Flirty Elephant Black Rain Tree Wood Pencil Holder

Flirty Elephant Black Rain Tree Wood Pencil Holder

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Fair Trade

Working with Fair Trade certified organizations is an important part of what we do. This product is made by artisans that are fairly compensated for their skilled work, and helps provide a living wage as well as safe work conditions.

Description

Nantana Sompamitre crafts a whimsical pencil holder, depicting a a flirty elephat eaning on a log, boasting colorful floral attire.  She carves rain tree wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. Once dried it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are present. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay. The piece is painted by hand, and brass rings protect the openings.

  • Rain tree wood
  • Do not use abrasives
  • Handmade in & fairly traded from Thailand
Artisan Information

Nantana Sompamitre

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My name is Nantana Sompamitre and you can call me 'Nan.' I was born on May 1, 1950 in a calm and peaceful village in northern Thailand. My family is large; I have eight brothers and sisters. We are a family of artisans. Instead of going to the fields, my father and mother made the umbrella's topknot. My father is a craftsman and was always teaching us. My brothers and sisters helped our parents in one way or another in the running of their business. I am the one who was able to make the shape of the knot. I started helping my parents when I was 13 years old but quit when I was 17. At that time I had just graduated from high school and I wanted to do something more to help my parents. Fortunately, my cousin had a food shop and I became a vendor. Under good conditions this is generally a good line of work, and eventually I met my husband. He is the man who changed my life completely.

He is an artisan working on lacquer ware. His main job was to paint the motifs on the different pieces. We married when I was 23 years old. One day, my husband and I discussed our future and we realized that with his skill and mine, we could open up our own lacquer ware workshop. He taught me every step involved in the creation of lacquer ware. Thanks to my crafting background I learned quickly and within a year I took part in every step of the creation process, even hand-painting the motifs. We then needed to become known yet. My husband and I went to Bangkok and got our first consignment order! Gradually more shops took an interest in our work and we soon began to sell more, so we were very happy as we could see we had a bright future ahead of us.

"Now we have more than 30 artisans working with us, and my husband and I always train them personally. This is my most proudest thing in life. I never dared to dream of a day like this. I would not have made this on my own. It's all up to chance – it's up there in the air and you just have to grab it. If I hadn't, I would still be selling food.

"I love this craft very much. It is a Thai heritage and not everyone can do it. My work is always developing in quality, color, shape and design. We all work together as a team and everyone presents his or her own idea.

"I have a son and a daughter. My son is 26 and studies computer engineering at the state university and my daughter has just graduated in business management. They are my hope and thanks to our handicrafts, I think they will be successful in life.

"I think you are the best channel in this day and age to show who you are and what you are doing. You will help my handcrafts be known around the world for the people who love this kind of work. What more can I ask for? Thank you and I hope everybody loves my handcrafts too!"

To craft her designs, the wood is carved into the desired shape. Then it is coated with lacquer, which is derived from the Gluta usitata tree and ashes. It is dries to form a watertight seal that is polished, and another coat is applied. This process is repeated up to twenty times before as many six coats of pure lacquer are applied. The final layer is polished to a shine with powdered fired clay. Next, eggshells are cleaned and cracked into small pieces. Sompamitre arranges them in the desired pattern on fresh coat of lacquer. The tray is lacquered twice more and sanded in water until the eggshells slowly appear.

Supplier Information

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NOVICA was started with a dream to create a better world for artisans, because a better world for artisans is a better world for all.

Along the way, the founders of NOVICA discovered something very important - as artisans around the world succeeded, there was also a visible and profound impact on the communities around them.

Your purchases are that powerful. They directly and indirectly provide for education, help with health care, fund basic needs, support children, preserve disappearing arts, and of course, spread happiness around the world.

The founders of NOVICA had a vision of the future that is not one of mega factories producing cookie cutter products for all to cheaply consume. Instead, a bright future that celebrates artisans who take the time to create an item by hand. A future where time is protected, where stories are told, where unique details are honored. Love, respect, inclusiveness become driving force.

Shipping

United States shipping only. Expedited shipping is unavailable. Allow for 1-2 days extra processing time. This product may ship separately from other products in your order and may have longer than normal shipping timelines as it will ship directly from its country of origin.

Returns

All sales of this product are final -- we do not accept returns or issue replacements unless there is a defect with the product. Please review our Returns & Exchanges policy.

SKU: S- NVC-78165
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