Philippe Raunet, executive manager of At Bali, a manufacturer based on the island, describes the "tsunami" as part of a cycle. In spite of the recent slow market response, the company continues to introduce new ideas and creations to improve its business. At Bali has a newly launched online sourcing website for which it has received positive comments and sales feedback. Sales revenue in 2007/08 hit a monthly US$20,000 to US$40,000, and Mr Raunet expects to maintain that level in the difficult 2008/09.

In contrast, CV Bali Crafters, another fashion jeweller on Bali, has suffered badly from the crisis. "Since mid-2008 we have been adversely affected. I believe many companies have suffered decreases of 50% or even more in sales. In the year 2006/07 we achieved turnover of US$130,000, but in 2008, turnover was less than US$100,000. Hopefully it can surpass US$100,000 at least this year," owner Budhi Hastho comments.

Since At Bali's present major market is the United States (which accounts for 50% of sales), given the crisis, Mr Raunet is starting to eye emerging markets like Eastern Europe and South America. And, Mr Hastho of CV Bali Crafters has also decided to shift from being export-oriented to exploring the domestic Indonesian market, especially in Java.

On the other hand, Alexis Wagner, owner of From Bali, considers price and quality the two crucial factors at such a challenging time. As she stated, Indonesians are very talented in craftsmanship and they have been creating beautiful art for a long time. Because of this, together with the competitive prices From Bali can offer, she believes the company will stand out from among its competitors.

Founded in 2002, At Bali first sold its fashion jewellery online, but then quickly turned from being an agent to become a manufacturer, producing fashion and silver jewellery. Its workshop is now located at Denpasar, in the south of Bali, launching 1,000 new designs each month, with a monthly production capacity of 7,000 to 30,000 pieces.

At Bali's favourite materials include shell, wood, coconut shell, stones, bone, horn, plastic beads, leather, stainless steel and sterling silver. Despite Indonesian jewellery being very similar in design and use of materials to that from Cebu, Mr Raunet commented that Indonesian jewellery is even more competitive in price, the lower raw material prices giving Indonesia a real advantage. "The easy access to raw materials in Indonesia allows numerous domestic industries to grow. With the skilful craftsmanship of the local people, its fashion jewellery industry has quickly thrived," he said.

Wholesale prices for fashion jewellery from the company range from US$0.30 to US$1.30, while those for silver jewellery vary from US$6 to US$14. The minimum order is 30 pieces per design. Although many other Indonesian manufacturers use cutting and engraving machines for production, he said customers still prefer handmade jewellery. "As it [the jewellery] is handmade, the colour and size of each bead or piece are unique. It gives an added value to the Indonesian pieces which customers cherish," he continued.

All collections from At Bali are handmade. By specialising in mixing shell, wood, beads with resin and acrylic together, it always comes out with new styles and colours. Recently the company debuted its medium price range collection using stainless steel and wood.

Regarding the challenges the Earth faces, some companies have already switched to the application of natural materials in their jewellery to help prevent an even worse situation. For At Bali, its "Going Back to Nature" collection, consisting of coconut shell, bone and wood, has achieved a sensation in the market.

From Bali is a fashion jewellery manufacturer-cum-wholesaler based in Kerobokan on the Indonesian island that was set up in 2002. From Bali produces 500,000 pieces of natural material fashion jewellery each month, wholesaling it at from US$0.50 to US$2.50, as well as silver jewellery. The minimum order quantity is 20 pieces per design for fashion jewellery and 10 pieces for silver jewellery.

"As our jewellery was originally designed for sunny places, we mainly targeted popular tourist destinations in South America, Europe, Australia and even China. However, so as to gain more customers, we altered our designs slightly to make them wearable even in a chilly winter, and now export to other parts of the world," Ms Wagner explained.

New designs are added every two months. As its prices are very competitive, the company keeps receiving positive customer response. Even during the recent economic setback, Ms Wagner said, the company is not being affected. She expresses no fear concerning the economy and believes that no matter how bad things are, people always have a few dollars to spend on quality jewellery. Apart from stainless steel and silver, shell, wood, pearl, mother-of-pearl and resin are also adopted as materials in the fashion jewellery and, as she suggested, Indonesian people are quite fond of freshwater pearls.

As for the trends for Indonesia in 2009, Ms Wagner expects to see lots of fresh and colourful tones with mixed materials pieces in Spring/Summer and some ethnic and classy ones in Autumn/Winter.

European countries like Estonia, United Kingdom, Sweden, Greece, Portugal, Poland and particularly Germany are CV Bali Crafters' major markets, accounting for 80% of its sales, while the remaining 20% go to the United States and Canada. "Our coco choker and bracelet collection has received a promising response in such areas too. It symbolises the natural and exotic tropical islands on which Europeans and Americans long to spend their vacations," Mr Hastho explains.

Established in 2004, CV Bali Crafters located its workshop in the Tuban, Kuta area of Bali. Its workers produce 20,000 to 40,000 pieces of jewellery and accessories each month. Resin, coconut shell, glass beads and cotton string are applied in the collections, while shell with resin pendants on simple string or beads have always been well received. Shell and wood remain the major elements in the company's latest series, but mixed with waxed cotton string and simple beads. The wholesale price ranges from US$0.15 to US$5.00.

The company has imported machine-cut, machine-coloured or machine-polished materials from China and matches them with its natural material components.

Compared with fashion jewellery from other countries, Mr Hastho said, Indonesian products are similar not only in style and use of materials to those from Cebu, Bangkok and Hanoi but also in appearance. These locations are interacting in terms of technology, materials and craftsmanship. Despite the jewellery looking "very alike," he said that loyal customers still know how to distinguish Bali jewellery from others, and suggested manufacturers to provide customers with short delivery times, high quality and reasonable prices, and offer them tailor-made designs and colour choices to maintain business.