As a fulltime housewife at that time, she admitted that her original purpose was only to gain side income and filling free times at home.

“Day by day, my interest emerged because I got money from my own handwork.”

“I keep that money and buy basic materials such as beads and other necessities, I keep making them until I managed to gather a few packs.”

“Then I will try to sell to friends and also at the weekly market, I am thankful because of the encouraging response.”

“Starting from there, I keep on focusing and gives attention to the making of Traditional Clothes Bead Making Craft and skills class,” she said to FH Media when contacted.

According to the 41 years old woman, after her beads handicraft got better known, she started marketing them online in social media throughout Sabah, Malaysia, and abroad but since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (PKP), she marketed her product at EKraf Bazaar.

When asked how she developed her skills in craft making, she told that she had participated in lessons through agencies, the Ministry of Rural Development, Perbadanan  Kraftangan Malaysia Yayasan Sabah, and several other non-governmental organizations.

Aside from family supports, she also receives lots of supports from KPLB Sabah, Kraftangan Malaysia, and Ranau District Office to widen her company, Jusnah Craft Enterprise that brings the brand ‘Dalai’.

“Since I started operating seriously in 2005, I have been given few awards at which in 2016 I was given the Youth Icon Award, 2018 Entrepreneur Award, and in 2019 got Anugerah Tokoh Usahawan Wanita.”

“I have my own community, if we get many orders, I will divide the orders for them to finish and with this method also, I can help my community to add a bit of their income.”

“The challenge I faced during my time in this field was the handicrafts competition from abroad and the lack of raw materials where I had to go to Kota Kinabalu city center to get materials.”

“I hope that what I am working on will be more widespread and expect more success in the future.”

“My future planning is definitely to expand this enterprise and realized my dream.”

“I also hope that more future generations can ventures into this field so that the skills in this craft art are always maintained and not extinct.”

“I also hope friends that are out there can cultivate the spirit of love for crafts because the art is beautiful and you will not lose anything, instead if you do it seriously, you will get satisfying results,” she said, concluding the conversation.

English Translation by Agnes RD