Monday, December 27, 2010

My Belated Christmas Gift To You - A Very Special Novica Giveaway

I hope you had a wonderful time enjoying the holidays with family and friends.  All of the festive activity kept me pretty busy and away from my blog, but now I'm back and I have a belated Christmas gift for you.  I'm having a giveaway and I think you're going to be as excited about it as I am.

Recently, Novica gave me the opportunity to choose a product for myself to keep, review and post on my blog, as well as a $50 gift card to award to one of my followers.  If you're not familiar with Novica, they work in association with National Geographic to bring the work of talented artists and artisans around the globe to the rest of the world via the internet.  Shopping their website is a unique experience as you can view information about each artist along with the works they create.  It gives each item a very personal feeling.

Mr. Willoughby and I spent an afternoon pouring over the website before deciding what item to choose.  I wanted to get something that we could enjoy on a regular basis.  As soon as we found a set of Margarita glasses called "Happy Hour", we knew we had to have them.  They are absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't be happier with our choice.  Hand blown in Mexico, each one is unique with tiny air bubbles in the glass (which I love).  Like all items from Novica, they arrived along with an artisan story card.  The artists, Javier and Efrén also tucked a lovely postcard from Mazatlan into the box.

"Happy Hour"
   
I was so happy with the margarita glasses that Novica so graciously gifted to me that I decided to do a little Christmas shopping.  I ordered a beautiful silver and pearl necklace for my niece called "Moonbeams" and my son ordered a pair of silver and garnet earrings called "My Heart and Yours" for his girlfriend.  Both are handmade in Indonesia by artist Nyoman Rena.  They look lovely in the pictures, but in person they are stunning.  Each arrived in a pretty fabric covered gift box, tied with a raffia ribbon and topped with a  raffia flower bow. 


"Moonbeams"


"My Heart and Yours"
I decided from the beginning that I was going to give a very truthful review of the product and customer service I received from Novica because it wouldn't be fair to do otherwise. If I felt they misrepresented anything, I was going to say so. If there were problems with ordering, shipping or anything else, I wasn't going to keep quiet about it. I'm thrilled to say that Novica far exceeded my expectations.  I'm confident that you will be as pleased with them as I am.

The Giveaway

The wonderful people at Novica have given me a $50 gift card to award to one of my followers.  You can use it toward any item(s) on their website (don't forget to consider shipping cost).  Get something wonderful for yourself or someone special.  Although I've only mentioned glassware and jewelry, there are many other categories on the website, including Corporate Gifts, Gifts for Mom, and Gifts for Him.  If you're interested in jewelry, you can search by type, such as bracelets or earrings.

Entry Rules

1. You must be a follower of This Stop Willoughby, or become one. 
2. You must click on the Novica Corporate Gifts link, browse the items in that category, and then come back and leave a comment on this post telling me about one of your favorites.
3. You may leave an additional comment (one per day) telling me about a favorite item from any category.
4. If you would like to earn a bonus entry, mention my giveaway on your blog along with a link to this post. Please be sure to leave a comment (with link) letting me know that you've done so.
5. This giveaway is not limited to the United States.  If you have followed the above rules, you're eligible as long as Novica can ship to you.

The deadline for entries is Saturday, January 1, 2011 at noon Eastern Time.  The winner will be drawn randomly and announced by 3:00 Eastern Time on 1/1/11.  One entry per day as well as one bonus entry allowed.   Please be sure to include a way for me to contact you should you be the winner of this giveaway.  If your email is not linked to your blog, please include it in the comment you leave here.  If I am unable to contact the winner, a different winner will be drawn at random.

Good Luck!!


Willoughby



Disclosure:  I was given a $50 gift card by Novica to choose an item for myself to review and post on my blog.  I chose a set of margarita glasses called "Happy Hour".  I was also given a $50 gift card to give away.  Both the "Moonbeams" necklace and the "My Heart and Yours" earrings were paid for by me.  The thoughts and opinions I have posted in this review are my own.  My disclosure policy is available for viewing here.

23 comments:

Matty said...

As a chess player, I like the onyx and orange chess set, Product ID: 48531.

Unknown said...

Sterling silver dangle earrings, 'Fringe'

Very cute!

Me and My Pink Mixer said...

I love the Cobalt Classic drinking glasses. Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

I would love the periodot earrings, 'Lemon Drops' tracietrump@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I am a gfc follower! tracietrump@yahoo.com

Betty Manousos said...

Love everything here!

Best wishes!

Hugs!

B xx

Jenny said...

How fun! I'm a follower.

Under the Corporate gifts I like those Murano vases. But under the regular things I love that sling bag.

What a fun catalog.

I am going to bookmark this. These things are exactly the kind of gifts my kids and grands go nuts over!

Thanks for the fun!

Kerrie said...

I am a follower. This company sound very cool!

Kerrie said...

The sterling silver "Tradition" cuff is amazing!

Kerrie said...

Posting the link on my blog!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Hi Willoughby-- Those are great looking glasses. Enjoy!

Hope your holidays were grand and you didn't get too much snow.

Please count me in for the giveaway. YOu know I'm already a follower.

Cheers, jj

Joanna Jenkins said...

And... I'm liking the Cushion covers, 'Blue Ivy Floral'

Thanks for the giveaway!
jj

elvira pajarola said...

Carissima Willoughby....what a lovely visit and hearty Welcome from you, i was so very touched, Thanks so much, Cara! I always love your kind visits in my Tuscany!!!!!!!

I like your presentation of Novica; i just jump over and come back to you!
p.s.: The gift for your niece is absolutely magnificient!!!!!!!

ciao ciao cara! elvira

elvira pajarola said...

Cara Willoughby...I am back and i am sooooo happy you showed us this FANTASTIC Site......!!!!!!

My favourite:

http://jewelry.novica.com/bracelets/cuff/sterling-silver-cuff-bracelet-shining-clouds/173939/

This would be a most elegant bracelet cuff....just a dream...!!!!
Oh, then I saw ponchos from Peru: I do LOVE ponchos...!
MAGNIFICIENT!!!

Great work, cara Willoughby!!!!

ciao ciao and a happy day!

ciao ciao elvira

Purple Flowers said...

There are so many beautiful items to look at, I lost track of time. I love their beaded baskets the best. I want something different to look at on my bookshelf, and that colorful basket would do nicely.
Thanks for the invite! Happy New Year to you!! :)

Laurie said...

Ha! So much to choose from, I know my hubby would love the hammock!
I love the heart to heart stirling bracelet, so dainty looking.
I have been a follower of yours for a while now, thank-you for the giveaway!
Happy New Year!

Tins and Treasures said...

Good Morning,
Your new glasses are fabulous. My favorite would be the beaded rattan basket. I just love the colors.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I always appreciate your comments. Have a thoughtful Thursday ~Natalie

Holly Lefevre said...

Of course I follow...what a cool giveaway. I have never heard of this company..they have great items. I like the Pearl Cocktail Ring!

Purple Flowers said...

Here I am again, letting you know how much I love the items listed. I'm just lovin' it all!!

L.B. said...

Getting it in late but still in...

I am a loyal follower of this blog. One of my favorites for certain.

What captures my attention is the Aztec Sun Stone ceramic plaque. I've been fortunate enough to have actually seen the real Sun Stone (the Aztec Calendar) in person so having this in my collection would be great.

thamesarino said...

Hello! Getting in a last minute entry! I love that site btw I got lost for awhile. I think that if I won I would get the Mother's Love wooden sculpture by Made Wirata. It would fit in perfectly with the non-holiday theme of our mantle! : )
Of course I am a follower already! : ) I haven't posted on my own blog since June or something so I'll have to just hope for the best with this entry! : )
Thanks for throwing the awesome giveaway! : )

Heidi said...

I really like the summer lily handbag... My last garage sale find is on its last leg and I would love to have a nice bag for once! I also had my eye on several pairs of earrings :)

Unknown said...

Oh, I love all of the items in the art glass category...to hard to decide!