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Dear Friends,
Various exciting news here at Novica. First, we wish to
congratulate Sanjay and Swati in India on the birth of their baby
boy!
Also, Novica has just established "Gifts that Give Back -
Twice." Do you help with annual fund-drives for PTA groups,
church groups, community sports teams or other nonprofits? If you
do, please visit our new fund-raising page to request our
beautiful new catalog:
http://www.novica.com/fundraising
What a great alternative to cookie and candy catalogs. You'll
help support talented artisans, while at the same time helping
raise funds for the charity of your choice.
Speaking of changing lives together, we receive so many letters
of thanks from artisans (more than 80 this past month alone!),
each so inspiring. And it is amazing to read the details of these
personal transformations. We are trying to figure out a way to
share all of these letters with you. Meanwhile, here is one
recent message of thanks from each Novica region. These artisans
greatly appreciate your support!
Gulam Ahmed, rug weaver, India
http://www.novica.com/11328967z222270z1824z46?fa=5464
"Novica and its customers have been a tremendous help. My
extended family is involved in the making of rugs. We faced
serious cash problems these past 20 years, resulting from the
turmoil in Kashmir, which still isn't over. There are no tourists
coming in, and we once depended on tourists to buy our rugs.
Since we began selling through Novica, I've been able to send my
four children and the younger ones in my extended family to
school. Our standard of living is much better now. Our family is
very happy, and we are hoping for even better times. Thank you."
Made Wirata, woodcarver, Bali
http://www.novica.com/11328969z222272z1824z47?fa=3689
"It is like a dream come true to be part of Novica. Previously,
with my father, brother, wife, and a son, we were living very
simply, sharing two rooms in such a small house. Financially we
had nothing, but we never gave up hope. Now, I employ five
artisans to help me carve for Novica. One of my helpers had been
working at a gas station before. He is so happy to put his skills
as a carver to use. Slowly but surely our economic situations are
getting better. I am now building a larger house, more
appropriate for my family. Novica is such a blessing."
Somluck Komolmith, jewelry artisan, Thailand
http://www.novica.com/11328965z222267z1824z48?fa=4746
"In 1992 I had to resign my job, because my son required
hospitalization almost every week. It was difficult for us to
live on my husband's income alone. Since I began selling my
handmade jewelry through Novica, I have been able to contribute
to our family income, while staying home to provide constant care
for our children. My husband and his relatives view me with
newfound respect now, and I am also quite proud to create jewelry
that is enjoyed worldwide."
Pedro and Maria, ceramic artisans, Mexico
http://www.novica.com/11328962z222264z1824z49?fa=5730
"By selling our ceramics at the street markets, we had a tough
time making ends meet, and sometimes had to borrow money to pay
rent or buy food. It seems like only yesterday when on a rainy
Thursday afternoon, we learned about Novica and how they could
help us. In no time we began to sell and sell. When someone from
another country buys one of our ceramics, they are not only
receiving something from our roots, they are also receiving the
love and faith that is shared by this family. A few months ago,
one of our daughters got sick and needed an operation. If it
hadn't been for our sales through Novica, and the help Novica
offered, we never would have been able to pay for her operation
and medicines. The people at Novica are always ready to help, and
we really feel their support. They are part of our family. They
even attend our children's birthdays and bring gifts."
Pah Come, handbag artisan, Thailand
http://www.novica.com/11328963z222265z1824z50?fa=6247
"I love that Novica isn't interested in getting the lowest
price from us. Novica allows us to earn good prices, and, in
exchange, we provide Novica with our finest materials and most
careful work. This arrangement makes me very happy. Also,
whenever we receive an especially large order from Novica, we
enjoy sharing this work among quite a few people in our village.
This is good for us all, because otherwise we don't have another
way to earn income after the rice harvest is done. By making
crafts in our spare time, we can earn a living without leaving
our village. This allows us to continue participating in
important village activities: marriages, funerals, housewarmings,
and so forth. Villagers who leave here to work in a factory
cannot return home for such important occasions. I'm thankful
that through Novica, my family, my neighbors, and myself are able
to continue living our traditional lifestyle here."
Maria Ramos, textile artist, Peru
http://www.novica.com/11328964z222266z1824z51?fa=671
"I left my hometown during the Shining Path terrorism in the
1980s. For income, I sold my patchwork art in a local market. At
one point I felt desperate, but I didn't lose faith. After
joining Novica, suddenly one day they called me and said they
wanted to give me a surprise - they told me that I had sold
everything! I got $1,400 that day, and with that first payment I
was able to visit my parents in Ayacucho, my hometown. It had
been so long since I had seen them. Nowadays my income is triple
what it was, and I have been able to build my own workshop, to
invest money in new materials, and to employ seven women to help
me. I feel so happy that I can help other needy women. I am
grateful for Novica's assistance, and for the support of my
customers at Novica. I am also able to afford the education of my
four children. I am very proud that they have a good life, and
that the future is open for them."
Bernard Mensah, painter, Ghana, West Africa
http://www.novica.com/11328964z222266z1824z52?fa=3427
"In the six years that I have been with Novica, my life has
changed both monetarily and creatively. My income has increased
four times. I can now pay my children's school fees, and help
take care of the needy. I have been able to take full
responsibility for two orphans, their schooling and everything,
which the community appreciates a lot. I've earned increased
respect, improving my leadership role as our family's eldest son.
My worldview has also changed. I had no idea how interested
international customers are in African art. People all over the
world now purchase my art. I am very proud of my partnership with
Novica."
Ney Cardoso, painter, Brazil
http://www.novica.com/11328968z222271z1824z53?fa=250
"When I joined Novica eight years ago, I couldn't imagine that
in just one year I would be able to start building my house,
finish it the following year, that my wife would have the nicest
kitchen in the neighborhood, and that I would have the first
computer in the area. In fact, I am not an ambitious person. What
I dreamed about most was only to enjoy painting without worrying
about how to pay the bills. But Novica provided me much more than
that. Suddenly I was receiving foreign journalists at my home,
and was being photographed and interviewed for magazines, and was
even featured in a book published about Novica. To know that my
work is now in hundreds of homes in America and other countries,
that people are enjoying my work, makes me proud and happy! I
have a map at home where I pinpoint the cities where my customers
are, but it has not been easy to find them all. Once, I received
a call from Novica saying 'you have sold a painting to Iceland!'
Novica is a wonderful part of my life."
Warm wishes from all of us around the world!
Catherine Gallegos
Novica Editor
Tech update:
We've recently implemented a new feature that you can use to
keep track of your favorite artists, including those in this
email. Beside the artist's name, you'll see a small orange icon
that links to an RSS feed.
http://www.novica.com/11328962z222264z1824z49?fa=5730
Novica
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Los Angeles, California 90064 USA
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