Creative ideas using recycled materials generate lucrative income for housewife
Who would have thought that crafting items from discarded materials could generate an income of thousands of ringgit?
KUALA PILAH - What began as a simple hobby has transformed into a thriving business for Norpadila Afandi, 42, a housewife from Kampung Temaris.
Who would have thought that crafting items from discarded materials could generate an income of thousands of ringgit? Norpadila never imagined repurposing old and unused materials, particularly wood, would gain such popularity. Today, she is inundated with orders and has even developed a loyal fan base.
The mother of four shared that, with a creative touch, discarded wood - often considered worthless - can be transformed into beautiful decorative items with monetary and sentimental value.
"It all started with having a house with a 'farmhouse' concept, blending English-style elegance with traditional Malay elements. I began by crafting furniture for my home, including chairs, tables, cupboards, and wall decorations, using repurposed materials.
"From there, I expanded into creating home decorations from old wood sourced from various places. These items require minimal investment yet offer high aesthetic value, exuding a vintage charm," she told Bernama.
Kuala Pilah-born Norpadila Afandi said that she never expected her seemingly ordinary creations to become so popular, providing a steady income and significantly boosting her family’s finances.
Among her most sought-after products are egg holders, key racks, wooden tables, decorative plates, wooden trays, and coffee tables made from used tyres. These items are sold at reasonable prices, ranging from RM40 to RM800.
Norpadila said that while most of her orders come from local customers, her unique decorative pieces have also captured the interest of international buyers from countries like Brunei and Singapore, with items delivered via postal services.
“Alhamdulillah, I now earn a five-figure income from crafting items like old wood, used tyres, and small wooden scraps collected in our workshop,” she said, adding that each order takes between two and five days to complete, depending on the design and size.
Known as NorpadilaDiyCrafter on TikTok, she has also gained recognition as a content creator. Her expertise in designing creative and affordable home decorations continues to attract a growing number of followers on social media.
Norpadila said she prefers creating her own home decorations, wardrobe cabinets, and furniture using second-hand materials, aligning with her commitment to environmental sustainability.
In addition to repurposing used items, she also shares home decoration ideas using department store products, transforming them into extraordinary pieces with her 'magical' touch.
“Beautiful home decor doesn’t necessarily be expensive. These ideas are practical, easy to follow, and perfect for anyone looking to beautify their home affordably with just a bit of creativity,” she said, adding that many of her followers enthusiastically respond by sharing photos of their creativity, proving that her methods are accessible to anyone.
“When followers tag me on social media and share photos of what they’ve made using my ideas, it’s incredibly rewarding. It shows that I’m not the only one doing it, there are people out there who are following my approach and achieving success,” she said.
She said her purpose is to inspire young people to explore their creativity, demonstrating that it doesn’t take a large budget to create beautiful decorative products. - BERNAMA
