NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. Christian designs a vase of sumptuous beauty inspired by the rolling hills of the Andes. He crafts the ceramic vase entirely by hand, using natural minerals to obtain the bright, off-white peaks. Christian submits the piece to a smoking procedure using mango leaves as fuel, creating the dark contrasts that distinguish Peru's Chulucanas art. Artisan Info: Christian Chocano Arevalo was born in Lima on April 23, 1976. While studying Industrial Administration, he had the opportunity to meet many people involved in the world of art, "artisans capable of creating wonderful things with their hands." Christian worked in various jobs after graduating, and eventually began working with his father, Julio Chocano, a Novica featured jewelry designer. Inspired by the jewelry arts, Christian traveled throughout Peru to diversify his jewelry skills and vision. "While traveling, I met a master ceramist who shared with me the secrets of Chulucanas ceramic arts," Christian recalls. "He taught me how to transform a block of clay into a work of art that could be appreciated worldwide. He instructed me in the techniques developed by our predecessors, he inspired me, and he called upon me to help preserve our cultural identity through art. "When an artist is sincere, he discovers facets of his internal
