Handcrafted Sterling Silver and Pearl Necklace, "Sky Catcher"

Update (March, 2019)

“Our family had a simple life, and we held tight to traditions which we had passed from generation to generation. My father was a silversmith, and with the help of my mother they could make a living. My mother displayed and sold the items that my father made at our art shop. My parents had three beautiful children, and I am the second child. I went to school from kindergarten to junior high school in our neighborhood. After I graduated from junior high school I went to senior high school and college, majoring in hospitality. At that time, the hospitality business had grown a lot in Bali; that is why I chose that major.

“I loved making silver jewelry ever since I was a little girl, because my parents and uncle taught me how to work with silver. At first I learned the techniques, and then material choices and also the finishing. The reason I love this field is because I keep learning new things. In designing or making new items, most of the time there is a little hiccup that prevents me from finishing. And by hitting that wall, that makes me learn how to finish my design properly. And then eventually I can create jewelry with great quality.

“Like other people, I also have hobbies. I like listening to music, traveling and also watching movies. I love them because I can learn something new, and maybe apply the values to my daily life. When traveling, sometimes I go with my friends. And from my friends, I know that I am a firm person. And usually when I do something, I would like to be the best at it, meaning that I do it with totality.

“Today I am married to a great artist. He also helps me sometimes to create new products, or at least gives me input about it. During our marriage, we have been blessed with two boys. Married life is not easy, yet it is not also that hard. Change is mostly what we face. It started from when I first lived with my parents to then living with my husband. Starting from that point, I had to establish my new life with a husband and children. Being in new circumstances, of course it takes some time until we can feel comfortable.

“To get through this cruel world, I always remember a saying: ‘Life is like a wheel; sometimes we are on top, but sometimes we are on the bottom.’ That is why I always do my best, so I can be tougher than anything that puts me down. I also apply that when I make new designs. I always put hard work into them. I am satisfied with all of my designs, yet, the one that has a special place in my heart is ‘Crown Princess’. That item is all handmade by skillful craftsmen, or in Bali we call them tukang. To get skillful tukang who are able to do handmade designs is not easy. Fortunately I have 3 tukangs, and each of them can manage 5-8 workers.

“Before joining Novica, I used to manage the family silver business. Then I heard from a friend that Novica could distribute my products to the wider market, directly to new customers. After years since joining Novica, now my personal target is to make more great designs with which I can satisfy my customers. That is one way of saying ‘thank you’ to Novica and to my customers, because from Novica I can make a good living for my family. I can provide a decent education for my children. Novica is a big help to me; almost 80% of my income is from Novica. I hope I can always give great items to Novica and its customers, and I hope that Novica can always help other silver artisans like me.”

Original Artisan Story

Kenari was born in 1979 in Celuk, a village famous for its gold and silversmiths. All of her family members work in silver. From the time she was very young, Kenari started learning the process of crafting silver jewelry such as rings, necklaces, bracelets and much more. Her days were filled by assisting her uncle in his silver workshop. In 2003, Kenari married an artist from Gianyar. Balinese women who marry live with the husband's family and so did she. Even after moving away from the silverwork environment, Kenari was still obsessed with crafting jewelry. Fortunately, her husband gives her great support. While working in an art shop, Kenari is active in designing silver jewelry. She is constantly busy developing new designs.