Author: awesomelady44

Kites in Love

February is the ideal month to celebrate Kites in Love, since we also observe Valentine’s Day. You may be wondering, “What do kites have to do with being in love?” The answer is simple:

Kites can express anything you want them to, including the affections of love.

Pete's Kite Shop, Kites in Love, Red Heart Kite Flying

There are so many ways that our culture celebrates Valentine’s Day. No one way is the right activity to engage in with your lover on this day. Nor do you have to limit your expressions of love towards intimate partners. Show love to everyone this Valentine’s Day and don’t forget to shop at Pete’s Kite Shop!

Have you been looking for a way to share some kite fun with your loved ones?

Here are some great ideas for sharing kites with the ones you love:

Fly a Kite

Lovers string their kite tails and allow their sails to blow in the wind. As kites criss-cross across the sky, a new imagination and love is brought to life in the minds of the lovers. Love has been born.

Flying a kite with a loved one on a breezy day is a perfect way to share a freeing and hopeful experience with a partner. Not only can you run and play like children as you send your flier into the wind, but you can also discuss hopes and dreams in the quiet of your very own world.

Kites have many purposes, so don’t forget the purpose of sharing a special moment. Make a memory, and cherish it as priceless.

Build A Kite

Being an adult in love on Valentine’s Day means hearts, chocolates and flowers, among many other traditional staples for this Day for Lovers. However, it’s not just the adults who are encouraged to partake in the fun.

Building a kite with a child you love on Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to spend the day!

Pete's Kite Shop, Kid Flying a Kite, Kites and Children

Here is a guide to building your very own kite at home with your child! Remember, children want to spend time with you. Whether your kite is successful at flying or not, the point is to just spend time in imagination with your young Valentine.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

There are so many different ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Whether you involve kites or not, be sure to enjoy this special day with the ones you love. Spring is on it’s way and you will be  presented with many opportunities to show some Kite Love soon!

So have a great Valentine’s Day and stop by Pete’s Kite Shop again!

How Do I Shop for My Perfect Kite?

There are so many sizes, shapes, colors, styles and options when it comes to choosing your perfect kite! The hardest decision to make when shopping for a kite is to choose a piece of art personal to the buyer. After all, this kite will allow for imagination to go wild when in the right hands. Pete from Pete’s Kite Shop wants to help you choose your perfect match in a kite! Contact Pete @ Pete’s Kite Shop today to find your perfect kite!

Kite Tails Add Even More Fun!

Kite tails can be added to any kite to add eye appeal and adjust speed and direction of the kite, although tails are not necessary to fly a kite. It is best to do some research before purchasing a kite, especially if it is your first kite. Also, there are many design factors that come into the equation. Ranging from single, dual and quad line style kites, your choice in configurations area endless! Even the most experienced flyer has a big task in deciding on the right kite.

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Kite tails are important for a kite to fly in the desired direction working with and against the wind.

Basic Types of Kites

There are three basic types of kites: a single line kite, a stunt kite, and a power kite. Read on to learn some basic information about all three basic types of kites, courtesy of Pete’s Kite Shop! Remember, kites are a piece of art, so every piece will have different meaning and value depending o n the eye and feel of the beholder.

Single Line Kites

Single line kites are the easiest type of kite to fly. The more complex the design, the more skill is required for the kite to fly. One example of an easy kite to fly is the “Charlie Brown” triangle design. Single line kites are not just for a novice, there is a grand nostalgia in flying a simple design!

Stunt Kites

Stunt kites require more skill to fly than single line kites. Stunt kites are very quick as well as responsive. Make sure when shopping for a kite that you get one as indestructible as possible. Stunt kites crash often at high speeds. Therefore, they need to be crafted for an extreme level of abuse. This factor can make it very expensive.  If you really dig stunts, lean towards a ballet style kite, they will float and dance to your every command!

Power Kites

Just as the name implies, power kites generate power as they are some of the largest most powerful kites available. Do not launch giant power kites into the wind – you could get injured! The best advice Pete’s Kite Shop can suggest is to ask lots of questions but remember people can be biased and partial to their favorite brand. In the end, use your own best judgment, as that will serve you the most good.

How Do I Find My Perfect Kite?

Contact Pete’s Kite Shop today and Pete will help answer questions and provide you with the perfect kite today!

Tell Me More About Japanese Edo Kites!

Rokkaku Kite, Finished Dimensions, Pete's Kite Shop, Black and White Design, 6 Foot
The dimensions of a 6 foot Rokkaku kite.

In the last Pete’s Kite Shop blog, you learned about how Japanese Edo Kites have represented Japanese history in a “floating world.” Here, you can take your education further and read up on how Japanese Edo Kites are created!

A Little “Kite” History

A Japanese dictionary dated 981 A.D.  was the first to record the Japanese word for “kite.” In the dictionary, the characters “kami” and “Tobi” were used: Meaning “Paper Hawk.” This suggests that the first kites were bird shaped. Absorbing most of the Chinese culture, the Japanese developed their own distinct kite designs and traditions. In older Japanese traditions, kites were also used to lift heavy items to high areas of construction for buildings and temples.

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The Edo Kite Comes to Life

Handcrafting a Japanese Edo Kite is a delicate process that requires a Master Kite Maker to utilize a great deal of care. First, handmade Edo kites are created with a meticulously designed framework. Every detail must be taken into account as the structure of the kite begins to come to life. Next, the kite is hand painted to show the artist’s tribute to their theme.

Japanese Edo kites are painted with a style reminiscent of Japanese calligraphy, utilizing ink in thick and thin patterns. The patterns depict symbols, characters and ukiyo-e prints. A ukiyo-e print is an image of artistic themes, scenes, symbols of luck, historic stories, tales, etc.

Pete: Edo Kite Maker

A flat, bowed, bamboo frame covered in mulberry paper make up the components of the Edo Kites offered by Petes Kite Shop. These kites represent the traditional style of Japanese Edo kites: True to the originals as expected!

Shop at Pete’s Kite Shop today to get your “one-of-a-kind” Japaense Edo kite today!

Introduction to Kite Battles

As far as we can tell, kite battles come from the origins of the kite. However, different regions hold different styles of kite fighting more traditional than others.  Depending on where you are in the world, kite fighting will hold it’s own rich history locally.

There are many different styles that can be applied to use in a kite battle, however a fighter kite is usually small and highly maneuverable. Its string is partly coated with powdered glass, sharp sand, ground pottery, or even knife blades. The kite flyer attempts to bring down his opponent’s kite by cutting its line. It takes skillful maneuvering to cross other kite lines to cut them. In Japan today, the Nagasaki fighters are the best known participants in this type of competition.

Pete has attended kite festivals as a part of his growing passion and love for kites. The following images were taken by Pete himself!