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Chan

"My name is Prachan Hunchainaow, also called 'Chan' by those who know me. I have three brothers and sisters; I am the second. By some reason, our family had to move to northern Thailand, where my interest in handicrafts arose. I learned about handicrafts from my high school teacher, as well as the artisan near my house. Then I continued my studies at Sukhothai Dhammadhiraj University in the Economics Department, later entering into a master's program at Chiangmai University.

"When I graduated with a bachelor’s degree, I tried to find some work. It was very hard but eventually I found work in a bank. I got married eight years ago but have no children. My life seemed positive, but I was not entirely happy. I still was thinking about what I would most love to do. Handicrafts always crossed my mind and so I decided to do it again. But instead of the woodcarving of my youth I thought about what would best provide for my family. I decided to make jewelry, after seeing a friend of mine who did well when he opened up a shop.

"At the beginning I learned on my own. Some friends gave me advice and I continued to do it. After two months of working it finally looked like jewelry and I gave it to my friend to sell in his shop. At first my work didn’t sell, but I did not lose heart. I made other pieces and thought about the concept of jewelry. I stressed that the jewelry should be itself, as I tried to make much more natural pieces. I never added silver or wood to my works, only stones with crystals. Then my jewelry began to sell.

"In the future, I will improve my works more and more. I hope to change the form and function of my works."