NOVICA Multicolored Beaded Wood Layered Torsade Necklace 'Phuket Belle', 19.75-21.75"

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...