I love finding unique items and giving unique gifts. That's why NOVICA seems to appeal to me so much. 

 

NOVICA is in association with National Geographic so you know this site is good already! At Novica, you can expect to find handmade jewelry, unique gifts, gifts for mom, unique corporate gifts, and much more! Not sure where to even start? Use their gift finder to help you! Novica unites you with more than 2,000 extraordinary master artists around the world. Read about their lives, explore their fascinating cultures, and select from more than 30,000 handcrafted works of art.

 

 

 

 

This exquisite traditional sculpture is hand carved in crocodile wood by Bali's Nyoman Subrata. Unlike most traditional Balinese dances, the Janger dance allows both men and women to dance together. During the dance, twelve men move aggressively while twelve women sing and sway from side to side. Find more handmade mask decor here. 

 

 

Thai artisan Alaya Cholprasertsuk creates this one-of-a-kind wall hanging depicting a map of South Asia. The artisan uses small scraps of recycled cotton batik fabric to create the colorful patchwork map, which includes the various seas and even Mt. Everest. The wall hanging is a fascinating accent to any decor.Find more Wall Hangings and Tapestries here.

 

 

Jade, mined in Guatemala, has been prized since pre-Hispanic times. Zandra Lorena Sajbin sets the gem in a beautiful cocktail ring, surrounding the gem in a silver embrace. The stone is deep green, so dark it is almost black. Find more rings here.

 

 

 

 

Inspired by the colonial art styles of the "Cuzco School", artisan Gliseria Soto crafts a small but impressive wall mirror. The frame is carved by hand from cedar wood and embellished with bronze leaf. Preserving a time-honored technique, Soto adds small panels of reverse-painted glass with floral motifs to the frame. The result is stunning. Find more handmade mirrors here. 

 

 

This intriguing sculpture from Made Sadia appears entirely organic as if the two glass vessels and the albesia wood base are metamorphosing into one entity. Each sculpture is made individually, with the blown glass and the wood formed and fitted together. No two sculptures will be exactly alike. Find more handmade sculptures here. 

 

 

Inspired by pre-Hispanic instruments, Mexican artisan Georgina Cabrera creates this stunning flute. Making a perfect conversation piece as well as a casual-use instrument, the flute is handcrafted from ceramic in earth tones. The mouthpiece and the bottom are decorated with the depictions of pre-Hispanic people with elaborate headdresses. Find more musical instruments here.

 

 

This marvelous backpack is from the workshop of João Carlos Silva in Brazil. The supple leather backpack in saddle brown features two padded compartments for laptops or tablets, multiple pockets and compartments both inside and on the bag's exterior, and adjustable straps for comfort. Find more handmade treasures from Brazil here. 

 

 

Bright and beautiful, Brazilian gemstones bring their allure to a necklace by Liliam Vivan. She combines a dazzling array of quartz, citrine, sunstone, and chalcedony with opal, tiger's eye, pyrite, and reconstituted turquoise. A sleek droplet of hot pink jade and aqua apatite form the pendant. The chain is sterling silver. Find more necklaces here.

 

 

 

Master ceramist Mamerto Sanchez creates this sculpture after the style of the ceremonial plates used at an Andean wedding by the bride and groom to represent the family union and the fertility of Pachamama. Pachamama, an extremely important part of the Andean belief system, is essentially 'Mother Earth'. Ancient Peruvians would venerate and pay tribute to Pachamama, as they depended exclusively on what the earth produced and provided. The ceramic sculpture is beautifully hand painted in the traditional Quinua style. Find more Handmade Treasures from the Andes here. 

 

 

Inspired by colonial art, Moises Alvarez depicts a lavish floral motif in fine hand-tooled leather. It adorns an elegant accent table, handcrafted of tornillo wood with a light finish. The table features one practical drawer with a forged iron pull. Find more furniture here.

 

 

 

Also, as lives and livelihoods have changed this year, NOVICA has renewed their belief that a better world begins with simply looking after each other. Many artisans have turned their talents to making cloth masks to support themselves and their families during this global crisis. You will be amazed by NOVICA's collection of face masks — masks that give back. The fabrics, colors, designs, and inspired messages will let you put your best face (mask) forward as we walk, work, and live through the next few months together.