RRI.CO.ID, Ruteng - Ketillo Art and Souvenir, a micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) based in Ruteng, Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has successfully transformed waste from furniture workshops and dry branches into high-value wooden artworks.

The innovation shows how creativity can turn leftover materials into exclusive souvenirs that attract strong market demand.

Owner Ardhy Hamat launched the initiative in 2021 as a collaborative hobby project with a colleague. His main focus is revitalizing wood grain through a photo transfer technique called photo wood.

This flagship product allows printed photos to blend seamlessly with wood surfaces without paper, producing visuals that look natural and last longer than conventional prints.

These works serve not only as decorative items but also as part of an environmental conservation effort in Manggarai Regency. Ardhy consistently sources high-quality wood from production scraps that would otherwise be discarded.

The workshop, located in Pitak Village, Ruteng, has become a hub of creativity. The unique visual appeal of Ketillo Art’s products often makes them highly sought after by collectors of distinctive art.

Marketing is carried out extensively through digital platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to reach buyers beyond the region. This strategy has proven effective in establishing Ketillo Art as a pioneer of modern woodcraft in NTT.

Ardhy believes that a serious hobby can lead to promising financial returns. He continues to encourage local youth to explore the abundant potential of natural materials without fear.

A relentless spirit of innovation has become the key to Ketillo Art’s survival amid fierce market competition. Today, the business proudly represents Manggarai’s creative economy. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)