Friday, April 22, 2011

A Very Special Giveaway

Hello, my friends.  
As promised, I have a very special giveaway to share this week.  
The prize is one $75 gift certificate from Novica.

If you have never shopped at Novica, you are in for a treat.  All of their products are handcrafted by artisans from all over the world.  Novica works in association with National Geographic to connect buyers directly with artists and craftspeople.  As they explain in their mission statement: "We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it." 



Photo from here.


I recently ordered two items from the Novica website, the "Wine Garden" silk batik shawl by Yuni Kristina from Bali that is pictured above and a gorgeous pair of chalcedony earrings crafted by Thai jewelry artist Khun Boom.  Novica items are shipped directly from the country where they are made, so my items arrived separately, but very soon after I ordered them, and they came packaged in beautiful gift boxes.  In fact, the scarf came in the deep-red and black silk box in the photo above--a box that I will definitely reuse for storing jewelry.

Just as you see in the photo, the scarf is a rich red decorated with a lush floral batik pattern.  Yuni Kristina explains that she learned the art of batik from her mother when she was a young girl and that her mother is still her inspiration:  "She and I still design together, especially the floral and bird motifs that are typical in Pekalongan batik."  This artist's talent is obvious, and I know I will be wearing this scarf in the summer as a light shawl with sundresses, but it will also look great with a black t-shirt, jeans, and some silver jewelry. 


Photo from here.

Speaking of jewelry, Khun Boom's designs are stunning.  I will be ordering more of her jewelry both for its beauty and value.  All of her work is reasonably priced, and I had a difficult time choosing from the many designs I loved.  This particular pair of earrings, "Sublime," caught my eye with its simple sophistication.  Boom has a tremendous amount of design experience, which is evident in all her work.  Like Yuni Kristina, she is very inspired by her mother.

Each item from Novica is accompanied by a story card telling you a little about the artist.  You can also read a full profile or watch a video of each artist on the website.  I follow the company on Facebook, and I've noticed that if a customer posts a special request on Novica's Facebook wall, the company is more than happy to talk with artisans about customizing an order.

Novica offers a wide range of jewelry, clothing, and home decor products, with a strong focus on eco-friendly gifts.  They also have a fair-trade corporate gifts section, including gorgeous stationery, art glass, sculptures, and much more.

Another reason I like Novica is that they have a microfinance program.  In addition to buying products, customers can provide loans to gifted artists in developing nations.  The loans are provided to artisans at 0% interest.  If you make a loan, once it is repaid you can earn a 15% bonus when you spend the repayment money at Novica.

I am thrilled to be able to offer this giveaway.  The $75 gift certificate can be used to purchase anything the winner desires at Novica.  To register for the giveaway, you simply need to become a follower of The Magpie's Fancy (if you aren't already) and leave a comment below.  Please be sure to include your email address in your comment so I can contact you, if you win.  The deadline for registering is Friday, April 29th at noon EST.  

39 comments:

  1. P.S. There's a cool Freewrite Friday going on over at The Magpie's Pen today, too. I'm just full of love today! :)

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  2. I'm currently a follower. Please enter me in giveaway!

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  3. Hello:
    We are totally in support of any organisation which promotes fledgling artistic talents, particularly in those parts of the world where artists are struggling not only to express themseves but are finding it difficult to live from their work.

    Please do not include us in the draw for the giveaway - we should only squabble if lucky enough to win!

    A very Happy Easter.

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  4. Hey Gigi, I love that you shared this, I'm on my way to check it out now ... I'm sure I will be there for awhile! Hope you have a lovely weekend.

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  5. I recently did some research on batik and after studying hundreds of batik samples, I'd like to say that your scarf is a really beautiful example! I love the idea behind this company. Supporting artisans in other countries is a really good way of fostering change and doing good. Bravo Gigi for bringing attention to them.

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  6. i just checked out the site and oh my ... what lovely thigns they have. and all for a good cause too. so of course i'm in.

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  7. Follower? TICK! Enthusiastic about the giveaway? TICK? Like your hair, Gigi, and think you look real pretty today? TICK!

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  8. I am a follower! :) Terrific giveaway!

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  9. What a superb array of beauty! I would love to win something from this shop- such thoughtful and world-wide assortment of items. My e-mail is nomie3605@yahoo.com

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  10. Gorgeous samplings! I haven't shopped there, but I'm going to peruse... count me in for the giveaway! :)

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  11. OH Awesome! I am a new follower. I would love to be counted.Thank you!
    jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com

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  12. Ok, Gigi! The yummy, chocolatey dessert recipe is now on my blog! Enjoy!

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  13. Very pretty items, and I LOVE that they include info on the artists. Thanks for sharing! Usually I shy away from give aways, but I can't help but say "count me in!" on this one :)

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  14. What a great site! Please sign me up for the giveaway!

    bossybetty1@gmail.com

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  15. Ooh, how could I resist!

    What a great company, and what a great giveaway, Gigi. Count me in please! C x

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  16. beautiful items for a great cause! i've been a follower of yours for awhile, and you always share images and thoughts with beauty and meaning.
    thanks! --lucy bookdance[at]comcast.net

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  17. Hi Gigi,
    Thanks for sharing your fancies...always nice to find a connection to artists from all over the world...Michael and I continue to love your photography...can't wait to hear of your new happenings there. Looking forward to our meeting on Monday..have a wonderful Easter and glad you are feeling better...xo

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  18. Dearest Gigi ~

    Well, you know my curiosity is peaked with this new-to-me shopping experience. Nothing is better than supporting small artisans from around the world. I'm going to check them out pronto.

    Sorry to read you have been under the weather. Hoping this is the last of the nasty flu/cold season since the sunshine should begin to warm our hearts and worlds again. I've been very sad since the loss of our sweet pug, and my heart still aches. What is normally a beautiful month for me has been quite gloomy. I'm ready for May.

    Wishing you a weekend filled with loveliness.

    Bisous,
    Melissa

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  19. Count me in, Gigi!! It sounds like an amazing website, I will be checking it out. Happy Easter weekend, my friend! xxoo :)

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  20. Hi Gigi,
    This is a fantastic giveaway. I am totally supportive of any organization that gives fair compensation to the artisans that create their unique works. Too much in this world is mass produced, cookie cutter crap!

    Have a lovely Easter. Here in Australia we get 6 day holiday as this Easter falls along with ANZAC day. What a wonderful break.

    Textilediva.blogspot.com

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  21. Novica looks like a wonderful place to shop, you could spend a whole day just browsing!
    I'm a new blog follower~Luvdaylilies
    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

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  22. I follow on gfc. Thanks for the chance!

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

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  23. I finally had some time to take a trip through Blogland and visit a few people I haven't "seen" in a while. I hope you are doing well at your house. The shawl is gorgeous...you will look beautiful in it. Of course I follow you:) Have a wonderful weekend!

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  24. I follow your posts on google reader. What a great site...I particularly love the 0% loans and I suspect Novica may become my "go to" place for gifts -for myself as well:-) They're gorgeous! Pauleen cassmob @ yahoo. com. au

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  25. What a great idea and great post Gigi. Such a worthwhile business model and I do think gifting is better with a story attached. Thanks for sharing and I will definately take a look. Happy Easter. XO

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  26. Sign me up! Love your blog, Gigi, keep up the great work.

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  27. Already a follower! E-mail accessible through my profile. Thanks for the chance to win!!!!

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  28. I've just become a follower!! Gigi, I love reading your blog and have to say, that your recent post on Easter had me with tears in my eyes. From the moment I began to read, the images of that "itchy" straw hat, the stations of the Cross.... came flooding back, and I remembered so many Easters past.
    Your husbands' words bought on the tears. As a grandmother of 8, I hope that the traditions I established with my children,influenced by the memories of my past, will be passed onto them all.
    I also love this particular giveaway...what a wonderful organisation "Novica"is, to be helping so many achieve success on so many levels.

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  29. Hi Gigi, I have been reading your Blog for several months now and love it but only just now decided to register for your e-mails - silly me for not doing it sooner. The colour of the blue in the pendants is so amazing. My address for the competition just in case I am lucky is: millerdel52@gmail.com

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  30. I follow google connect "anash"
    Thank you kindly.
    anashct [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  31. Good Morning Gigi. Count me in. It would be like hitting the mother lode - as discovering your blog already feels like I struck gold. I can be reached through www.woodstarsjourney.blogspot.com. Take care and happy Spring.

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  32. what beautiful earrings and scarf! can't wait to check out the site for gifts! Novica sounds awesome.
    my email address is cateavery@gmail.com

    And, see you soon :)

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  33. BEAUTIFUL EARRINGS!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

    jldouglas@wispwest.net

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  34. HAPPILY FOLLOWING YOU!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!

    jldouglas@wispwest.net

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  35. from a fellow artist on another island (Hawaiian!) Kudos on an inspiring site! I signed up...count me in! lcapell@yahoo.com

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  36. Discovered your blog today via your guest post on the Reverie blog. Can't wait to read the archives! Thanks so much for the giveaway, I've been meaning to give NOvica a try for some time now.
    (elenarosenberg AT yahoo DOT com)

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  37. we're late! we're late! for a very important date!
    but, that's ok ... just wanted to say hi ...
    a most generous giveaway from gracious you!
    {just us still catching up ; ) ... }
    xoxo
    mayv and me, pg

    ps. sleepyville from celebrating with kate and william!

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