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About
With corn forming part of the diet of people in Peru for thousands of years, it isn't surprising that artisan Dina chooses to represent this traditional and ancient food in this intriguing ceramic beaded necklace. Charming handcrafted tubular ceramic beads evoke corn cobs; they intermingle with brown and black beads in the necklace which closes with a sterling silver fold-over clasp. With its neutral tones, the accessory is excellent for a casual outing and also subdued enough to be work appropriate.
Product details
- 925 sterling silver, ceramic
- Fold-over clasp
- Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
- High polish finish
- 11 grams
- 0.39 oz
- Length: 19.75"
Meet the artist
"Ceramics definitely marked my life from the time I was a girl… I love how I could change a piece of clay into something beautiful — not only décor accents but also jewelry."
Family is the greatest blessing for the human being. Dina and her family rely upon their effort, union and love to recreate the artistic legacy of the ancient Inca in Peru.
"I'm Ubaldina Paucar Achancaray. I was blessed to have been born in the extraordinary imperial province of Cusco in 1953. This was the capital of the Inca Empire, and the city of Cusco was one of the most important during Peru's colonial period. The Spaniards built beautiful churches, palaces and plazas in the baroque and neoclassical styles.
"I had a lovely childhood within our possibilities. My parents focused on giving all the love possible to all their children. We grew up in the district of Pisac in the Sacred Valley of the Inca.
"I thank God that we were all able to go to school and get an education, but it was very difficult for the whole family. Our parents made admirable sacrifices to always give us all the best.
At school, I loved the craft classes. We learned all kinds of techniques that our ancestors used every day. I felt an immediate connection with ceramics and painting, but I didn't do any more with them.
When I was 17, I enrolled in an art school near the famous archaeological site of Intihuatana. Here, I learned to weave by hand on traditional looms, I learned to work in ceramics, to paint and how to craft jewelry. These years were incredible for me! I never thought I'd dedicate myself to any of the crafts but ceramics definitely marked my life from the time I was a girl. It impressed me the most. I love how I could change a piece of clay into something beautiful — not only décor accents but also jewelry.
"This school in Pisac was fundamental in my life. in fact, I feel very grateful for this stage of my life. That school formed the basis of my education and I spent three years there. I majored in fines arts and ceramics.
"I eventually began selling my work not far from our town. I sold it in downtown Cusco, in shops, in markets and in parks. With so many brothers and sisters, our family's economic situation was precarious and we all needed to help.
"Although my heart was in Pizac, when I rurned 18, I moved to Lima. I needed to earn more money, and I have some relatives who were living in the capital. I went to look for them with a little money in my pocket, a few clothes, ready to face the challenges life had for me.
"When I arrived, I worked with some of my family in different kinds of jobs. In one of them, I met the man I married, who was a friend of my cousin. He was an automotive mechanic and had a workshop of his own. Little by little, our friendship grew. We fell in love and decided to face life together, committed to working hard together.
"Our little family grew fast. God blessed us with four children. Taking care of the house and children didn't let me take a job outside the home. So I decided to go back to my ceramic work, and to paint. I looked for the materials and my husband helped a lot. I became his teacher and this is how our art project got its start.
"With patience and lots of practice, he developed such skill that I he surprised me. I think his work was better than mine, He left his mechanic work to craft decorative ceramics and jewelry with me. We often went back and forth from Lima to Cusco for training, and tried to give our best so that our children would follow in our footsteps and carry on this family legacy.
"I consider myself a positive woman, enterprising and with a desire to get ahead in life. For me, my family always comes first and we work hard every day to provide for them with great love and passion.
"We've had some tough times. Setting up a jewelry workshop require that we invest money and sometimes we didn't have it. But we never gave up, and this taught our children to look toward the future and to help others, to love and work tirelessly for their dreams.
"The worst for my family was when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. It was devastating to lose him after a long and loving marriage. But he left us with many lessons and the art we so passionately developed, the art our children carry on today.
"I feel proud of my Peruvian heritage and the legacy of my ancestors. I'm able to carry this on through time and history."
This item was handmade in The Andes by NOVICA artisan borrowers. Kiva lenders have helped these artisans stock up on materials, buy more tools and grow their businesses.
This item qualifies for FREE SHIPPING!
- Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
- Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
Return instructions
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 4 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
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We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. 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. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
Triple 'Win' Pricing
Kiva Store offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. The U.S. 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. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from Kiva Store will benefit Kiva's programmes that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about Kiva's work, on About Kiva.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
Kiva Store artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. Kiva Store offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
If an item is marked with a red bow, then it is guaranteed for delivery before Holiday, and will arrive by end of day on December 25th if ordered today. This only applies to orders with a delivery address within the continental USA.