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Warawoot

"I am Warawoot Chanthamolee, and my nickname is A. I was born in Chiang Mai on July 31, 1968, and I have three brothers and two sisters – I am the fifth child. My parents transported goods between Chiang Mai and Bangkok and they worked so hard, they did not have much time to spend with us. Our mother passed away when I was a boy, so my grandmother raised me.

"I believe in Buddha. Thai culture and traditions are my life, and I enjoy my people, Thai people. We smile and we are jovial people, always greeting each other in a friendly manner. No wonder foreigners are impressed with the land of smiles!

"My motto is to endure and wait for success, I can get discouraged at times, but I do not retreat. The word 'failure' has no meaning to me, as a new life begins everyday.

"I have always loved to draw and design. I wanted to study fashion design and art, so I left high school and passed an entrance exam at vocational level. At first, my family was not happy about it, but they eventually understood it was what I loved, so they resigned themselves to let me follow my path. I chose to study a major in practical art for three years until I graduated. I then continued in the renowned Art Institute of Thailand, in Bangkok, for two more years. I graduated with a diploma in 1990, majoring in product design.

"I designed clothes for teenagers under well-known local brand names as well as renowned international ones. I worked for an international fashion company for four years, during which I gained lots of experience in designing and planning, including window displays and shops, arranging products, working with visual merchandisers, and coordinating fashion shows.

"I decided to embark on my own, and I set up my workshop in a village near Chiang Mai. I design and craft my own products, most of which are influenced by my Buddhist faith. I particularly like working with sandstone, and my favorite items to craft are candleholders, because the lit candle creates a romantic mood, and also makes you feel well and relaxed.

"It's nice to know that Novica is concerned with promoting Thai products around the world, thus giving local artists and artisans such as myself, the opportunity to present our arts and crafts. Thank you so much."