Craftswomen in the village of Ak-Moyun, located in the At-Bashy district of Naryn, have turned traditional felt balls, known as alchyks, into a profitable business. What began as a way to create rehabilitation mats for children has evolved into a high-demand product for vehicle owners.
From rehabilitation to automotive accessories
The idea originated from a relative of Chulpon Maksutalieva, a local craftswoman who has been working with her neighbors for several years. Initially, the alchyks were used to make massage mats for children with flat feet, a tool utilized by speech therapists and defectologists for rehabilitation. Following the success of these mats and decorative panels, the artisans expanded their production to include massage covers for car seats.
The production process involves cleaning and treating the alchyks before threading them and finishing the edges with felt. Depending on the workload, a single massage cover takes between one and one and a half days to complete.
Production details
When they bring the alchyks, first we clean and process them. Then we string them on threads and decorate the edges with felt.
Market demand
Despite the price point, the products have seen immediate interest from customers, particularly through social media. The artisans purchase alchyks from across the country for approximately 10 som each, though they are sometimes received as gifts.
