Local crafts attract foreign buyers

Local crafts attract foreign buyers

By Heru Prasetyo

YOGYAKARTA (JP): In 1979, Tarmudi still worked as a carpenter
and helped with hoeing on his neighbor's farm. Now, he has 70
employees and provides a livelihood for hundreds of other workers
through the production of place mats and other plaited items.

"My capital in starting this business was zero," the junior
high school graduate recalled at his home in Kedungprahu village
in Minggur district, Sleman regency, some 20 kilometers west of
Yogyakarta.

Previously, the 51-year-old had a hard and uncertain life,
doing whatever he could to earn a living for his new family. He
got married after graduating from school at the age of 15,
without any job. His wife was also unemployed.

His big break came in 1979 when he started producing various
ceramic items, such as vases and statues. The ceramic business
kept him busy as he was involved in most aspects of the
production process -- from creating the design to adding the
finishing touches.

At the same time, Tarmudi also started producing mats made out
of mendong, a kind of grass. However, he felt that the mat-making
work would not be capable of supporting himself and his family
since many other people in his village also earned their living
by producing similar mats -- a skill that has been passed down
from generation to generation.

It was not until 1984 that Tarmudi and his wife started
developing mendong mats into more attractive pieces, such as
place mats.

"I received a direct order from the United States for the
place mats," said Tarmudi proudly.

Starting with the place mats, Tarmudi now produces around 25
kinds of plaited items made not only from mendong, but also from
five other materials, such as rami (jute) and pandanus leaf.

For instance, he currently produces waste baskets, lamp
shades, flower vases, bags, tables, chairs, room partitions and
many more.

And his new business is flourishing with demand increasing all
the time. Tarmudi decided to wind up his ceramic business in
1990. Although there was still demand for the ceramic products he
produced, he decided instead to focus on the plaited works.

Prices for his products vary. Simple place mats made out of
mendong range from Rp 2,500 to Rp 8,000 each, while a four-seat
dining table set is offered at Rp 1 million.

Room partitions measuring 180 centimeters in height and 50
centimeters in width made out of akar wangi (perfumed grass) are
sold for Rp 50,000 each. Frames for the partitions can be made
from bamboo or timber, depending on the order. The use of high
quality wood for a partition might boost the price to Rp 500,000.

"Now, I'm making room partitions from gading (ivory colored
bamboo) that I get specially from Tasikmalaya in West Java," said
Tarmudi.

The raw materials for producing the craft works also vary in
price. A kilogram of jute, for instance, is bought for Rp 17,000
per kilogram, while mendong is purchased at the cheaper price of
Rp 14,000 per kilogram. Dried akar wangi costs Rp 15,000 per
kilogram.

"Apart from bamboo, all the raw materials are bought from
people in my neighborhood," Tarmudi said.

So far, he has had no problems in obtaining the raw materials
for his business. "Anytime I need it, I just buy it. That
simple," said Tarmudi, who needs between 500 kilograms and a ton
of jute per week.

Besides marketing his products domestically, Tarmudi also
receives orders for his work from abroad, such as from Germany,
Japan, Malaysia and the United States.

For instance, he just sent various products worth around Rp 34
million to Malaysia in March. He has also completed ten units of
room partitions on foot of an order from Japan.

Moreover, through his broker in Bali, he sends 200 place mats
to the United States every week.

Tarmudi said he would be overwhelmed by the growing demand if
he only relied on his own employees. Therefore, he has set up a
collaboration deal with some partners in Tasikmalaya in West Java
and also in Sleman, Kulonprogro and Bantul in Yogyakarta. Each
partner has dozens of employees.

Despite the success of his business, Tarmudi still runs it in
a simple fashion. For instance, he does not keep business
records, such as for his monthly raw materials' requirements. He
also does not keep track of his assets.

All he can say is that he has 48 manual weaving devices worth
Rp 400,000 per unit and spends between Rp 2 million and Rp 4
million to pay his workers every week.

"I buy the materials if I need them, and I meet the demand if
it's there," he explained.