DIY Craft Recipes – Soft Material Crafts are a significant aspect of Indonesian appli arts. Utilizing materials that possess soft, flexible, or pliable physical properties. This nature allows the materials to be easily mold, carved, or cast, often just using bare hands.
What is the definition of soft material crafts? Simply put, these crafts made from materials with a soft or pliable texture. Whether sourc from nature or process by humans. Why soft materials chosen? Because they offer maximum creative freedom, allowing artisans to create fine details or complex three-dimensional shapes before the material hardens (if synthetic) or dries (if natural).
The process of handling soft materials always begins with softening the material, followed by shaping, drying or hardening, and finishing.
Types of Soft Materials: Natural vs. Synthetic
These crafts are classified into two main groups based on the origin of the material:
- Natural Soft Materials: What are some examples? Materials obtained directly from nature without complex chemical processes. Examples include clay, banana stem fiber, animal hides/leather, and beeswax. The characteristic feature of these materials is their unique natural texture and color, as well as their sensitivity to temperature and humidity, such as clay becoming sticky when wet and hardening when dry or fired.
- Synthetic Soft Materials (Man-made): What are some examples? Materials obtained through processing, either from natural or synthetic ingredients. These materials are treat and mixed with certain chemicals to make them soft and easy to shape. Examples include paraffin wax, gypsum, fiberglass, polymer clay, and bar soap. The characteristic feature of synthetic soft materials is that they are easier to control, tend to be more weather-resistant, and are often cheaper or more readily available.
Seven Iconic Soft Material Crafts: When, Where, and Who Makes Them
Soft material crafts do not just produce artworks; they also yield functional goods with high economic value. Here are seven popular examples of soft material crafts in Indonesia:
1. Pottery (Gerabah)
Pottery is a type of traditional ceramics made from clay (natural soft material). That is then shap and fired at high temperatures (how it’s process). This craft has existed since prehistoric times (when), with famous production centers like Kasongan (Yogyakarta) and Minahasa (North Sulawesi) (where). Pottery is not only us as food or water containers but is now widely produc as home decor, planters, or accessories.
2. Scented Candles (Lilin Aroma)
What is the main ingredient? Scent candles made from synthetic soft materials like soy wax or paraffin. The craft involves melting, mixing essential oils, and casting (how). Scented candles have become popular in recent decades (when) as products for relaxation, therapy, or room accessories.
3. Clay Sculpture (Patung Tanah Liat)
Sculptures made from clay (natural soft material) are form into various figures (animals, humans, or natural objects) with intricate details, then fired until hard. Who makes them? Clay sculptures often created by sculptors in craft centers and widely used for decoration or as gifts.
4. Various Souvenirs (Clay and Polymer)
Souvenirs, such as miniatures, keychains, or coasters, are often made from clay or polymer clay (synthetic soft material). These crafts mass-produced in many cities across Java (where) and used as wedding favors or merchandise. Polymer clay is favor because it is easy to shape, has many color variations, and hardens upon baking or air-drying.
5. Fiberglass Souvenirs
Fiberglass crafts a type of handicraft made from the synthetic soft material known as fiberglass. This material a strong composite made of fine fibers bond with resin. Its characteristic durability and corrosion resistance (why) make it ideal for large-scale and outdoor crafts like statues, model boats, or aquarium decorations.
6. Banana Stem Fiber Crafts (Gedebok Pisang)
What is this material? Banana stem fiber (gedebok pisang) is obtain from the harvest banana trunk (natural soft material), which, after being dri and process, has a unique fibrous texture. This craft is often made by artisans in tropical, banana-producing areas (where), yielding bags, multi-purpose boxes, and pencil cases. This craft holds high value due to its eco-friendly aspect and recyclable nature.
7. Gypsum Crafts
Gypsum crafts are a type of handicraft made from the synthetic soft material gypsum. This material is a component used in making statues, masks, and various other crafts. How does it work? Gypsum is mixed with water to form a slurry, which is then poured into a mold (plastic, wood, or clay) and left to set. Gypsum crafts often take the form of plaques, wall decorations, or decorative statues.
Read More: “Local Altcoin Frenzy: PUMP.fun Soars Before Correction“
Prospects and Aesthetic Value of Soft Material Crafts
Who benefits from this industry? The soft material craft industry empowers thousands of artisans and SMEs throughout Indonesia. Its labor-intensive process and demand for detail make it a key pillar of the creative economy.
Where are these crafts sold? Beyond local markets, many soft material crafts, especially pottery, unique polymer clay souvenirs, and natural fiber products, successfully penetrate export markets due to their uniqueness and handmade quality.
Ultimately, soft material crafts prove that art doesn’t always have to be hard or rigid. With a creative hand and a deep understanding of the material’s properties, pliable and flexible materials can be transform into beautiful, functional, and highly valuable works of art. Selecting and processing the right soft material is the key to producing crafts that are not only aesthetic but also ergonomic for the user.
