Shopping With National Geographic and Novica

National Geographic and Novica.com, a leading e-commerce site specializing in handcrafted works of fine art and home décor sourced directly from artisans in developing economies, have launched a new shopping store on the web that sells handcrafted items by artisans from around the globe and promotes the artists internationally at the same time.

“For more than a century, National Geographic has enabled hundreds of millions of people to travel to the far corners of the globe -- at least in their armchairs. Novica makes it easy for individuals to experience another culture through its art,” said Rick Allen, president and CEO of National Geographic Ventures. “Both organizations help make the world a smaller place by easing interactions across the divides of geography and experience. And by improving financial stability for artisans who have long struggled to maintain their traditional crafts and cultures, we are helping to keep our shrinking planet vibrantly diverse.”

The website features products from Cuba, Bali, Venezuela, Mexico, India, West Africa, and Brazil amongst many other exotic geographical areas. Their catalog includes masks, furniture, paintings, ceramics, jewelry and a host of other hand-crafted items. You can search the catalog by category or region or even by price range. Gift certificates and gift sets are also available.

“Around the world, National Geographic is such a powerful name, and their participation in Novica marks a pivotal milestone in our initiative to preserve culture and empower artists worldwide,” said Armenia Nercessian de Oliveira, Novica.com’s Co-Founder and President of International Operations and former United Nations Human Rights Officer. “With this alliance, we will collaborate with National Geographic to connect world artisans with consumers interested in learning about their lives, traditions, and regions.”

Founded in 1998, Novica offers more than 8,500 unique arts and crafts on a website that explores the world’s diverse cultures and immerses visitors in the stories of its featured master artisans. Novica has distinguished itself by merging a strong business model with a humanitarian mission and a streamlined distribution network that eliminates multiple middlemen and their markups. Through this unique strategy, artisans are able to make considerably more than ever before, and customers are able to purchase one-of-a-kind treasures at substantially reduced prices. In addition to fostering economic development, Novica actively promotes its artisans, securing international recognition for their talents.

"For me, as a member of the Novica family of artists, this alliance with National Geographic reaches beyond any dreams or expectations I could have imagined," said Leoncio Tinoco, one of 1,700 artisans featured on the Novica.com website. Speaking from his home in the Andes of Peru, the Master Weaver added, "One year ago, I struggled to sell my tapestries -- even tapestries that had won significant awards here at home. Now, with Novica, I can earn my living as an artist and feel honored to represent my Incan heritage to the world."

About Novica.com
Novica, a leading e-commerce site specializing in unique, handcrafted goods, unites site visitors with more than 1,700 extraordinary artisans worldwide. Visitors read about the artisans’ lives, explore their cultures, and select from more than 8,500 handcrafted works. Novica’s ‘Golden Rule’ rests at the heart of its operating principles: Artisans make more; customers pay less. Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in El Salvador, Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Thailand, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, Novica is continuously opening new offices worldwide.

About National Geographic
The National Geographic Society is the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organization. The 112-year-old Society reflects the world through magazines, books, maps, television and interactive media. National Geographic magazine, the official journal of the Society, has a circulation of about 10 million and is read in every country in the world. The Society has funded more than 6,500 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy.
National Geographic Ventures is the wholly owned taxable subsidiary of the National Geographic Society. National Geographic Ventures supports the Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation, and education through National Geographic Television, the National Geographic Channel, nationalgeographic.com, National Geographic Maps, licensing, merchandising, Travel Expeditions, and retail. For more on National Geographic log on to www.nationalgeographic.com.

This website: Copyright © 2000 Studio Q Int'l Inc / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in Urban Mozaik Magazine are not necessarily those of Urban Mozaik Magazine and the publisher cannot be held responsible for them. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.



	The candles on the far left are designed and produced by Infinite Light Candleworks (shown on left). Novica.com highlights the artists, as much as they do the products, with personal quotes from the artists themselves. "Started in 1998 as a one-man venture, Infinite Lights Candleworks' founder dreamed of escaping the rigidity and formal confines of mechanical engineering into a more creative and freehanded pursuit. Drawing from a background which required accuracy and precision, we have tried to combine the awe of fire with eye-catching art. "With the increased interest in our candles we grew from 1 to 2 to 4, and presently we are 7 people. Our main products are primarily decorated candles ranging from minute frogs to 18 kg pillars and a variety of smaller scented products. We have two departments: the manufacture of mostly blank candles from a variety of para-waxes operated by Peter and Ephraim and then the painting and decorative section by Gift, Simini and Stuart. Mai Simba helps in the latter department as well as in the wrapping and packaging, while Carlette does sales and administration. "We hope you will support our small-scale Zimbabwean enterprise as all our candles are handmade and painted with love and care."
Shopping Online With National Geographic and Novica Now You Can Buy Exotic Gifts Made By Local Artisans From Around The Globe On The Internet

National Geographic and Novica.com, a leading e-commerce site specializing in handcrafted works of fine art and home décor sourced directly from artisans in developing economies, have launched a new shopping store on the web that sells handcrafted items by artisans from around the globe and promotes the artists internationally at the same time. “For more than a century, National Geographic has enabled hundreds of millions of people to travel to the far corners of the globe -- at least in their armchairs. Novica makes it easy for individuals to experience another culture through its art,” said Rick Allen, president and CEO of National Geographic Ventures. “Both organizations help make the world a smaller place by easing interactions across the divides of geography and experience. And by improving financial stability for artisans who have long struggled to maintain their traditional crafts and cultures, we are helping to keep our shrinking planet vibrantly diverse.” The website features products from Cuba, Bali, Venezuela, Mexico, India, West Africa, and Brazil amongst many other exotic geographical areas. Their catalog includes masks, furniture, paintings, ceramics, jewelry and a host of other hand-crafted items. You can search the catalog by category or region or even by price range. Gift certificates and gift sets are also available. “Around the world, National Geographic is such a powerful name, and their participation in Novica marks a pivotal milestone in our initiative to preserve culture and empower artists worldwide,” said Armenia Nercessian de Oliveira, Novica.com’s Co-Founder and President of International Operations and former United Nations Human Rights Officer. “With this alliance, we will collaborate with National Geographic to connect world artisans with consumers interested in learning about their lives, traditions, and regions.” Founded in 1998, Novica offers more than 8,500 unique arts and crafts on a website that explores the world’s diverse cultures and immerses visitors in the stories of its featured master artisans. Novica has distinguished itself by merging a strong business model with a humanitarian mission and a streamlined distribution network that eliminates multiple middlemen and their markups. Through this unique strategy, artisans are able to make considerably more than ever before, and customers are able to purchase one-of-a-kind treasures at substantially reduced prices. In addition to fostering economic development, Novica actively promotes its artisans, securing international recognition for their talents. "For me, as a member of the Novica family of artists, this alliance with National Geographic reaches beyond any dreams or expectations I could have imagined," said Leoncio Tinoco, one of 1,700 artisans featured on the Novica.com website. Speaking from his home in the Andes of Peru, the Master Weaver added, "One year ago, I struggled to sell my tapestries -- even tapestries that had won significant awards here at home. Now, with Novica, I can earn my living as an artist and feel honored to represent my Incan heritage to the world." About Novica.com Novica, a leading e-commerce site specializing in unique, handcrafted goods, unites site visitors with more than 1,700 extraordinary artisans worldwide. Visitors read about the artisans’ lives, explore their cultures, and select from more than 8,500 handcrafted works. Novica’s ‘Golden Rule’ rests at the heart of its operating principles: Artisans make more; customers pay less. Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in El Salvador, Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Thailand, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, Novica is continuously opening new offices worldwide. About National Geographic The National Geographic Society is the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organization. The 112-year-old Society reflects the world through magazines, books, maps, television and interactive media. National Geographic magazine, the official journal of the Society, has a circulation of about 10 million and is read in every country in the world. The Society has funded more than 6,500 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. National Geographic Ventures is the wholly owned taxable subsidiary of the National Geographic Society. National Geographic Ventures supports the Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation, and education through National Geographic Television, the National Geographic Channel, nationalgeographic.com, National Geographic Maps, licensing, merchandising, Travel Expeditions, and retail. For more on National Geographic log on to www.nationalgeographic.com. This website: Copyright © 2000 Studio Q Int'l Inc / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in Urban Mozaik Magazine are not necessarily those of Urban Mozaik Magazine and the publisher cannot be held responsible for them. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

		Screen captures from the Novica.com website. The site promotes the artist as much as the products.

		Novica.com describes each item in detail to teach you about the history and culture behind it. This mask is by West African artist, Nana Frimpong."This sese wood "Ahwiaa" mask is round in shape with dark tan coloring. The work represents a large family grouping within the clan of a local village's founder. Households keep replicas of these masks for spiritual purposes. On spiritual compounds, high-priests keep custody of the Ahwiaa Mask for sacred reasons. The triangular designs around the mask's face display a number of niches which represent the owner's original ancestors. In the Ashanti areas of Ghana it is believed that these masks serve to protect the family-- the Ahwiaa mask holds the entire family together as one. The work also contains a wax coating for protection. An intriguing piece to offer security in any family household. "