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Weekly 5: Things to know to get crafty on weekends
JP/AGNIn a bid to break the ennui of shopping and dining at the usual malls on weekends, some creative young people in Jakarta have offered urban dwellers more options for the weekend
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JP/AGN
In a bid to break the ennui of shopping and dining at the usual malls on weekends, some creative young people in Jakarta have offered urban dwellers more options for the weekend. Making crafts is one option as many outlets offer weekend workshops to teach people how to craft things. Here are five things you need to know to get started:
The artisans
Weekend classes range widely from baking to crafting and encourage residents to produce instead of consume. These classes are usually held by independent artisans or groups of craftspersons like the Weekend Workshop (Wewo).
Starting its operations with only two cofounders, Wewo is a workshop organizer that provides participants with crafting equipment, said one of its founders Muhammad 'Iskyd' Iskandar Zulkarnain.
Wewo currently has 50 mentors, teaching 36 different kinds of workshops. Workshops include things such as decoupage, paper cutting, and tie-dye T-shirt making. Wewo workshops are located in Jakarta, South Tangerang and Bandung.
Aside from Wewo, weekend classes are also held by independent artisans such as soap-maker Veronica Lucia Handayani and doll-maker Aphrodita Wibowo.
The information
Information about weekend workshops is now easier to access than ever before thanks to the internet and its various platforms.
One of those platforms is .maubelajarapa.com, which was established last year by two young entrepreneurs, Jourdan Kamal and Mazda Davinia.
The mau belajar apa (what do you want to learn) website provides information on a wide range of workshops.
The website not only provides dates and descriptions of the workshops, but also facilitates registration for the workshops. Participants can register and pay for their workshop via maubelajarapa.com.
'The website was created to accommodate both prospective participants and organizers and to share information about the many kinds of classes available. Through the website, workshop organizers can promote their events, while prospective participants can find information,' said mau belajar apa marketing director Mazda Davinia.
Aside from websites, workshop organizers use social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, to spread information about their events.
The ideas
For some people, hobbies are merely activities for bland pleasure. But for others, hobbies are a gateway to a deeper and more delightful kind of experience. Many workshop organizers, in fact, decided to hold classes as a result of their hobbies.
Initially learning origami for fun, Kebon Nanas resident Raya Jennie is currently holding her own 3-dimensional origami class. Raya said that she was interested in sharing her skills through the workshop because she wanted to widen her circle of friends.
'My hobby leads me to wider networks. That's my concern, instead of the money,' said Raya, who also works as a businesswoman, adding that the money she earned from the workshop was very little.
The venues
Involving many participants and sometimes more than one mentor, weekend workshops need a wide and comfortable space, according to Aphrodita, who is known for her flagship enterprise Cemprut Indiecraft. Apart from the aforementioned features, workshops do not require much from venues, she said.
'Workshops can be held anywhere, at houses, in gardens or cafés or at restaurants,' said Aphrodita, adding that she usually held her doll-making workshop in a café with comfortable places sit, sew, and chat.
The plan
Learning new things and sharing ideas with others, workshop participants can improve their businesses or even start a new one.
Veronica, who produces and sells organic soap, shampoo, make up, and house-cleaning products under the name of Kippabuw, said that many participants had started their own businesses after becoming involved in one of her workshops.
'Many participants told me that they are now making and selling organic soap. I am happy that my class can offer people the benefit of a new business opportunity,' said Veronica, adding that she was not worried about the tighter competition she might face in the future.
