Nyoman Nartawan

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I was born in Bali, the third of five children. My parents were farmers. When I was a boy, times were tough because my parents income had to stretch for all of us. We could eat rice only on special occasions, such as religious holidays. We couldn't eat rice any other days, and we ate whatever we had just to survive.

After graduating from junior high school, I couldn't continue my studies due to financial problems. My parents couldn't support my studies any more, so I needed to find a job. Since I lived in in a town where most people work as silversmiths, I was interested in learning the art. From the time was 11 or 12, I'd help my brother, who also worked in silver.

Like most people, I also have hobbies aside from working with silver. I like fishing, sometimes I play volleyball and, when I was a boy, I also used to help my parents in the rice field. As an ordinary person living in a small town, I never thought I would marry a foreigner. But I did — I married a Japanese girl. The first time we met was when she learned how to work with silver in my place. Today, we have a daughter. Being a parent is amazing for me and it has changed me a lot.

My parents used to tell me to help my brother in his silver work, even when I was still in junior high school. By the time I graduated, I had gotten used to it. I remember what my teacher told me — 'You have to practice working with silver frequently because, no matter how dull a knife is, it will be sharp if it is sharpened every day.' Through frequent practice, I obtained my skills.

I now work with five people to create my own jewelry designs. I have three employees who help me, and the other two are my relatives. They work based on the designs that I create. To look for inspiration, I often read magazines to get ideas. My jewelry uses mostly combinations of silver, gold, copper, and brass. I get all the materials from local shops, and it's quite easy to find them in Bali. Of all of the materials I use, the most challenging to combine are silver and gold. Unlike many other silversmiths, my work has its own characteristics. I hope you can help me introduce my art to the world.

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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.

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