Kai Kittima

"<i>Sawasdee ka!</i> My name is Kittima Ekmahachai or Kai. I am the elder daughter in the family and am very close to my younger sister because we are almost the same age. She is only one year old younger than I am. I was born in Nan province and grow up there. My family was a big family and everyone loved each other. Now I'm married and have a son and a daughter.<br><br>"In high school, I studied science and mathematics for three years and, in 1981, I was admitted to Chiang Mai University's School of Economics. I graduated four years later. In 1986, I worked as a staff member at The Royal Project center. After two years, I was promoted to head of marketing at the Chiang Mai branch where I worked for nine years. I had to resign when my husband's mother got sick so I could take care of her. I did really like this job, so when I quit, I was sad. Two years later, I started to make jewelry.<br><br>"I've liked art since I was young. I get it from my grandfather - he really loved art, so art is in my blood. I grew up in a cultural Thai family. I studied in local Thai schools, learned Thai dance, sing old Thai songs and I like to go to the temple.<br><br>"I live my life with consciousness. I do everything for the present and future, leaving the past behind. I am very happy with the things I've done. I like crafting jewelry and I am so happy with it.<br><br>"The most challenging thing in my life is change. Many things in my life are always changing, so I have to make sure that I can accept it. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's bad, so change is quite challenging for me. And I am glad that all the changes so far in my life have been good.<br><br>"My most impressive experience was joining the library club and visiting the hill tribe villages to read, teach Thai dance and lots of fun activities. I am so happy to be giving instead of taking.<br><br>"I am so proud of my work. It comes from my heart. I use local materials that are easy to find and create designs in my own style.<br><br>"You bring together people who like art and culture from all over the world. This is a great opportunity for artists."