Moving Forward: How One Artisan Finds Her Way

Walt Disney once said, "Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious … and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

Moving forward has been an underlying theme for Luh and her brother Wayan. Creators, artisans and owners of Bolenat- a beaded accessory shop in Ubud, Bali.

Although starting at the end doesn't seem to give their story justice. So I will start where all stories start. From the beginning...

Monkey Forest Road and the Gem at the End

When I stayed in Bali, I chose to stay near Ubud. It was a quiet little place on the outskirts of town. It was my little refuge and a gift I gave myself at the end of my One Year mark of starting Mariposa Skies. I had traveled to three different countries prior to Bali and as the end of the year rolled into place, I wanted to celebrate this huge accomplishment. So I decided to spring for a villa just outside Ubud's city center.

I learned from the owner of the villa there was an artisan market in the middle of town, so I felt this was a good start.

Every day I trekked in to Ubud. Up and down hills and over bridges I went. Stopping to take in the sights, smells and sounds of this beautiful place. I am known to get lost from time to time on my travels and one day I wandered down a street that seemed to go on forever.

I looked across the street and to my surprise a monkey was sitting there observing the day. Now, I don't love monkeys. In fact, they scare me. I had heard that there was a monkey forest sanctuary in Ubud but I had no longing to venture in there. So I kept to the outskirts and as far away as I could.

The road curved and turned left and I followed it until I was right across the street from the monkey sanctuary. Wanting to stay clear, I kept to the very edge of the other side of the street.

In front of me was a woman. She too was walking in my direction, but just a few steps ahead. I noticed she was carrying a plastic grocery type bag. Earlier that week, I had been told to keep my plastic bags out of sight of the monkeys. For some reason they loved the look and sound of them. I didn't quite know what that meant, but I heeded the young mans warning.

I soon found out why he told me to keep those plastic bags out of sight. In my peripheral view, I saw something run across the street and in a blink of an eye snatch the lady's plastic bag. Now she was braver then I because she actually challenged the monkey to which he challenged back showing her his teeth and gave a loud hiss. I was not having any of that and b-lined to the nearest shop I could find.

Safely inside, catching my breath, I looked up and saw row after row of beads, tassels, earrings, bracelets. It literally took my breath away. I had seen so many tassel necklaces throughout my treks in the market and various stores but these took the cake. The craftsmanship was remarkable- such high quality materials used. I was so impressed.

Then I saw this beautiful girl sitting behind a small desk, so I engaged in conversation. First asking her if she made these. She said, some but mostly her brother Wayan makes them. She is still learning the craft.

I was elated, what was a frightening situation turned into a perfect meeting. The stars aligned and I found a genuine shop who made their own pieces. I mention this only because Ubud is full of artisans. Many make items for the markets or different shops around the city but few are the actual artisans who create the pieces and sell them. I knew I had found something very special.

To this day I thank the monkeys for their frightening discord. For if it weren't for them I would have never discovered Luh and Wayan.

Moving Forward: First Purchase and Beyond

Now it is one thing to travel to a destination, purchase some beautiful pieces and bring them back home in your suitcase. But it is quite a different story to figure out a way to continue a relationship with an artisan and place an order with them from the United States.

Luh was generous enough to give me her number so I was able to connect with her on WhatsApp once I was home. As you can probably imagine, her tassel necklaces sold out quickly so I was anxious to get more.

It was trial and error but she and I kept moving forward figuring out a way. We talked about how she could sell to other people in other countries and we slowly came up with a plan.

At first I had someone pick up the items from her shop. If you are in need of anything from Bali that needs to be picked up and shipped to you, I highly recommend Send from Bali. They are super accommodating and very professional. They know what they are doing! (Since the pandemic, I am not sure they are still in business- but I still highly recommend them.)

We figured out a way to have the items shipped, that was wonderful! However, the hard part came to figuring out how to pay Luh and Wayan for the pieces. We stuck with it though, and kept moving forward, not wanting to give up on either of our dreams. Western Union was our first attempt, however it was not ideal for either of us because the exchange rate and transfer fees being very askew.

By the next order however, Xoom- a PayPal service- had reached Indonesia and I was able to pay her and Wayan with a low transfer fee for me as well as a solid and fair exchange rate for them.

In this order, Luh and Wayan pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and decided they needed to figure out how to ship things directly. So they figured out a way and the ball was rolling.

We Keep Moving Forward

Since then, the one way I can describe Luh and Wayan is that they never give up and they keep moving forward.

Even throughout the world-wide pandemic in 2020- when their country literally was shut down, closed off from any tourists- their main source of income- they did not shrink and give up. No, they kept moving forward. Their shop was closed for a full year- but they did not despair. They got curious, they lived their lives. Luh gave birth to her first child and Wayan married his beautiful bride.

When I am down and feeling like I want to give up on this business, it is the stories of my artisans that keep me moving forward. It is their grit and determination that lifts me up and pushes me to do more, to be more.

The truth is Mariposa Skies would not exist without artisans like Luh and Wayan. And it wouldn't continue to grow and expand without my customers who cherish their pieces. As for me, I see myself as the connector between the two.

And for that, I am forever grateful. I am grateful that this is how I am able to use my gifts and purpose on this earth- bringing you and these amazing artisans together.

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To shop Luh and Wayan's Balinese jewelry, click the image below or here. Your purchase not only helps their business but their livelihoods which then trickles down into their family and community. This means your purchase makes a huge impact! Thank you!