![]() ![]() By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices. Fund for Kiva partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from Kiva Store to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. ![]() Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit. I have opened my own studio now, and I derive great joy from sharing my enthusiasm and knowledge of gems and jewelry with my visitors." This passion is still with me after many years. There I learned all about gems and jewelry making. I realized I had much to learn about gems and jewelry, and decided to enroll in gemology school. We would buy what we could afford, and admire the higher price pieces. "My sister and I have always enjoyed visiting jewelry shops. I love wearing nice things – I always have. Even then, in the West, people would ask, 'are you going to a party?' because I was always wearing jewelry. I subsequently left Thailand to travel for two years, and came to the conclusion that what I really wanted to do, was to work with gems. "Years later, when living in Bangkok during my college years, and after working for four years in a public hospital after graduation, I realized that although I liked helping people, I could not see myself being a nurse for the rest of my life. I couldn't take my eyes off her! I don't remember exactly what I said to my father about her, but remember clearly that afterwards I got my first gold ring with a little blue star sapphire. She had silver coins hanging around her face, more silver ornaments on her, as well as beautiful beads. I recall seeing a hill tribe girl my age, seven at the time, wearing beautiful silver jewelry accessorizing her colorful costume. ![]() I regularly saw people around me wearing jewelry. "Ever since I was a young girl, I have been enamored with the hill tribe people's love of jewelry. Since the area is rich with gems and the main activity was their trade, I began to learn and develop a passion for the various gemstones. ![]() I grew up appreciating this naturally beautiful area, home to rich and diverse cultures as well as many ancient ethnic tribes. I get my inspiration from family and friends, and my workshop helps provide job opportunities in the community."My name is Matta Nandrakwang, I was born and raised in Chiang Rai, the northernmost province in Thailand next to the border with Myanmar (Burma). "What I like best about this craft is how it takes my mind in different directions to come up with new designs. We begin with raw silver and transform it into beautiful wearable art with colorful gemstones. "My jewelry is both traditional and modern, and we create new designs everyday. A team of skilled artisans collaborate with us to give shape to my designs. I work beside my brother who looks after the crafting processes while I design new pieces. "I began designing sterling silver jewelry and, with my brother's valuable advice, I was able to establish myself in this field. And it has given me the ability to prove myself and has boosted my confidence in succeeding in life. I signed up for some classes and, with hard work and determination, I learned. When I started, I knew nothing about this art. I knew I wanted to do something interesting and decided to learn the art of designing jewelry. As a child, I was mesmerized by our beautiful and intricate silver jewelry. I come from a beautiful city in Gujarat, where I was born in 1984. ![]()
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