Ibrahim Seyeed

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Update (August, 2019)

“I joined the carving business 20 years ago; it took me 3 years to learn the trade. I specifically joined the finishing business, since that fetched more money than carving. So far I have taught 4 people to finish.

“I used to sell in the market, but now I sell in a shop which I own. NOVICA has supported me through microcredit loans. My primary aim is to produce more by acquiring the appropriate machinery, as well as opening another workshop to train more people to carve and finish--a way of creating jobs for youth and individuals.

“I have 2 children who are being taken care of by the funds I make from NOVICA. I mostly sit to relax and enjoy the breeze as way of relaxing my body after a hard day's work.”

Original Artisan Story

"Born on June 25 in the Eastern Region of Ghana, I'd say I am a principled, hardworking and sociable person.

”I developed the interest for art at a very tender age. My father was a carver and growing up I always observed how he went about his work. He also started training me every day after school. After completing Junior High I decided to dedicate myself to the art of wood carving full time.

"I was still working with my father when I was 20 years old, when I decided to start on my own. I had a man-to-man talk with my father to explain my need to be working on my own. He was glad I had taken this most important decision, and he offered me his blessing as well as gave me some advice on good work ethics that would guide my life.

"The day I left my father gave me a gift: two boxes of carving tools. I also had support from other carvers since I had been very respectful while I was working with my father.

"It was not difficult starting up on my own back in 2000, and most of my customers are tourists who come to my workshop to purchase my work. I have been able to train about 15 people on how to carve.

"I get my inspiration from observing my environment. As I fix my gaze on the wood I can see the object I can carve out. Being able to carve beautiful objects out of a simple piece of wood is what excites me most about my art work. I use sese, ebony, and tweneboa woods to carve my products and I decorate them with acrylics.

"It is my dream, hope and plan to expand my workshop to be able to employ more people as I currently have four assistants. I also want to be able to own a house some day in the future."

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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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