AFTER spending nearly two decades crafting traditional accessories and jewellery from pewter, Rosmah Mustafah’s creativity continues to attract women, more so now with Hari Raya Aidlifitri just around the corner.
Renowned for her meticulous and refined craftsmanship, the 65-year-old entrepreneur’s elegant ornaments, such as brooches, dokoh (a traditional necklace), chains and bracelets, reflect a blend of classic and modern elements.
Operating her craft business under the brand Kasturi Heritage & Trading, Rosmah, who is from Sungai Udang, Melaka, believes that adding accessories to traditional attire like baju kurung, kebaya or kebarung can enhance a woman’s appearance.
"One of the ways women can look more beautiful is through clothing and specific accessories,” she said when met by Bernama at an Aidilfitri craft bazaar here recently.
As someone who upholds culture and heritage, Rosmah is focusing on efforts to revive accessories such as dokoh and brooches traditionally worn with baju kurung and kebaya.
This entrepreneur also makes sure that every product she designs and creates carries aesthetic and historical value to reflect the uniqueness of Malaysia’s heritage.
"I take inspiration from old designs and then add value by incorporating new elements such as gemstones and designs of flowers like the hibiscus, ixora, rose or kesidang (bread flower), making them look more modern and exclusive,” she said, adding the ornaments she makes are resistant to rust, thanks to the 98 percent pure pewter she uses.
Each accessory also goes through a gold-plating process as pewter can tarnish over time without it, she explained.
Rosmah, who operates a workshop in Alor Gajah, Melaka, said she gained her skills through a special course she attended under the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) in 2004.
Her products are available in four colour variations, namely gold, antique gold, silver and antique silver, she said, adding she also receives orders for souvenir items from government agencies, private firms, corporate companies and individuals.
Priced as low as RM10 and up to RM450 a piece, depending on its size and design, Rosmah’s products are facing tough competition from Chinese and Korean items, which are offered at lower prices.
Nevertheless, her creations remain in high demand, especially during festive seasons, due to their superior craftsmanship and quality.
"Sometimes, when we buy imported brooches, their pins can be rather fragile and break easily. Our brooches have pins that are attached using the soldering technique, and each item we make and sell comes with a lifetime warranty," she said, adding one of her biggest challenges is the rising cost of raw materials.
She also hoped the younger generation would continue the legacy of pewter craftsmanship as artisans in this field are becoming increasingly scarce.
"I want to see more young people venturing into this field because pewter crafting is a valuable heritage that needs to be preserved, otherwise this industry may one day disappear," she said. - BERNAMA