John Barrow

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John Barrow was born in London on September 22, 1934. After studying Engineering he traveled to Peru, in 1969, to work at a paper mill. His original contract was for eight weeks, but John ended up staying in Peru permanently.

John has always enjoyed woodwork; he learned the craft from his father, who was a carpenter. Carving became one of John's favorite pastimes, a spare-time hobby.

"Living in Peru allowed me to get to know a variety of beautiful wood types. When I found time I would carve various furniture pieces," John explains. "When I retired, I was finally able to dedicate myself completely to my passion, carving!”

"I love to make all sorts of things. I am a perfectionist, so I prefer to look for the perfect wood type and take great care with each detail. I want to make something that is different than what you might usually see, so I have designed my own machines and tools to help me work wood in a different way.

"Once a famous pianist saw some chairs I had made, and fell in love with their design. After buying a piano, he bought my chairs and asked me to paint them black, to match his piano. Honestly, painting those chairs was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do for a customer, because I love the natural look of wood."

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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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