Bracelet, 'Beauty in Blue'

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. Polished uncut stones become a delightful bracelet by Kai Kittima. Adorned with colorful beads, the wide band of reconstituted turquoise slips over the wrist on elastic cords. Artisan Info: "Sawasdee ka! My name is Kittima Ekmahachai or Kai. I am the elder daughter in the family and am very close to my younger sister because we are almost the same age. She is only one year old younger than I am. I was born in Nan province and grow up there. My family was a big family and everyone loved each other. Now I'm married and have a son and a daughter. "In high school, I studied science and mathematics for three years and, in 1981, I was admitted to Chiang Mai University's School of Economics. I graduated four years later. In 1986, I worked as a staff member at The Royal Project center. After two years, I was promoted to head of marketing at the Chiang Mai branch where I worked for nine years. I had to resign when my husband's mother got sick so I could take care of her. I did really like this job, so when I quit, I was sad. Two years later, I started to make jewelry. "I've liked art since I was young. I get it from my grandfather - he really loved art, so art is in my blood. I grew up in a cultural Thai family. I studied in local Thai schools, learned Thai dance, sing old Thai songs