Novica with National Geographic Jewelry and Gifts {Review & Giveaway}

Novica, which works in association with National Geographic, strives to bridge the gap between artisans around the world with customers who can appreciate their art of trade. With testimonials from customers and artist biographies, not only can you feel good and confident in your purchase, there is actually a connection made through the transaction.

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.

At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe.

We want you to know about who you’re buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.

In the spirit of the Internet, let us bring you together.

Novica has such vast selection of items from home decor to apparel to sterling silver jewelry. It can be a bit overwhelming to look at all the many options but with helpful categories that are broken down into sub categories you can browse a little easier.

I instantly fell in love with this Lotus Leaf Wall Art as soon as I saw it. I’ve always been partial to artwork and photography which features leaves, water or rocks. This piece in particular strikes me as being unique and a conversation starter.

These gorgeous silver filigree drop earrings, Laurels are just my style and I knew I’d love a piece of silver jewelry for more versatility. I really thought long and hard about whether I’d love to try out a pair of earrings or necklace. In the end, the necklace won simply because I’m more apt to lose an earring than a necklace.

This simple yet elegant Silver Pendant Necklace ‘Caprice’ by Jimmy Perez of Lima caught my eye.  While so many amazing necklaces made me think twice, this one I knew would be perfect for me.

The necklace came wrapped beautifully in artisan paper within a velvet pouch, perfect for gift giving. The order also included a artisan story card which I thought was a nice touch!

I am so happy with the quality of this necklace. So often you find a beautiful pendant but on weak chain. As you can see from the pictures that is not the case with this necklace. The chain high quality and sets off the pendant beautifully. I am so pleased with my choice!

The only downside to purchasing from Novica is the added time to receive the item since it comes from overseas.  You certainly need to think ahead. In my case it took just shy of one month by choosing the standard shipping option. There are however faster (and slightly more expensive) shipping methods available.

Buy it: The Silver Pendant Necklace ‘Caprice’ can be purchased for $69.95 and has a retail value of $130.95!

{ Giveaway }

Novica would like to give one of my lucky readers a $75 gift certificate!

MAIN ENTRY: Browse Novica and tell me something you’d love to get if you won!

Want more entries? (Why do I even have to ask??) After answering my question do any of the following and leave a comment telling me what you did. Each is worth one entry unless otherwise noted. Your comment is your entry so please leave the appropriate number of comments for each extra entry.

-Like Novica on Facebook
-Leave a comment on their Facebook wall that BLM sent you & why you’d like to win
-Follow Novica on twitter
-Sign up for the journal updates (right sidebar)
-Like Baby Loving Mama on Facebook
-Follow Baby Loving Mama publicly
-Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
-Follow BLM on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can do this daily!)

Win a $75 Novica gift certificate for jewelry, home decor & more! @babylovingmama from @novica http://bit.ly/avhMch #giveaway PLS RT!

-Add my button to your blog
-Blog about this contest (must be at least 50 words) with a link back here and to Novica (3 entries)

This contest will end on 8/16/10 at 11:59 pm CST. U.S.  residents 18+ only. The winner will be drawn via random.org and will have 72 hours to respond to winning notification email before I draw another winner or do a live giveaway.

Disclosure: I received a sample for the purpose of this review but no other type of compensation was received. This has no bearing on my completely honest review above. The opinions and experiences I’ve shared with these products are my own and yours may differ.