Hey Everyone,
Man I just wrote out this whole topic, but when I went to post it, it got erased because I forgot to fill in the subject box!
Ok, as many know, I've been trying to get a source for us to purchase Peruvian Split Cradle Slings. Well I got one. Daniel Samanez of
www.andeanart.com has purchased some slings from a Peruvian slingmaker, and is now selling them wholesale. They are less expensive than most of us probably expected- $3.25. The style may be slightly more utilitarian than what some of us expected, but they appear to be very well made. Here is a picture.
I like it. Not the most beautiful sling I've ever seen, but a good quality herding sling, and a great price for the product. The alpaca wool yarn was probably spun by the sling maker from raw fleece. Not sure, but I think that's common. And a sling like that takes hours to braid. I'd say probably 20 hours of work. I'm estimating from my own experience. If these dudes are really good, maybe they could do it faster, but a man can only braid so fast and I'm not slow myself. I'm amazed I was able to find a source for these things. A beautiful piece of history and culture, besides being a fully functional sling. At that price, most of us can afford to own a few of them, and this opportunity may not ever be around again.
Here is the link to the page where they are for sale.
http://www.andeanart.com/store/comersus_viewitem.asp?idproduct=631&idCategory=59Ok, but there's a slight catch. Something I didn't expect. Daniel let me know last week, that they have a minimum order at Andeanart.com. They are a wholesaler, not a retailer. I didn't quite let that one sink in until he told me Let me quote him.
Quote:It is a minimum of 10 slings in a total order of minimum $100.
If you want less than the $100 I can give you a quote for the order but it will be more expensive after shipping and customs paper work that has to be done no matter how much you order.
Best,
Daniel Samanez
AndeanArt
http://www.andeanart.com Considering that fact, I want to use this thread as a place for us to express how much interest we have here. That way we can determine how best to do business.
It's probably best if someone purchases a bulk purchase for the whole group. Anyone interested? I'll do it if nobody else wants to.
If I buy bulk for the whole group, I want to determine our interest level first. Otherwise I may end up stuck with 25 slings and be out $80.
If there isn't much interest, I'll consider purchasing bulk and marking the price up a bit to make it worth my while to continue selling into the coming months. If however, we have 30 slings worth of interest, I'll go ahead and charge everyone the wholesale price, plus shipping. If 10 people, each want 3 slings, then we are in for business. I want 2 or 3 of them myself, so I guess that leaves 28 for the rest of you to fill in. I'll ship internationally, for those who live outside the US.
Anyone else with any ideas or interest, go ahead. I just want to get these out there and fulfill my end of the deal with Daniel. As far as I know, this deal is the first ever made for bulk importation of Peruvian slings into the USA. So does that make me a famous slinging dude or what?
So that's my selfish motive. Someday you must all honor me for my good dead in The Official Halls Of Slingdom. Other than that, Merry Christmas everyone, and to all a good night.
Benjamin