NOVICA Review & Curate to Win Contest (USA/CANADA) Feb.10/13

Since this is my first review in 2013, let me start out by saying  Happy belated New Years and I am wishing everyone all the best in 2013. I really love this time of the year.  The hustle and bustle of the holidays is over and we all can calm down a little and get re-focused.  It is a time when we all make resolutions and think of ways to improve our lives. Lucky for you, I have resolved to write more and offer all of our readers here on Canadian Free Stuff great opportunities to discover some wonderful companies and enter tons of new contests.

So first up is Novica. You might remember Novica from a previous review , I wrote back in October 2011. If not, you are in for a treat.  Novica is a wonderful company that is associated with National Geographic. Together they seek out artisans from around the world and provide them a way to share and sell their creations.  Without Novica, many of these artisans would never have the opportunity to show their items let alone offer them for sale around the globe. The Novica website offers a huge variety of different items. You can find everything from furniture and home decor  to jewellery and clothing.

I love the Novica website. There is so many different ways to discover fabulous hand crafted pieces. First of all you can search by region.

• Andes
• Bali and Java
• Brazil
• Central America
• India
• Mexico
• Thailand
• West Africa

Or if you like you can search by category. Home Decor, Jewelry and Apparel, Paintings or just simply use the Gift Finder Tab. Each of these categories will break down into smaller, more detailed sections and that certainly helps with finding just the right product.  There is so much to choose from.  When I was given the opportunity to re-discover Novica I was very excited in deed.  But then I was faced with the task of choosing an item to review.  Armed with a Gift Certificate and ready to make a purchase it actually took me three days to make a decision. Every single time I browsed the Novica website I found something new.  I found new artisans and I loved the journey of reading about them. That is another wonderful way Novica brings the art right to you.  You not only see detailed pictures of all the creations. You can view a picture of the artisan and read a little bio about them.  You will learn where they are from. Why they create the items they do. How long they have been doing a particular media of art. You realize you are not just buying a piece of art. You are investing in someones future. Many of these artisans rely on selling their creations to provide for their families. It becomes personal and it gives every item you purchase a story behind it.  So after spending literally hours on the Novica website I kept coming back to one particular item.  An Aztec Calendar by Angel Ceron. When I first discovered Novica back in 2011 I was an admirer of Angel’s work. (but decided to treat myself to a pair of gemstone earrings instead). By the way I still love my earrings and wear them all the time.

The funny thing is I don’t even really know what an Aztec Calendar is.  New year, new calendar right? Wrong, it is not that type of calendar. All I really know is the original stone was discovered in Mexico City. It is a massive stone that is on display in the National Museum of Anthropology and History. Other than that, I know I like it. It is interesting. It is different and is sure to become a topic of conversation in my home. The great thing is thanks to Novica I can tell everyone about the wonderful artist that created this replica.

My Aztec Calendar arrived this week and I couldn’t be more pleased.

I was so impressed with how it arrived. By Fed-Ex within a week.  All the way from Mexico.  I was a little worried about how it would be packaged and would it survive the trip.

These are actual pictures of me unpacking my parcel.  You can see how much care was taken to ensure its safe arrival. It was beautifully gift wrapped under the shipping box.  I don’t know if you can actually see it but under that bow is a little ceramic jug and a few beads.  Such a nice touch.

My new Aztec Calendar is everything I hoped for. It looks amazing. The only problem is where to put it.  It looks wonderful against my dark garnet walls and equally as fabulous on my antique hutch.

I decided on the hutch for now.

The detail of this piece is amazing and the pictures don’t do it justice. The colour is perfect and I am so happy to have it in my home. Thank you Angel Calendar, you are a true artisan and thank you Novica for letting me discover him. This sun stone replica has added the cultural touch I needed for this room.

While touring around the Novica website I found lots of wonderful and interesting items. There were so many that caught my eye. How will I remember my favourite items?  Well Novica has the answer.  Now you can become a Curator.  That’s right now you travel around the wonderful world of Novia and when you find something you love you can hit the curate  button under the picture and create a collage of different pieces.  It s kinda like Pinterest.  You collect items you like and save them in a gallery. You can even add mood shots.  Just pick a theme.  It can be a certain animal, a colour you love or maybe all things with a particular pattern or texture.  It is completely up to you.  Novica’s Curation effort will help others discover items and artisans that might otherwise appear hidden.  Not only that it is lots of fun.  I bet you once you try a curated page you will want to do more and more.  (It’s a little addictive)

So why should you create a Novica Curated collection?

It helps you to build and share a wish list. (makes gift giving a whole lot easier) You can earn 1/2 price items, You can receive special birthday codes. Earn shipping discounts. Collect passport stamps. Follow your favourite Artisans. Manage your Artisan loans. Send invites for credits and leave testimonials.

If all that wasn’t enough you can win prizes too!! Did I mention it is fun. :)

There is actually two ways you can win with Novica right now.

Nov. 12/12-March 14/13

If you create a Curation page you can sign up for the chance to win a trip. National Geographic Expedition Puru: Land of the Inca 8-Day Trip for two. Check out the details HERE

The second way to win a prize is a contest we are running right here on Canadian Free Stuff.  Novica has graciously sponsored a giveaway one of our lucky readers.  One lucky person is going to win a $50.00 gift certificate to purchase anything they want to from the Novica website.

To enter for your chance to win a $50.00 Novica Gift Certificate;

Just visit the Novica.com website and sign up. Create a curation collection.  Then come back here and leave the URL link of your page in the comments section below.  One lucky winner will be drawn on February 10th 2012.

Here is a sneak peak at my first collection.

You can see another one of my Curated pages HERE

Good Luck Everyone!

Remember to post your link to your curation page in the comments on this blog post.

Contest closes: February 10/13

Contest Open to: Canada and USA 18+

Disclaimer/Disclosure: I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period.