Wayan Asmana
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“My name is Wayan Asmana and I was born in 1957 in Celuk, Bali. Celuk is a beautiful and peaceful village and also a place for great silver jewelry art. Starting from dawn until twilight, people are busy working with silver. Almost all people in Celuk work with silver, including my parents.
“My parents have worked with silver for a long time; this business is passed from generation to generation. They are native people from Celuk, it makes them understand the culture and also the art of making good silver jewelry. And the benefit of that is I can learn it from my parents. I inherited the ability of making jewelry of good quality.
“I am the fifth child of seven siblings. I had already learned how to make silver jewelry while I was in primary school. Not only how to handle tools and choose good materials, but also how to make silver jewelry of my own design. In senior high school I started to make jewelry of my own design and sell it. By making jewelry, I could pay for my schooling and daily needs.
“I love making silver jewelry, not only because I inherited it from my ancestors, but also because the silver jewelry business is a long-lasting business that can be relied on. Another thing that I love is playing the Balinese gamelan (a traditional Balinese instrument). When I was younger I used to play football, but now I love doing yoga and walking as exercise.
“I am married to a beautiful woman and now we have three children. I feel so grateful to have children; a lot has changed in our life. We can not just live this life like we used to do it. Now we have to plan all things carefully so we can live our lives happily. Another thing that is in my head is how to motivate my children to have a better life than me. As young people, they should dream big and achieve big.
“Family living with peace and happiness is the thing that makes me feel good. I feel succeed in providing for my family when all of them are happy. I would like to teach my children about silver jewelry, and I hope that one of them will carry on this business and make it bigger. To live happily is everybody’s dream, but not all of them know how to make that dream come true. And I hope that all living things could be happy so we can make a peaceful and joyful world. Because for me, life can be beautiful and peaceful if everyone around us is a good person, and they also spread love.
“I feel grateful that in my art shop there is peace and our lives are beautiful. There are 15 people who work in my shop. And I as the owner have a responsibility to create peace in our working atmosphere. One way to do that is I have to understand each of them to manage their work and to give them the right job so they can work happily and meet deadlines.
“To work with silver is great for me personally, because that makes me a guardian who is keeping this culture alive. And I am so relieved that I have been working with Novica for years. One of the reasons I can continue this business is because of Novica. I can give my family a decent house, decent food and I can support my children’s education. My sales from Novica contribute around 50% of my income. I hope I can satisfy my customers so that the people who buy my products will also be glad to wear my jewelry. And that also makes them the guardians of my culture.”
Original Artist Story
Wayan Asmana is a master silversmith from Sukawati, long regarded as Bali's most important jewelry center. Asmana learned his craft when he was in elementary school but only when he was in senior school did his father teach him how to make gold accessories. Wayan Asmana senior is unquestionably a renowned jewelry maker and designer.
When Asmana returned to his village after going away to college, he married his beautiful bride, Wayan Asmariani. Then he set about starting his own jewelry workshop where he designed and crafted a variety of gold and silver accessories. Business began to flourish and tourists were his main customers. Unfortunately, events such as the World Trade Center attacks and the Legian-Kuta bombing had a very bad impact on Bali's tourism trade, which in turn affected Asmana's work.
Setting up on his own was difficult. Asmana tells of the time, three years ago, when a foreign tourist bought almost $1,200 worth of jewelry. When the artisan went to the bank to change the dollars into into rupiah, he was told the money was counterfeit. There was nothing he could do about it.
"I am thankful that God gave me a chance to work with you," he says. My jewelry is now known in many different countries, and my family and I feel so much this uplift in our economic life, thanks to you. We hope to work with you forever. I will continue to work harder and better to please everyone. Thank you so much!"
Products (74)
Sterling Silver Drop Earrings with Faceted Blue Topaz Gems 'Faithful's Charm'
Women's Chain Bracelet with Flower Charm 'Trailing Flower'
Leaf and Vine Themed Sterling Silver Pendant Bracelet 'Celuk Sprout'
Pearl Sterling Silver Drop Earrings 'Moon Face'
Spiral Motif Circular Sterling Silver Earrings from Bali 'Dreamy Spirals'
Amethyst Sterling Silver Tie Clip 'Bold Spirit'
Handmade Cast 925 Sterling Silver Butterfly Brooch Pin 'Butterfly Swarm'
Sterling Silver Earrings from Indonesia 'Chrysanthemum'
Balinese Sterling Silver 925 Anklet with Round Charms 'Moonlit Path'
Garnet dangle earrings 'Temple Window'
Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings 'Midnight Rapture'
Tiger-Themed Sterling Silver Pendant Bracelet from Bali 'Spiritual Tiger'
Men's Handcrafted Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet 'Surf'
Garnet Sterling Silver Bangle Bracelet 'Moonbeam Passion'
Balinese Handcrafted Silver and Blue Topaz Cross Earrings 'Cross Pattee'
Men's Unique Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet 'Dragon Tail'
Fair Trade Sterling Silver and Garnet Ornate Dangle Earrings 'Sacred Forest'
Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings 'Ancient Light'
Fair Trade Floral Amethyst and Silver Ring 'Frangipani Bouquet'
Sterling Silver Wheat Chain Bracelet with Dragon Head Clasp 'Dragon Tale'
Artisan Crafted Sterling Men's Celtic Trinity Knot Bracelet 'Celtic Wave'
Sterling Silver Braided Wristband Bracelet from Bali 'Distinctive Style'
Hand Crafted Sterling Silver Button Earrings 'Shimmering Gong'
Oval Sterling Silver Earrings 'Ready to Go'
Hand Crafted Sterling Silver Byzantine Chain Bracelet 'Byzantine Chain'
Fair Trade Sterling Silver Ring 'Baby Cobra'
Sterling Silver Garnet Bracelet 'Cosmic Story'
Men's Sterling Silver Band Ring 'Peace'
Men's Sterling Silver Naga Chain Bracelet 'Cult Classic'
Handcrafted Balinese Silver Cross Earrings with Garnet 'Cross Pattee'
Dangling Sterling Silver Earrings from Bali 'Indonesian Dew'
Sterling Silver Boomerang Pendant Necklace from Bali 'Dazzling Boomerang'
Garnet Sterling Silver Filigree Earrings 'Smiling Clown'
Sterling Silver Carnelian Statement Necklace 'Radiant Queen'
Men's Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet 'Balinese Braid'
Faceted Purple Amethyst Single Stone Ring from Bali 'Padang Galak Beauty'
Carnelian Silver Wristband Bracelet 'Radiant Queen'
Handmade 925 Sterling Silver Cultured Pearl Floral Brooch 'Starlight Flower'
Sterling Silver Starfish Dangle Earrings from Bali 'Sanur Starfish'
Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Chain Necklace 'Joyful Inside'
Sterling Silver Peacock Brooch Pin with Cultured Pearls 'Resplendent Peacock'
Heart-Shaped Garnet Chain Bracelet from Bali 'Three Times the Love'
Indonesian Garnet and Silver Brooch Pin 'Scarlet Dragonfly'
Artisan Handcrafted Pearl Brooch Pin from Bali 'Budding Cotton'
Sterling Silver Sea Turtle Dangle Earrings from Bali 'Baby Turtles'
Artisan Crafted Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings 'Radiance'
Sterling Silver Amethyst Drop Earrings 'Purple Spell'
Fair Trade Sterling Silver and Garnet Dangle Earrings 'Scarlet Ladybug'
Carnelian Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings 'Radiant Queen'
Men's Sterling Silver Chain Necklace 'Sleek'
Hammered Sterling Silver Leaf Dangle Earrings from Bali 'Dewy Blades'
Sterling Silver Half Hoop Earrings from Indonesia 'Prairie'
Unisex Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet Crafted in Bali 'Illusion Knot'
Modern Onyx Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings 'Black Vision'
Curl Motif Sterling Silver Stud Earrings from Bali 'Diamond Curls'
Hand Crafted Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet from Bali 'Dragon's Tail'
Sterling Silver Onyx Dangle Earrings from Indonesia 'Deepest Night'
Fair Trade Floral Garnet and Silver Ring 'Frangipani Bouquet'
Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings 'Bali Belle'
Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet from Indonesia 'Silver Classic'
Balinese Silver Dangle Earrings 'Sea Foam'
Handmade Sterling Silver Chain Necklace 'Rice Seeds'
Handcrafted Men's Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet 'Dauntless'
Men's Sterling Silver Chain Bracelet from Indonesia 'Souls Entwine'
Handmade Men's Silver Link Bracelet 'Flowing River'
Swirl Pattern Sterling Silver Chandelier Earrings from Bali 'Dream Catcher Rain'
Sterling Silver Drop Earrings with Faceted Garnet Gems 'Lover's Charm'
Stylized Fern Design Sterling Silver 925 Pendant Bracelet 'Fern Grotto'
Hand Crafted Sterling Silver Band Ring 'River Dragon'
Balinese Style Blue Topaz Earrings 'Ocean Breeze'
Sterling Silver Bracelet with Turtle Charm 'Tiny Tortoise'
Men's Sterling Silver Foxtail Chain Necklace 'Honest and Wise'
Amethyst and Sterling Silver 925 Earrings with Squid Motif 'Purple Cephalopod'
Sterling Silver Floral Brooch Pin with Cultured Black Pearls 'Ebony Buds'