Hand-Painted Starfish Ceramic Incense Holder in Warm Hues 'Starfish Aura' Item ID: 2671763404

“Hello, I am Tantan Ginanjar from Bali. I was born in 1978 in a village in Bandung, the capital of West Java. Bandung was nicknamed ‘Paris Van Java’ by the Dutch during the colonial era due to its resemblance to Paris. The air in Bandung is cool, just like Ubud, and it also features beautiful scenery. My father is a painter and my mother sold groceries. I'm the last child of four siblings.

“I started to learn how to paint like my father when I was 12 years old. I made paintings from straw and felt. After graduating from high school, I decided to work so I could help my parents. I helped a relative in his handicraft shop and kept making paintings from straw and felt. Then, we moved to Bali to find a better market, since Bali was known as a place where a lot of tourists visited. Here in Bali, I learned about market demands that led me to paint terracotta pieces. I am influenced by Aboriginal pointillism art. To date, it is the primary technique that I use.

“People say that I'm a plain and quiet man. I married a beautiful Balinese woman, and we have been blessed with two kids. Having children makes me happy; it makes my life brighter and boosts my energy to work harder and better. The best time for me is when I’m spending time with my wife and children. I taught my wife this craft, and now she is able to help me both in the crafting process and in sales.

“I have one full-time and three part-time artisans who help me. We buy terracotta vases from Lombok, a small island near Bali. Then, we hand-paint them with acrylic and finish them.

“It is bad when we don’t have any orders, but I remember what my parents told me throughout my childhood: ‘Always remember God by praying, and be patient when facing difficult times. Don't forget to save for your future, so you will still be able to stand and rise above hard times.’

“By joining Novica, I hope I can get more orders from the global market so I can better develop my craft and support the daily needs of my family.”