Novica - National Geographic

[SomethingElse]

I just came across this inspiring world shopping site called Novica, done in association with National Geographic. They have with wonderful hand made arts and crafts from all over the globe, and you know who actually made everything! So far, they have things from the Andes, Bali and Java, Brazil, India, Mexico, Thailand, and West Africa. Here is their 'mission statement':

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.

At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe.

We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.

In the spirit of the Internet, let us bring you together.

NOVICA. The World is Your Market.

www.novica.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Achara

"Our mission is to create unique designs in great quality silver jewelry as well as to preserve Thai and hill tribe cultures."

"Once I met Novica, I was told that I would have to introduce my products and myself on the Novica website. I have decided to introduce my family and my team, because we always work as one. We started as a family, we have been working and will continue working as a family. We hope to have you as a part of our warm family in the near future.

"My name is Achara and my husband is Withaya, who is the head of our talented designers and artisans team. My little children, Nampueng and Harley, also help me with some small designs and are always my inspiration for all the work.

"I started to deal in silver jewelry when I was in college with my boyfriend, who became my lovely husband later on. It has been more than 20 years that we have designed, made and marketed silver jewelry. At first we created our unique products by ourselves. Then we learned that the hill tribe people of northern Thailand had wonderful silversmith skills, but that most of their jewelry is not traditionally considered very marketable. We had an idea to help these people earn a decent living so they could lead a stable lifestyle, as well as to promote their culture worldwide. So we decided to work in close association with them. We would help them improve their handcrafting skills, design finished products using some of their beads, and establish a quality control system that would enhance their centuries-old traditional methods.

"Our mission is to create unique designs in great quality silver jewelry as well as to preserve Thai and hill tribe cultures. I hope that you will be satisfied with our products and also be happy to participate in helping the hill tribe people. Finally, we hope you will become a part of our family as well."

 

[SomethingElse]

100% alpaca wool coat, 'Elegance in Gray'
Working in warm, luxurious alpaca wool, Patricia Anaya creates an elegant coat. A wide ribbed stitch adds texture that envelops the body like a halo. The very flattering cloak is knitted in combinable gray.

Patricia Anaya

"My vision is for all of us to grow together through this small family enterprise, offering our art and sharing our knowledge."

"I was born in Cuzco in 1960, and I grew up in a very interesting home environment because my mother, who was a literature teacher, loved Peruvian art. She was always helping artists in the San Blas neighborhood, especially those specializing in textiles, since our family owned a weaving workshop. On the other hand, my father, who was a chemical engineer, was always teaching me the scientific approach to the origins of life, and so on.

"In 1993 I began to run our family workshop. Our specialties are alpaca wool weaves with a distinct Peruvian accent, elegantly influenced by today's fashion sense.

"I am interested in sharing my good fortune with others, especially with people who are physically challenged, and unwed teenage mothers. I teach them in the areas of textiles and general education. My vision is for all of us to grow together through this small family enterprise, offering our art and sharing our knowledge."

novica.com

 

[softgrey]

how great!
thanks somethingelse...

really lovely...

 

[Multitudes]

Yes, how fantastic is that ... bringing together this creative diversity across the different cultures ...
Thank you very much SomethingElse ...

 

[chaneladdict]

YAY I love you, this site is wonderful!!! Time to start Christmas shopping

 

[Lovin_It]

looks fabulous!