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Thepatat Kawila

"My name is Thepatat Kawila, but my friends call me Tom. I was born October 8, 1982. I have a younger sister who is 15 years old. She and I were not very close in the past but, when I was 16, my parents and my grandfather died and my sister and I started living with my grandmother. We created a very strong relationship between us. We had to help each other a lot and, although we are only three now, we are a very warm family.

"I graduated in arts in 2005. I always thought about doing something by myself, as I am a person who likes to try new things and always tries to find chances that will make me go forward.

"For example, thanks to my English studies, I had the chance to know many foreigners and among them David Rozenkiz, who is an American jewelry designer. For three months he taught me how to make handmade brass jewelry and thanks to him I started to create my own designs. I made a collection of ten items, then I decided to start selling them. And that's how everything started. For sure, I also have another job that can help me, my sister and my grandmother.

"When I was a child, my grandparents liked to take me to visit the temple because it was next to our house. So I started to get close to the Lanna, or northern Thai culture since that time.

"I like challenges in my life. They help you go forward and see life in a different way. The most challenging experience in my life so far was when I had a chance to do a work and travel project in the USA for four months and had to stay there alone. I had to face many things there, but I loved it.

"I like my work very much, and I am very proud to wear my items when I go out. I know that there may be some people who do not like them, but I am glad to show what I do with my heart.

"In the future I would like to go back to U.S. or to Europe, but I want to have a family in Thailand. My country is the place I like most.

"I was very happy and surprised when Novica was interested in my work. I have known Novica from the website for a long time. I like it very much and I am so proud to be a part of it!

"If you like my works that means that you are similar to me, and you like new and different things. I am glad for it and it would be nice if we had a chance to know each other someday.

"In addition I want to express all my thanks to Mr. David Rozenkiz, my teacher, because if I hadn't meet him, I wouldn't have started my own collection."