Homemaker turns passion in making rattan handicrafts into profit
A homemaker from Bukit Payong here has turned her passion for producing rattan handicrafts into a lucrative money-making endeavour.
Nur Fitrah Mohd Azizi, 32, an Alor Gajah, Melaka native, said she had been exposed to the world of handicrafts since childhood as her mother, Malati Baharom, 54, and late grandmother were both involved in ‘mengkuang’ (screwpine leaves) weaving, attributing both women for her venture into the mengkuang-weaving world when she was 14.
“At first, my interest was solely in making mengkuang crafts… but when I pursued my studies at the National Craft Institute, no mengkuang-weaving courses were offered.
“I was given the option to choose other craft-making courses such as batik, wood carving…so I chose rattan handicrafts because the method of producing rattan goods and mengkuang products are quite similar. Over time I became more interested in making rattan handicrafts,” she told Bernama when met at her home recently.
After completing her studies in 2013, working out of her home, the mother of three began producing rattan items such as baskets, food covers, chairs and trays.
Her hard work pays well, and her rattan crafts are getting recognised each day, expanding her customer base and allowing her to generate between RM2,000 and RM4,000 per month.
“All my products are sold between RM3 and RM250. The time taken to produce the items varies from one to three days. The price and time taken to finish a product depends on the size and complexity of the items,” she said.
In addition to operating a small stall in front of her house, Nur Fitrah sells her crafts through her TikTok account under ‘Fitrah Fifie Kraftangan’, which has over 25,000 followers.
She expressed gratitude for the support from her husband, Mohamad Yacob Abdul Rashid, 36, who works as a woodcarver.
“My husband understands my passion.
“He also understands that even though I am a homemaker, he needs to help me manage the
household as I am busy making rattan products, packing items for shipping and doing live sessions on TikTok every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning,” she said.
Nur Fitrah said she received guidance, support and materials from the Terengganu Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation.
“Alhamdulillah (Praise to Allah), Kraftangan (Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation) has been very helpful in providing courses for entrepreneurs like me to enhance skills. After each course I get free rattans. This helps me to save on costs for buying raw materials,” she said, adding that she also obtains rattans from local suppliers.
Nur Fitrah harbours a dream of having a workshop to create a comfortable environment for herself and her customers.
She is also willing to accept anyone interested in learning or undergoing practical training to ensure that the art of making rattan handicrafts will remain in the face of modernisation.