Our Artisant
I Wayan Eka Putra, commonly known as Eka, was born in Gianyar, Bali, in October 1979. He has been familiar with the jewelry craftsman profession since his childhood, as he used to assist his father in making jewelry at home when he was in junior high school. During Eka’s first year of high school, his father, Mr. Teja, introduced him to Maharani Silver (M.A.D.), owned by Mr. Aseng, with whom he had been collaborating since the 1970s. Eka was frequently taken to the workshop to assist his father in crafting jewelry for Maharani Silver, which has now changed its name to Maharani Craft.
Continuing the Legacy of Collaboration
In 2015, Eka assumed control of his father’s business and continued the partnership with Manika Jewellery, a subsidiary of Maharani Craft, now under the leadership of Irene Setiawati, Mr. Aseng’s daughter.
Workflow
Initially, Eka receives designs from Manika, created by Mrs. Eliza and approved by Mrs. Irene. He then conveys the design to his three craftsmen for the creation of an initial sample. After approval from Mrs. Irene and Mrs. Eliza, he and his craftsmen proceeded to produce the design in large quantities.
The Craftsmen
The three craftsmen assisting Eka are all members of his own family. They include Mrs. Marsi, Eka’s aunt; Kadek Juliana, Eka’s younger brother; and Wayan Budiasa, Eka’s uncle. Occasionally, when there is a high volume of orders, Eka seeks assistance from his cousin, Kadek Aryanata, who possesses expertise in crafting jewelry from silver and brass.
Manika Jewellery Designs
Eka emphasizes that there is nothing comparable to the unique beauty of Manika Jewellery designs in Indonesia.
He states, “In terms of style, form, and motifs, they feature intricate details, delicate lines, sophisticated patterns, and a hint of Java… it’s truly remarkable!”
Eka adds, “While it may appear easy to people when it becomes jewelry, the reality is that even the design drawings are complex, not to mention the crafting process.”
Materials Used
Regarding materials, Eka selects pure brass, combined with natural gemstones, for all the collections of Manika Jewellery. Eka explains that there are essentially two types of brass: mixed brass and pure brass. Both types can yield beautiful jewelry, but Eka opts for pure brass as the foundation for crafting Manika jewelry. In addition to its superior quality, pure brass is more durable than mixed brass, which is prone to tarnishing or discoloration, and it demands a higher cost for the finishing coating.
Eka states, “Our jewelry is intended to be worn for an extended period, so it’s preferable to use high-quality brass to ensure customer satisfaction.”
Workshop Location
“People are generally more familiar with the Celuk area as a hub for silver artisans, but in actuality, Celuk is better recognized for its art shops. Nevertheless, the reality is that a significant number of artisans originate from Singapadu. At times, artisans in Singapadu showcase their works in Celuk, or art shops in Celuk commission pieces from artisans based in Singapadu,” explained Eka who can be found at the workshop, which has also been his home since childhood in Singapadu, Gianyar, Bali.”