Traditional accessory business is one of Sarawak’s most successful industries. Usun Collection owner Luciana Usun Lenjau, a mother of two and a full-time government employee, has been selling her unique accessories since 2017 and has shown no signs of slowing down.
Turning hobby into a successful business
The Land of the Hornbills is well recognised for selling unique accessories from its different ethnic groups.
These accessories are ideal for wearing with traditional costumes on any occasion, such as a festive occasion or a wedding ceremony.
However, the accessories can also be worn without the traditional costumes, as long as they are appropriate for the occasion.
Luciana Usun Lenjau, 48, displayed some of her stunning accessories, including traditional Orang Ulu earrings, necklaces, and even a modern tango, during the Gawai Bazaar, which was held in June this year.
New Sarawak Tribune met with her to discuss her collections, business path, and how she combined traditional accessory making with her own original concepts and creativity.
Began as a hobby
Luciana said that it all started when she was just making accessories in her spare time while she wasn’t working or didn’t have anything else to do.
“Initially, I’m designing it for my own collection, but after I do so, all of my friends are so impressed that they request me to create more of it.
“I started making other crafts and accessories as a result, starting with just those two items. I later made necklaces and the modern tango,” she said.
She had no idea the accessories she started producing five years ago would grow into the fully developed business as it is now.
Design from her perspective
When it comes to crafting traditional accessories, there are many criteria that must be observed, from selecting the materials to the design process.
For Luciana, she continues to use traditional methods to create the accessories. On the other hand, she desires to design using her own ideas and perspectives.
“Most of the time, I base it on what I’ve observed and heard from others. And, while some of my products are more traditional in nature, I usually combine them with modern touches.
“For example, several of the woven baskets you’ve seen were purchased first, and then I customised them. I just want it to be unique,” she added.
Types of accessories and its prices
Usun Collection includes a variety of beads, earrings, necklaces, woven baskets, and even sling bags.
According to the size, height, and width, the costs for the woven baskets and sling bags can range from RM60 to RM220.
While the prices for the necklaces are similar to those for the woven baskets, depending on the materials used for the necklaces.
The cost of the earrings, which come in a variety of unique colours and earring shapes, is usually RM25 for a set.
She added that despite the fact that the cost of materials has been increasing due to the current global economic situation, she has made an effort to keep the pricing of each of her products unchanged.
“That being said, if other craft makers change their prices, I will have to follow suit in accordance with market rates,” she said.
Challenges and her aspirations
During the COVID-19 pandemic, most businesses were halted and it was difficult to survive.
According to Luciana, sales were received much less favourably than in the previous years she had started making it.
“I’m quite pleased that everything is now okay, especially since it is also the shift to the endemic phase, and that people are finally shopping and looking for crafts, so I’m very happy,” she said.
When asked what she hoped people would like the most when purchasing her goods, she responded that as long as they appreciate the quality of her work and the product, everything should be fine.
“Because most of my clients are often family friends, including my children and I, we have friends who have purchased from us.
“Now, our friends have passed the news to their friends, and they have come to us and purchased it, and they are quite happy with it. Then they return and place another order. Also, as long as the price is reasonable, even if everything nowadays is pricey, I hope I can keep it. I want everyone of my consumers to be pleased and satisfied with my product,” she added.
Word of advice for craftmakers
Her business’s path had many ups and downs and was nothing short of extraordinary. For 25 years, she worked full-time as the assistant surveyor in the Department of Survey and Mapping at the Sultan Iskandar building in Kuching. This allowed her to develop her pastime into a successful business.
When asked about advice for anyone looking to start a business, she just answered that if they are enthusiastic about their pastime, they should just do it.
“Why not just do it for side money if you have the skills and creativity to do so? Having that kind of income would also be beneficial to us,” she said.
She also said that, once she had the necessary resources, she wished to one day open her own craft shop.
“I know I’ve been doing this for a while, but I really hope one day I could open my own shop so that it would be easy for me to sell the crafts. Moreover, it can be difficult to find people to handle the business while I’m working, but once I have all the resources to do so, I hope I can manage it later,” said Luciana.
