Molly Robert Biren’s handcrafted floral beadwork had captured the attention of many passers-by here in 10th mile, Padawan. Its detailed workmanship allows the flower bouquet to resemble the original. This floral beadwork, made entirely of beads and acrylic materials, makes a great decorative ornament for those who adore flowers but are unable to commit to caring for them.
She was amazed when she first saw a floral beadwork in 2017. The artwork’s beauty drew her in.
“At the time, I was in Mersing, Johor. My husband is in the army, so I spent a lot of time with the other soldiers’ wives. I first saw the floral beadwork in one of the houses.”
Fond of pretty things, Molly told her friend of her interest in handicrafts, “she then immediately showed me how to make it. The method of creating it, as well as the style and shape, piqued my interest.” Molly was driven to continue after she finished a tree of flowers — until she had too much to keep.
Her stall in Padawan
Molly and her family went home at the end of 2017 following her husband’s retirement. Every Saturday, the 41-year-old opens a stall at the 10th-Mile market. Selling for an average price of RM180 per pot, Molly also offers bead artworks such as bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and keychains.
“I only recently began selling since I have too much to keep. But I don’t sell every day since I have to balance my business with my household chores.”
The mother of three struggled to sell her handmade goods at first.
“But one day, my neighbour in Johor saw it and thought it was lovely. She asked if she might buy it from me. She then told all of her friends about it.”
The money she earns becomes an additional source of income. Molly revealed that she aspires to be independent as a housewife.
“I don’t want to sit around doing nothing while my husband works. Furthermore, I can be pleased and content with my earnings. I can also feel more confident because I know I have a path I can take for improvement.”
When asked about her daily schedule, Molly said that she would sit down to do her floral beadwork after she finished her daily chores.
“Usually, I’ll do it while my son is doing his homework. I work on my beadwork while ensuring he completes them.”
Enjoyment outweighs the challenges
Though crafting floral beadwork can be relaxing and therapeutic, Molly shared a few challenges she faces while doing so.
“I grew short-sighted as a result of my concentration on making these crafts. On days when I need to rush an order, I may suffer from sleep deprivation if the customer wants it right away. Despite this, I kept going because I enjoyed it.”
Another issue she faces is a scarcity of high-quality materials in Kuching and Johor.
“When I first started doing beadwork, I realised that the aluminium wire I bought in Johor was of poor quality. The coil’s coat easily peels, and it’s not as sturdy as I’d like it to be.”
Molly would go to a supply shop in Negeri Sembilan to get the items during her time in Johor. She had no option when she returned to Sarawak.
“I had to ask a friend to get the items I needed from Negeri Sembilan and then mail them to my house here. A kilogramme of aluminium wire might cost as much as RM30. A kilogramme will cost you RM20 in postage. This raises the price of my craft.
“Although I don’t make much money from this floral beadwork, it doesn’t matter because I do it to pass the time after I do my housework,” she said.
Intricately designed
Each beading is beautifully created, as Molly would go to great lengths to recreate the bouquet’s original design. Floral beading lasts longer because of how it is done, as she reveals that she used cement to hold the artwork in the pot.
“I used cement instead of a sponge. That’s why my flowerpots are so heavy!”
Molly explained that she does not use a sponge since it can disintegrate and make a mess. It also does not keep the flowers in place well.
The Iban lady added that larger and more complex pieces can take her up to a week or more to finish. As for a smaller and easier piece, she said that she simply needed a day or two.
“I’ll have to wind the aluminium wire one by one to make the stems and petals. Because I want it more detailed, I prefer the tree to be filled with flowers.”
Molly would normally put the flowers together first, then choose a suitable pot before pouring in the cement. Finally, she would place the flower tree in the pot and allow it to dry.
Molly hopes to be able to open a handicraft shop in the future that will house all of the crafts she has previously created. However, for the time being, she is gradually promoting floral beadwork among the local community, as it is not a popular handicraft here.
