Selly Sagita

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Always remember someone's kindness to you, but forget the unkindness.' This is my motto and I believe it has made me who I am today. Remembering kindnesses makes me thankful to God in every situation.

I was born in a small city in Central Java Province. My father was a Chinese immigrant who owned a small bicycle service shop, and my mother was from Yogyakarta. When I was born as the youngest of eight children, she was working as a midwife. My family was very poor at that time but I was fortunate to be able to attend a public school where and I was considered a bright student and received certificates of recognition for academic achievement.

"After junior high, I went to Yogyakarta to pursue a higher education. My parents could support me only until high school so, for university, I had to earn my own money for everything. I started teaching English and worked other jobs at the same time. I was tired, but I was happy. My classes gave me experience and, after I graduated from the university, I worked as a lecturer.

"I have two children, a daughter and a son who are both adults now and have very good lives. I'm very proud of them.

"After I got married, I lived near a silver village with my husband, who was a builder. A lot of tourists walked by my house so I thought my husband and I could take this chance to have a silver shop. My English could be useful. So that's how I became involved with silver work. No one taught me. I learned by doing so I could understand all the processes from A to Z.

"The hardest time in my life was from 1995-2000. I was in debt for a large amount of money and sales were slowing down because of the political situation. I struggled hard and prayed and, after giving my best effort, I left it to God's mercy. Thank God everything was resolved in a good way. Now I believe that sparing time to have moments with God is the best way to have a clear mind and be able to solve our problems.

"My filigree jewelry is uniquely assembled from silver strands and it requires skill to form a beautifully-detailed piece of jewelry. The most difficult stage of this process is the final forming that allows a design to be worn comfortably.

"To appreciate the finest techniques of this traditionally hand-made detailed jewelry, I always add this tag line to my designs — 'Contemporary by Tradition.'"

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NOVICA was started with a dream to create a better world for artisans, because a better world for artisans is a better world for all.

Along the way, the founders of NOVICA discovered something very important - as artisans around the world succeeded, there was also a visible and profound impact on the communities around them.

Your purchases are that powerful. They directly and indirectly provide for education, help with health care, fund basic needs, support children, preserve disappearing arts, and of course, spread happiness around the world.

The founders of NOVICA had a vision of the future that is not one of mega factories producing cookie cutter products for all to cheaply consume. Instead, a bright future that celebrates artisans who take the time to create an item by hand. A future where time is protected, where stories are told, where unique details are honored. Love, respect, inclusiveness become driving force.

United States shipping only. Expedited shipping is unavailable. Allow for 1-2 days extra processing time. This product may ship separately from other products in your order and may have longer than normal shipping timelines as it will ship directly from its country of origin.

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