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Ketut Sukayasa

"I was born on the 19th of November 1968, in a village called Banjar Tanggayuda, Bali. I am the smallest of four children - my father and mother were farmers. I am the only one in my family to become an artisan. I started making crafts when I was in primary school with my friends, around the village. After I finished secondary school I decided to try and make a living from handcrafted art. I began using coconut shells, bamboo, and other readily available materials, and I sold my work to small shops and hotels. And then I started also to make decorative tableware that sold well, but still it was hard for me to make enough to take care of my family.

"And then I met with the people from Novica who right away liked my work and were interested in promoting my products outside of Bali. My situation started getting better, and I could make enough to take care of my family and establish myself properly.

"For me what is funny about life is that after all this time I have been making handcrafted work for people to enjoy, I myself have not had the chance to take the time to decorate my own home. I'm just too busy!"