I got an email recently from Novica, a company that works in association with National Geographic to showcase and sell art, jewelry, clothing, handbags, home décor, corporate gifts and more from artisans from all over the world. Novica ensures the artists receive a fair market value for their work so that they might keep body and soul together, which as an artist and a human being, I really appreciate.
I visited their site and was overwhelmed. They have a zillion items in all price ranges and all of them unique, handcrafted, eco-friendly and fabulous. Each item includes a bio of the artist and in a world of identical big-box stores, it’s just kind of nice to know something of the person who made what I’m buying.
Novica has offered me two $75 gift certificates, one for me and one for you – isn’t that nice? I’m getting these earrings for me because I seem to really be attracted to amber right now for some inexplicable reason. And then I can get something else too, but I don’t know what yet. I need another 6 or 7 hours to shop.
If you are interested in a chance to win the other gift certificate, visit Novica (and you may be gone for three or four hours because there is a LOT of cool stuff there) and then pop back in and leave me a comment telling me what you saw that you liked or what you think I should get.
I’ll choose a winner at some point on Monday.
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Other ways to keep up with Novica:
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WINNER!
Pat #66 ~ congratulations! Can’t wait to see what you get!
Tonggu Momma says:
Oh, I absolutely love the ‘The Dragon and the Pearl’ bronze candle holder. We are always trying to add to our Chinese art and home decor collection, so this would be perfect.
April 7th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Elaine says:
Why don’t you get the amber cross? They have some beautiful crosses. I’m still poking around in home decor too.
April 7th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Emily Kellis says:
Ok, I love this bracelet — it’s called a sterling silver braided bracelet.
http://jewelry.novica.com/bracelets/wristband/sterling-silver/sterling-silver-braided-bracelet-horizons/56804/
Really, there are SO MANY amazing things here. I’ll have to keep this site in mind for the future, definitely.
April 7th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Jules @ Everyday Mommy says:
I thought the Sterling silver heart earrings, ‘Love Blossoms’ were lovely. I love the filigree look.
http://jewelry.novica.com/earrings/heart-shaped/sterling-silver-heart-earrings-love-blossoms/160642/
April 7th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Deborah says:
So I’m going to go back to the website, because there’s so much cool stuff! After looking for a while, I’m a big fan of the Peruvian nativity sets. I haven’t looked at jewelry yet, but I like the earrings you picked out.
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I loved those, they were very high on my list, even though buying them would be a clear violation of my self-imposed “no more Christmas stuff!” rule. They had several really unusual nativity sets.
April 7th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Julie at Elisharose says:
Boy, you aren’t kidding. I’ve already spent too much time there. While I am quite enamored of the citrine tennis bracelet, I would probably go with a collection of shoulder bags. Or the rose quartz and pearl choker. : )
April 7th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Caroline says:
I’m definitely going to say I LOVE the alpaca shawls. Or the shoulder bags. Or the belts. Or the… nevermind. I’ll take everything!
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Ha ha! A girl after my own heart….
Psycho me, I want everything and at the same time I want to pair down, de-materialize and be more minimalist. It’s a constant battle for a girl who appreciates beautiful things.
April 8th, 2010 at 12:51 am
Deborah says:
They have so many beautiful things; it’s hard to narrow it down. But my favorite is the Ate grass centerpiece-Allied Motif, by Nengah Danantara.
April 8th, 2010 at 1:15 am
Brigitte says:
Eek, the jewelry selection is overwhelming! But I don’t wear jewelry frequently, so if I tear myself away and look at the blouses instead, I see a few of those I love! I’ve been in love with India cotton blouses and tunics since . . what? 1972 or so? Guess my tastes don’t change much.
April 8th, 2010 at 4:17 am
Kim says:
I went straight to the turquoise jewelry! I also have a couple of pieces of amber jewelry that I really like to wear. Deciding on just one piece of jewelry is the problem. I like it all! Thank you!
April 8th, 2010 at 4:17 am
Lisa Bosch says:
The Garnet pendant bracelet, ‘Courage’ reminds me of my mom…garnet is her birthstone. I think I’d give it to her for her 90th birthday next year though rather than keeping it for myself.
Great store! Thanks for getting me to look!
April 8th, 2010 at 4:39 am
Beverlydru says:
You aren’t kidding about it being a fascinating site. I may get the award for the most unusual selection but I would get the Mahogany jambe drum, ‘Bird Life’. I’ve been wanting a small percussion instrument and this is so beautiful.
Happy Spring to you, my friend.
April 8th, 2010 at 5:52 am
Dina says:
How fun! I love the sterling silver magnolia earings.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:09 am
Jenny-Jenny says:
Well, until I saw your comment about no more Christmas stuff I was going to recommend the Glass Nativity “Peace in Amber”. I guess I’ll have to go do more ‘shopping’. Have fun!
April 8th, 2010 at 7:08 am
Naomi says:
Oh the sweaters! I love handmade sweaters, I’ve tried to teach myself to knit but something is not “clicking”.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:14 am
Heide says:
Very pretty earrings! I love amber.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:15 am
Jobie says:
There were SEVERAL silver rings that I would have to choose between if I get picked!! Im definitely going back to the site after work when I can really “shop”!!
April 8th, 2010 at 7:28 am
Lisa says:
I really like the Summer Fanfare tote bag. It’s very bright and cheerful!
April 8th, 2010 at 7:29 am
The Bug says:
I’m NOT going there – it’s one of my favorite places to shop & I’m at work & that would just be a VERY bad idea. I’ve bought two bags from there and some jewelry. It’s just such a great concept – I love reading about the artisans.
OK, I lied. I popped over there for JUST A MINUTE & decided that I really like the Bamboo and leather bracelet, ‘Colorful Amazon’ – & about 20 other things. Sigh.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:32 am
Michelle says:
I really love the angels, but am having a hard time picking out just one! They have some really unique stuff….I think I will go look some more!
April 8th, 2010 at 7:44 am
katherine says:
oh, i LOVE novica. for our sixth anniversary right after christmas (and the beginning of our seventh year of marriage), my hubs gave me a jewelry gift from novica for seven days. i really liked everything he picked out. such fun!
if i were going to shop, i like the holy cross stained glass cross by vidri arte. i love crosses.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Sarah at themommylogues says:
Oh my word! What a fantastic site!
I think I’d get the Cotton handbag, ‘Perky Pachyderm’, which I could hopefully use as a non-diaper bag diaper bag. And then I love the Pearl strand necklace, ‘Cool Shower’. Or to be less specific, EVERYTHING IN THE TURQUOISE SECTION.
April 8th, 2010 at 8:09 am
sheilah says:
Well the first thing I looked at was chess sets. While I don’t like the game, my son loves it. I am thinking of tinyurl.com/yavb2jd but I may splurge and get the larger one for him. They are beautiful.
I love these kinds of projects (e.g. giving honest work to hard-working people to help them support themselves & their families). One of the knitting groups I belong to gives knitting machines to women in Rwanda, teaches them to knit and then helps them market their goods.
April 8th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Jesica says:
I really like this: Carnelian cocktail ring, ‘Paradise’ – and it would leave $$ leftover for some earrings or a bracelet!
What a great site and a great cause!
April 8th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Jackie says:
I like the hummingbird ear rings for you. I would love one of those handbags. Oh my goodness handbags are my down fall. I can walk right past anything but that. These handbags are cool and original.
April 8th, 2010 at 8:43 am
WendyP says:
At first I thought, JEWELRY! But then I saw the hammocks in the sale section. We’ve always wanted one and never splurged. Sea Breeze looks like just the right colors too. And it is large, so we can lie in the hammock and cuddle, especially with the new grandson.
So that is what I would pick if I won. Something for everyone to use and enjoy!
April 8th, 2010 at 8:46 am
momof8 says:
I like the Retablos. Especially the Retablo, ‘Nativity in Huanta’. Just looking at them makes me happy. I think you should try one too.
April 8th, 2010 at 8:51 am
melanie chitwood says:
Thanks for sharing this with us!
I would get a drum for my ten year old who’s been wanting to learn how to bongo drum – and a scarf for me!
April 8th, 2010 at 8:52 am
trixiefan says:
The Pearl and Serpentine – Elixir necklace is gorgeous! Very unique.
April 8th, 2010 at 9:12 am
SEAS says:
Really neat stuff!
Silver drop earrings, ‘Sugar Pompoms’
April 8th, 2010 at 9:23 am
heidig says:
Oh such beautiful things on this site. I love the amethyst and dragonfly earrings or anything with carnelian in it. Lovely!
April 8th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Meghan says:
My brother collects chess sets. He makes a point of getting a chess set in every country he visits. One of those chess sets would make a perfect christmas gift.
April 8th, 2010 at 10:08 am
fern says:
I love the handbags–my favorite is Hill Trib Chic in Burgundy.
April 8th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Knighton says:
Such pretty things! I like this:
http://jewelry.novica.com/necklaces/turquoise/silver-pendant-necklace-subtle/161457/
And this:
http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=146627&re=producta
In fact, I think i’ve found a favorite artist already!
April 8th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Iota says:
I like the silk scarf ‘Carnival Colors’ here http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=94236
As for what I think you should get, how about this? It’s a chess set made out of recycled scrap auto parts. Looks beautiful. You could teach Sean how to play chess with it (if he doesn’t know already). You could also teach him that recycling is important, AND that with creativity and time, you can turn old junk into new beautiful things (that’s the spiritual bit).
http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=121771
April 8th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Iota says:
I’m also going to tell you the story of why I was looking at chess sets, in a shameless attempt to win the competition.
My son, aged 9, plays chess. He plays for the school team. It’s so important in his life, for all kinds of reasons, but not least because at chess, he can beat his big brother (aged 12), and there are not many things that a 3.5 year age gap allows him to beat his big brother at.
Anyway, when we were on vacation last summer in Colorado, we stopped at a cafe. It had an arts and crafts shop, and my son spotted a chess set, which he absolutely fell in love with. The pieces were Egyptian in style, and the board was set on top of a little box, so when you finished playing, you would open the drawer in the box and put away the pieces (that bit appealed to the mommy in me). I knew from the look of it that it would be hundreds of dollars. The pieces were in bronze, and it was a beautiful hand-made item. But my son saw the price tag, which said “$29.99″, and guess what? He had enough allowance saved up to buy it.
I saw what had happened. A price tag from an item on the shelf above must have fallen off its own item, and dropped down onto the lovely chess set below. I explained this, but my son just couldn’t believe it. A shop couldn’t possibly be mean enough to put the wrong price tag on something. That would be a cruel trick. I explained that it wasn’t deliberate. That the tag had just fallen down, in a gust of air or something. But he still couldn’t believe me. We called the shop assistant over, and she confirmed that yes, the label was wrong, and that the chess set was $350 dollars.
If having a broken heart at the age of 9 over a chess set seen once is an indicator of what lies in store for him when he grows into a man, then I just hope that there is no black queen out there who will ever use him as a pawn in her own game.
Of course if I win the Novica gift certificate, I will put it towards a beautiful chess set that he can choose for his next birthday. And maybe his school chess team will win at State again next year as they did last month.
April 8th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Lisa says:
the dragonfly earrings for my 11 yr old or 2 hammocks-one for my hubby and Dad for Fathers Day
April 8th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Melissa B. says:
Wow, there’s a lot to like! I really love the Amazonite drop earrings, ‘Piece of the Sky’ though.
April 8th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Martha Harter says:
I like the “Moon in Love” pendant. It is just gorgeous, but I agree there is alot of stuff to gaze in wonder at!
April 8th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Nicole says:
I really like pendants and would love to get the Pearl and opal pendant, ‘Blue Ocean Dream’. It is very beautiful. There are so many options!
April 8th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Jan says:
I think I would get the Casual Kisses ring or the Silken Ribbon ring for my daughter first… and if I win, I’ll go back and pick out something for myself, too!
April 8th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
edj says:
I only poked around the jewelry section and they had many MANY sets of earrings that I want, but I have been wanting some amber so I think I’d go for the same earrings as you. And then we could be twins, and we could email each other and say, “Are you wearing your earrings today?” and decide to both wear, for example, black tshirts and jeans to go with them, so we’d match, and it would be almost too much cyber fun for a couple of middle-aged moms like ourselves.
April 8th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Liz says:
Oooohh… the sterling silver “Dance Ribbon” earrings. Gorgeous stuff. I’d love to win!
April 8th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Kathy says:
Gorgeous stuff! All of it! I’ve got my eye on a beautiful pearl and garnet necklace!
April 8th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Kay says:
Whoa–what a site!
I was all over the carnelian until I saw the peridot, which is my birthstone. I could use earrings.
And I was extremely fond of a couple of the pendants, which were over the certificate limit, but hey–it’d be like it was on sale!
April 8th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Joni says:
Heaven’s gift shawl 100% Alpaca for $79 something. Sea green. Would be lovely gift for my daughter-in-law!
With gift certificate could afford!
Love the earings you picked. J
April 8th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Jenna says:
I love the “Silk and cotton shoulder bag Hill Tribe Plum Chic” (actually, I love it in all the colors) and pretty much every pair of earrings!!
April 8th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
carol says:
Your earrings are beautiful.I do love earrings-probably because I can’t wear them to work, it makes me appreciate when I can wear them. I think any of the pearl earrings would be great.
April 8th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Tobi says:
Ok, I wish I had a couple more hours to peruse that sight. What beautiful stuff! And it’s nice to know that the artisans recieve a fair price for their work.
I love the Cotton batik shoulder bag, ‘Chocolate Bouquet’ and my boys would have alot of fun with a djembe trum.
April 8th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Sherri K. Edman says:
I’m all about the 100% alpaca wool shawl, ‘Bougainvillea Secret.’ LOVE the color, and with some creative threading through some sling rings it would make a gorgeous fall baby sling for my baby girl who is due in July.
April 8th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Wendy says:
I absolutely LOVE the jewelry and knick knack boxes! What a great site! I will be sure to go back there when I’m in need of unique gifts!
April 8th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
deb says:
Ok, so fair warning was given, but still my journey around that site was long. Fun. Fun. Fun. And knowing you may well be providing someone’s next family meal – that’s fun plus just really good.
Loved the furniture that was/is not in my budget & certainly beyond your $75 gift cert, so I’ll suggest these photo albums. They have such a inviting sense about them.
http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=151779
April 8th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Kristi says:
Haven’t taken the trip to the website yet ~ after reading your piece and all the comments I’m both excited and terrified! I wanted to leave a note even before visiting Novica because I was so struck by your response to one of the comments. I, too, struggle with the contradiction between being intentional about paring down and living more simply while somehow simultaneously appreciating and -yes, I’ll admit – coveting beautiful things…It’s wonderful to know I’m not alone in that!
Thank you for all you do and write and share
April 8th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
happy geek says:
Oh heavens.
One could spend WAY too much time on that site.
I do LOVE the hemp and leather Summer Day shoulder tote. And I don’t even like purses.
The Crimson and Mist wool shawl would make my jeans oh so much spiffier.
Oh and the Nativities. HAPPY DAY.
Good thing I am cheap or I could blow a WAD there.
April 8th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Danica says:
All I can say is, wow. I don’t know what I would get. You were so right when you said you might be there 3 or 4 hours. I have been wanting a drum for awhile… I love the jewelry too.
April 8th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Kim/Doodles says:
Definitely get the earrings! I’d get ‘em too! I love lots of the crosses I found -especially the ones with periodot (my birth stone) in them!
April 8th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Laurie says:
I like the “Verdant Desire” tote bag/purse. Very pretty!
April 8th, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Laura J. says:
I love this ring: http://jewelry.novica.com/newarrivals/carnelian-flower-ring-petals/169795/ … I have always been fascinated by carnelian after reading that Rose Wilder Lane had a carnelian ring in “On The Way Home” (Laura Ingalls Wilder) …. it’s such a lovely shade of red, and while I’m sure this is a much more modern take on jewelry than that of over 100 years ago, I think it’s pretty!
April 8th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Astaryth says:
Oh,so many beautiful things! But, I think I would get Sea Paper Scrapbook with Embossed Elephants. That would be perfect for the scrapbook I would like to make for my husband. See, he works with Elephants and has for 20 years. He has many stories and I have some wonderful pictures. I’ve bookmarked this because I think that solves my what to get him for his birthday problem. AND, it is only $44 so I could get something for me with a Tiger motif (I worked with them!)
April 9th, 2010 at 2:19 am
Elicia says:
two giveaways in a row! sweet. novica sounds pretty cool.
April 9th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Jenny says:
I would totally get one of the pearl dangle earrings. I love the “Moonlight” ones from Bali and Java. Lately I love anything with pearls. I might have to look at the nativity sets. I collect them. And I’m definitely bookmarking this site, even if I don’t have the money for most of their stuff.
April 9th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Susan R says:
Delurking to say Wow! Some great stuff on that site – and here too! I’ve been reading a while and love your writing and photography!
April 9th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Mary Beth says:
I found some “Green Ocean” Opal earrings that are just beautiful!
Thanks for the giveaway and sharing such a great webcite!
April 9th, 2010 at 11:54 am
gretchen from lifenut says:
I’m an earring girl. I like the “fire berries” jasper drop earrings. Darling! Wearable! Me!
April 9th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Lisa Beth W. says:
Ooooooh, one of those beautiful wool shawls or sweaters…or a panpipe.
April 9th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Dawn Paradise says:
Whoooeee. You weren’t kidding! What a fun and amazing site. I thought to myself ” Ok, just a quick peek and then off to bed because of work tomorrow!”…that was 45 min ago!;-) I love the jewlery, especially the Labradorite necklace and the pearl and rose quartz necklace. I also loved the cotton shoulder bags “summer blues” and “Dandelions”. Wow…ok..I could wander through there for hours, but alas….open to close tomorrow;-)
Thanks for all your humor!
Love
dawn
April 9th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Kristin says:
Oh, what a neat website. I really liked a lot of things. I think my favorite section was the handbag section.
April 9th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Pat Trippiedi says:
Love the ceramic necklace “secrets” but love so many other things too
. I remember years back there was a big sale of National Geographic ware in Rosemont at one of the convention centers. We bought so many books and such. Just love National Geographic and Novica offers some lovely choices!
April 10th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Gerry says:
I love the pearl earrings “Moonlight”.
April 10th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Jennifer C says:
Wow…..definitely tagged this site in my favorites. I love the “Precious” and “Love Empowered earrings, some of the hand bags…..the list could go on and on.
Thanks for this opportunity to win
April 10th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Lisa says:
I might choose the pearl dangle earrings, “Calla Lilly”, but then again there are some great gift items that would please some of the “difficult-to-buy-for” people in my life!
April 10th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Melissa @ Anxious for Nothing says:
Whoa, you weren’t joking when you said they have a lot of cool things.
I would probably get one of the wood statues as a thank-you gift for each of my midwives (my 3rd baby is due in July), maybe the “Mother’s Love” wood sculpture for one and the “Family Love” wood statuette for the other.
April 10th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
Confused Foreigner says:
Wow, how neat.
Here’s an amber bracelet:
http://jewelry.novica.com/bracelets/cuff/amber-bracelet-summer-sun/139178/
and I quite like this one:
http://jewelry.novica.com/bracelets/cuff/peridot-cuff-bracelet-forest-fern/167389/
So many nice things!!
April 11th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
D says:
Wow! I think I was sucked into a vortex for about an hour!
It’s impossible to pick one thing.
I love the shawls, the amber necklaces, the Calla Lilly earrings…
I think I need to go back now.
April 12th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Jana says:
Beautiful jewelry. I looked, but I didn’t buy. This time.
April 12th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Antique Mommy says:
Comments closed! Winner to be announced soon! ~Antique Mommy
April 12th, 2010 at 7:59 pm