Housewife-Turned Entrepreneur Produces Creative Art Frames

Many express their passion and hobbies in various ways, and for Rafidahnani Apandi, 46, a housewife-turned entrepreneur from Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, she channels her interest into crafting ‘money trees’ that are then beautifully framed.

In addition to this, the mother of two sons, who has a deep appreciation for antiques, also designs and sews kebaya dresses, which are similarly framed.

 

Rafidahnani shares her inspiring journey from hobbyist to entrepreneur, revealing that her passion for creating money tree art pieces began five years ago.

Based in Kampung Temeris, Kuala Pilah, she has transformed her artistic creations into a source of income, largely driven by the COVID-19 Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia.

The money tree is a decorative arrangement often gifted to loved ones, designed to be hung or displayed on home walls.

Initially, Rafidahnani crafted these pieces for personal enjoyment to decorate her own home. However, their charm quickly captured the attention of many admirers.

 “To complete one frame featuring a money tree, I usually use one-sen coins. Most customers provide around 300 coins for the arrangement.

“However, if they don’t have one-sen coins, I can supply alternatives, like 10-sen or 20-sen coins, which are more readily available," she told Bernama in a recent interview.

She noted that she can complete up to six large-sized money trees each day, though framing them is typically done the following day. The largest money tree frame measures A3, while the smallest is A4, with prices starting at RM120.

Rafidahnani keeps all her art collections at her home in Kampung Temeris.

 

In addition to the money tree, Rafidahnani also creates kebaya pieces, which she sews herself and frames for customers.

Regarding the kebaya, she explained that her replicas are made using batik fabric, particularly Javanese batik, which she favours as it represents her family heritage.

 “Additionally, I use Malaysian batik and songket fabric, tailored to customer requests and preferences.

“Creating a kebaya requires a single piece of batik fabric, while about one metre of songket fabric is needed to complete a matching kebaya set for men and women,” said Rafidahnani, who has 28 years of experience as a seamstress.

 Rafidahnani noted that regardless of size, focus and precision are essential to ensure the kebaya is sewn neatly.

“Neat stitching is my top priority, and also when attaching the kebaya to the board before framing it. During this stage, the gluing process must be done carefully to prevent any glue marks from appearing on the front of the garment,” she added, noting that she can complete up to 50 small kebaya frames a day.

One challenge she faces is working with old songket fabric provided by customers, which is often fragile. She has to handle it carefully to prevent it from tearing while ironing.

“These songket fabrics are typically old and would deteriorate further if left as is, so framing them allows them to be preserved and appreciated as a keepsake,” she said, adding that prices for kebaya frames start from RM45 and can reach hundreds of ringgit for larger sizes.

Aside from the kebaya, Rafidahnani also produces framed branch art, which has a unique fan base. She explained that the branches she uses are the ones that have been submerged on the beach.

 “Although branch framing seems simple, preparing the materials is rather challenging. The main difficulty is painting the roots, which can take an entire day to complete before framing,” she shared, expressing joy that her son has now inherited this skill and helps her with it.

When asked about the satisfaction she derives from creating these art pieces, she said each work has its own challenges and requires great attention to detail and patience.

 “But each time a piece is completed, there’s immense joy because every creation is unique. It’s incredibly satisfying to explore something new with each order, as they come with various requests,” said Rafidahnani, who receives full support from her husband and beloved children.

 

Rafidahnani shared that vintage kebaya garments are a popular choice among her customers for framing, serving as a way to preserve cherished memories and evoke a sense of nostalgia.

 “One recent order was to frame an old baju kurung that the customer’s mother wore for her wedding ceremony. The blue songket outfit is still beautiful,” she said.

Rafidahnani explained that the main reason customers choose to frame their clothing, especially older kebayas, is to preserve them and prevent deterioration.

“Apart from being a legacy from loved ones, it’s also a form of appreciation and a keepsake that can be admired regularly.

 “In addition to serving as decoration, framing also helps protect the fabric from rotting when folded away,” she added.

 

After nearly five years in the framing business, Rafidahnani shared that her work has kept her exceptionally busy and she’s grateful for the community’s support, which has brought her an average monthly income of around RM4,000.

Over the years, her clientele has grown to include individuals, government agencies, private sector clients, and customers seeking distinctive retirement gifts.

 “Most of my artwork is commissioned by individuals, government departments, and associations for VIP gifts," she explained.

"Additionally, I receive many orders from restaurant and café owners, especially those with classic or retro themes, who use these framed pieces to decorate their premises,  she said, adding that hotels frequently place orders as well.

One of her proudest moments was receiving appreciation from the royal family.

 “I’m grateful for the trust placed in me. A special order of a money tree was made as a gift for Tengku Temenggong Kedah, Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, daughter of the late Sultan Abdul Halim, last July,” she shared.

Looking to the future, Rafidahnani dreams of opening her own gallery and achieving full recognition for her original creations, with hopes of producing even more art pieces.

 

Translated by Salbiah Said