Production Update, Pictures, and Vids! And socks for everybody!
about 5 years ago
– Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 11:54:16 PM
Hey everybody,
Wanted to give an update about what's already going on, and about what to expect next in the Kickstarter process! By the end of next week, you guys will get a link to Backerkit. There, you'll be asked to pick the reward you pledged for, select any add-ons (if you want any) and finalize your order and delivery info.
Since we don't have many options with the throws (no color or size options) the survey is going to be pretty basic. However, when I was at the factory this week, I once again remembered how enamored I am with the sheep wool here when I was grabbing some of the socks they had in inventory.
I want to do a sock project sometime in the future, so I'm going to send out a pair of 100% wool socks with every blanket. The only thing I ask for is you guys send some feedback! Wear 'em hard, wash 'em, compare them to your other wool socks! Let me know what you think of them. I don't usually do much hiking or have much experience with wool socks, so I'm relying on you guys and your loved ones to let me know if these are tough enough to sell with the "ULA+LIA" label!
I didn't decide until after I left the factory, so I didn't take the best pictures, but here's an idea. I'll have more pictures before they are sent out!
They really are lovely, and from what I've been told, sell very well among hunters and hikers in Japan from specialty shops that prioritize quality. Sizes will be from EU 36-45, or 4.5 or so to 12 in US sizes. I wear a size 13 or 14 and the 45's still fit fine, so there's wiggle room!
The Blankets!
The deposit is in, and everything is underway. Lunar new year starts next Monday here, so everything pretty much shuts down for a week country-wide, but we're still in perfect shape to have everything ready in March.
Our yak wool throws are already in production. I was able to get some pictures and videos while I was there. This was the first time I've gotten pictures of our actual own items being made, so it was a really cool experience for me. Really super grateful you guys give me the opportunity to do this!
Here are the shots... unfortunately the fluorescent lighting isn't the best, especially for the video, but it's still great to share.
I thought it was cool to see the shuttle going back and forth making the weft as the pins lift the different parts of the wept up and down. This was the first time I was able to watch it and really make sense of it all. Before I had only seen smaller scarves getting made.
After the production, there's still a long ways to go with finishing. There's a brushing, washing, creating the fringe and tassels, and also the hand inspection to fix any inconsistencies.
Anyways, that's all for me now. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Otherwise, you'll be hearing from me next week with a link to Backerkit!
-Jon