Turning Glass Into Elegant Accessories

By Norhidayyu Zainal

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) --  What began as a simple hobby – creating women’s accessories just for fun for family and close friends – unexpectedly grew into a brand with its own distinct identity.

Nurul Zulaika Simon’s ZS Piece label has drawn attention for its unique use of glass as an alternative to crystals, offering elegant accessories at affordable prices.

“Although I use glass, I make sure the colour combinations and designs are well-balanced so each piece has its own character. Customers can also choose designs based on their personal taste,” Nurul Zulaika, who started producing accessories under her ZS Piece brand in August last year, said when met by Bernama recently.

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Drawing on nearly five years of experience as an artist, the 30-year-old channels her artistic skills into designing motifs for rings, bracelets and phone straps. She added that her involvement in craft-making also serves as a form of emotional therapy.

For Nurul Zulaika, who hails from Lahad Datu, Sabah, making accessories provides her creative escape and a moment of respite from her responsibilities as a part-time lecturer at the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA).

“Creating accessories is therapeutic for me, and I hope those who wear them will feel more confident, even if the designs are simple.

“Each piece goes through a sketching process and up to four or five design trials before it is completed. This is to ensure a balance of colours, contrast and visual elements that highlight its character,” she said.

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Despite being priced affordably, from as low as RM11 to RM100 a piece depending on the materials used, her products are durable and can last a long time with proper care.

However, Nurul Zulaika, who markets her products at various sales booths, said the influx of mass-produced imported items has put pressure on local craft makers to remain competitive.

A graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Design, she said this situation has affected the competitiveness of local handmade products as they are still produced manually, requiring more time and precision compared to large-scale manufacturing.

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“Each accessory is crafted individually with its own creative touch, making it unique compared to mass-produced items,” she said.

Nurul Zulaika added that time constraints pose a challenge in expanding her business as she has to balance her roles as a part-time lecturer, visual artist and accessory entrepreneur.

“Still, I continue to produce accessories consistently and hope that locally made handmade products will continue to receive support,” she said.

-- BERNAMA