Silk and hemp shoulder bag, 'Ruby Blossoms'

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. Ruby blossoms come to life on shimmering Myanmar silk. Set on a frame of woven hemp, they center this elegant crimson shoulder bag by Eddy. Adorned with pompoms, the bag features a ribbon tie and a zippered inner pocket. Artisan Info: "I love Thai art, and design handicrafts that carry my own special characteristics. I am Panupong Sithinoi and am nicknamed Eddy. I was born in northern Thailand on February 2, 1978 and now live with my parents and my grandparents. My family runs a tourist service business and they want me to take it over, but I prefer using my imagination to create interesting crafts. "I have always been in love with art and wanted to become a designer. So I studied design and graduated with a textile design diploma. Then I received a bachelor's degree in industrial products and ceramic design from a Bangkok institute of technology. Now I am back home where I have been teaching art in secondary schools. Every day I use my spare time to design and craft, which I consider relaxing. "I am dexterous and love making different things. I don't want to be held back by materials, shapes or style. I work with materials like silk, glazes and stone to make a variety of decorative items, tableware and anything I like to do. I try to not fall behind and am always creating new styles. Sometimes I only design an item and look for the best craftsman to put it into concrete form. Some of the works I design need the hands of very experienced and skilled artisans. As I live in the north of Thailand, it is not difficult to find the best artisans. "In the future I will set up a workshop and display the art works I make ? paintings, ceramics, sculptures, silks, candles, etc. All are executed in Thai style but with a contemporary touch, so they are different from what