Knotted by hand of orange cotton cords, a perky owl centers this necklace by Chaloemphon. Beads of rain tree wood become the eyes, and the necklace slips over the head.
"Leather craft is more than a source of income — through leather, I also meet many new friends around the world."
Latest Update “Novica helped me to make the decision to close my downtown store two years ago. I no longer have to drive...Latest Update
“Novica helped me to make the decision to close my downtown store two years ago. I no longer have to drive far to work. I have more time to rest, save on gas, and do not have to pay rent. In addition, my Novica sales have helped me pay off my house debt, buy a better car, buy good music equipment, buy a smart TV, build a workshop, and give me the opportunity to travel abroad. These are the things that have changed my life since I partnered with Novica.
“Before Novica, I had financial difficulties, and couldn't pay the installments on my first house. So I sold that house and bought a different one just before joining Novica. About five years ago I had enough income from selling with Novica to pay off the new house (where I and my family are currently living). I'm getting older every day, so I appreciate not having to worry about these expenses anymore. I am very happy. Before, I had a small car to drive from home to the shop in the city. I had to drive back and forth. Sometimes the car was full of materials, and it was too small. Now I switched to a bigger car. The money used to buy this car also came from selling with Novica.
“Our family is a family of artists and musicians. I like to sing. My wife likes to sing and play music. Our daughter also likes to play music. So at home, we have musical instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars and keyboards, but these instruments were bought at a low price. Now we have enough money to buy more expensive equipment. It makes us happy when playing music.
“Novica really made my life better. In the past, I didn't think of going abroad or even seeing any famous tourist attractions in Thailand because travel expenses are very high. Since selling with Novica, I have been able to travel abroad. The first country I visited was Hong Kong. Another country that I have been to was Japan. I intend to go abroad once a year from now on.
“In addition to Novica promoting my products for me, there is also another great project that helps my work flow smoothly -- the microcredit loan project. I think it's very good. I join this project every year. I use this money for my working capital, including buying materials in bulk which helps me reduce costs. I use some of the money to buy better equipment to make products. I also put some money into building a workshop at home. This has made my life a lot easier and more comfortable. This workshop I just finished last year. I am grateful to be Novica's partner. I would like to thank all the customers who have always supported me. Our family is very happy. We have a good quality of life. You make us feel we are valuable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Original Artist Story
"I'm Chaloemphon Krasear, but you can call me 'Noi.' I was born in 1959 and grew up in Khonkaen Province. My childhood was very simple, like that of other boys who loved traveling and playing. I liked studying art most of all because I could create by completely using my imagination, and didn't need to memorize a lot.
"When I was in high school, I had an elder friend who just finished studying at the art school in Bangkok. He came back to open a shop and sell handmade leather crafts, like shoes, bags, and such. I'd visit him at the shop when I had free time because I needed his advice on taking the college examination and studying. Poh-Chang College, where he went, is the art student's dream school. There were many fields of arts to specialize in.
"I learned his craft through visiting. I studied each step to produce items in leather. When he had too many orders to handle, I would be his assistant. Most of the tasks I helped him with were very simple, such as finishing the details of a piece, painting, tinting, and drawing.
"I had practiced my drawing until I could pass the college exam. Then I could apply to study arts, as I had imagined. I selected the faculty of National Fine Arts, which focuses on the Thai Arts — for example, making khon masks. These are traditional Thai masks which are used for important ceremonies. In the past, these were used only by his majesty the King and the royal family. It's very hard to find the khon show at present. It represents the arts of Thailand in many ages.
"After that, I started to do airbrush paintings on bicycles. It was very famous at that time.
"Then, I open a small leather shop in Khonkaen province. Unfortunately, it wasn't as successful as it should have been because I loved to give my work to my friends as souvenirs. So the income wasn't enough to continue the business. Therefore, I decided to pack the materials in box and move to Chiang Mai.
"I had worked in interior design for hotels and resorts. Since Chiang Mai has become a tourist city with many attractions, I decided to go back to Khon Kaen and bring all my leftover craft supplies to start working in handmade leather again in Chiang Mai. I not only create leather bags and belts to sell, but also repair these things.
"Working with leather is never boring and I've never felt like giving up. The most important material is cowhide. It is very resistant and can be used long-term. I must plan very well how to cut the leather to minimize waste. Then, the cut leather is put together by hand. Each process — cutting, sewing and dyeing — all are done by hand.
"I always love to learn about new handmade leather products in order to develop new designs of my own. Leather craft is more than a source of income — through leather, I also meet many new friends around the world. Some of them are tourists who bring me leather goods to repair or come to buy a new leather belt.
"My wife sews the bags. We are very happy to work together. We also provide opinions and support to each other, always. Many times, my wife inspired new designs, so they are now more diverse. I've sold more to women shoppers, as well. My wife keeps the waste leather to cut into many different shapes to decorate fabric bags or create the small key chains we give to our customers as gifts.
"When someone asks about the process of leather craft or wants to learn, I am willing to teach them gladly.
"I've been doing this in Chiang Mai since 1986. It's been a happy time and I've enjoined my work a lot. I have a small, warm family. My daughter is going to graduate in nursing and she is also a special violin teacher. My wife, our daughter and I enjoy music every evening. My wife plays the cello, I play guitar, and our daughter plays the violin. That's it — my happy family.
"I really hope that you will be very happy with my designs and I look forward to your feedback. Thank you."
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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UNICEF Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
UNICEF Market's artisan-direct prices are made possible through our partnership with NOVICA, a leading fair trade organization that works directly with artisans in remote regions around the world in many of the same communities where UNICEF has missions. NOVICA’s ten global Artisan Empowerment Hubs in Asia, Africa, and Latin America provide interest-free microcredit loans to artisans and help them bring their handmade creations directly to you.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
UNICEF Market supports children by helping generate funds for UNICEF's programs dedicated to improving children's lives worldwide. These initiatives provide essential resources such as safe water, nutrition, education, health care, and emergency relief to children in need. Learn more here: UNICEF USA.
WIN # 3 Artisans Thrive!
UNICEF Market empowers artisans in emerging nations by offering a fair trade platform to sell their handcrafted goods, expanding their market reach and increasing their income. This support helps transform the lives of tens of thousands of artisans and their family members across the globe.
