Handmade Leather Goods By Wakaf Bharu Native

TUMPAT, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Eight years ago, Aunullah Zakwan Mohamed was just a trader selling various imported men's accessories at Bazar Tok Guru, Kota Bharu.

However, the life of the 34-year-old youth took a 360-degree turn when he fell in love with handmade leather goods and received guidance from a friend who had long been in the business in Wakaf Bharu.

The bold step of the Bachelor of Science with Honours (Industrial Chemical Technology) graduate from the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) proved worthwhile as he is now one of the active handmade leather goods traders in Kelantan under the Wau Leather Craft label.

"While selling men's accessories such as bags and belts, customers were asking about genuine leather goods, and I saw there was a demand for handmade products.

“In 2016, I apprenticed to a friend who had been producing and owning his own handmade leather goods store for a long time. Since then, this business has become my main source of income," he said when met in Wakaf Bharu recently.

Starting with just producing his own lighter pouch, Aunullah Zakwan is now capable of crafting various other products such as wallets, knife sheaths, belts, key chains, sling bags, and women's handbags made from buffalo leather.

He added that the leather supply is obtained from suppliers in Kuala Lumpur and purchased online.

"Transitioning from selling ready-made products to crafting handmade leather goods, the satisfaction when fulfilling customer orders is indescribable.

“For instance, I need to give more focus to crafting each product; for example, making a wallet takes about two days to complete. Despite taking longer, it is enjoyable," said the Wakaf Bharu native.

He added that his handmade leather goods are sold, ranging from RM20 for a lighter pouch to RM700 for a women's handbag, depending on the type of product and customer demand.

“The cheapest item, a lighter pouch, is sold at RM20. The most expensive product I have ever produced was a women's handbag at RM700.

“Additionally, customers can request custom-made products based on their preferences, such as adding extra compartments to a wallet,” he said, adding that most customers are friends and online buyers.

-- BERNAMA