Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Giveaway! $75 Gift Certificate From NOVICA

AND THE WINNER IS:
CANDICE!
CONGRATULATIONS CANDICE!



Not too long ago, I received an e-mail offering me a $75 gift certificate to try out the new corporate section at Novica Gifts.  The e-mail stated that I could use the gift certificate for myself or divide it up as giveaways. $75?  Awesome!

 What's Novica gifts you say?  Well, what do you know?   Great minds do think alike!   So when I asked myself that question, I headed on over to their site to check them out.  Novica is a fair trade organization that has teamed up with National Geographic to connect buyers to artisans all over the world. Novica gives artisans in hard to reach countries a platform to sell their arts and thus, better their lives.

I read the following testimonials from Novica's artists:


Made Wirata
Made Wirata
wood sculptor, Bali
"It is like a dream come true to be part of Novica, a place where I am appreciated and positioned at the same level as other international artists. Previously, with my father, brother, wife, and a son, we were living very simply, sharing two rooms in such a small house. Financially we had nothing, but we never gave up hope. Now, I employ five artisans to help me carve for Novica. One of my helpers had been working at a gas station before. He is so happy to put his skills as a carver to use. Slowly but surely our economic situations are getting better. I am now building a larger house, more appropriate for my family. Novica is such a blessing from God, for me and my family."
Nengah Sudarsana
Nengah Sudarsana
wood sculptor, Bali
"Novica has created a much better life for me. Before, I could hardly afford to live in a single room home. Now I live in a house with three rooms, and have my own car. Most importantly, I now support many other artisans who work with me. My family and I live a much better life, and five other families now benefit directly from my Novica sales. I am also able to help my relatives, especially the younger children, who now have shoes, clothes, and an education that they couldn't have before. Since joining Novica, I have also grown in my realization of how we as Balinese fit into the whole world picture. Before, I was like a lot of fellow Balinese in that my thinking was centered on Bali only, as if Bali was the world! Now I realize more how we are just a piece of the puzzle. When I read customers' comments about my products, I'm filled with a great sense of well being and pride, to be able to create something that others value. After all, in Bali we are a mere spot in a vast ocean, and I realize this now when I see customer responses from all over the world! Often I look on a map or a globe to see where my customers live. It's amazing that my carvings are now in so many various places, and I am here. It is almost as if part of me has traveled to those other places and is now residing there."
Nyoman Naranata
Nyoman Naranata 
mask carver, Bali
"People may say money is not everything, but in reality, where eating three times a day is a privilege, it is necessary to earn a living. It was heartbreaking to see my family worried to welcome tomorrow. Relying on twice-yearly orders for my living was terrible. At my shop, I would often have no sales for a month at a time. Unexpectedly, Novica came into my life like a bright light, shining over my dark life. Now I earn a steady income, and I'm able to provide a better life for my family. Novica is such a perfect place for a small artist like myself to be appreciated by people around the world. Before, people bought my masks, paid for them, and that was it. It never came into my mind that customers would thank me, and write wonderful testimonials for me, but now they do that too."



And seeing that Novica has served as a way to pull families out of a life of poverty,  I fell in love with the company.  And since I wanted to do everything I could to spread the word about this company, I went over to the website and  purchased these earrings.  Which I, not being a jewerly person at all, completely love and wear all the time and get tons of compliments on.  Go me, looking snazzy and with a purpose!  


Click HERE to read about the artist that made them.  


And in hopes of drawing as much attention as possible to Novica, I am giving the $75 dollars a way in one lump gift certificate!  So first let me say, please spread the word about this company because it's a good thing to do.   And when you're doing your Christmas shopping this year and your torn with whether or not you should get Aunt Sally another sweater that she won't wear, consider purchasing gifts like this from companies like Novica.  You might not only buy Aunt Sally her favorite pair of earrings, you can feel good about bettering someone's life and make Aunt Sally feel good about it too!.  

But, just to spice it up a little and give some incentive to spreading the word, here's how you can enter.  

1.  Visit the Novica's Corporate Gift Section and leave me a comment telling me what your favorite item is.

2. For every avenue that you spread the word about this giveaway: IE: twitter, facebook, your own blog, leave me a comment and get an additional entry for every avenue you use to spread the word.  

We'll meet back here next Wed.  Sept. 15th and I'll announce the winner and if you're the lucky duck, I'll e-mail you a code that will give you a $75 credit with Novica gifts!

Thanks for participating and happy shopping!

Blessings,

Dana

47 comments:

Tina said...

Dana,

What a nice idea! I went on the Novica website and saw the "entertaining" section. I love to entertain, (though we don't do it enough with our full schedules),and I love blue, so my eyes caught the colbolt blues glassware including the pitcher! I was surprised that the prices of the glassware was very reasonable for handmade items. I also looked at the "gifts for her" and I totally like the earrings that you purchased and thought they would be something that would go with alot of outfits and were a very good price.

~Thanks again Tina

Anonymous said...

Love this! I am all for companies where I can shop with a purpose, like TOMS shoes. I looked at the site and I love some of those mirrors..we have been looking for one and it would be nice to help these folks instead of those lovely folks down at Pier 1!
Candice

Jay said...

I'm so impressed with your earring purchase! :)

Love them! Sign me up for the giveaway.. if I win, I'm so getting this:
http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=170112

Love you!

Jessica Turner said...

I love the Alpaca wool shawl!

Alise said...

What spectacular items they have! I absolutely love the silk batik shawl. Stunning!

Alise said...

I shared this on Twitter (@BigMama247)

Alise said...

I also shared this on Facebook.

Thanks again for the opportunity to win. Really great stuff!

Jessica Turner said...

I shared the link on Facebook!

Ashley Blanchard said...

It's hard for me to pick just one, but I think my favorite is the Bidri jewelry box, Tumbling Sunflowers. It reminds me of a jewelry box that Eric bought me on our honeymoon in Cozumel. Unfortunately it was lost during one of our (many!) moves, and I've never replaced it. Our 8th anniversary was in August, and Eric romantically sent me a jewelry box from Kuwait. While it was a sweet gesture, it's a bit ornate for my taste! I'll have to send him to the website. And I think it's a great idea for Christmas shopping. I can't remember the website I used last Christmas, but I bought fair trade jewelry for a lot of my family. Thanks for sharing!!
Ashley

Ashley Blanchard said...

Sharing on FB, too!
Ashley

Veronica Leaptrott said...

I would have to say that after all these years of waiting to become a mom, the wood sculpture "moments of tenderness" would be my favorite. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE fair trade sites.

Nina said...

LOVE this site - have never seen!

Dying for this bag: http://handbags.novica.com/newarrivals/leather-shoulder-bag-milk-chocolate/174426/

Fun with the VanVeelens said...

Agate and andalusite pendant necklace, 'Earthen Warmth' My favorite for sure!!

Fun with the VanVeelens said...

facebooked it :)

Veronica Leaptrott said...

OMG! I love that sight I left a comment on my blog "chasing drangonflies"

Veronica Leaptrott said...

I also left a link on my other blog "a journey of hope" sorry i said comment in the previous comment but meant link.

Brenda Collins said...

http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=112357

This wrap is so beautiful!

Anonymous said...

What a nice thing for you to do. I went to the corporate section and really like the Batik Shawl "Brave Java" and the sterling silver dangle earrings "Joy." There's really nothing there I wouldn't like. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

SolDucky said...

I love the Glowing Bronze large deluxe hammock. What an awesome site!

Elaine said...

I like the Colonial Blue mugs.

CLOTHED MUCH, a modest fashion blog

Karen said...

What a neat shoppe! Lots of goodies there. I liked the mahogany & ebony leaf box. :-)
~K http://scr.im/nerak

Courtney said...

I like the recycled natural fiber notebooks. :)

Laura said...

I love companies like this! We try to do as much of our Christmas shopping as possible through organizations like Novica.

I think my fave item is actually the same earrings you got! I love them!

Laura said...

...and I posted about this on facebook...

Laura said...

...and I tweeted about it! :)

Scarlet of Moms Wear Your Tees said...

I love the glassware from Mexico. The alcapoco wine goblets would be my fav.

Scarlet of Moms Wear Your Tees said...

Sharing it on my blog giveaway linky
http://momswearyourtees.blogspot.com/2010/01/february-giveaway-linky.html #154

Alissa Stacy said...

I loved the Celadon ceramic pitcher and plate. It is beautiful!
I have shared on Facebook, twitter, myspace & now writing a blog about this site.
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful site.
-- Alissa Stacy

Anonymous said...

Love this! I am all about shopping with a purpose like this and TOMS shoes. I love the mirrors...and the earrings you got....

Candice

Anonymous said...

I love the cuff bracelets! Any of them! This is a great site! I will be sharing!

Anonymous said...

Okay, so I shared on Facebook and Justin's by accident, so does that qualify me for 2 entries? I hope you get lots of hits! Love you! Denise

Anonymous said...

I am not very good with this commenting stuff. I am the one that loves the cuff bracelets, evidentally, a lot since I left that comment twice!!! Denise

Unknown said...

I really like the mirror sunset reflections. Beautiful!

Unknown said...

Tweet. http://twitter.com/gmbergemann/status/24301401935

Veronica Leaptrott said...

Oh I forgot that I posted it on fb the other night but i'll do it agian.

Lynda Del said...

I love the Natural orchid gold plated stickpin, 'Orchid Dreams'.
lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com

Lynda Del said...

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/lyndadawinda/status/24345509168

lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com

Lynda Del said...

I blogged about this giveaway and posted here:
http://thespanglyprincess.blogspot.com/2010/09/novica-gift-certificate-giveaway_4498.html

lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com

Lynda Del said...

I shared about this giveaway on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1366325085&v=wall&story_fbid=156891101004642

lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com

fisiwoman said...

I love Leather travel bag, 'Passage of Time'. It's wonderful!
Enter me please ^^.


Ana Belén R.M
fisiwoman(at)hotmail(dot)com
Spain

fisiwoman said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/fisiwoman/statuses/24416582461


Ana Belén R.M
fisiwoman(at)hotmail(dot)com
Spain

fisiwoman said...

Post it on FB: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000825276857&v=wall&story_fbid=127609910621589&ref=mf


Ana Belén R.M
fisiwoman(at)hotmail(dot)com
Spain

Debbie said...

Gorgeous items! I fell for this glass bowl: http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=127339
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Debbie said...

Tweeted here: http://twitter.com/suburbsanity/status/24528795144
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Debbie said...

Shared this on facebook as Suburb Sanity.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Marjorie C said...

I Love the sea breeze hammock! I could get my relaxin' on!
I spread the word on FB!
Mjorie at gmail.com

Shannon and Andrew said...

Great resource. I love these types if sites and I will have to share with my sister-in-law. She spent a year as a missionary in Uganda and is hoping to go back soon. I'm thinking I found a place to get her Christmas. She has become a real advocate for buying from sources like these.