Pretty cushions the latest export item in Yogya
Pretty cushions the latest export item in Yogya
By Singgir Kartana
YOGYAKARTA (JP): "Never ever sit on a pillow or you will get
boils all over your buttocks," so Javanese parents used to advise
their children.
This rather superstitious belief is intended to ensure that
children will always maintain decency because, according to
Javanese custom, it is improper to sit on a pillow. A pillow is
only for the head to rest on and not for the buttocks to sit on.
Of course, this belief does not apply to cushions, especially
when the cushion cover is make from woven material or batik, such
as those produced by some cushionmakers in Yogyakarta.
"Pretty pillows," so called because of their pretty design and
motifs, may be rectangular, square, round, oval or even heart-
shaped.
Apart from the design variation, these cushions are decorated
with tiny accessories made from water hyacinth stems, coconut
shells, colorful threads, fragrant roots and silkworm cocoons.
The water hyacinth stems, for example, are cut up into thick
slices which are then knitted into an ornament for a cushion
case. Coconut shells are made into objects like buttons which are
then placed in the four corners of a cushion case.
The cushions, which are in high demand, are found in many
souvenir shops in Yogyakarta. Cushions made of woven material
sell well because of their unique texture and natural colors.
Local and foreign tourists visiting Yogyakarta like the
cushions, which are also found in foreign markets, such as in
Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, the Netherlands and Australia.
Unfortunately, according to one cushionmaker, Lisa Damayanti,
35, these cushions have yet to be exported on a large scale. So
far they have been dispatched abroad at the request of tourists
visiting Yogyakarta.
She said hotels in Indonesia also purchase the cushions.
"Unlike domestic buyers, who prefer bright and rather striking
colors, foreign buyers have a penchant for natural colors. At my
place, cushions made of woven materials sell best of all," said
Lisa, who also owns Rumah Cantik (Beautiful House) Gallery in
Yogyakarta.
Woven cloth is bought in Pekalongan. The batik for batik
cushions is bought in Surakarta. Some cushionmakers weave the
cloth themselves. Yanto, another cushionmaker, for example, has
10 people weaving cloth for him. He only buys cloth in Pekalongan
or Surakarta if he receives a lot of orders.
Lisa's sales are quite high -- about 3,500 cushions a month.
Prices vary depending upon the accessories used as decoration.
Most cushionmakers sell their products for between Rp 25,000 and
Rp 35,000.
Besides Lisa there are other cushionmakers whose sales are
quite high. Yanto, 41, who runs his business in Mantrijeron, says
he sells at least 2,000 cushions per month.
Mariyanto, 51, whose place of business is in Bantul, can sell
about 2,500 cushions a month. Lisa, Yanto and Mariyanto also make
tablecloths, curtains, carpets and bed covers from woven
materials. The cushions are a recent addition to their product
lines.
"Only about five years ago these pretty cushions began selling
well. Previously, only souvenirs made from water hyacinth stems,
banana stems and frond midribs, such as bags, tissue box covers
and artificial flowers, sold well," said Mariyanto.
As a household handicraft business, the sales volume of these
cushions is quite big. Lisa earns over Rp 100 million a month,
while Yanto earns about Rp 60 million a month and Mariyanto about
Rp 70 million a month.
What makes these cushions attractive? Ellen, 22, a tourist
hailing from Brisbane, Australia, said at Mariyanto's workshop
that the cushions were quite cheap and quite artistic in design.
To augment their sales volume, the cushionmakers take part in
exhibitions and distribute brochures. Lisa also has a website at
Rajawali@indo.net.id.