Transforming Clay into Opportunity, Sabah Artisan Turned Passion into Enterprise
- nabalunews
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
7 March 2025
KOTA KINABALU: With creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, Celestina Being, 48, has successfully established herself as one of Sabah’s outstanding micro, small and medium enterprise (MSMEs) entrepreneurs.
Her dedication to crafting accessories from clay and river stones demonstrates that local handicrafts have the potential to grow into a thriving business.
A native of Tenghilan, Tamparuli, Celestina is a passionate artisan and the founder of Clisna Borneo Jewels, a brand specialising in handcrafted jewellery, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
She embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2010, initially producing handcrafted items on a small scale as a supplementary income while working as a handicraft instructor at Yayasan Sabah.
This role exposed her to various government agencies supporting local entrepreneurs, including the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation and the Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR) under the Ministry of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship (MID).
Through these agencies, she gained valuable skills and knowledge in entrepreneurship. With this foundation, Celestina took a bold step in 2012 to establish her brand, Clisna Borneo Jewels.
Following a recommendation from Malaysian Handicrafts, she chose to specialise in crafting accessories using clay and river stones, as there were no registered entrepreneurs in this field at the time.
“I was told that no one in Sabah was officially involved in making clay and river stone accessories. I saw this as an opportunity to create something unique,” she said.
With support from DIDR, Celestina secured grants for packaging and trademark registration for her brand, Clisna Borneo Jewels®. Additionally, she received a sewing machine to expand her craft product line, allowing her to create handmade bags alongside jewellery.
Her business saw further growth in 2020 when the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) provided her with a clay-firing machine, significantly improving her production efficiency.
“Before having this machine, I had to fire the clay manually, which was time-consuming and inconsistent. This support has enabled me to produce more high-quality pieces in a shorter time,” she explained.
Operating from her home in Buit Hill, Penampang, Celestina has converted part of her residence into a showroom for walk-in customers, while her workshop is located adjacent to her house.
She oversees the entire production process, from design and crafting to packaging, ensuring that each product maintains its artistic value and high quality.
“I want every piece to have a personal touch. Even though I use machines, each design is still handcrafted to retain its uniqueness,” she shared.
Recognising the power of social media, Celestina actively markets her products through Facebook and TikTok under the brand Clisna Borneo Jewels. In addition to direct sales, she also manages a community of artisans who purchase her creations in bulk for resale.
One of Celestina’s most significant achievements was being named a recipient of the 2019 Sabah Entrepreneur Award, organised by the Ministry of Trade and Industry Sabah (MTI) and DIDR.
“This award means a lot to me because it recognises the effort I’ve put into building my brand from scratch. It has also motivated me to continue improving and expanding my business,” she said.
Now, Celestina is in the process of obtaining the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM), which will qualify her as a certified trainer in handicrafts.
As a mother of six, she deeply appreciates the support she has received, whether in the form of grants, financial assistance, or business management training, all of which have helped her business thrive.
“I hope the government will continue supporting MSME entrepreneurs like myself, not only to help those just starting out but also to further empower those who have already grown through these initiatives,” she expressed.
From humble beginnings working with clay to establishing an exclusive jewellery brand, Celestina Being continues to prove that Sabah’s handicrafts are not only artistically valuable but also hold great potential as a sustainable source of income for local entrepreneurs.
Comments