Where The Magic Happens – Kaula Leather Workshop
“A little magic can take you a long way.”
From: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
“This is my revenge. To teach people. Because when I wanted to learn, no one wanted to teach me.” Abenk smiles.
We are sitting at a warung just around the corner from his home and workshop having lunch, talking about how he started as an artist and teacher working with leather. Borobudur brought me to Yogjakarta, but it is here at Kaula Leather that I have found the real magic.
Surrounded by rice paddies, it is an open space that catches all the cooling breezes, especially during the hot and humid rainy months. With the help of his nephew, who he has taken on as an apprentice, Abenk guides each workshop participant through the different steps to make the item they’ve chosen. With a long list to choose from, there is something for everyone, who is keen to engage in an experience rather different from the usual tourist offerings in Yogjakarta.
Most people choose to make a passport holder, wallet, or small handbag. Something simple. Something easy. Not me. Well, truth be told, I thought the pair of sandals were fairly simple. And they were definitely that, design wise. But what I’ve learned is that to make them took layers and layers of cutting and gluing. It was a full day of hard work. And, although I would like to say that I made them, it was Abenk who did all the tricky measuring and refining to bring my design to life. He is a perfectionist, and does not allow anyone to leave his workshop with something they cannot be proud of, yet never makes one feel inept. It was such a wonderful experience that I decided to go back.
And so, for the last two days of my time in Yogjakarta, I spent in the wonderful company of Abenk and his nephew. This time making a large tote bag. Like I’ve mentioned, I never take the simplest route. Plus I wanted to make items I would use often. Not having a particular design in mind, Abenk showed me a picture on Instagram that I quite liked, and so he did all the tricky design bits, cut the pattern, and guided me through the different steps. This time, I did most of the time consuming work myself, and as my hands and fingers are not accustomed to this kind of work, it took two full days to complete. Every single step only makes use of simple tools, and the final product is truly handmade. It is a process that is deeply satisfying, and I cannot think of anything better to take home as a souvenir, as it is embedded with a mixture of stories told by my fellow workshop participants, as well as Abenk and his wife.
As always, it was my encounters with the local people that far outweighed the architecture or history of the country. So if you want to make your trip truly memorable, add a day to your itinerary and spend it at Kaula Leather in Yogjakarta.
Visited: Oct/Nov 2018
How incredibly satisfying to make your own things! Out of leather! Shoes and a bag you can say, I made this (well, with some help). Beautiful color I might add, too.
Thanks, Lani. I thought it is a colour that would go with anything and everything. I absolutely love the bag and shoes, and am using it constantly at the moment. It was such a satisfying process.
I love this idea! Your things are beautiful and, as you say, the best kind of mementos. Happy holidays and New Year to you!
Thank you, Lexie. It was such a fun thing to do. I find that the more I travel, the more I am looking for experiences that are different from the “usual”. Happy holidays to you too. And may the new year hold many wonderful travel adventures.
Your creations are beautiful, Jolandi. It’s wonderful that you had a teacher willing to teach you his tricks.
Thank you, Tanja. It is indeed!
Ohh, I loved the sandals already but this bag is a proper masterpiece!! What a feeling it must be do make something like that yourself. Wear it proudly!
Thank you, Manja. It was a deeply satisfying experience, and I absolutely love my bag. And use it all the time at the moment. 🙂
Making your own sandals!? That’s impressive! (Never done it myself) 🙂 Thanks for this Kaula share. 🍸
You should try it if you ever get the opportunity. It was so much fun.
So beatiful and well done Jolandi, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Thank you, Paulo. I hope you had a lovely Christmas. May 2019 be a fantastic year for you.
What a great idea. I don’t know if I’ve grown out of it, but when I was younger, people used to say I never did anything the easy way if there was a hard way to go about it. Looks as if you channeled the same theory, with fabulous results. I’m envious!
That is so funny, Gwen. I must say that I am glad I decided on sandals and a tote bag, instead of the easier options, as I am wearing and using them constantly at the moment. Just waiting for a compliment so that I can say, “I made them myself.” 😉
Job well done. Love the sandals and the bag. There is nothing better than crafting and making useful items by hand.
Thank you, Terri. I agree. It is much more satisfying than buying the same item off the shelf, no matter how exquisitely it is crafted.
What a wonderful experience. The sandals and bag look fantastic.
Thanks, Peggy. It was a whole lot of fun.
Finally saw your post 🙂 waiting for your other post with pictures from your last travel.
Coming soon, Evelyn.