This handmade creation is offered in partnership with NOVICA, in association with National Geographic. Resembling blue and teal bubbles floating in the air, these earrings are a playful addition to a fun, casual outfit. Thai artist Nareerat crafts these dangle earrings from a combination of dyed round quartz, glass beads, and twisted copper wire accents. The earrings hang from sterling silver hooks.
Product Features:
- Weight: 0.18 oz
- Dimensions: 1.2" L x 0.6" W
- Material: Gemstone, Sterling Silver
- Style: Dangling
- Gemstone: Quartz
- Metal Color: White
- Made in Thailand
Story Behind the Art:
My name is Nareerat Tansuwansophon. I was born into a Catholic family in in southern Thailand. I am the youngest child and have three brothers and two sisters. My family members are merchants. In 1982, after I graduated from grade nine, I moved to Bangkok. There I was a secretarial major at the Convert of the Holy Infant Jesus School. Then I worked as a buyer at a foreign trading agency until 1992 when an enamel company asked me to work in their marketing department. I thought it was a good opportunity so I worked there for three years before I quit to get married. In 1996, my first daughter was born. After I had some time off for being pregnant, I went back to work for another three years until I had twin sons in 2000. I quit working again when I had the twins and devoted all my time to them. I wanted to have my own small business so I looked for products at the big Bangkok market.
I liked several kinds of jewelry so I bought some of them to sell at my sister's shop. The feedback was great, so I decided to design my own jewelry in 2004. 'I prefer to design and craft the jewelry myself. I wanted to make something different from what you find in the market. Finally, in September of 2005, I opened my own small shop. Now I am able to offer work to more than 30 women in my community, both on permanent and temporary basis. They seem happy with the way we work together, and that's the main reason for staying with me at the workshop. 'They are very skilled women who help me shape flowers, assemble the complicated designs, etc. They also help training those who come on a temporary basis. The women that join on temporary basis normally come here and then take the work home. For some of them, this is their main source of income and for others it's a way to earn a little bit extra to their usual jobs.
There is an older women who is 60 and she works with me on temporary basis so I give her a relatively easier type of work which she can take home. She enjoys the work and we are happy to have her as part of our group of women working together to make each piece special. 'I've always been interested in handicrafts. When I saw handmade jewelry, it piqued my interest. Now, I feel happy when I touch the material - I find inspiration to create works. 'To create my jewelry, I like to sit in the middle of the materials - colorful stones and pearls in many shapes. My inspiration tells me what kind of design to create or what kind of material to use. Nature is a reference for my designs. 'I would like people to know me as an artist and designer who creates handmade jewelry.
Please allow 10 business days for the product to leave our warehouse and to receive tracking information. You should expect to receive this item within 15 business days of the order date.