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About
With a charming aesthetic, this bracelet combines alternates shining beads of Karen hill tribe silver with the blue-green hues of reconstituted turquoise. Samart Takham creates the bracelet, circling the wrist with a length of braided cord. It closes with an adjustable sliding knot clasp, accentuated by silver and turquoise beads.
Product details
- 950 silver, reconstituted turquoise, polyester cord
- Color(s) may vary slightly
- Combination finish
- Adjustable
- Sliding knot
- 5 grams
- 0.17 oz
- Length: 7"
Meet the artist
"When my village began to prosper many investors bought land to build houses to sell, so I had to sell my fields because the surrounding ones had already been bought."
"I grew up in a large family whose main occupation was farming and in their free time they would work on wood turning. When I was a child, we had no electricity in the village so the equipment and tools for wood turning were crafted from folk wisdom. For example, stepping rhythmically on a transmitting belt in order to make the machine rotate using a long handle knife to lathe the wood as needed.
"At that time I was very young and didn't pay any serious attention to wood turning. When I was about 10, my village was the first one to get electricity, transforming handcrafted tools into electric motors that looked very modern at that time. Wood turners from nearby villages with no electricity would come over asking to use the electrical tools at my house. The atmosphere was very energetic. Many skilled turners came to work at my house. They exchanged ideas about wood turning techniques, and I got very excited about it.
"When I was done with homework I would watch how quickly they worked, creating beautiful items using different types of chisels in a variety of charming designs.
"Most of what they crafted were furniture components such as table legs, chair legs, handrails, etc. Sometimes I would try the lathe on scraps of wood but I was not allowed to use the electrical tools, so I only used the traditional ones. I was a little disappointed because I wanted to use the modern ones. And yet I didn't give up. Instead I worked harder and harder to improve. I used my free time continuously to lathe until I became skilled and that's when I began to help my family as a professional turner.
"When I got married I kept on wood turning as well as farming. When my village began to prosper many investors bought land to build houses to sell, so I had to sell my fields because the surrounding ones had already been bought. Now I only earn money from wood turning.
"I don't only make furniture components, I also craft wood bracelets as per to my daughter's suggestion. It has attracted many customers, so I've created more designs and styles to add to my collection. I carved, grooved, and painted each one to enhance their beauty. I use food coloring to paint the bracelets, and I finish them with a coat of quality lacquer. Although the color is more expensive than general, I think it is worth in the long run since it is safer.
"Both my son and daughter received better education opportunities but I still taught them how to turn wood so they understand our family's original occupation, and they were both willing learners. My son graduated, has secured a job, and has his own family yet he still spends his holidays to help me.
"My daughter is a senior student at a university and she's been practicing on the lathe since 9th grade. She turns smaller pieces such as lotuses for worship, drawer handles, etc.
"Being a wood turner is not a career in which one can make much money, just enough to earn a living. So I encourage my children to earn money themselves. My daughter takes the bracelets and small home decorative pieces that I crafted to sell at the street market in Sankamphaeng. All the income she makes from her sales go toward paying for her education and various personal expenses.
"I am very proud to teach my children to rely on themselves. They are not embarrassed to tell their friends that I only studied up to 7th grade (the highest grade of compulsory education at the time). They say that I'm an expert in wood turning because I'm patient and diligent, and what I learned I learned from the previous generation, which cannot be taught in schools. I intend to teach wood turning to my grandchildren as well as anyone who is interested in inheriting this wood craft.
"My daughter got interested in handcrafting braided rope bracelets and necklaces, especially with macramé lace techniques and decorate them with gemstones or silver beads from the Karen hill tribe which she admires. She started crafting them and I helped her by making the tools to make her knitting process more convenient as a base to hold the rope, and also help her to finish the product by removing excessive wax by using flame from candle. I think that her work is beautiful, neat and interesting so I brought it to present to you. Hope all of you like my daughter's work as well.
"Nowadays I spend some time working for our community. I am a village representative and join in meetings with the government, and I am also a village health volunteer responsible for coordinating with public health agencies to assist in the health care of the community.
"I hope that the bracelets and wood turning work will attract you, thank you very much."
This item was handmade in Thailand 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
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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).
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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.