Mikano Claytive’s special release earrings to celebrate International Women’s Day.
(Source: Instagram / Mikano Claytive)

Who knows that you can unleash your creativity by using polymer clay to make various types of jewellery? Mikano Claytive is an independent fashion brand established in early August 2020 that sells jewelleries such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets made of polymer clay.

The founder and sole creator, Nuradlin Dayana Mohd Ali, 22, - a young, ambitious entrepreneur who really loves earrings and is passionate about clay making.

When asked about why she created Mikano Claytive, Nuradlin Dayana or Yana stated that in the first place, it was a form of escapism for her as she was feeling unmotivated during the earlier stage of Movement Control Order (MCO) happened.

“At one point, I just thought, what should I do to distract myself from thinking all of these things that eventually will hurt myself even more?,” said Yana when she was interviewed by Berita DIMENSi via Google Meet.

She then stumbled upon videos on YouTube about clay and that was the first time she knew that people could make earrings from clay.

Shortly after, she picked up her new interest as she purchased a few materials for her to experiment on herself and she instantly fell in love with it.

“It is a new step to become who I am right now. Back then, I was not someone who was ambitious in these things. I feel a lot healthier these days, my mind is healthy.”

Talking about fashion trends, Yana who lives in Simpang Renggam, Johor said that she will always be changing and sometimes, she does not know what customers actually want.

‘Suria’ in Bluestone created by Mikano Claytive.
(Source: Instagram / Mikano Claytive)

Hence, Yana mostly took a lot of ideas into her artwork from the poll she made on her Instagram account @mikanoclaytive, to the designs from local clay makers such as The Mini Diary, Oh How Kind, and Shop Hill Studio – even making herself an inspiration to keep moving forward.

Despite having a lot of customers who wear hijab, she believes that her products, which are also made by using UV Resin and liquid polymer clay – are not limited to women only, anyone can wear them.

As she creates new designs and explores more on clay making, Yana is a full-time student pursuing a degree in Publishing from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam.

Yana explained that she will start her day early in the morning and sometimes finishes around 2AM to 3AM just to complete customers’ orders.

Yana also expressed her concerns and struggles as she works on the brand alone.

“I cannot deny that there was a lot of time that I wanted to give up. I always question myself, who are my customers? Is there anyone who wants to buy my products? How to make those who wear hijab wear my product?,” she said.

Recently, Mikano Claytive’s biggest achievement is that the brand managed to open a pop-up bazaar in City Square Rooftop Bazaar, Johor Bahru back in April.

The creator felt satisfied, fun and proud of herself that she accomplished such a thing in less than a year with her brand.

Mikano Claytive at City Square Rooftop Bazaar, Johor Bahru.

(Source: Nuradlin Dayana)

Yana’s best friends, Fareza Elly Hamdanlayali, 22, and Murfiqah Ibrahim, 22, shared their experience in purchasing Mikano Claytive products through an interview with Berita DIMENSi via Google Meet.

Fareza Elly said that the products are light in weight despite the size of it, and suggested Yana to try to make brooches and anklets in the future.

On the other hand, Murfiqah stated that Yana always paid attention to details on her products and sold them at affordable prices.

When asked for advice and tips on how to become a successful entrepreneur, she said that one must be passionate and happy when making their products as well as being consistent with sales.

Yana, who is currently taking a break from her business, exclusively revealed that she is already planning to make a new earrings line for future products.

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