Balinese carvers: Still the best

Last night I did not manage to meet up with Asya fom Russia, who was still returning from north Bali. I did however, have dinner with 2 long time expats, one of whom makes unique carved products. He told me one of the reasons he is successful, is that Balinese carvers are still the best in the world.

Always interesting to hear how other people live. While I’m in an internet cafe, someone else is shaping a surfboard, making clothing, running a restaurant, or wondering what they are going to do next. Last night I met a guy who makes carved globes of the world and carved tables, with a map of the world. He also has a shop, and said when people see his work, its usually love at first sight. He does not actually carve himself, he has a small team of Balinese carvers doing that. He told me that Balinese are very good to work with, no trouble at all…you’ve just got to watch them. I heard that 13 years ago, that if you place and order, very often it will go wrong, but if you keep your mind on the job, things can go very well.

Living in Bali means either sellnig your products to tourists, or exporting them. The globe carver told me that there is intense competition for many arts and crafts nowadays, with people sourcing and making copies. China, particularly is very good at seeing a product and knocking out a cheaper version. This guy’s ace in the hole, is that China has not got the availability of craftsman, to the same level as Bali. He told me some of his tables take 1,200 hours of carving!

We all pretty much agreed that living in Bali is great and that a lifestyle that allows a person to choose where to have dinner, out of a couple of hundred places, all for under $5, is special. In order to be a successful expat, you have to work, be smart, keep thinking and be creative, in order to stay in front of the field.