Nai selects rich chocolate brown for the original design of this original handbag. Sewn of cotton, it features flowing vines over a practical leather pocket. Inside, the bag is lined in cotton and features two pockets. Ever attentive to detail, Nai completes her design with braided leather handles and a brass bell that functions as a button.
"To design, I just close my eyes and think of beauty. I never sketch my designs but just make them. Then I get the materials and make the imagined designs."
"My name is Laongtyp Ammaritreungsak but friends and family call me 'Nai.' I was born on August 26, 1968, and my father... was a government officer while my mother ran a beauty salon. When I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, I got a job in a fund management company. I resigned seven years later because I wanted to start my own business. In 1997, the most remarkable thing happened to me when my husband asked me to marry him [Novica featured artist Maetee Ummaritreungsak].
"I look after of my parents, an aunt and my two sons. I know it is a heavy responsibility but I love my family so much that I am quite happy and proud to do it. I am also thankful to them and want to show my gratitude for their having taken care of me when I was little. This is the Thai way! In our culture, the younger generation takes care of the older one. Therefore, between preparing meals, sending my sons to school, and making my jewelry, I have not got much time left. Yet I love looking for new things to do. Periods of life unfold so differently, each one teaching me to experience things and to improve myself. I also pick up quite a lot of new ideas from the people I've met during traditional Thai traditional ceremonies, such as the Thai New Year (Songkran) and the Loy Krathong festivals.
"Jewelry is an art for me, just like beauty improvement and dressmaking were for my mother and aunt. I think I got that from them. When I was 16 years old, I began crafting jewelry for my family, friends and relatives. All were pleased and always praised me. I was not really sure if they were just being polite, that is until I started to sell my work on Sundays at the walking street market. I wanted to know what kind of people were interested in my work. I would tell them about my concepts and about each item. When I actually sold the first pieces, it made me feel very happy for the customers' business, but of course I was also glad they liked my work. Some of them did not even want me to package it - they just wanted to wear it immediately. People bought and bought again, and all the feedback was good. Not everything sells, of course. I can make 30 new designs and sell only 20, but it is already a lot for me.
"To design, I just close my eyes and think of beauty. I never sketch my designs but just make them. Then I get the materials and make the imagined designs. I may update a bit or totally change the design during the working process. Overall, I like my jewelry to be simple, not too colorful, having a relaxed and natural feel. The pearl is my favorite material, for it could be misleading. Everyone associates pearls with luxurious dresses at a gala dinner. But for me, pearls can also be designed to informally accompany you every day. It does not need to be strung on precious materials like gold, but could simply partner a rope or leather string.
"There are two things that have been very challenging for me. Firstly, getting pregnant and being a mother, which is such a great thing. I dedicate all my life and strength to my family. I think all mothers and wives will agree with me. Secondly, making beautiful and unique jewelry. It is difficult to always come up with new designs, something different from everyone else's. But I am enthusiastic and can motivate myself because it makes me feel happy every time I hear people say they like my work.
"My life is basic, easy and simple: There's no technology involved. Nevertheless, my life has changed ever since I met with Novica. I could not believe that there is no more distance, no more borders to prevent artists and artisans to get in direct contact with customers worldwide. It is simply unbelievable… I am selling my jewelry to people everywhere through the Internet. I make them with my hands, with love and care, and they are all for you.
"After designing jewelry for such a long time, in 2007 I began to explore new ideas. One day I was looking at all of my jewelry collections, and I thought it might work if I designed something else that would go together with them. That's how I came up with the idea of designing handbags. It works pretty well! I combine cotton and leather for my handbag designs, which match my leather and silver jewelry. I hope people from all over the world like my new work!"
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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UNICEF Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. UNICEF USA partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from UNICEF Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from UNICEF Market will benefit UNICEF's programs that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about UNICEF's work, on About UNICEF.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
UNICEF Market artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. UNICEF Market offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
