Pillows & Throws Canopies

"Hi. I'm Masudi, but people call me Hudi. I was born in Central Java in 1977, the youngest of four siblings. My parents are farmers. As the land is not suitable for rice farming, we could plant only yams or cassava. We helped our parents on the farm and also helped sell the crops in the market. Due to our limited financial conditions, I couldn't even graduate from junior high school.

"From the time I was 13, I worked on farms so I could help my family buy food and other main needs. When I was 15, I took a job as a construction worker in Jakarta. In fact, I did any jobs possible for the next six years and then I returned home because I didn't really make much money. For three years, I was just fishing, which is my hobby. Then I wandered to Bali, following my neighbor who sells bed valances and cushion covers. I worked for him for 13 years until I was able to set up my own workshop.

"When I married the girl I love, my condition wasn't steady yet. My wife helped by selling foods she made. Having two cute daughters made us more responsible for our family and children's future.

"People know me as a quiet man but diligent and painstaking. The best moments in my life are when I go back to our hometown to see my family. There was a time when my mother gave me some wise words. She said, 'Work hard and carefully, and be patient. Patience will bring you to success.'

"My neighbor taught me to craft textiles when I was working for him. Now I work only with my wife but we are sometimes helped by two tailor couples when needed. We use mostly cotton fabrics. My ideas for designs are mostly inspired by our Indonesian culture, like Javanese batiks and Balinese ikat dying.

"I hope to develop my small workshop so it can grow. I really want to make my small family happy and give them all they need."