Mindanaotoday.com | Gleaming horizons: Empowering women via sea glass jewelry making
By: Recthie T. Paculba
CAMIGUIN – In a significant step towards empowerment and sustainable livelihood, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Camiguin organized the Seaglass Jewelry Making Training for 12 members of the Agoho Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) in Barangay Agoho, Mambajao.
This initiative, held on August 23, 2023, aims to equip women with valuable skills in crafting sea glass jewelry, contributing to their economic well-being and supporting the “One Barangay, One Product” campaign.
The training addresses a dual purpose: to nurture a fresh generation of competitive jewelry processors and makers using sea glass as their medium, and to provide a sustainable source of income for the KALIPI members. DTI Camiguin OIC Business Development Division Chief Eric Aranas, said they also chose to conduct the said training since sea glass jewelry has a huge market.
“Naa na ni siya sa Cagayan (de Oro), sa mga mall, puhon-puhon nga manginahanglan sila, pwede ta maka-supply [This is already sold in Cagayan de Oro, in the malls, and hopefully soon when they need a supply, we can easily give it to them],” Aranas said.
Carla Jane Magdales, business counselor of DTI Camiguin, said the intensive two-day training, valued at around P30,000, targets the development of skills in a minimum of 10 members of the women’s association. These trained members are then expected to share their expertise with their fellow members, cascading the benefits of the initiative across the community. Presently, the Agoho KALIPI Association comprises 35 members, reflecting the potential for a widespread impact.
Nova Jangao, Vice President of the Agoho KALIPI Association, highlighted her participation in the training to acquire additional knowledge in jewelry making and to augment the income of her family. She expressed her intentions to share the newfound skills with others, particularly those in similar circumstances.
“Naa ko’y plano nga i-share ni sa uban kay para pud uban makabalo kung unsa kini nga training, para asa kini, ug unsa ang purpose niini labi na sa mga kababayenhan nga mga mama na wala’y saktong [pangita] ugma puhon pwede ni siya nga mamahimo nga source of income [I have a plan to share this with others so that others will know what this training is, where it is for, and what its purpose is, especially for women who are mothers and don’t have sufficient means of income. This training can potentially become a future source of income for them],” Jangao shared.
Rarity of sea glass
Sea glass is a recycled glass that has ended up in the ocean. Based on observations, the salt water and sand churn turn the pieces of broken glass into beautiful sea gems. Genuine sea glass can be easily spotted with its pitted appearance.
It is durable, thus, it can be used to accentuate jewelry or accessories. The value of the sea glass depends on its rarity and embellishments. Many tourists love to bring home the product as “pasalubong” or souvenir after visiting the island.
Basic sea glass jewelry pieces with simpler designs and smaller or common pieces of sea glass might start around P300 to P1,000 or even lower. Mid-range sea glass jewelry, featuring more unique or larger pieces of sea glass, and possibly more intricate designs, can range from P1,000 to P5,000 or more. High-end sea glass jewelry, crafted with rare or larger pieces of sea glass, intricate settings, and potentially incorporating precious metals and gemstones, can start from P5,000 and go well beyond.
The rarest and most valuable sea glass colors are lavender or purple, red, orange, yellow, turquoise, and black.
“The demand of the product has been rising and the current processor cannot accommodate the increasing demand of the market. Hence, there is a need to train another set of processors for the production of the famous sea glass souvenir,” Aranas said.
The Seaglass Jewelry Making Training not only imparts practical skills but also fosters a spirit of collaboration and community development. By uplifting women through skill enhancement and economic opportunities, DTI Camiguin contributes to the empowerment of local communities and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods. This initiative aligns with broader goals of self-reliance, creativity, and economic growth, bringing the vision of One Barangay, One Product to life. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
###