By: Choirul Fuadi)*
CIDISS – The government of Kotawaringin Timur regency has decided Jelawat fish as the icon of the Sampit. In fact, the decision has brought many advantages to people. One of the advantages is handicraft.
Jelawat fish is produced in many products such as abon (shredded meat) till handicraft. In the beginning, Board of Fishery Kotawaringin Timur regency invites and monitors people of kotawaringin Timur to produce abon and Kerupuk (Chip) which has made from Jelawat fish.
In a day, people are able to make abon which used 25 kg Jelawat fish. Other problems arise after production. The problems are Jelawat fish scale. Obstacle becomes opportunity, and then Ani took the opportunity to maximize the potency.
As in kalteng prokal.co, Ani who is handicraft maker, collect the Jelawat fish scale after production of Abon, she made it into handicraft. “Firstly, we make Brooch,” ani said.
In explain how to make brooch from Jelawat scale, she said quite easy. Firstly, fish scale soaks and wash by soap for two or three days. After the odor of fish disappears, then coloring the scale as you tasted. After that, one by one the scale is arranged in flower form.
In the process, brooch with flower design takes about 12 – 15 minutes. The process is fast because no need certain pole and based only on imagination. In one day, it can be produced 50 brooches.
The Brooch sells for IDR 8.000 – 15.000. “The order usually come from boards (government parties) as souvenirs, and order from souvenir shops,” she said.
As the result, she takes high profit by the selling of brooch. She said, about 4 million rupiah each month.
Now, after four year sell brooch, Rumah Kerajinan Jelawat Souvenir has created many crafts, such flower and tissue box.