Windmill Pattern Cotton Cushion Covers in Ecru (Pair), "Spinning Windmills in Ecru"

“My name is Gede Yudi Sukarya. My friends just call me Yudi. I was born in Bali in a village where the people are very concerned with culture. My father was a teacher and my mother was a salesperson in a shop. My father always told me that education is important and I needed to study at least until I graduated from college. I did that, and so did my brother. Even though my father was only a teacher, he worked hard so my brother and I could finish our studies. That passion and hard work that my father showed me are what make me who I am today.

“My mother is the first one who came up with the idea of working in macramé . She is good at knitting and, because she knew that people living in our area relied on coffee farming, they had a lot of free time. She also knew that the housewives around us were good at knitting. She told me to begin coordinating work with our neighbours.

“I provide the materials, distributing them to our neighbours along with samples so that they can follow the designs. The tools and materials that we use are easy to find. We use needles, cotton thread, and wood. I am the one who makes the designs and passes them along to the women. They are accustomed to knitting because they usually make long fabrics for cultural ceremonies, as well as cushion covers and tableware.

“Now, I am married and blessed with two children. I hope that my macramé workshop will develop so that I can provide for my family and help my neighbours earn more income. There are some times where production is slowed or stopped altogether. This happens during the coffee harvest. In preparation for those times, I increase our stock just before the harvest starts and I even tell shoppers about it. Thank God they all understand .

“I know NOVICA through friends that live in Celuk who work with silver and are also NOVICA artisans. I was told that I could sell my products with NOVICA, and that NOVICA could help me promote my macramé crafts. I hope that NOVICA’s customers will love my handicrafts, and yes, every piece they buy will really mean a lot to me and my neighbors.”