tension being formed by a sliding and lockable splice (LOVE the knot-a-tool device of old!). Simple clean pockets are very easy to put rod ends into and are reinforced with flat webbing as well. The spine and leading edges are all 2 pieces so that the kite ends up folding and rolling into a bag around 48" tall, not bad for this bugger!

Like the Skate, this kite is able to be tuned and adjusted for more of a gliding flight. On the Skate there is a coin pocket in the nose, while on the Manta there is some brass tubing that is slid onto the nose end of the spine. That will flatten the kite right out for when you want to play with it. If you get out to your flying spot and there is just barely any wind pull the Manta out and get ready. It will catch any gust (if you can call a 1mph wind a gust) and soar right up to as high as you let it. Then as the wind drops off the Manta will settle backwards on its tail, if you have removed that brass weight, or start to become activly gliding around, with its weights in place. a big kite in low winds will create a big grin!!!

The Manta is a definite kite to add to your bag that will bring a huge impact on a xUL wind day or situation!

To check out Focus' Manta and other kites head to: http://focuskites.com/

Good extra light winds to all!

rob

New kites! Celtic Panels!

2010-05-19T19:39:00.001-04:00

Coming from Portland, Maine, from the studio of Tony & Petra
come the newest offering on the website.

These are lower winds panel kites that burst with color!

These are the perfect size to fit into a window to add some kite art to your home or office as well as flying them!

They have a great light weight frame that allows them to absorb any gusts, but not like the traditional Japanese Edo's that you may have seen.

At 70$ shipped, in the States, these are a great deal, and a beautiful piece to add to your kite bag!

Personally, we like to fly them as a pair (there is a pair kite deal) since the colors will compliment each other.

Click here to go right to the new page and claim your colors!

These are only one of the handful of new items that are going to be coming out on the website int he next few weeks - so keep an eye peeled!

Good winds

WsK

Bobby Stanfield Cellular kite

2010-05-03T18:52:00.000-04:00

Now to be honest this is not a one of a kind kite; this is a one of four of a kind kite. Bobby made 4 of these amazing cellular kites. Two were sold on the East Coast and two on the West coast. The other East Coast one will not be sold (I know who has it), and the West coast ones - well I jave no clue where they are.

But you could bring this kite to your region!

This kite is in fantastic shape (and truthfully belongs in a museum!) and is ready to fly.

Assembly takes about 10 to 15 minutes and then it is good to go.

If you are not familiar with Bobby's work he is one of the best kite makers out there ever. The sewing is perfect,

the design is exquisite,

the framing is one of a kind (he made a lot of his own fittings).

This kite can come to you for the price of 675$ + shipping.

A veritable steal in the world of high end show single line kites.

You can find more pictures of the kite here: UNnamed Bobby Stanfield Cellular Kite

As well as pictures of how it goes together here: Stanfield Assembly

There are still some great deals in the Yard Sale, as well as some great kites available from Windswept Kites!

Good winds everyone!

rob

A Box from Karl Longbottom arrived!

2010-04-25T11:01:00.000-04:00

Restock on Pants -mens and womens- and an order of a bunch of Owls too.

If you might be interested in a nice kite for night flys,
or are just a fan of those big golden eyes then this is the kite for you!
(I will admit that the eyes won me over first)
Just click on the links above to be brought right to the webpage.

Off to go and fly now!
Good winds
r

The Yard Sale....updated again!

2010-04-08T20:13:00.000-04:00

Spring time is here.

You have been climbing the walls because of the rain, snow, cold for the last 4 months.

GET OUTSIDE!

Go fly, and then take a wander through the Windswept Kites Yard Sale!

There are some great deals in there.

Some old classic kites,

some new fangled kites,

some art kites,

some amazing sport kites (that embody a few of these labels all at once).

Head over to www.windsweptkites.com

At the bottom of the page you will find our Yard Sale sign.

Then drop an email to us with the list of kites you want.

(Payment for Yard Sale kites is either by check/money order or by paypal with a 4% fee - please contact us to arrange payment. Yard Sale prices do not include shipping costs)

See you in the sun!

WsK

Found it!

2010-04-03T16:38:00.000-04:00

The Karl Longbottom Owl is the perfect kite for any night fly you have coming up!

It looks a lot like a barn owl with its disc face; but has the most endearing owl-ish eyes you have ever seen!

This kite flys in a great variety of wind too!

The wings are a modified Yakko wing shape where the wingtips (upper and lower) and tethered together and the wings blow backwards in the wind.

This blowing backwards is a great part of its design since it can then shed off excess winds! (and at the same time create the effect of the wings flapping).

Previously we have done a special order for Karl's Owl so if this guy interests you please contact us and we can get you one!

Now get on out there and FLY!

Shirts are back in stock!

2010-03-24T07:04:00.000-04:00

The shirt for all kite fliers!

The classic "Eye Fly Kites" is back in stock in ALL sizes!

Only 19.00$ shipped in the continental United States.

Please email us for other shipping options.

Get them off the main website, or from right here:

(fingers crossed that this paypal button works right! I am not certain if it will work when re-posted through Facebook)

Good winds!

Just a little reminder of some of the Yard Sale items we have!

2010-03-19T16:07:00.001-04:00

A Guildworks Zerowind Truss 390$

Beautiful UL indoor/outdoor kite. This one has a big presence!

A Bobby Stanfield cellular kite 675$

From Current Yard Sale

OUTSTANDING! You can see more pictures of it, and how it is assembled here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/corgimas/StanfieldAssembly#

http://picasaweb.google.com/corgimas/UNnamedBobbyStanfieldCellularKite#

A rare Ty Billings High As a Kite Yotzu 90$

From Current Yard Sale

This is a one of a kind kite that will fly awesome in all sorts of wind.

You can find more items here: The Yard Sale

or go through the main website: Windswept Kites

Hope you are all enjoying the weather out there! Spring is coming fast here in the North East!

Good winds!

WsK

Saturday March, 20th

2010-03-17T08:29:00.001-04:00

The first day of spring! Where will you be?
We will be heading up to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, for a belated St. Patty's Day fly.
If you are going, and there is some item you want drop an email and we will be certain to put it in the vehicle!

Happy St. Patrick's day everyone!
WsK

A couple more deals!

2010-03-04T17:52:00.001-05:00

Item #cr16 the Fridolin Anders Bubber Version 2 is now down to $225
By the way this kite flies with its disc flat towards the ground. The stacked up balls in the middle inflate and jostle a bit. A VERY nice kite kite from a master kite maker!

Item #cr17 The HQ made Deca A-1 (Affordable 1) is now $125! This includes lines and handles. This kite does need a .2100 Rod to replace one of the bow rods. NEVER BEEN FLOWN!

Item #cr15 An original unflown Martin Lester Goose. This kite had never been unwrapped, and also comes with a few spare ramen spars. Life size (although I have worked with Canada Geese and think that this one is bigger than life!).

A few more nice nice kites to mull over!

Email us or call us to claim them!

(look to the right column for the contact info)

Good winds!

That special kite deal is gone!

2010-03-02T10:16:00.000-05:00

Good morning:
Sorry to the late risers but that deal posted last night is already gone.
Keep an eye peeled for more to come!
-r

Good deal on a handful of sportkites!

2010-03-01T20:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, time to move some things in the Yard Sale:
Special deal on these 4 items....
cr6 Premier LME Falcon perfect $ 99.00
cr7 Premier Premier Avalon perfect $ 31.50
cr8 Premier Stingray hole in nose $ 16.20
cr9 Premier pulse missing both leading edges….all connectors in bag $ 10.00

Get ALL 4 kites for 75$ + shipping! Heck the old style skyshark rods in the Falcon are worth that much!!!!
email us at info @ windsweptkites.com to be the first to claim them!!!

Keep an eye peeled here on the blog for all breaking news!!!

Good winds!
Rob

The Northeastern Kite events calendar now available!

2010-01-28T23:03:00.002-05:00

I am working with a friend on a Northeast Kite events calendar
(spreads a little further than the just the Northeast but that is okay).

It is located here: http://snipurl.com/kitecalendar
There is also an rss newsfeed too, it is located here: http://snipurl.com/kitecalendarrss
You can also find it at the bottom of this blog all the time.

Feel free to use these anywhere you wish, and to share it with your family,
friends and neighbors.

Even though I have been working on this,
that does not mean that Windswept Kites will be at all of these events -ahhh if only!
But, it will be posted here on the blog if we are going.

If you find errors, changes needed, or additions in it you would like to share please
contact me via email with date, time, location, contact person,
details (if anything else) and I can add you in there.

See you on the field!

Good winds
rob

Sky Blooms

2010-01-24T11:52:00.000-05:00

A packet arrived from the United Kingdom with the latest batch of kites from Gill Bloom! Once again she has crafted an amazing set of kites picturing flowers from the US for us. If you have seen her poppies/daisies/iris before you need to check these out! Same flowers - but different designs.

All of Gill's kites come with a long fuzzy tail that looks grand.

$55.00 shipped to you in the United States.

Take time to fly a flower!

Updated!

2010-01-24T11:47:00.000-05:00

All prices on the Windsweptkites.com website now include USPS Priority shipping in the continental United States. Get the real price upfront!!!

*This does not include the prices on any Yard Sale items!*

Please feel free to email with any questions.

The Yard Sale has been updated

2010-01-19T19:01:00.001-05:00

Items are going quickly!!!!

Price list: http://www.windsweptkites.com/Current_Yard_Sale.pdf

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/corgimas/CurrentYardSale#

Payment for Yard Sale items is money order/check only!

Paypal is not accepted for these transactions unfortunately.

Email us for details, information, shipping fees etc on these items!

Good winds!

WsK

Consignments & Yard Sales

2010-01-18T16:13:00.001-05:00

Did you know that if you have a pile of kites you do not fly anymore and want to make some money,
you can email us and we can sell them for you on consignment.

Today in the blustery snowstorm we are having right now in Massachusetts we are taking pictures of about 50 kites that we just picked up
- the newest lot of consignment kites.

Sport kites
Single line kites
A bit of line laundry
Ground stakes
A couple of old school ground display items that are great for the garden
Some project kites (ever wanted to play around with framing choices and see how it works? there are a couple of options for you here!)
Some great AKA festival video tapes

You never know what you might find on our Yard Sale page, so check back often! Prices are great on the items there!!!!

Keep the wheels to the road!

Good winds
WsK

Checkign in 2010

2010-01-10T14:49:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a good New Years Day!

We did flying a pair of Karl Longbottom Pants

in ~6 inches of snow

in 3mph

and ~20 degrees F.

It was grand!!!!!

Ahhh.....Brenton Point flying at some of its best!

We have more Vapids from Robert Van Weeers in right now. A Vapid is a great UL single line kite that is a stable flyer. This is one you can just pop up and leave there.

Very simple assembly!!!!

We have in two:

one with an orange tip and another with a purple tip.

The Vapids are only $50 and are a great addition to a kite bag!

Valentines day is coming maybe one for your sweetie to get you???

Good cold winds everyone!

WsK

New Years Day 2010

2009-12-29T14:57:00.001-05:00

I hope that everyone out there has been having a safe and grand holiday season so far!
I know that we have.

On January 1st, 2010, we are planning on heading down to Brenton Point in Newport RI for our
traditional New Years Day fly.
I am not certain what number this is for me but it has to be double digits now!!!

If there is anything you would like from Windswept Kites - and you are planning on being in teh area as well - please drop me a note and we can hand deliver things to you.

If we do not see you then have a wonderful New Years celebration!

Good Winds!
Hope to see you in 2010
WsK

The Holidays are upon us!

2009-12-08T18:18:00.000-05:00

Yep, they are.

If you are hoping to get a cool one of a kind kite for the holidays make sure to pass along our website to your family and friends!

We ship USPS Priority mail and that gets most packages around the US in about 4-5 days - but do not wait to the last second!!!

Good winds!

WsK

Guildworks Tetrafoil Truss UL

2009-11-23T20:34:00.001-05:00

The big one!!!

Can be flown on 4 lines or on 2 lines or on a single line.
A great indoor kite, or outdoors in light winds.

Beautiful!

This one is in superb condition for only $390.00!

Or you can pay a bit more from Guildworks.com for one!!!!

This kite will not last long!!!!
Email us to claim it!

More great deals are located:
http://www.windsweptkites.com/Current_Yard_Sale.pdf

Good winds!

New kites coming soon!

2009-11-18T11:18:00.000-05:00

We have some orders right now that are being finished up and shipped out!

Gill Bloom is making another batch of custom botanical squares for us.
Robert van Weers has shipped out a packet with Vapids in it.
We have out fingers crossed hoping that Eric will bring us more Boreal Two-Four arches as well!

Do not forget about the Dallmer Duckies that we have on hand, or the Large Kiwi banners from Robert, there is one 13' banner with pole from Scott Hampton, a handful of Karl Longbottom's Angels, Pterodactyls and Pants.

Pass word along to the people close to you that you want a Windswept Kite for the holidays!

Bon vent
WsK

Karl Longbottom's Pterodactyls

2009-11-05T19:13:00.000-05:00

Just a quick little slide show showing some of the color options of these guys!!!

All XL Shirts are sold out!

2009-11-04T19:50:00.001-05:00

Dang....
Sorry, but all the XL shirts are now gone.
A few L ones left though!

WsK

Size stock update!

2009-11-04T17:55:00.001-05:00

At this moment there are only 2 XL t-shirts left.
Get them while you can!
There are a bunch of Larges available though.
http://www.windsweptkites.com/lafneystudios.html

Good Winds!

OOPS!!! More information provided on the shirts!

2009-11-03T17:20:00.001-05:00

Dang....
So many things on the mind:
shipping orders, eating, feeding dogs, updating website, breathing and of course something is going to fall through the cracks.
In this case it was the sizes of the t-shirts that were just added to the website!

There are only 2 sizes:
Men's Large
Men's Extra Large
(the stock level of XL is seriously low! almost down to single digits! so get them while you can!)

These shirts are only $15.00 + shipping for a great shirt that states what you (or someone) loves to do!!

Good winds!
WsK

More updates! Softgoods and kites too!

2009-10-30T18:09:00.000-04:00

Getting ready for the holiday season the site has been updated again!

More kites and softgoods have been added.

Yes, you read that correctly:

Windswept Kites has softgoods (those soft things you wear)!

Eye Fly T-shirts from Lafney Studios!!!!

Kite flyers from the New England area who have been around since the 1990's know these shirts!!!!

This small lot is original stock so get them while you can!

Also, the new craze over in the UK is for flying ripstop dinosaurs.

Karl Longbottom has created a phenomenal new kite:

The Pterodactyl

These guys are absolutely a hoot (yes a HOOT) to fly in low to no wind conditions. They can also be flown in higher winds - just with not as much finite control.

Karl and Sara fly a train of them as well and they look great!

We have them in random colors so definitely ask for your color choice!

There is another box of Pterodactyls on its way right now from the UK (it also has a special order kite too-always keep that in mind; we can get it for you!), there is also about to be another box of kites from Gill Bloom as well.

So, keep a weather eye turned to this blog for updates.

Also just an FYI to all:

The Yard Sale is getting smaller by the day!

So, if there is an item there that interests you better grab it quick!

Good winds to you all!

WsK

Updated

2009-10-26T09:17:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to point out that there were a couple of updated items on the website this morning.

Less Aerial Art for the moment.
Less colors on the Karl Longbottom's Pants.
A couple less items in the Yard Sale.

Keep checking here and the website for announcements and new items coming soon!
(there has been a shipment that arrived the other day hint hint)

Good winds
WsK

Ultra Light Single Line Kites genre writeup

2009-10-09T10:38:00.000-04:00

Okay, so after flying for ~15 years, and having LOTS of kites pass through my hands, my favorite genre of kite to fly has become those of the Ultra Light Single Line Kites (ULSLK) genre. These are slowly becoming more offered in the kite industry. Some maybe one-of-a-kind, some are batch crafted by the kite maker and some are mass produced. But, they all fly on those days that there is not a breath enough to get a dual or a quad line up, or for indoor flying.

This is a quick selection of a bunch of kites out of my bags. Clockwise from the top: Blue Moon Kites 61/49, R-Sky Bird’x, Focus Designs Skate, Flying Wings Aerobe, and a Jeff Howard glider.

The Aerobe is a brand new mass produced kite manufactured by Flying Wings.

The 61/49, Skate, Bird’x are all craft batch kites, made by the designer in small batches.

The Jeff Howard Glider is a one of a kind kite that I got from Jeff.

Other kites to keep in mind if you are interested in this genre: Karl Longbottom Pterodactyl & Pants, Ramlal Tien Oiseau, Focus Designs Manta, Guildworks Tapertails and Gliders, WindFire Designs Mini Serendipity & Siren & Nano Photon Fighter, R-Sky large Boul’x, Fridolin Anders Mandala, Horvath's creations, L’Atellier Papillion, as well as others (especially lots of fighter kites).

To start with some of my personal kites have certain places that I will fly them in, so this group of kites can already be split into two groups: indoor kites and outdoor kites.

The outdoor kites: Aerobe, 61/49.

The indoor kites: Jeff Howard glider, Skate, Bird’x.

My choice of flying locations is from a combination of the kite build and the flight characteristics. I am not going to take a kite outdoors that I feel will not handle a gust of wind well, or a bulky kite indoors to only fight trying to keep it aloft (of course certain occasions exist where these choices will be changed).

The Blue Moon Kites 61/49. A great kite offered from Ken. Extremely well built, very durable (mine has nosedived into the ground more than once), a big substantial kite to be flying in almost no wind when there is nothing else up in the air! This kite can give a good pull when the wind picks up, so personally I will put it away above ~5mph and then pull out my BMK Ichiban. It is very responsive for its size, you just need to provide it the slack it requires to flatten out and turn. This kite will keep you actively moving in the amount of wind I feel it excels is 1-4mph. A great kite for a good price! (read as you will def. get what you pay for from Ken!)

The Bird’x is a kite that came out a bit ago and did not seem to catch on well. Whether the look of it, the price, what have you I feel it was overlooked and hope that it catches on as this genre of kite becomes more popular. A good quality solid design and build. This is one of what I consider a crossover kite; until I get a second one to designate as indoor, I will fly this indoors and outdoors in~1-2mph if I do not have the 61/49 with me. Now in 2009 the Bird’x is being offered with a tail to help keep it stable in more wind, this is a great option for someone who wants to add a fun single line that can be flown more often to their bag. One of the neat things about the Bird’x I feel is that there are no spreaders. The wings are held in place by a plastic dihedral fitting at the kites nose, this does make assembly a bit tricky, but it provides more weight to the nose of the kite to produce a fun no wind glide while keeping the wings stiffly in place.

The Skate is a kite that I do not see the need to take outdoors. This kite excels at a gliding flight, and in my experience any breath of wind will disrupt that. It has a neat pocket in the nose for a quarter to weigh down the front of the kite to force that glide. The rods are all micro-carbon and so they are flexible. This kite hand launches very well and is very easily controllable in an indoor setting. I would phrase it as I have been spoiled by this kites’ excellent indoor flight and would expect that outdoors only to find it not do so well. I also love the look of this kite and to see it distorted by the wind (however well it might do out there) would sadden me. For the indoor flyer this is a great kite to add to your bag!

Ahh…. This kite is smaller than the Skate, and some might notice it sort of looks like the Skate. Same bowed spreader, micro-carbon frame. Here is the story that I have on it: This kite was designed by Curtiss Mitchell, and he brought it to Jeff Howard so that Jeff would produce it. I am not certain what fell through where; I know that Jeff provided some kits for a couple of classes (if that many!). I was searching for kites like this and heard about Jeff’s glider. After about 3 years of me hounding him, he gave me his (probably to get me to stop leave him alone). I know that Hunter Brown (of Focus Designs) made one, and so that is where the idea for the Skate came from. So obviously this kite and the Skate are quite alike. Jeff’s glider is different that it has two trailing tails that come from the center of the wings (not the wingtips or from the tail) and also that it does not have an extended spine. This glider kite is very efficient indoors (and once again I will never take it outdoors for the same above stated reason). Jeff told me about standing in the center of a basketball court and sending the kite out in a glide towards the wall, as the kite approached the wall he flicked the line to one side and the kite turned 90 degrees and continued its glide towards the next wall. Jeff told me that he continued this flight all the way around the gym without him moving from the center circle on the floor, I have tried this out and had quite good luck but not to the level he described to me. But this is one kite that is outstanding during any sort of indoor flying time, everyone wants to try it!

I saw this kite in person at the 2009 Newport Kite Festival, I had previously seen it in video that were being posted by the maker, Bell Chiu of Flying Wings, and it intrigued me from the first second. One of the neatest things about this kite is that it comes with a tail that can be flown in two configurations (off the spine or off the wingtips) so that you can keep this kite flying after the wind has picked up. That is a great thing to be able to do; there are not many kites out there that can fly the whole gambit from no wind situations up to 18mph winds! This kite will only live in my outdoor bag –well probably it will live in my vehicle so that I can fly at any time. It is sturdily built. This little bugger does quite well in normal wind conditions. It flys well in no-wind situations and handles fling very well with its tail in winds up to about 14mph or so! My only caveat about this kite: you need to keep constant tension on the flying line or else it plummets towards earth! Overall a good kite for a good price!

These are only a handful of the ULSLKs out there! I am certain that there are more, so keep looking! Also these are my thoughts....yours may differ and I would love to hear them!!

Good winds

WsK

New prices in the Yard Sale!

2009-10-08T20:49:00.000-04:00

There are some newly reduced prices in the Yard Sale!

Some great kites for great prices!!!

Come and check them out!!!

A couple of ineresting things to check out

2009-09-30T22:28:00.000-04:00

If you look at the sidebar on the right you will wee a couple of links.

The first is for Rare Bird Finds.

A GREAT site to find some cool items to gift to everyone you know! Go and check her site out = good stuff!!!!

The second is for the 3/50 website.

A website that is gently reminding us to visit our favorite brick-and-mortar stores out there. Stop on into your favorite store/a store you used to visit/a store that interests you and see what is there!

There are lots of great websites out there if you have the time to check them out!

Keep an eye out for new products from Windswept Kites-they are being shipped to us right now!

-WsK

Upcoming event in Rhode Island

2009-09-25T06:46:00.001-04:00

A request was forwarded to us, a request for kite fliers to fly:

The East Bay Coalition for the Homeless in RI is having their 20th Bike-a-thon to raise money to support families that need help through these difficult times.

The event is sponsors are the Rumford lions Club, the Children Medical Group as well as FOX Providence.

It is on Saturday October 3 Colt State Park in Bristol RI starts at 9:30 in the morning.

If it is possible for any kite flier, or anyone to get out there and rally on the riders then go for it!!!!

Colt State Park is a great place to fly -it was the home field of Windswept Kites for 15 years.

More info on the Bike-a-thon: http://www.eastbaycoalition.org/pdf/Brochure_Full.pdf
More info on Colt State Park: http://www.riparks.com/colt.htm

Something new this way comes!!!!

2009-09-03T12:21:00.001-04:00

Working on getting a bunch of new kites in from Karl Longbottom.

His new Pterodactyl is good for UL days and medium winds days.
This kite is lots of fun to actively fly (but then again so is his "Pants")

These historic critters are climbing into the bag of a lot of the sport kite fliers over in the UK!
Will one crawl into yours?

picture swiped from Karl's website...what can I say it is a good pic!

A Birthday SALE!!!

2009-08-12T21:01:00.005-04:00

Sam, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, has worked in the kite industry as long as we have!!!

(yes that was his lunch box for work)

This Friday, August 14th, Sammy is turning 15 years old!
Yep, an old man corgi!!!

In honor of this birthday we have put a couple of kites on sale.

The last of Ty Billing's creations is on sale for 15% off their original price.
(on one kite that is $30 bucks, and the other kite is is over $100 dollars off!)

These two kites are the last that we have from Ty.
Honestly, they are most likely the last two brand new, unflown of his kites in the world.

So: Sammy the kite dog says "get them while you can!" and if you have a dog friend make sure to give them a pat for Sammy.

Woof woof
WsK

We are on Holiday!!!

2009-07-24T21:06:00.001-04:00

July 26th to August 8th Windswept Kites will be closed.

Going off on holiday to Alaska! (the pups have scheduled their own holiday in NH- hmmmmm)

Yes, there is a kite packed already (going to try to fly it on a glacier!).

So....if you are interested in some item on the website during that time period you can email but the email will be replied to when we return in August.

All emails will be answered in the order whence they come.

Good winds everyone!

WsK

A new way to contact us!

2009-07-22T15:28:00.002-04:00

Some of you might have noticed the new "WIDGET" on the side of the Windswept Kites blog.
Says:
CALL ME
That is part of a new google application Google Voice that we are testing out
.
You can click the Call Me button and put in your phone number and name and it will then ring YOUR phone and directly connect to Windswept Kites!!!

Right now it is set up to receive voicemail, but if this proves to be a used item then it might get a direct connect to the cell phone and us!!!!

This will also soon be added to the Windswept Kites website as well.

So please feel free to leave messages for us (a certain KONE member whose initials are R.R. already did! thanks for the test-sadly I will be in Alaska on that day).
Make certain to leave a phone number and an email address for us to get back to you on.

All the Aerial Art kites by Scott Hampton have now flown away!

2009-07-21T17:44:00.002-04:00

Sadly we are all out of Scott's fabulous kites.
We will get more as soon as we can and as soon as Scott makes some more.

In the meantime we do have a selection of his banners in stock.
These are painted ripstop that come with the telescoping pole.
Great for the front yard, a party, a bazaar, a fundraiser, a wedding, the kite field, anytime you want to add some color!
Here is the page of banners

2 more gone....

2009-07-14T18:24:00.003-04:00

If you are tempted by the High As A Kite dyed kites you might want to grab them while you can!!!!
There are two roks that are no longer here in our possession-they have moved on to fly with others....
That leaves two of Ty's kites left........
http://www.windsweptkites.com/highasakite.html

hmmmmmm
WsK

The Newport Kite Festival!!!!

2009-07-07T20:02:00.004-04:00

So this will be somewhere in the double digits for us to attend this festival.

It is a great festival at a phenomenal location with lots of good people!!!!

July 11th/12th
in Brenton Point State Park in Newport RI will be the annual kite festival.
This festival has been going on for almost 30 years now! It was originally split off from the Black Ships Festival back in the '80s and turned into its own identity. This festival was taken over by Sue Moskowitz, of High Flyers Flight Co, and Steve Santos, AKA Regional Director for a number of years. When High Flyers closed at the end of 2005 the future of the festival was dubious. But an old friend has taken the festival upon his shoulders, and we wish Scotty the best of the best!!!!.

There are people coming from all over (and we do seriously meant that) for this festival. You never know who you might be flying next to!

WindsweptKites will be there on Saturday only.
Lots of kites in hand (some might even have dog fur on them! good thing that blows right off when you fly them!).
If there is anything specific you would like to see, or grab please feel free to get a hold of us or drop us a line before hand!
(look for the grey tarp thing with Dallmer Duckies around it thats us!)

For a map to Brenton Point click here.
For a link to the official website on the festival click here.

See you there!!!!

once again a request was made:

2009-06-22T21:29:00.003-04:00

For more pictures of the Bobby Stanfield kite that is in the Yard Sale.....
Here are some detailed pictures.....Bobby was known for making his own fittings out of lots of things...the center spines of this kite are also either a section of a fishing rod OR have fishing line guides whipped to the rod....
AMAZING!!!!!
DEATILS:

DISASSEMBLY:

The kite has not been sold yet....
Although there are a couple of interested parties...
It's price is $800 and worth every little penny!!!!
The Yard Sale

Well, some of you asked for it......

2009-06-16T22:39:00.001-04:00

This is the Bobby Stanfield cellular piece that is in the Windswept Kites Yard Sale right now.
Bobby is one of the most amazing kitebuilders ever out there.....trust me on this!!!

Now the price on this kite is 800$ and it is worth every penny.

The kite is in two pieces.
The small star section at the back (bottom of the picture) is removable if you do not wish to have it on there.
All painstakingly appliqued in Bobby's manner (search on KiteBuilder.com for more on that),
and with Bobby's custom screw fittings this piece belongs in a museum!!!

The kitebuilding/selling crew will even go through and document as much as we can about how to assemble it when it comes apart
(but honestly it might spend the day hanging out loosely in the apartment for the art factor).

There is not many of Bobby's kites out there, and when one comes up for sale
if you have any interest (and the money) grab it while you can -you will probably never see that kite again!!!!

There are still some good deals in the Yard Sale, as well as some fantastic kites on the site too,
summer is coming,
you know you need a new kite!!!!

Good winds
WsK

Going Fast!!!!!

2009-06-10T19:02:00.001-04:00

Wow!
Okay,
if you were thinking about one, or more, of the kites in the Yard Sale
you had better get them quick!!!

These kites are zooming off like a RC plane out of range of the radio
(true thing that happened while flying last Friday with a friend-the plane made a horrific CRACK as it slammed into a tree in the nearby woods!!!).

http://www.windsweptkites.com/Current_Yard_Sale.pdf

Our Yard Sale has been updated, and added to!

2009-06-05T07:44:00.004-04:00

Good Morning:
So the Yard Sale has been updated this morning, with a new collection of some outstanding kites!
The owner of them took very good care of them (some have never even been flown! ;)

These might not be for the faint of heart; some are not cheap, but are worth every penny.
A couple of these should be hanging in a museum but they fly darn well to boot!

Yard Sale items are check/cash in hand only, and you cover the real shipping fee
(you will get offered how to ship).
These items are available to go to the UK or elsewhere in the flying world!

Email text or call fast since when they are gone they are gone!

Good winds!

What are you doing this Saturday June 6th?

2009-06-04T17:07:00.001-04:00

We are heading to a festival!!!!

This will be our first time going to the Kites Over New England regional festival in Lynn, MassaWHOsetts.

KONE is a very active kite flying/building/hanging out/eating good food group that has been around for quite awhile....a great bunch of people make up the core of this group-some might even give you the shirt off your back if you asked for it!

check out: http://kone.org/Welcome.html for more information.

We will be there with a bunch of stuff and friends, and that does include the kite dogs!

If there is anything you wish from the website feel free to drop us a line, or send a text message if you are so inclined (406.205.0432) and we can make sure it is in the ute.

There also might be a neat donation going to the KONE auction as well, hmm maybe a couple of things.....

Make sure to check out the website: prices dropped a bit in the Yard Sale and there is about to be a bunch of really nice single line kites added to the Yard Sale as well (there will be a separate post when that happens in a bit).

Flowers, Pigs & Fish! A farm?????

2009-06-01T19:33:00.000-04:00

A new page has been added to our site!
The windsocks on Windsweptkites.com are great! (we are biased here)
Great Koi 'socks, Flying Pig 'socks and some very special kites are all made by Gill Bloom of the UK for us!
If you are a reader of the forum on kitebuilder.com (Kite Studio -Steve Ferrel's shop) you are probably already familiar with the work of Gill, as well as her willingness to share her knowledge.
Hand dyed fabric and exquisite applique are her trademarks!

Get going to see what we have to offer from Gill here in the States!

Good winds to all of you

We MOVED!!! (with a lot of help from friends!)

2009-05-06T17:17:00.001-04:00

Yep. No longer is Windswept Kites based in Rhode Island....
We are now a bit more northern than we were before, just up in Massachusetts, not too far.

But, to celebrate the move (and to make any further moves easier) it is time to have a sale on the Yard Sale!
So, pop on over to the homepage (www.windsweptkites.com in case you forgot)
and scroll on down to the bottom of the page.
Click on the yard sale sign
and a new tab will open with a spreadsheet of the current offerings on the yard sale.
Then send an email to us about what you would like off the list!

Good spring winds to all!!!!

WsK

Keep peeking here and on the main website to see what new products are coming!!!
Some old designs, some custom designs, some new designs from more than one kite maker!

Attention: Please disregard the previous post!

2009-04-25T13:40:00.000-04:00

The home email account got hacked.
Because I sometimes write a post and email it to blogger the previous post was emailed via something bad to the WsK blog, and thus made a new post.
Please do not follow the link in the posting!!!!
Argh.
Sorry
WsK

Moving!

2009-03-31T16:30:00.001-04:00

Windswept Kites is getting ready to move!

We will be going off of email/internet access for about a week or so while everything is getting set up in the new place. The website will be up and running, but if you order the items will not be shipped out until you receive an email from us. The emails will be checked, but not responded to as quickly as in the past.

There is a box coming from the UK that will be a great way to welcome WsK to its new home.

A partially sad time as we have been in Rhode Island for a while now, and have flown at one of the best places in the US to fly a kite a LOT
(Brenton Point State Park in Newport,RI).

But, moving up to Massachusetts will bring new friends, new fields, resurrect friendships, and like always great times outdoors!

See you in another state!

Good winds
WsK

Scott Hampton items are going fast!

2009-03-24T09:40:00.001-04:00

If you are wanting to get a piece made by Scott Hampton grab one while you can! There is not much left at this moment!!!
(1 kite, 2 blades, 1 banner set, 1 13' banner)
Scott spent a few months working on his Masterpiece Revolution kites so there might not be much available from him for a bit -
he needs to fill up his stocks again!

But, a rumor is that he might be bringing back some of his older styled display items like
CONEHEADS!
(thanks to aggressive requests ;) from a certain Brit!)

We can also get a few more banners from him - he has found a stash in his shed that might fill some of your needs!

Keep checking back to see what appears!!!!

Also do not forget about the other makers we carry as well:
Robert Van Weers, Karl Longbottom, Ty Billings, Mike Dallmer, Boreal Kites!

Good winds!
Spring is here in the States!!!!

A friend changes for the future!

2009-03-14T14:45:00.000-04:00

So, our friends over at Gone With The Wind Kites, in Chico California, have graciously hosted the largest, most active kite (and related-albeit sometimes unrelated) forum on the internet.

As of last night GWTW has made a significant change.

With probably close to 7 digits of posts on their forum the decision was made to shut it down. A server change ensued, new forum software and a new web address and a new forum has been started.

Old address: http://www.gwtw-kites.com/forum

New address: http://www.gwtwforum.com/

The old forum is being left live -but in read only form- until April 1st (planning for one heck of an joke by Loof Lirpa???) so you can download/copy/try to save the info that you wish on there. There is a project in place to save the old threads if at all possible-time will tell about this.

But, come and join us on the new GWTW forum at its new location!

You can find WsK as the Single Line Kite section moderator/resident expert.

By the by: one of the new friendlier aspects is that the new forum can be read without becoming a member -as opposed to the previous one- so come on in and browse the huge amount of kiting knowledge in there!

Good winds!

WsK

Scott Hampton's Masterpiece Revs!!!

2009-03-13T08:14:00.000-04:00

If you are a Revolution kite flyer AND a lover of Scott Hampton's designs you might want to head over to Revolution's website and check out their newest Masterpiece Revs!

They are not cheap, but they are definitely very cool and each one is one of a kind!

There are less than 2 digits of them left so get them while you can!
(Scott is a good friend and we do not even have one!)

Good winds
WsK

Another kitemaker to look forward to:

2009-03-12T17:31:00.001-04:00

Gill Bloom is a fantastic kite maker who puts an enormous mount of time and effort on the skin of the kite she is making. Not that the overall kite is lacking, it is just that Gill is known for hand dyeing to her specific color design and then appliqueing the kite skin. The kites that she ends up with have a wonderful depth of color and design!

We are going to be getting a box of kites and windsocks from her. The first windsocks that Windswept Kites has had. These are special. Perfect for any kiteflyer, or for anyone with a good sense of humor!
Yep, the classic idea of flying pigs. These are the nicest flying pigs that we have seen offered out there in the market!
Also, there is a handful of her Koi windsocks. It can be said that her Koi windsocks are the most realistic we have seen! Amazingly life like (even the size would be of an advanced age koi too)!

Then, rolled up in the bottom of that box is a special packet of 4 kites that are being made just for Windswept Kites. Gill offered to do some 24" square kites with her one-of-a-kind artisitc flowers on them. Great for the gardner in your life, who happens to fly kites as well! These will be great to add to the sky, or to hang on a wall (although they will look best backlit by the sun).

Gill's website is located here: Skyblooms If you happen to wander over to it and find anything that you like that has not been ordered feel free to drop us a line and we can get that added to the box!

Good winds everyone!!!
WsK

Officially Ty Billing's kites are for sale!

2009-02-26T17:43:00.000-05:00

We received a box of kites from Ty Billings, of High As A Kite,
a box of brand new test-flown-once beautiful kites!

For those of you who know of Ty and his kites you know the beauty of his kites
and how well they fly.

For those new fliers: you get to see some kites that have not been available in about 10 years!
Fantastic tye dyed skins, basic rokkaku platforms so they fly very very well.

We are extremely proud to bring out these kites-they embody exactly what Windswept Kites is all about: getting those cool kites out to everyone!

Go and check out www.windsweptkites.com for the rare chance
to bring one of Ty's kites into your home!

Hang it on a wall if you wish or get out there and fight in a Rok battle with it;
these kites look beautiful doing either!

Check out the other kite makers offerings, and the Yard Sale as well, because the best kite flying season is coming up soon!