Clay jewellery-maker fuses ethnic Sarawak styles with modern designs

Copper aims to promote Sarawak's ethnic designs by giving them a contemporary twist. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong

Bidayuh jewellery designer Winnie Copper’s is seeking to give Sarawak’s traditional beads a contemporary twist.

Her modern jewellery pieces incorporate Sarawak’s ethnic beads and accessories. “Sarawak is famed for traditional bead designs by tribes such as the Kelabit, Kayan and Orang Ulu. The younger generation rarely adorn themselves with beads, deeming them too traditional and unappealing,” says Copper at her stall during the recent Minggu Kraf, a week-long arts and craft exhibition organised by Kraftangan Malaysia last month.