(ANN/THE STAR) – An unassuming, simplistic seven-bead rosary was all it took to spark Yahya Zain’s creativity.
“A friend gifted me a tawaf tasbih to use during my umrah in 2017. When I got home, I had this idea of making a simple, no-brainer tasbih and giving it to friends and family who were going to Mecca,” says the father of three from Subang, Selangor.
“I believed I could do better,” he adds.
At the time, Yahya was still working as a photographer. He started searching for better materials and designs, eventually dedicating his free time to the tasbih.
Before long, Yahya’s seven-bead tasbih started attracting attention on social media, as friends and family performing umrah shared his small yet practical giveaway souvenirs.
“When a friend learned about my little craft, she suggested I visit a wholesale mall in Klang, saying that it offered a wider selection of beads, stones, and accessories for my tasbih,” says the 64-year-old.
Little did Yahya know that a seemingly harmless window-shopping trip to Klang would unveil a whole new world for him.
“There was a variety of semi-precious stones and jewellery-making materials, making my initial choice of plastic beads for the tasbih look like child’s play,” he says.
Initially hesitant due to the higher cost of semi-precious stones compared to plastic beads, Yahya decided to buy a few strings of different stones.
That day, he returned home not just with a collection of semi-precious stones and accessories but also with a fresh concept for expanding his craft.
“The shop assistant gave a demonstration of basic bracelet-making techniques and was kind enough to let me record it on my phone,” Yahya says.
“Age factor,” he chuckles, explaining why he needed to make the recording. Back home, he practised, and soon, he was creating his own bracelets.
Crafting his path
As he slowly began to enjoy his newfound skills in beadwork and jewellery-making, Yahya experimented with different designs, blending his creativity with inspiration from social media.
His experience helping friends at their Central Market stall with copper tooling and hand drawn cards also played a role.
“As a photographer, I’m trained to see subjects creatively – photographic eyes,” says Yahya, who hung up his camera after opting for the voluntary separation scheme from his company in early 2020.
“That helps,” he adds, “but it’s all about passion and talent.”
Retirement gave Yahya the opportunity to pursue creative passions he had never been able to fully pursue while working.
Between his daily duties at a nearby surau and his hobbies of gardening and cycling, he makes time to showcase his work at bazaars and galleries, including at Central Market, Amcorp Mall, and Galeri Shah Alam.
He also shares his creations on Facebook.
“What I’m looking for from these avenues is valuable feedback – to see how people appreciate and react to my creations,” he says.
Expanding his craft
Though commissioned orders for his semi-precious jewellery and tasbih kept Yahya busy, his creative mind craved something more challenging.
“I had always wanted to try leathercraft but I never had the time for it. I also didn’t know where to start,” he says.
His journey into leathercraft began when he discovered that an old friend, Mazlan Abdullah, was skilled in the craft.
“We had known each other for years, but I never knew he did leathercraft. When I found out, I asked him to teach me.
“Around the same time, I saw someone selling leather materials on Facebook, so I bought some,” Yahya recalls.
However, it didn’t take off immediately.
With their busy schedules, it was only after a year that they finally connected early last year.
Since Mazlan lived in Sekinchan, Yahya made the nearly 200km journey there every fortnight for hands-on lessons in basic cutting and stitching techniques over several months.
“In between visits, I would call Mazlan for guidance or tips whenever I faced difficulties,” he says.
Yahya has since crafted a variety of leather goods, including watch straps, lanyards, pen holders, bookmarks, belts, keychains, and wallets.
“I love making small products that people can afford,” he says, adding that he draws inspiration from online resources, friend requests, and his own creativity.
While he enjoys both crafts, Yahya finds leathercraft more challenging – and ultimately more satisfying.
“Different mediums have their own challenges,” he explains. “Beadwork is quite straightforward, while with leather, you start from zero – (a piece of) plain leather, cutting, then assembling. You can’t rush it.”
Nonetheless, he believes both hobbies help him stay focused, mentally alert, and sharpen his problem-solving skills.
“They keep me on my toes, always learning new techniques and ideas, and staying creative,” he says, adding that hobbies are a great way to stay engaged with life.
“Do what you love and enjoy it,” he advises. “Talk about it with your friends – the interaction renews you every time.”
