Adi Lina adds her personal touch
DETERMINATION and dedication will take you where you need to be. Adi Lina Motea of Namelimeli Village in Namosi spent a year perfecting her craft and with the desire to support her family, she succeeded.
“I started this journey just last year, and the response has been overwhelming. It’s fascinating to see how much can be achieved in a short span. “Bleaching material and hand-sewing has proven to be not only creatively fulfilling but also economically rewarding.
“I lived on weaving mats, but I found that it took less time and effort when I sewing or bleaching material,” she said.
The single mum’s sewing process takes her to Toorak, where she carefully selects Pako material for her tablecloths. The meticulous hand-stitching process sets her creations apart, adding a personal touch to each piece.
“I find joy in transforming ordinary materials into functional and beautiful pieces. Each creation is a bi-product of a process that demands patience and dedication.
“I use a machine for certain processes, the essence of my work lies in the intricate details that come from hand-sewing,” she says.
The pricing of her creations reflects the dedication poured into each item. A complete set, inclusive of table runners, is priced at $80. Adi Lina takes pride in her attention to detail, ensuring that customers receive not just a product but a piece of art.
Beyond tablecloths, Adi Lina extends her craft to bleaching linen, a skill she developed using materials from Chotubhai.
“Compared to crafting tablecloths, bleaching allows me to be more time efficient. I can bleach approximately 10 pieces of clothing in a day.”
The demand for Adi Lina’s creations extends beyond the local community. She says that she has been fortunate to also receive orders from overseas. The mother says that it is fulfilling to know that her work resonates with people overseas.
The sulu she crafts are particularly popular, priced at a reasonable $20. The Namelimeli villager said she has seen the benefits of her current work. Adi Lina urges others to recognise the value they possess.
“We often waste time talking and doing nothing. We’ve been given time and talents to make a living, and through this craft, I’ve become my own boss, taking the time to hone my skills and maximise my earnings.”
Adi Lina’s journey is more than a tale of craftsmanship; it’s a story of empowerment and success, showcasing the potential that lies within each of us to create, inspire, and prosper.