It’s a branch!

            Ok, so it’s a Small branch, but I have started my first branch out with the Flaming Star Expedition Gear…. Sort of. And this small branch came after working 10 hour days to catch up on the back log of orders for the Flaming Star llama products. What I made was a tool roll for use with woodturning tools. It’s made with black 1000 denier cordura and has 1” nylon webbing to hold it closed and as a handle.

The next time I’m in Kalispell I am going to talk to one of the places that does embroidery so I can get a quote for them to put people’s names on the material before I sew it up. Making it a personal item as opposed to just another tool roll from one of the major wood working companies. Next in line is a tool roll designed for carving tools.

            Work on the back log is coming along well. IF all goes well over the next couple of days I should have five harness systems and the matching driving halters done and ready to send out to some very patient customers! Thank you to all those waiting on me to get them done.

            Along with all that, new orders are coming in every few days so I am looking at spending a few more long days getting them turned out as quickly as possible!

Busy times continue!

            The shop is set up and I have been sewing like mad! Forty of the order of fifty five halters are done, and only three more need sewn. The rest are sewn, but waiting on the last three so I can burn the holes in the poll straps. Those should be done by the end of the day tomorrow.

            An order for four more Flaming Star packs came in two days ago from Switzerland! That’s an amazing order and I sure appreciate that they trust my skills enough to order them!

            The orders for driving harnesses are coming in as well, I’ll be starting on the back log of those on Tuesday and hope to have the back log of those finished by the end of the week or early next week. One more came in late today!

            While I am behind yet, I’m gaining speed every day (eleven halters sewn today, and it was a short day) and I am making progress. With the shop set up and working well, I can concentrate more on the sewing and less on getting it organized.

            Barb came in yesterday, and of course arrived just as the snow storm did. With snow coming out of the north and passing by at about 40 mph, it was Not fun getting her trailer pulled in to place. But, she is now set up and all is working well.

            If you have been thinking about ordering any llama products, but were waiting for me to get established and going, now is the time! While the wait might be a few weeks, with more orders coming in, that wait might be longer if you delay making the order!

            I also have some non-llama owning friends hinting that they have some projects they would like me to make, and I’ll be working on a couple of those as soon as the back log allows me Any free time! 

Ever Forward!

            Well it’s been a Busy week. I've made one harness for a llama cart, and two driving halters for carting. I have one halter done and 5 more “in process” of the 65 on order. I’m Making progress, and will be increasing my speed as I go.

            Llama Hardware is now fully set up in my shop in Columbia Falls MT. There will be some changes made I’m sure, but it’s a place to start. The new hot cutter for cutting the webbing is So much faster it’s kind of scary.

            Barb is headed over here early next week for more training and to help me gain speed in how I do things. As I gain experience the number of items I can do each day will increase as well. The computer process is coming along as well. The “merchant account” is nearly in place (first of next week, like everything else) and with that I will be able to take payments and pay for shipping without having to leave home. Nice that FedEx, the USPS, and UPS all pickup from the door!

            Requests to attend numerous events are pouring in, and I have to say I appreciate the offers, but there is too little time and too much distance involved to be able to attend all of them and be home to make the product. I will be attending the Llama Rendezvous in Estacada OR at the end of June, but not sure what other events I will be able to attend. I need to fill the orders I have on the books before I can justify attending more events and taking time away from production.

            Please keep sending me invites though, you never know when I’ll be caught up and be able to attend. I’m also thinking about starting an event calendar on the web site or this blog to let everyone know about the events even if I can’t attend in person.

            EVER FORWARD!