Seahorse Necklaces

“My name is Made Wardika and I was born and raised in Tampaksiring, Bali. My family’s small house is surrounded by farm fields filled with the beautiful Bali scenery.

“I am the second of three siblings and I started working when I was 11 years old to pay for school due to my family’s economic situation. While I was in junior high, I became a woodcarver and kept practicing that craft until I finished high school. After graduating, I painted and decorated carved wood pieces. Then I learned to carve horn, bone and wood.

“At 25, I got married and had two sons and a daughter. Being a father is not easy and we’ve gone through many happy and sad moments. We went through a difficult time when my daughter fell ill and had to be hospitalized while my wife was pregnant with our third child. I prayed to God and believed he had a wonderful plan for us.

“Being responsible for my small family has encouraged me to work harder. I decided to join Novica in the hopes that it would help expand my venture and help my children to go to school and provide for their daily needs. My wife and a few family members have helped me in this venture. We create jewelry like rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces from materials like horn, bone, bead and wood. We only use traditional tools like scissors, hammers, knives and chisels. My village also has artisans who make jewelry, but I design unique pieces which are inspired by Bali’s art, culture and traditions.”