It is with great pleasure that we can share these beautiful stories of the lives you are impacting with your dollars.
Now, more than ever, it means the world to us to have your support, so on behalf of our entire team, a generous thank you.
Now, more than ever, it means the world to us to have your support, so on behalf of our entire team, a generous thank you.

Hello, my name is Angé also known as Angélique. I am an Indonesian with Chinese and Dutch ethnic background, currently living in Toronto, Canada.
I am the face, the CEO, the director, the curator, the content creator, one of the photographer, the designer and also one of the jewelry maker behind the Casa Lovina label.
I started this business as a creative and lifestyle outlet, to introduce and showcase, not limited to Indonesia, the beauty of our world through travel, music, cuisine, culture and of course, the talented artisans from Bali and their craftmanship.
I have been in the fashion and accessories industry for nineteen years and it has been an amazing journey.
Before I relocated to Canada, I used to live in Italy and Bali for several years. I had the pleasure of working and collaborating with many artisans, indie designers from all over the world and some well-known designers such as Danielle Cavalli, John Hardy and Pucci. I've learnt so much that I wouldn't trade for anything and have formed a strong partnerships and relationships that benefit Casa Lovina and the community.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day”
The artisans community is the part of Casa Lovina that is about more than just a brand or label. It's about coming together to create positive change and a place where Casa Lovina as a small business can be transparent on our journey to improving our environmental and ethical processes.
Thank you so much for being here and for supporting this dream of mine!
OUR ARTISANS & PARTNERS
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ETHICALLY SOURCED CULTURED PEARLS We sourced our pearls directly from the farmers located in Bali, Lombok and Sulawesi, Indonesia. What is a cultured pearl? A cultured pearl is a genuine pearl, produced by an oyster or mollusk, but with human assistance. There are two main types of cultured pearls: freshwater and saltwater pearls. |
Pearl cultivation involves the process of pearl farmers physically inserting an irritant, such as a shell bead nucleus, inside the soft tissue of the oyster. From there, the layers of nacre are formed naturally, just like with natural pearls.
So, the main difference between natural and cultured pearls is the way the secretion process begins. With natural pearls, the process takes place in the ocean, without any human intervention. On the other side, cultured pearls require the assistance of pearl farmers to begin the nacre-forming process.
As an environmentally conscious person, you want to be sure the pearl retailer or jewelry brand you buy from doesn’t perform practices that could harm the oysters, or the planet itself.
So, to be sure your pearls are “green” gemstones, make sure the cultivators are responsible. Have a chat with your local pearl jeweler and find out exactly where their gems come from, and how they are cultivated. That way, you know for sure your pearls are really eco-friendly gems and you can choose to shop from a jewelry brand you trust.
Creation: The Biggest Difference Between Natural Pearls vs Cultured Pearls.
How is a natural pearl created? A natural pearl is formed organically when an irritant finds itself inside the oyster’s soft tissue muscle accidentally. This irritant, such as seawater sand or dust, activates the oyster’s defense mechanism, causing it to produce layers of secretions.
The secretion (also called nacre) slowly develops into a natural pearl. What’s the difference in the way a cultured pearl is formed? Basically, a cultured pearl is born through the very same process. However, the main difference between natural pearls vs cultured pearls is that the irritant is not inserted accidentally.
Are cultured pearls considered real pearls?
Cultured pearls are considered real pearls – but they aren’t formed without human intervention. Most pearls available on the market today are cultured. Natural pearls are much rarer and, therefore, much more valuable.
So, the main difference between natural and cultured pearls is the way the secretion process begins. With natural pearls, the process takes place in the ocean, without any human intervention. On the other side, cultured pearls require the assistance of pearl farmers to begin the nacre-forming process.
As an environmentally conscious person, you want to be sure the pearl retailer or jewelry brand you buy from doesn’t perform practices that could harm the oysters, or the planet itself.
So, to be sure your pearls are “green” gemstones, make sure the cultivators are responsible. Have a chat with your local pearl jeweler and find out exactly where their gems come from, and how they are cultivated. That way, you know for sure your pearls are really eco-friendly gems and you can choose to shop from a jewelry brand you trust.
Creation: The Biggest Difference Between Natural Pearls vs Cultured Pearls.
How is a natural pearl created? A natural pearl is formed organically when an irritant finds itself inside the oyster’s soft tissue muscle accidentally. This irritant, such as seawater sand or dust, activates the oyster’s defense mechanism, causing it to produce layers of secretions.
The secretion (also called nacre) slowly develops into a natural pearl. What’s the difference in the way a cultured pearl is formed? Basically, a cultured pearl is born through the very same process. However, the main difference between natural pearls vs cultured pearls is that the irritant is not inserted accidentally.
Are cultured pearls considered real pearls?
Cultured pearls are considered real pearls – but they aren’t formed without human intervention. Most pearls available on the market today are cultured. Natural pearls are much rarer and, therefore, much more valuable.
What is the difference between a cultured pearl and a natural pearl?
Both natural and cultured pearls are formed when an irritant enters the mollusk or oyster, causing it to respond to the irritant. The difference is that when cultivating pearls, the irritant is purposely placed inside the oyster through human intervention.
Why are natural pearls so rare and more expensive?
Natural pearls are created in the ocean. It can take more than 100,000 of these deep-sea-living creatures to make just one strand of pearls. And, with so many sea-borne predators, ocean-pollution, oyster divers and other factors that cause premature deaths for the animals, finding quality gems when diving for pearls is quite rare these days.
As a result, the demand and the value of natural pearls is set to go through the roof. The rarity of the gemstones increases the costs, making them not affordable to most. Pearl cost is one of the biggest differences between natural pearls vs cultured pearls.
Cultured pearls tackle this problem and more. Different types of oysters produce different pearl colors, sizes and shapes. Moreover, oysters also create pearls with different overtones, surface quality and luster – and all of these factors determine the value of a pearl.
Are Pearls Eco-Friendly Gems or Not?
Still not sure how you feel about the “green” friendliness of pearls? Well, it depends on how you define ‘sustainable jewelry’. If you truly believe these little sea creatures feel stress from the inserted irritants, then you’d also have to believe they suffer that same stress when the insertion process happens naturally in the ocean.
Either way, one thing is for sure, pearls are definitely eco-friendlier than diamonds. It is well-known that diamond mining has been responsible for fueling the drug international drug trades and diamond wars in Africa. And, there’s definitely nothing eco-friendly about that. Make sure your diamond is ethically sourced and conflict free.
Both natural and cultured pearls are formed when an irritant enters the mollusk or oyster, causing it to respond to the irritant. The difference is that when cultivating pearls, the irritant is purposely placed inside the oyster through human intervention.
Why are natural pearls so rare and more expensive?
Natural pearls are created in the ocean. It can take more than 100,000 of these deep-sea-living creatures to make just one strand of pearls. And, with so many sea-borne predators, ocean-pollution, oyster divers and other factors that cause premature deaths for the animals, finding quality gems when diving for pearls is quite rare these days.
As a result, the demand and the value of natural pearls is set to go through the roof. The rarity of the gemstones increases the costs, making them not affordable to most. Pearl cost is one of the biggest differences between natural pearls vs cultured pearls.
Cultured pearls tackle this problem and more. Different types of oysters produce different pearl colors, sizes and shapes. Moreover, oysters also create pearls with different overtones, surface quality and luster – and all of these factors determine the value of a pearl.
Are Pearls Eco-Friendly Gems or Not?
Still not sure how you feel about the “green” friendliness of pearls? Well, it depends on how you define ‘sustainable jewelry’. If you truly believe these little sea creatures feel stress from the inserted irritants, then you’d also have to believe they suffer that same stress when the insertion process happens naturally in the ocean.
Either way, one thing is for sure, pearls are definitely eco-friendlier than diamonds. It is well-known that diamond mining has been responsible for fueling the drug international drug trades and diamond wars in Africa. And, there’s definitely nothing eco-friendly about that. Make sure your diamond is ethically sourced and conflict free.
JEWELRY
Balinese Silverwork is part of an ancient tradition.
The facility where we produce our Bali sterling silver is located in the outskirts of a village called Celuk. Celuk has a tradition of metal work that stretches back many generations. Its craftsmen catered to aristocrats in the nearby court town of Gianyar and the noble houses of Sukawati and Ubud. The process of making Silver jewelry is very complex and hand-crafted only by master silversmith. The silversmiths of Bali must combine skill with silver, torches, and rolling mills. They also create perfect wires for things like beads. The quality of both the wires and the beads combine to create gorgeous articulation. This is one area where the quality of Bali really stands out from the competition. the Silver is some of the most desirable jewelry on the planet. |
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Granulation is perhaps the most distinctive technique of Balinese silver — and with good reason, given its difficulty. To create this ornamentation, the silversmith makes a fine wire of silver and then clips off tiny pieces. The pieces are then melted into tiny spheres and added painstakingly to a piece, often in highly ornate designs. The artisan must work quickly and carefully with the molten silver to ensure consistency of shape and size.
Creativity in using this technique is often sparked by observing the stunning natural beauty of Bali, such as the graceful curl of fern tendrils rising from the jungle floor.
Ketut, a Celuk silversmith and the creator of our beautiful silver jewelry, notes that his “creations are inspired by Balinese art , culture and lifestyle.”
He also said "I hope that our culture and tradition will live on through us. Ours is a simple way of life where we wake up in the morning and have time to play, to talk to our neighbour, perform ceremonies in the traditional way by helping each other.
To be a master in this craft, I try to never give up and believe I am an artist, so whatever I make is a piece of art with great value.”
Creativity in using this technique is often sparked by observing the stunning natural beauty of Bali, such as the graceful curl of fern tendrils rising from the jungle floor.
Ketut, a Celuk silversmith and the creator of our beautiful silver jewelry, notes that his “creations are inspired by Balinese art , culture and lifestyle.”
He also said "I hope that our culture and tradition will live on through us. Ours is a simple way of life where we wake up in the morning and have time to play, to talk to our neighbour, perform ceremonies in the traditional way by helping each other.
To be a master in this craft, I try to never give up and believe I am an artist, so whatever I make is a piece of art with great value.”
HANDBAGS
HANDBAGS
The weaving technique on our Nusa Ata Bag is based on a traditionally defined process.
It is carried out by the craftspeople in the Tenganan village of East Bali. The initial process of creation involved the splitting of the vine which is about 1 m long to create finer pieces for weaving. The splited vines are then immersed in river water for days so as to enhance shaping process. Weaving takes place upon then via the good patience and skill trained hands of the craftspeople. It is very much tightly woven compared to some other loosely woven wicker products.
Ata Reed goods has heat and water resistance as well as insect repelling properties. All these attributes contributed to Ata Reed vines being crowned as one of the finest and toughest naturally woven goods available in the world.
It is carried out by the craftspeople in the Tenganan village of East Bali. The initial process of creation involved the splitting of the vine which is about 1 m long to create finer pieces for weaving. The splited vines are then immersed in river water for days so as to enhance shaping process. Weaving takes place upon then via the good patience and skill trained hands of the craftspeople. It is very much tightly woven compared to some other loosely woven wicker products.
Ata Reed goods has heat and water resistance as well as insect repelling properties. All these attributes contributed to Ata Reed vines being crowned as one of the finest and toughest naturally woven goods available in the world.
DIFFERENT WEAVING QUALITY & PROCESS
THE BOILING PROCESS
It could take up to 48 hrs to boil the bag.
Therefore genuine Ata Bag is water and heat resistant.
THE DRYING PROCESS
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THE SMOKING PROCESS
Only in Bali Ata bags are smoked naturally using coconut husk, the bags remains inside a traditional oven for 24 - 48 hours to add patina and strength.
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THE FINISHING PROCESS
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> Shop our Nusa Ata Bag
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HAT & CLUTCHES