Lifeline for local artisans
An e-commerce platform started by two Malaysian women aims to help local artisans during the pandemic.
THE Artisans Haven, an e-commerce platform started by two Malaysian women to assist local artisans sell their products during the pandemic, is launching its #Handmadeisheartmade campaign on Aug 18.
During the pandemic, many people have turned to online shopping because physical shops have been closed during the movement control order, particularly in the early phases of the National Recovery Plan (NRP). Many are also cautious about being out in crowded public spaces in view of the high number of daily cases.
Many people have also lost their means of livelihood and some have turned to producing handmade crafts as a lifeline.
“It takes a lot of heart and passion to create something by hand, and many local artisans have turned to their craft as a lifeline when the pandemic hit and livelihoods were lost,” says CEO and curator of the platform, Jade Lee.
To meet this need, “semi-retirees” Lee and Rosalie Lin established The Artisans Haven in May 2020, right in the midst of the pandemic.
“We started out with just 30 tenants and grew to 250 tenants over the months. Currently, we’re growing at a rate of 50 new tenants each month and with a monthly rental of as low as RM25, we expect to cross the 1,000 tenant mark in the next 12 months,” says Lee.
But this is more than just a figure, she adds, revealing that more importantly, the number represents the many families that The Artisans Haven supports.
Caropaya Handicraft owner Caroline Jok
Ngau from Miri,
Sarawak has been selling handmade accessories such as bags, earrings and facemask lanyards online through platform since the first movement control order started.
“Before the pandemic, I would have many groups of visitors, especially through the Department of Agriculture. But, since the MCO started, visitors haven’t been able to come to my premises to view and purchase the products,” she says.
“I’m grateful to The Artisans Haven as they’ve helped to market my products online – through Facebook Live and other channels, and reach a wider audience,” she adds.
“In fact, despite the pandemic having impacted the economy and business being slow, there are still people buying my handmade items, in particular my Rose bag which uses a paper rattan weaving-style resulting in a rose pattern,” says Caroline.
Artist Sashtri Vivekananda of Hand and Brush by Sashtri Art Gallery, has been painting customised portraits for clients for 15 years and most of his clients find him by word of mouth, or through social media like Facebook and Instagram, and also roadshows and exhibitions.
But during the pandemic when such events aren’t possible, most of his orders have come from the platform.
“It has enabled me to showcase my art in a virtual gallery and when people see my work, they often hire me to do customised portraits such as recreating cherished moments together with their loved one who have passed on,” says Sashtri who uses charcoals, and black and white pastels for his paintings.
“I also get orders for customised drawings of famous icons such as superheroes like Darth Maul, a Star Wars character, through the platform,” says Sashtri.
He adds that he also gets requests for animal and pet portraiture.
Nurul Asdiana Mohd Ariff who runs her Tudung Saji Che Ton family business, joined the platform in April this year. Prior to that, Nurul who is home-based, marketed her product – the tudung saji (food cover) which is made of plastic and handwoven using satin ribbon – only through her Facebook page and Whatsapp.
According to Nurul, the platform has been helping artisans such as herself through the difficulties they have encountered in marketing and selling their products during the pandemic.
“The pandemic has impacted business because it’s been difficult to get raw materials to make the tudung saji as shops are closed during the MCOS, and furthermore, sales have decreased because the income of most people has been affected by the MCOS,” she says.
“The platform has helped to introduce and promote my products to a wider audience. They’ve a great e-commerce platform, they not only make the artisans more known to the
public, but
also help increase sales for us artisans,” she adds.
The “virtual shopping mall” also provides a virtual space for artisans to share their stories and the “heart behind their brand and products”.
“With our newly-upgraded e-commerce interface as well as collaborations with corporations and banks, we hope to generate incremental sales of at least Rm1mil in 12 months for our artisan e-tenants,” says Lee.
The website has an all-time view of more than 200,000. Its Facebook page has reached over 300,000 in the last 28 days, with regular Facebook Live sessions to showcase various artisan products.
“Through this platform, we also hope to start a trend for Malaysians to ‘shop artisan’ in support of local businesses and to promote local heritage and culture,” says Lee.
Together with their team, Lee and Lin have been working pro bono, leveraging on their experience and network to create and sustain this e-commerce platform for local artisans.
A portion of the sales from the virtual shopping mall also goes to its #Shopforgood charity campaign to support five NGOS: Beautiful Gate, Community Excel Services (CES), Autistic training, RC Deaf Missions and Penan Healing Hands.