Book & The Arts

Photo : Firmansyah/TNOL

Today, many of craftsmen utilize the waste of teak roots as livelihood. Perhaps, we can find it at every exhibition. There is a form of ornamental, table and chairs, or other forms of handicraft.

Why is that? The answer is none other is because the market demand of this craft is quiet high. Not only demanded by the domestic market but also the international market.

Photo : Firmansyah/TNOL

That's what Suprapto said, a newbie to the teak root craft. Admittedly, he only equipped by the artistic talent and high optimism, he was able to retrieve the portion of the old rivals.

The young entrepreneur which held economic scholars is started in craft world since June 2009. Previously, he was just a supplier of teak roots directly from the forest to the Korean craft-man in his hometown in Cepu, Blora, Central of Java.

Photo : Firmansyah/TNOL

At that time, he isn't interested yet to be a craft-man. However, the profit margin determined by the Korean artisan was so limited, then he finally shifted to be a craft-man. The reason is because he was tempted by the export potential of the teak roots.

"After I gained knowledge from the Korean, One thing that I learned is how smooth was the work he made, it's different from the local craft-men work which is so rough," Suprapto said.

According to him, to refine the teak required specific techniques with special equipment so the results should be fine and neat, although it takes a long time. Every movement of the sand paper should be adapted with the fibers grooves of the roots.

Photo : Firmansyah/TNOLA set of chair and table in glow nuance (3 chairs and table with an approximately 3 meter of diameter) worth for 25 million rupiah, while a set of chair and table (2 meter of diameter) with black nuance worth for 8 million rupiahs.

Photo : Firmansyah/TNOL

"One more thing, we use to re-spraying the product to have perfect color. Before the painting process, the roots must also be completely dry so the mold will not appear between these roots," explained Suprapto.

Now the antique teak roots entrepreneur also produces displayed accessories as well as flower vases made of teak roots. But, the stuffs were ordered from other craft-men and the finishing touch will be conducted at his workshop in Pesona Anggrek Housing, Block D14/14, Harapan Jaya, Bekasi.