Denpasar, In the City

Sekaya Silver Jewellery
Carrying Out Unceasing Promotion

As a preferred tourist destination, Bali has myriad arts and cultures as well as allurement of nature that become an attraction to visitors. Just as when they go back to their home country, they will assuredly look for souvenir as presents. Assorted souvenirs can be found as easily as ABC in Bali, starting from that made of wood to gold and silver.

One of the silversmiths being capable of competing in international level is Sekaya Silver Jewellery. Craftsman that domiciles at Jalan Nagasari 43 Penatih, some 6 km north of Denpasar has thousands of designs. It has appropriate potential to compete against the silver craft products of Thailand, India and Singapore.
I Made Pudja, the owner of Sekaya Sivler, to Bali Travel News says that his products are exported to America, Europe and Australia. Some of his products are bracelet, ring, earrings, necklace, brooch and many more other personal ornaments.
Explained, distinctive motive of his works is bun jawan namely dotted motif that directly made byhand. This motif is the one and only in Bali and is not owned by other craftsmen. "No other craftsmen can made bun jawan motif. If they do, its result will not be as good as the works of the Balinese. Probably, it's called the taksu (divine inspiration) of the Balinese,' says the man who was born in Denpasar on last 24 November 1965.
By this achievement, I Made Pudja can draw the attention of government that he could achieve many awards. Amongst them, his works went to be the best souvenir design throughout Bali (1996), selected as the small-scale non-agricultural entrepreneur with outstanding achievement of Denpasar and Bali wide (2001) and received awards from Minister for Cooperative and Small-Scale Entrepreneur (2001). Similarly, he once took part in an exhibition and appeared on a program aired by a private TV station in Indonesia.
It's just a bygone sweet memory. Nowadays, by the sluggish condition of Bali tourism due to bomb tragedy makes him shocked. Order from overseas buyer is increasingly slow moving. He merely receives order from local buyers so he dare not make more stocks. "Post-tragedy of Bali bomb I, I was still able to work for overseas buyer. However, after the bomb of Kuta-Jimbaran (2005) and followed by some disasters as well as the rising of oil price, all have made me leave off the memory," he utters sorrowfully.
He also adds that price of the raw materials is so high while he receives less orders. This situationhas the share in the decline of production in his business so he cannot compete in the international market. The more so his raw materials that purchased from PT Logam Mulia is at overly high price.
As a Balinese Hindu follower, Made Pudja also once renamed his business from Jaya Laskmi Silver to Sekaya Silver Jewellery. This stride was taken to get new spirit and fortune. Nevertheless, it remains to give him nothing. "We do expect that government is willing to interfere in determining the price of raw materials of silver," he says enthusiastically.
It's said that he previously had two business locations with 360 employees. They were recruited from the unemployed in Denpasar and the surrounding. But now, hemaintains only 20 employees.
Pertaining to the price of his products, Made Pudja says that he does not set too high profit margin. Bracelet is sold at USD 40, necklace (USD 70), ring (USD 15) and earrings (USD 20). "Above all, we can survive while waiting for the situation getting to normal," he says.
This father of three sons is not frustrated. He intensively carries out promotion through Internet, brochures, newspaper and magazine. Though he spends much money for this promotion he stays to do it in order his customers will turn back to him. "Government should organize free exhibition so products of the Balinese are increasingly getting to know," he observes. (BTN/015)