National Geographic: Always Cool

You may have already noticed the link on the right hand column of my blog for other sites. I want to draw your attention to one, a National Geographic site called Novica, from the Latin "novus" meaning "new". In true National Geographic style, it is a global endeavor and it is really cool. National Geographic has such a aura about it ... of mystery and adventure, maps and plane tickets, cultures and people so different than me. Novica brings much of that right into your living room!

I was turned on to Novica by a friend (thanks, H!). In short, they find artists from around the world and sell their wares to us through the internet. Its like traveling to tiny villages, markets, and stalls in other countries without the airfare. And without the adventure of the travel, unfortunately, but still great to be able to experience in a tactile way. Imagine all that we get to experience in small bits that we would have never known! And all thanks to the internet and people who are willing to share.

Novica's mission is short and sweet, so I will let you read it in their own words:

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.

At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe.

We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.

In the spirit of the Internet, let us bring you together.

I recently received a robe from Novica and could not be more thrilled with it. It is a gorgeous batik robe (You've heard that word before, right? But what IS batik, you ask? It is a wax resist dye technique used on silks and other fabrics. Pronounced "bah-teek"). The colors are vibrant, the fabric is flowing and soft, and the artist's story comes with it. So, I, a little potter in Northern Virginia, am now sporting a robe from Bali and feeling fabulous.

Check out their household items, jewelry, clothing ... I'm addicted.