PETALING JAYA: Clutches. Totes. Crossbody or hobo bags. Most women would agree that a handbag is more than something to carry their belongings: it’s also a fashion statement.
A stylish bag can add a touch of glamour to one’s look, very much like the exquisite rose bags by CaroPaya’ Handicraft effortlessly do.
Woven with paper rattan into patterns resembling little roses, the bags reflect the creativity and meticulous workmanship of a talented artisan – Caroline Jokngau, 61, the founder of the business.
Speaking to FMT, she said she first came to know of this type of weaving from a YouTube video and was instantly hooked.
Since the video didn’t teach viewers how to weave a complete bag, she used her imagination instead and taught herself how to do it. “When I finished my first bag, I was so, so happy,” she recalled. That was in 2017.
At that time, Jokngau was selling beaded accessories but faced stiff competition from others with similar products. She was looking for something unique to differentiate herself in the market.
When her friends told her how much they loved her weaved rose bags, she realised that she had found what she was looking for. And CaroPaya’ Handicraft was born.
Jokngau named the bags ‘rose bags’ as the patterns resembled roses. But there is also a deeper meaning.
“For me, the rose patterns represent love, and each piece is made with love,” she shared.
The name of the business, she revealed, was a combination of her name and her late mother’s, Paya’ Uyo’, the woman who taught her how to weave when she was in primary school.
An artisan’s daughter
Describing her mother as “very artistic and creative”, she said: “She was very good in handicrafts, and I would say that she is the best in my community.”
Even back then, Jokngau, who is from the Kayan tribe in Miri, Sarawak, recalled being able to weave complicated patterns under her mother’s patient guidance.
Putting her heart into each bag she weaves, she said she feels particularly satisfied when customers say that they love her bags. Some of them even buy the same bag in five different colours.
The bags are available in three sizes – small, medium, and large. Jokngau shared that she typically takes between one to three days to complete a bag.
Each bag is made using paper rattan. For the handles, she uses bamboo, wood, or steel.
And besides the rose bags, she also sells crochet bags and various beaded accessories.
Balancing her artisan and entrepreneur hats
But Jokngau is not only an artisan, she is also an entrepreneur. And although business has been good, she admitted that being a small business owner was rather challenging.
A major challenge, she revealed, was the increased cost of paper rattan. “That is why I had to increase the price of my bags,” she shared.
Although some customers weren’t too happy, thankfully, her loyal ones understood.
She is also grateful for the support of Persatuan Pembangunan Artisans, an NGO that helps local artisans expand their distribution channel through an online platform, physical stores throughout the Klang Valley and pop-up events.
“They helped me a lot to promote my bags outside of Sarawak. It has increased my sales,” she shared with a smile.
This leaves the artisan with more time to do what she enjoys most: making her handicrafts with love.
Passing on her knowledge, just like her late mother did, is also important to her. As such, in the future, she hopes to teach other women how to weave the rose bags.
Jokngau, who is a mother of four, is particularly pleased that one of her kids has picked up the craft and enjoys weaving with her – just as she did with her late mother.
To women entrepreneurs, she shared: “When you do something, do it with all your heart. We must love what we do, and we must have patience. Then, I believe we will be successful.”
Follow CaroPaya’ Handicraft on Facebook. For more information, contact 013-833 2177.
Read more PPA stories and get to know its artisans here.
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