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Sameer and Sunil

"Handicrafts carry traditions across the generations. The fascinating thing about handcrafted items is that they are intended for day to day use yet, at the same time, they can be used as decorative pieces. We are attracted to this craft because there are so many possibilities within one single design, thanks to the creativity of a person who transforms his or her craft into art.

"I'm Sunil and I was born in the UAE. When I met my friend Sameer from Jodhpur, we immediately clicked because of the common interest we have in the exquisite arts and crafts of our country. Both of us were working and we wanted a change from our daily 9 to 5 routines. Also, we felt a strong urge to bring the culture of Rajasthan, which is rich in handicrafts, to the forefront.

"It was a very difficult decision for us to leave the security of our jobs for a creative venture in handicrafts, and we had a tough time convincing our families. Our enduring passion and hard work helped us start this thrilling journey in January of 2011.

"When we started, we had little knowledge and experience in the field. Our learning curve has been so dynamic that every day we discover something new about Rajasthani arts and crafts. Initially, all we had were some product ideas. It was indeed challenging, and at the same time exciting, to convince artisans to bring these ideas to life.

"We are learning through our hands-on experience with the artisans who collaborate with us. We closely observe their processes and offer our suggestions for creating new variations.

"Our main aim is creating designs that fit in the different corners of a home. Our work is inspired by Indian culture yet destined to the needs of today's global market. Our biggest challenge lies in creating designs that are uncomplicated for the artisans but that retain their original beauty.

"We work mostly with wood and utilize reclaimed wood, along with iron, ceramics and metal sheets as well. The recycled and reclaimed wood is taken from broken down houses, factories and warehouses, and we also recycle old railway ties. By doing so, we save on cutting trees and help nature conservation in our own way. Water based paints also help make our designs environmentally friendly.

"We hope that Novica art lovers around the world will appreciate the beauty of the Indian crafts we have to offer."