#188: How People See Me: My Prowess in Handicrafts

(Photos: Some of my creations: Band uniforms, Antonia's Moana costume on her 9th birthday, a cute dress for a pet poodle, and gown for beauty pageant of my daughter and finally, her wedding gown.)

Greetings to you all ladies of Hive Community and my readers! I chose question no. 2, which is about how people see you and how you wish people saw you. A lady like me who has undergone high and low waters since I was born in this world and who has survived all the turmoil in life will say that I have become what I am today by God’s grace. Without Him, I would have been nothing but a useless human being! I am humbled by this statement because I used to blame the people around me when I was down or when I was being bullied by others when I was a kid, I had no will to defend myself but sulk and cry silently in one corner, blaming my irresponsible parents for my what I have become! But thinking of the past my dear friends, has molded me to become a stronger version of myself and face the world bravely. I have no one to defend me and much more, a real family to stand by my side! Thanks to my education and the consoling words of my friends have become my strength to bravely face what is instilled in me as I face my destiny.

(Photos: My crocheted pouches and sling bag, and DIY maternity bag out of a woolen apron.)

Our teacher in Mathematics once told us that ‘For every problem, there’s a solution’. As I was trying to dig deeply into what she said, I fully agreed with this. Indeed, there’s a solution to every problem! It’s like if you have no money, then look for means and if they bully you, never mind them but strive harder to be your better self! I have had the habit of making beautiful things from scraps which we now call DIYs since I was a kid. I have become sort of a loner I kept myself busy by making rug dolls out of the scraps from the cuttings of my auntie. I can sew by hand in fine stitches being slow in my ways. They even call me “slow foot”!

(Photos: My DIYs, making a bouquet of plastic flowers from recycled softdrink bottles, an old mini bag turned into a beautiful handy bag, a recycled bag, tote bag and blue ruffled dress for my client's poodle.)

I can turn a square foot cloth into a lovely pouch with matching embroidery and cross-stitch which caught the attention of my elders. They would say “She can do it”! My friends appreciated it too. One day, she asked me if I’d like to sell it and that was the beginning of my ‘little’ business without the knowledge of my foster parents. I never asked for pocket money since we were provided with fresh juice from our backyard and pancakes made by them. I began to save my money and put it inside my shell bank made of coconut shells. I learned to draw just by watching others since we were equipped with painting and drawing materials at home. I was drawing a beautiful butterfly which I often see in our garden and I love to draw moths too because I often see them in frames by collectors. Again, my classmates loved it and they would ask me to draw for them in exchange for 10 pieces of pad paper each drawing. I never ran out of writing papers because of that!

(Photos: Beautiful dresses for Antonia. The little girl with red sash is her mom when she was in kinder school.)

I have gained many friends and bullying me gradually turned into friendship because of my art in sewing and drawing. I have become a little entrepreneur myself. It’s the reason why my favorite subjects were Home Economics and Industrial Arts because I learned many things like sewing, embroidery, tatting, crocheting, and even carpentry when I was in Grade VI. My passion in this field was my refuge. I would apply for summer work in our school’s handicraft department for Muslim hand weavers so I will learn how to do it and how bags are made for additional ideas which I was very thankful for.

(Photo: Band Uniform in other school during their showdown. They won.)

I never expected that one day, I will make use of my talent when I have nothing. When I got married, my hubby often left me at home because he was a sailor and there were times when we were short of money that I needed to think about what to do while he was on standby waiting for his next schedule to board his ship. I decided to buy remnants in the market at a much cheaper price. I chose the knitted shawls and cardigans from Japan and dismantled the edgings to make a hand cord and the square shape turned into little pouches or bags and tote bags. My friends loved it and the sellers started to order my products. I even converted the wide woolen skirts into traveling bags and I bought Korean leather overcoats and jackets and turned them into leader bags and knapsacks. Despite my being pregnant, I never ran out of supply. Our neighbors started to ask for my services as they saw my workmanship and admired it. They even began to let me make their curtains, drapes, pillowcases, bed covers, and a lot more. They saw me as an independent woman who knew what to do in times of crisis and I was never ashamed to do this. They would say that my husband could well provide for our financial needs and I told them that it always feels good when you can be of help to the family as well. I feel happy making dresses for my ladies since they were small. When the parents saw that I am sewing their uniforms as well, they began to order sets of uniforms for their kids. That was additional income for me!

(Photo: I made these band uniforms all by myself. I do the cut & sew and I do the designs myself.)

It was a blessing in disguise! I was later well-known in our place for my workmanship during that time. When I went back to do office work, my husband asked me to stay at home instead so I could tend to our growing family and allow me to still do my sewing because he felt that it made me happy with my accomplishments. Yes, I felt satisfied when I finished my work. It was an achievement on my part and making my own money shows my independence!

(Photos: Each school took turns for their schedule for me to accommodate their orders.)

(Photo: Band uniforms of my old client. They change outfit every 3 years.)

Later on, my friend who was the teacher of my kids approached me if I could be of help in making band uniforms in their school. I was overwhelmed! That started my business in band uniforms in different schools which ended last year because we needed to relocate to my daughter’s place. They asked me to stop sewing ‘big time’ because I was getting older and for my welfare. They requested my services again but I regretfully declined. They knew it was my passion and I made big money out of it. When you love doing your work, others will forever admire you for a job well done!

I would say that insecurities are challenges in life to make yourself a better person.!

This is my entry #188 on how others see me as a self sufficient person.

Thank you,

@Sarimanok