Chang

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“Hello! My name is Prasit Tangmahastitkul. You can call me Chang, which means ‘elephant.’ I was born in Bangkok in 1967. I moved to study Engineering at Chiang Mai University in 1985, but I wasn’t fond of it, so I quit and started living like a hippie. My friends and I made braided friendship bracelets and other leather items. This is how I realized that I liked handicrafts. I couldn’t survive living like a hippie, so I went back to study Mass Communications in the university and I found that I also liked translation.

“I started translating English novels and making handicraft products for a living. I designed diaries made from scrap leather and mulberry paper, supplying one of the famous handicraft shops in Chiang Mai. I lived in Chiang Mai for around 10 years, then I moved to Uttaradit in northern Thailand with the dream of saving up to work on something that I loved.

“After 20 years, my dreams had become just a painful memory. I had always been doing what I’m fond of, but not as a career. I still loved to create different diary designs, embroidery patterns, and dictionary covers made from scrap leather. Some of the belts I wore were made from scrap leather. I made backpacks and even my mom’s purse.

“In 2016, with the support of my children, I was inspired to pursue my dreams once again. I invested everything and started creating different designs and inventing different techniques. This lead me to create a jewelry collection inspired by the natural and gentle swiftness of the flowers and leaves. These jewelry beauties are crafted from my dreams and love, which I pass on to the wearer. I sent my jewelry to a shop in the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, as well as some shops in Chiang Mai, and the sales were good.

“In 2018, I moved with my family to live in Lampang and started to sell my products there, as well as in a craft market fair in Chiang Mai. I have three sons; the youngest helps me full-time. I let him perform every process until he can design a new collection. I also have four interns who help with every step. These days, I am in charge of marketing and business strategy. I want to increase our online marketing, growing together with everyone in my business.

“The unique and charming things about my pieces are that they are all adjustable, lightweight, and feature a unique technique that is hard to copy. They are art combined with a craft that I believe in.

“In the future, I want to make more accessories and decorative pieces from leather, and I’m about to create a workshop for anyone who is interested in making leather jewelry. I made my house into a cafe and studio, decorated by my youngest son. Many visitors love to take pictures, so it has gradually become well-known. I hope NOVICA's customers will love my designs. Each piece is a gift. Thank you.”

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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.

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.

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