NOVICA Artisan Handmade Wood Torsade Necklace Artisan Crafted Beaded in Rainbow Colors Upcycled Thailand Eco Friendly [19.75 in min L x 21.75 in max L x 0.8 in W] ' Phuket Belle'

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, works together with talented artisan designers around the world to produce stunning, keepsake treasures. Our mantra is to spread global happiness, so rest assured - we'll do everything we possibly can to ensure you're a happy customer.

About this item: Thailand's Sumalee Nawakul evokes a beaded rainbow for the design of this multi-strand necklace. She uses multicolored cylindrical beads carved of littleleaf boxwood, threading 10 strands by hand that twist into a necklace. The necklace can fasten at a length of 19.75 or 21.75 inches with a wood toggle clasp.

About our Artist: Sawasdee ka, I'm Sumalee from Isan, in northeastern Thailand, and I come from a family dedicated to gardening flowers. As a child I helped by storing and jasmines as well as fresh banana leaves to sell in at the ceremonies held throughout the year in my village. I remember sitting next to my grandmother when she was weaving silk. She planted mulberry trees and raised the silkworms herself. I would also help her as much as I could, by feeding the silkworms with mulberry leaves, boiled cocoons, etc. When I was 10 years old, I moved along with my mother to Lampan, where my aunt lived. She wove cotton tablecloths, bedspreads, pillowcases, etc. Every evening after school, I would help her tie tassels on the bedspreads fringe. When I graduated the sixth grade, I wasn't able to continue unto high school with my friends because my mother did not have enough funds. So, I worked at a Thai dessert store, starting as an apprentice until I could make several things. I was able to continue my studies and eventually got a vocational certificate in Accounting and I financed my studies by selling my aunt's products at the Night Bazaar. After I graduated I worked for a Christian organization for 17 years. Their mission was to help those less fortunate. I met many people, most of them were older people who were...