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I started flying kites over 40 years ago and in April 1996 set
up Skylines and Bylines to provide a range of quality New Zealand
made kites and windsocks for kids of all ages.
I believe that kites bring out the smiles in people, and that flying
kites, or just watching others fly them, is the best way to lift
your spirits!
Skylines has grown steadily, beginning in a small a studio
at The Arts Centre in 1996, then moving to a larger location
in the retail block, where it operated as a 7 day retail outlet
for 5 years, and then to a factory and retail showroom in
Opawa. Now I operate on line and have a travelling
kite shop selling kites, windsocks and wind toys at fairs
and shows around the country.
As Julie - the Kite Lady I visit schools and groups throughout
New Zealand and run kite making workshops
for kids of all ages.
I've been tidying up and found an old invoice book for kite
kits supplied to schools dating back to 1987. It started me
looking at some statistics and I calculated that, since starting
this business full-time in 1996, I've made kites with about
25,000 kids and supplied over 150,000 kite kits to schools
and groups throughout New Zealand.
Most of my work time is spent fiddling around in my workshop,
but I still get a real buzz seeing the huge smiles when kids
get their kite up into the air. So, cheers to all the fabulous
kite makers out there!
There isn't much spare time, but I still get to make and
fly some big and beautiful kites.
And at home Sophie, Daisy and
Bella and the garden keep
me busy.
Onwards and upwards ...
Julie - the Kite Lady
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