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About
Cool pink lepidolite, considered by some to be a stone of peace and calm, adorns this wrap bracelet from Thai artisan Siriporn. She knots the intriguing stones on leather cords and adds a hill tribe silver spiral button which secures the bracelet at one of two lengths.
.950 Silver
Product details
- Lepidolite, leather, 950 silver
- Combination finish
- Button clasp
- 19 grams
- 0.65 oz
- Length: 20.75"
Meet the artist
"Small grass flowers growing beside the road, the caterpillar on the tree brunch… butterflies. All of these serve as inspiration to create my jewelry."
"I'm Siriporn Tongwat. My nickname is Koy, which means 'Pinkie.' It's usually given to the youngest daughter of the family. I am the younger of two children – I have an older brother and we live with my parents.
"I actually have a younger sister of sorts that must be mentioned. She is our cat, Matoom, the boss of the family. When my mother is cooking in the kitchen and we are also hungry, then Matoom cries out and she will get her food before we do. I cannot be patient for my envy.
"Before we moved to Chiang Mai, we lived in Petchabun in Central Thailand. Petchabun's symbol is a sweet tamarind because the province is filled with tamarind groves. My childhood was very simple but my dream was wonderful.
"My dream was different from those of other children my age. Most of them wanted to become a doctor, nurse, solder or policeman, but I wanted to be a person who creates buildings. Every time I had to write an essay, I wrote the same story. So my friends always thought I would like to be a construction laborer. However, I was never hurt or angry with them because being a laborer is very important in making the building a reality. I took the entrance exam to study architecture. I was very happy there and paid great attention to my studies. But this is a job which requires great patience, responsibility and carefulness. I thought it was not appropriate to me, so I decided to leave my dream.
"One of the luckiest happenings in my life was moving to live in Chiang Mai. There are lots of art and culture festivals, which provide many interesting handicrafts. I myself had a chance to attend some traditional events, for example, joining the march of the river goddess worship ceremony called Loy Kra Thong. I chose to bring decorations crafted from local materials to sell in the Lanna Inherit event. My materials were easy to find and cheap, for example, interesting wood scraps. I peeled the fresh bark neatly, polished the wood to sheen, and knotted it into a bracelet with hemp robe.
"That was the first step toward working with beads. Together with Kai Kitima, another featured artist, I set up a workshop in 1997. I learned a lot from working with her over six years, and would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to her and her lovely family who gave me the great experience and took care of me very well.
"In 2003, I associated with another friend to open a small shop. We sold necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other small decorations. Most of them were made one-of-a-kind pieces. When they were sold, we would make a new design. My designs used a very wide range of materials – glass, stones, soil and gemstones. I matched everything together as sculptural works. I couldn't receive many orders because only the two of us crafted the designs and we were afraid that we might not be able to deliver them on time.
"Some people just bought my necklaces for their art collections, since my main designs were crafted from hundreds of tiny beads. Moreover, they were decorated with beautiful and very exquisite details, but they couldn't be worn. Sometimes, I'd take an entire week or two to finish a piece. I'd even forget to sleep!
"Recently, I let my parents rest at home and find a hobby, since I have enough income to take care of them. This was a very big decision in my life because I have to change my role as the beloved youngest daughter to that of the leader. It is a heavy decision for a woman like me. However, I'm enthusiastic about making other people happy and proud of me.
"I don't have the shop anymore because of economics and time management. However, I still love working with beads. So I send my designs to a friend's shop in Bangkok on consignment. I now have more free time, so I spend it simply traveling on foot. Some days, unconsciously, I walk many kilometers, very far from home. I walk slowly and survey the environment around me – even small grass flowers growing beside the road, the caterpillar on the tree branch. I have looked at them until they turn into butterflies. All of these serve as inspiration to create my jewelry."
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.
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.