'Kemlandingan' shells made into handicrafts<\/p>\n
By Simon Sudarman<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Nuryanto defines artwork as \"something simple
\nand almost useless made useful and valuable.\"<\/p>\n
The countryside bachelor makes earthenware vessels and
\npandanus handicrafts as a profession. He became an artisan after
\nhe became concerned over the enormous wastage of materials in
\nhandicraft-making.<\/p>\n
\"This idea struck me not long ago when I went to a number of
\nhandicraft exhibitions. When I saw the items on display, I felt
\nchallenged, as a villager, to turn everything around me into
\nsomething useful and valuable,\" he said.<\/p>\n
With this principle as his point of departure, Yanto, his
\nnickname, has made, out of the shells of kemlandingan seeds and
\ndry banana leaves, various kinds of handicrafts which can be used
\nas household articles.<\/p>\n
\"Everything from nature is useful. It depends on us to choose
\nhow to tap this potential,\" said Yanto, who has completed a
\ntechnical secondary school.<\/p>\n
Born in 1978, Yanto, who lives in Gerselo hamlet, Bantul
\nregency, some 20 km to the south of Yogyakarta, makes 15 kinds of
\nhandicraft ranging from ashtrays, ballpoint stands, souvenir
\ncases to tissue boxes.<\/p>\n
These articles are made of materials considered waste by his
\nfellow villagers, and some other auxiliary materials, such as
\nglue, cardboard and agel, thread made from fan palm leaves. These
\nitems may be used for household purposes or, also, as decoration.<\/p>\n
They are easy to make. First, he selects the shells of
\nkemlandingan seeds or dry banana leaves with a bright color. Then
\nthese are cut into the pieces desired and are then glued onto any
\nchoice of objects as an outer covering. Then, if I choose my own
\ndesign, I first draw the design on a piece of cardboard and glue
\nthe cut pieces of the shells of kemlandingan seeds or dry banana
\nleaves onto the design.<\/p>\n
\"This covering is quite durable,\" said Yanto, who began this
\nbusiness in 1997. Now, his handicrafts are sold, through
\nhandicraft dealers, to customers across Java and Bali.<\/p>\n
\"The trouble is that it is difficult to get the bright-colored
\nshells of kemlandingan seeds and dry banana leaves during the wet
\nseason. Most are dull-colored and not pleasant to look at when
\nturned into handicrafts,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Better<\/p>\n
Yanto, who says that he earns a handsome income now, began his
\nbusiness with only Rp 100,000. At first, he did everything by
\nhimself. He could find the raw materials easily: in rice fields,
\non river banks and in the fields.<\/p>\n
\"The raw materials are easily available. You don't have to pay
\nfor them. Even the owner of the fields or rice fields will be
\nhappy because this way you take away their \"waste\",\" he said. The
\nfirst articles he made were table tissue boxes, souvenir cases
\nand ballpoint stands.<\/p>\n
When these articles were ready, he left them with the
\nmerchants for whom he worked before. These articles were sold out
\nand in a month he could get three sizable orders.<\/p>\n
As the work was too much to handle alone, he asked some of his
\nfellow villagers to help him. Now he has three assistants. When
\nhe has a lot of orders he will hire as many as eight freelancers.
\nThese youngsters have only an elementary or junior high school
\neducation but to Yanto educational background doesn't matter as
\nlong as they can work conscientiously, patiently, creatively and
\nartistically. Generally, they will need one to two months of
\ntraining and afterwards they can be on their own.<\/p>\n
\"Now, the villagers realize that what used to be called waste
\ncan be useful. Therefore, they collect the shells of kemlandingan
\nseeds or dry banana leaves and sell them to earn an extra
\nincome,\" he said merrily.<\/p>\n
You can have one kilogram of dry banana leaves and banana
\nplant stalks as well as a bagful of the shells of kemlandingan
\nseeds at Rp 6,000. Glue, cardboard and other auxiliary materials
\nare usually bought in Yogyakarta. In a day he can make some 20
\ntable tissue boxes or 25 souvenir cases. Productivity depends on
\nthe kinds of handicrafts he makes.<\/p>\n
Prices range from Rp 2,500, for the price of a wedding
\nsouvenir, to Rp 25,000. His turnover per month averages Rp 5
\nmillion and he spends some Rp 800,000 to cover labor costs and
\nraw materials.<\/p>\n
Yanto's assistants work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They have an
\nhour's break and earn between Rp 4,500 and Rp 5,000 a day
\ndepending on their skill and the quality of the handicrafts they
\nmake.<\/p>\n
\"True, the wages are still below the standard. This is only a
\nsmall-scale business and this is good for my friends as otherwise
\nthey will remain jobless,\" Yanto said.<\/p>\n
Attention<\/p>\n
As a small-scale artisan, Yanto knows that his main handicap
\nis capital, especially if he receives large orders at the same
\ntime.<\/p>\n
\"It is difficult to develop this business without the
\ninjection of capital. We work only when there is money.
\nSometimes, I make up a reason in order to receive advance
\npayments. I use this money as additional capital, otherwise
\nbusiness would grind to a halt. Only after I receive payment for
\nthe first order can I proceed with the second. In this way, all
\norders can be dealt with,\" he said with a note of deep concern.<\/p>\n
Although he needs additional capital, Yanto has never tried to
\napply for a loan because he is ignorant of the procedures. He
\nhopes that a relevant government agency will pay attention to
\nthis matter.<\/p>\n
\"I'm sure that as long as good quality is maintained and
\nsimple materials from the village are used, the handicrafts will
\nhave their own uniqueness and will continue to be in demand
\nbecause of their environmentally friendly nature,\" he said, full
\nof conviction.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kemlandingan-shells-made-into-handicrafts-1447893297",
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