Vacationers pass the time with alternative creative activities

Yuli Tri Suwarni ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Bandung   |  Sat, 07/04/2009 12:59 PM  |  The Archipelago

Ten-year-old Salsabila has finally fulfilled her dream of creating and painting herself a bag during the current school holidays.

The fifth-grader from SD Al-Fath elementary school in Cibinong, Bogor, is proud about being able to show her friends the bag when school resumes in two weeks' time.

She said it was the first time she had made the handicraft, after her mother, Indri, 36, brought her and her younger brother to the Crayon handicraft and hobby center on Jl. Aceh in Bandung.

"I'm pleased I could finish the bag myself, in addition to the help from others," said Salsabila, who refused to part with the canvas bag she has just drawn, during her journey home.

While Salsabila was making a bag, her brother, Raja Ibrahim, 8, surprised the family with his woollen doll.

His mother, uncle and aunt, who joined them on the trip to the Crayon handicraft and hobby center, were relieved upon finding the doll, a black-and-white spotted cow-shaped brown puppet, was not a Barbie or Cinderella look-alike.

Raja placed his hand inside the puppet and deftly played with it by making a number of face expressions.

"We sometimes don't know our children's real potential and creativity," Indri said.

"I never knew Raja was interested in playing with puppets."

Indri said her family had since last Thursday spent the holiday at her mother's in Situ Batu, Buah Batu, Bandung.

However, her children insisted that they go out every day, so she took them to different places each day, recommended to her by relatives in Bandung.

"I hope the vacation is worthwhile and provides them with new experiences," Indri said.

"It shouldn't all be about modern recreational places or museums, which I think are dull, or only eating out at nice places."

Another group of vacationers spending their time in Bandung, Anabel and her friends, preferred to learn pottery and glass painting at Studio 181 on Jl. Taman Pramuka No. 181.

They didn't mind getting their hands dirty with clay to create pots, small cups and animal- and flower-shaped ceramics.

Studio manager Gunawan Permana said the earthenware, such as cups, pencil holders and animal ornaments, were things that children were keen on making.

"They are the easiest to make because they only apply the squeeze and pinch technique - a basic technique in pottery," he said.

While waiting for their children, the parents also amused themselves at the two places.

Syumeiraty Rashando, 33, the proprietor of the Crayon handicraft and hobby center, said he had prepared special activities for parents, such as handicraft, knitting and eco-craft courses using natural materials.

They can also sample snacks in a small caf* located in the middle of the building, while the children develop their imagination, such as by making whipped clay, teddy bears and glass art.

"We provide for every need, such as T-shirt markers, paints, beads and an assortment of clay, including thread and paper," Syumeiraty said.

"Every thing is available. They just have to say what they wish to make, and tutors will help them choose their materials before teaching them the methods."

Gunawan said he also provided pottery material, such as clay, paints and aprons, to protect the children's clothing from getting dirty during pottery making.

"The children just have to sit nicely and we put on the aprons and they follow the instructions to create crafts according to their wishes," he said.

The two facilities are open every day, but are full during holidays.

Syumeiraty said at least 60 children visited the Crayon handicraft and hobby center daily, adding the cheapest class was glass art, for which the materials can be bought for Rp 70,000 (US$7).

Gunawan said his studio accepted an average of eight children daily to learn pottery during the holiday, with tuition and materials costing Rp 50,000 a visit. Studio 181 also offers glass art and comic drawing.

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