How to Start a
Coconut Handicrafts and Novelty Items Making Business
Researchers at the Philippine Coconut Authority – Zamboanga
Research Center (PCA-ZRC) introduced the “one-nut concept” as a method of
producing wares and novelty items from a single piece of coconut fruit.
Following this concept, the residues from matured coconut fruits were crafted
into a new high value-added products by employing the “mix and match”
technique.
Coconut varieties such as the PCA SYN VAR or GMA Farmers
variety and “kiamba” green dwarf are made into coco clocks, trays, and other
similar products. Fronds are likewise turned into crafts.
Skillfulness, creativity and craftsmanship on the part of
the people involved in the job are necessary to come up with new and exciting
products. Some of the crafts and novelty items produced are all-purpose trays,
trophies, flower vases and candle holders, chairs, dividers, plant boxes,
tables, and dressers. The production costs for such crafts is about 50-60%
cheaper than the traditional materials such as wood.
Production Method
A. Coconut Fronds
1. Collecting and drying of fronds
Collect fronds during
nut harvesting. If they are left on the field, they are attacked by wood-boring
insects and fungi that abound on coconut. These pests inflict serious damage to
all parts of the fronds, thus, reducing their strength and visual value.
2. Drying
After gathering, clear fronds of leaflets and
dry naturally under shed. Drying times ranges from 4 weeks to 6 weeks depending
on weather conditions.
3. Machining, ripping/sawing
Cut fronds with either
manual or motor driven saws. Polish, machine and assemble using common wood
working tools. For added strength, combine the fronds with light woody
materials or thin plywood (e.g., 1/8″) when used in furniture, novelty
items and other fixtures.
4. Preserving treatment
Prior to assembly, treat dried raw
materials with preservatives such as “Cuprinol” or “Solignum”. This is
necessary to prevent infestation by wood boring insects. A mixture of Cuprinol
and kerosene can be used at 8:1 ratio (kerosene: preservative).
5. Assembly
Nails and common white glues, e.g, Elmer’s are
effective fasteners. Split rattan can also be used as a mechanical binder. It
does not only add strength, but also improves the aesthetic appeal of the
product.
6. Finishing
Sand the wood smooth before finishing. Then
apply two to three coats of lacquer sanding sealer before the final coating of
varnish or clear gloss lacquer.
7. Packaging
Corrugated paperboards, molded and fashioned
into rigid boxes, are good packaging materials for products such as picture frames,
and other novelty items.
B. Coconut Fruit
Residues
Some of the handicraft items that can be produced from
coconut fruit residues are trays, plant pots, coco clocks, coco trophies, and
coin banks. The process involves the following steps:
1. The coconut variety “Kiamba” green dwarf is suitable for
making coco clock and trophies because of its size and shape. Likewise, the
dwarf variety “Mangipod” is a good material for making all-purpose trays.
2. Slice/ cut the materials using a sharp narrow band saw (2″ wide).
Use a motor-driven sander for sanding. Use glues such as PVA or urea
formaldehyde and wooden dowels as fasteners to assemble the product. Nails of
any metal fasteners could not easily hold the husk due to its naturally loose
structure.
3. For coco clock, saw parallel through the polar section of
the nut. For the trays, it is ideal to cut across the equatorial section.
4. When finishing, machine-sand with coarse abrasives to
level off the surface and make it even. Further, sand manually using a fine
abrasive for a smooth surface prior to application of a topcoat of varnish.
5. Since the husk takes in a great quantity of finishing
materials, seal with PVA emulsion glue before applying topcoat. Among the
suitable top coating materials are clear gloss lacquer, polyurethane and
varnish. Brush on three to four coatings of the finishing material. It is best
to topcoat during hot and dry weather.
