JAKARTA – Amazing. That was the expression given by Arini Khoiriah (49), owner of Natureline, who was invited by the National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) of Central Java Province to participate in the Kriyanusa exhibition at the Jakarta Convention Center, September 13-17, 2023.

For this event, she brought aromatherapy products, including candles, diffuser oils, perfumes, and her newest product, linen spray. To attract visitors' attention, Arini deliberately lit aromatherapy, making the Central Java Dekranasda booth smell fragrant.

So happy, extraordinary. The feel—hopefully successful, selling well, our products and those of our friends successful, selling well, said the artisan from Ampel, Boyolali.

Arini revealed that the support provided by the Central Java Provincial Government was outstanding, including promotion through the Lapak Ganjar social media platform.

My products have become more well-known, and I even got a reseller from outside the province. Online promotion has really proven to be beneficial, she said.

The same sentiment was expressed by Septy Kandhimas, owner of Etnik-K Indonesia. Having started an upcycling business with burlap waste 2.5 years ago, she feels grateful to have passed the curation process and be part of the Central Java Dekranasda booth.

She added that her business of recycling burlap into fashion products—ranging from bags and clothing to shoes—carries a strong storytelling element about environmental consciousness. She utilizes burlap sack waste to promote Indonesia’s go green movement while increasing the waste’s market value.

Septy said her products are quite unique. To enhance their quality, she combines burlap sacks with genuine leather, batik ecoprint, and other premium materials, all handcrafted.

My products also have an ethnic feel, like going back to the past, the Flintstones era, said the woman from Solo.

Septy hopes that participating in Kriyanusa will expand the market for her products, and if possible, help her gain resellers from other provinces or even overseas.

This is my first time (joining Kriyanusa). I'm a newbie, but there’s always a way. Dekranasda is amazing, a gathering place for creative friends—crafters, artisans—with extraordinary craft products, she stated.

For reference, the Kriyanusa exhibition was opened by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, accompanied by the Chairperson of Dekranas, Wury Ma'ruf Amin. Also present was the Acting Chairperson of Central Java Dekranasda, Shinta Nana Sudjana. (Ul, Central Java Communication and Information Agency)