The Thousands

I’ve never been one of those ‘make it for yourself’ people who has the patience and dexterity to glue or fold things together. However, Neil Taylor (otherwise known as THE PERTH KITE GURU) handcrafts canvas and balsa wood into flying fancies like it ain’t no thang.

He doesn’t just make it for himself, either: since arriving from London, Neil’s sewing machine has been flat out constructing windcraft for kitesurfers, and delightful kites for primary school kids. His Wembley workshop stocks everything from professional gear to parafoils and even flying jellyfish kites. There’s a cheapo range of single line kites that basically fly themselves (great if you need your other hand for beer) or serious enthusiasts can opt for a thrilling, dual control kite.

Because he spends all summer ‘making things’ , this guru himself doesn’t get time to impress everyone with his diamond tricolour creations in the park, which is exactly why I ‘hand buy’ and not hand make.