Novica.com review & $35 Gift certificate giveaway!

I am really into products and companies that do something for someone else; anything that gives back to a great cause or helps someone out! So when I was given the opportunity to work with and feature Novica.com on my blog, I was ecstatic!!  NOVICA unites you with more than 2,000 extraordinary master artists around the world. Read about their lives, explore their fascinating cultures, and select from more than 30,000 handcrafted works of art.

I was really impressed by this! What a great way to help out others and help us to get great products at the same time!! They have so many beautiful items, like Handmade Jewelry, Unique Gifts, Unique Corporate Gifts and Gifts for her,plus so much more!  I had so much fun looking around, learning about the different artists and the hard work that goes into these great products!

I purchased the Silk and cotton shoulder bag, 'Hill Tribe Chic'. Traditional hill tribe fashions inspire the trendy new design of this sling bag. By Thailand's Jamriang, the bag shimmers with golden green undertones and is lined in black cotton. Sewn of a rich silk and cotton blend, the bag closes with an ornate silk button. Here is Jamriang's story:

Jamriang

 

"I am Jamriang Pookintah, from Lamphun, born on 3 July, 1967. My name, Jamriang, means 'radiance and progress,' perhaps my name marked my destiny? I am married and have two daughters. We live in a warm family environment where I can always count on my mother when I need cheering up. My father has passed away.

"I had always planned on leading a quiet life at home, taking care of my mother and then my children. Then I met my husband and my life changed! His family worked with cotton textiles, and they invited me to join. I learned all that I could and found myself enjoying it. I never thought this would have been possible – I don't even have a college degree!

"However, I have always enjoyed dressing up and designing, so it really was a good opportunity for me. It also meant I could help my relatives and eventually more people from my village.

"When I was younger I had envisioned a traditional lifestyle for me, staying at home and nothing fancy. My husband changed all of that, and we have a better lifestyle than what I had thought possible. It was a great challenge for me, but he believed in me and encouraged me. With my husband's support I felt brave enough to try new things and meet new people. Now, I love my work and dedicate my free time to my family.

"My designs are suited for a modern lifestyle, though they are rich with Thai traditions and culture, such as classic paintings or flowers. I am proud of my designs because I have seen how people take to them and like them. Customer satisfaction inspires me to constantly create new designs.

"My goal would be to one day show the world my designs. I have tried it on my own, but it was quite a challenge trying to figure out other countries' market. I would love it if, one day, my products become well-known internationally, and people everywhere used my designs. Thai cotton is of good quality and what we create here is as good as that of any industrial country.

"I consider myself to be quite a lively person, and this I transmit through my designs. Patterns are energetic and the cotton textures are soft. Thank you Novica for helping my display my products to the world."

I loved the quality of the bag and the beautiful shimmery color. I also loved that Novica sent along a card with information on the artist.  I have never seen a company do something like this! This is a unique shopping experience with great gifts you can't find in a store!!  It is so great that Novica connects the artists with buyers in a big way, so we can help them to have a better life!! This website is my pick for best shopping this Christmas! You can get a wide array of gifts for anyone on  your list, and you can feel good while you do it!

And to get you started, NOVICA has offered one  of you $35 to their site! Here is how to win!:

MANDATORY ENTRY 2 PARTS MUST BE DONE FOR THE ENTRY AND EXTRA ENTRIES TO COUNT:

PART 1:  Visit NOVICA and tell me which product you would love to have!! Tell me in the comment
PART 2: Follow me via Google Friend Connect
You must put both parts in the SAME comment and include your GFC name for the entry to count. Also must include an email to contact you to win, unless it is visible on your blogger profile.
 No email=no prize!

For all other entries, leave a separate comment for each entry, and if it says more than entry for doing something, leave an individual comment for each of those entries and label them #1 #2 and so forth.
Have questions? Email frugalfamilyfunspot at gmail dot com!

Extra Entries:
  Like Novica on Facebook leave me your Facebook name in the Comment

Like Frugal Family Fun on Facebook leave me your Facebook name in the Comment

If you get a friend to like us on Facebook, you get an extra entry! One entry per friend that likes my page!  THIS IS AN UNLIMITED ENTRY!  Just say in your comment that you got a person to like and what their name is!

Follow @FrugalFamilyFun on Twitter and leave your twitter name in the comment

Follow @Novica on Twitter and leave your twitter name in the comment

Tweet about this giveaway up to 5 times daily for entries. leave me the link to your tweet- Your Tweet Must include @FrugalFamilyFun @Novica and the link to this contest.  tweets must be at least 1 hour apart for entry. 1 extra entry for each tweet.

Subscribe to our email updates, via google reader, or via RSS feed , 1 extra entry for each

Put our button on your blog, leave me the link to the blog THIS WILL BE CHECKED. 3 extra entries

Blog about this contest, including a link back to this giveaway worth 5 extra entries. Leave me the link to the blog post in your comments

Enter any of our other giveaways! Gain an extra entry in this contest for each contest you enter! Leave the name of the contest in your comment!

Contest begins now and ends December 4, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST. Winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours or forfeits prize. 
Open to U.S. only!! Good luck!

Novica  provided my blog with a gift certificate for a product to review and also one as a prize for the giveaway on my blog.  I was not under any obligation to write a positive review. Some photos from Novica