ROSMAH Mustafah has spent nearly two decades crafting traditional accessories and jewellery from pewter.
Renowned for her meticulous and refined craftsmanship, the 65-year-old entrepreneur’s elegant ornaments such as brooches, dokoh (traditional necklace), chains and bracelets reflect a blend of classic and modern elements.
Rosmah, who is from Sungai Udang in Melaka, believes that adding accessories to traditional attire like baju kurung, kebaya and kebarung enhances a woman’s appearance.
“One of the ways women can look more beautiful is through clothing and specific accessories,” she told Bernama.
Rosmah is focusing on efforts to revive accessories such as dokoh and brooches traditionally worn with baju kurung and kebaya in her craft business under the brand Kasturi Heritage & Trading.
She also makes sure that each product she designs and creates carries aesthetic and historical value to reflect the uniqueness of Malaysia’s heritage.
“I take inspiration from old designs and then add value by incorporating new elements such as gemstones and designs of flowers like the hibiscus, ixora, rose or kesidang (bread flower), making them look more modern and exclusive.”
She added that her products are rust-resistant thanks to the use of 98% pure pewter.
Each accessory also goes through a gold-plating process as pewter can tarnish over time without it, Rosmah explained.
Her products are available in four colour variations – gold, antique gold, silver and antique silver.
In addition to sales at her stall, she also receives orders for souvenir items from government agencies, private companies, and individuals.
Priced from RM10 and up to RM450 a piece depending on its size and design, her creations remain in high demand especially during festive seasons.
“The pins on some of the imported brooches can be rather fragile and break easily.
“My brooches have pins that are attached using the soldering technique.
“And each item we make comes with a lifetime warranty,” she said.
She added that one of her biggest challenges was the rising cost of raw materials.
Rosmah, who learned the accessories crafting skills at a special course under Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia in 2004, hopes the younger generation will continue the legacy of pewter craftsmanship as artisans in this field are becoming increasingly scarce.
“I want to see more young people venturing into this field because pewter crafting is a valuable heritage that needs to be preserved; otherwise this industry may one day disappear,” she said.
