Seni kerajinan eceng gondok Gorontalo berpeluang besar untuk dikembangkan, tetapi upayaupayapengembangannya kurang berhasil maksimal karena dilakukan secara spekulatif tanpadidasari karakteristiknya. Penelitian ini bertujuan merumuskan konsep pengembangan senikerajinan eceng gondok Gorontalo berdasarkan karakteristiknya. Penelitian menggunakanmetode kualitatif model studi kasus dengan grounded theory. Data dikumpulkan melaluiwawancara, observasi, pengujian, dan studi pustaka. Data dianalisis secara interaktif melalui:seleksi dan pengkodean, kategorisasi data, display data serta pembahasan, dan penarikankesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menjelaskan, bahwa konsep pengembangan seni kerajinan ecenggondok Gorontalo berdasarkan karakteristiknya dilakukan melalui diversifikasi dan inovasiteknologi produksi, produk, dan distribusi, sesuai kemajuan teknologi dan dinamika pasar.Daya prediksi konsep tersebut dirumuskan dalam bentuk pernyataan kausal dan peluangpenerapannya disajikan dalam bentuk langkah-langkah kerja sistematis. Konsep pengembangantersebut dapat digunakan sebagai penuntun dalam pengembangan seni kerajinan eceng gondokGorontalo di masa depan atau seni kerajinan lainnya yang sejenis.Kata Kunci: Kerajinan Eceng Gondok, Karakteristik, Konsep Pengembangan, Diversifikasi, Inovasi.

Upaya pengembangan kerajinan eceng gondok di Gorontalo sebagai sektor unggulan harus dilandasi oleh karakteristik yang meliputi potensi dan permasalahan. Namun, data tentang karakteristik kerajinan belum tersedia secara komprehensif. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menggali unsur-unsur kerajinan eceng gondok Gorontalo untuk mengungkap potensi dan permasalahan yang ada. Penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif model studi kasus. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi, wawancara, tes, dan studi pustaka. Data dianalisis secara interaktif melalui seleksi dan pengkodean, kategorisasi, penyajian data dan diskusi, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kerajinan eceng gondok Gorontalo memiliki karakteristik aspek: pengrajin, teknologi produksi, produk, dan distribusi yang mencerminkan potensi dan permasalahan yang ada. Karakteristik pengrajin adalah ahli dalam keterampilan produksi tetapi lemah dalam inovasi desain. Ciri khas teknologi produksi adalah potensi ketersediaan bahan baku dan cara kerja yang sistematis. Tetap saja, ini bermasalah dalam modernisasi peralatan produksi dan pembagian kerja. Karakteristik dari segi produk adalah potensinya dalam keragaman produk tetapi masalah dalam standarisasi ukuran dan ergonomis. Ciri-ciri dari aspek distribusi meliputi potensi dalam memasarkan produk dengan berbagai cara tetapi terdapat masalah dalam promosi dan peningkatan citra sosial produk. Temuan ini bisa dijadikan acuan untuk merumuskan konsep pengembangan kerajinan eceng gondok Gorontalo secara tepat atau sejenisnya. Characteristics of Gorontalo Water Hyacinth Craft Art  Abstract: Efforts to develop water hyacinth craft in Gorontalo as a leading sector must be based on characteristics that include potential and problems. However, data on the characteristics of crafts are not yet available comprehensively. This study aims to explore the characteristics of Gorontalo water hyacinth craft to uncover the potential and problems. The study used qualitative methods of case study models. The data were collected through observation, interviews, testing, and literature study. Data were analyzed interactively through selection and coding, categorization, data display and discussion, and conclusions. The results showed that Gorontalo water hyacinth craft has characteristics in aspects: crafters, production technology, products, and distribution that reflect the potential and problems. The characteristics of the crafters are experts in production skills but weak in design innovation. The characteristic of production technology is the potential in the availability of raw materials and systematic work methods. However, it is problematic in the modernization of production equipment and the division of labor. A characteristic in terms of products is its potential in product diversity but problems in standardizing size and ergonomics. The characteristics of the distribution aspect include the potential in marketing products in various ways but problems in the promotion and improvement of the social image of the product. This finding can be used as a reference to formulating the concept of developing Gorontalo water hyacinth craft appropriately or other similar crafts.

Tiohu craft (Fimbristylis globulosa) in Gorontalo has the opportunity to be developed into a creative industry, but in fact the craft just can survive without having significant development. The lack of development on the craft is assumed due to a problem hindering, while its survivability up to now is expected due to the potential that support it. This study aims to analyze the potential and problems in the development of tiohu crafts in Gorontalo. This study employs a qualitative research method with a case study model. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and literature review. Data were analyzed interactively through data reduction, data display, and conclusions. The results showed that the Gorontalo tiohu craft has the potential to be developed but there are problems that hindering. These potentials and problems are revealed from the basic aspects of the craft, namely: the condition of craftspeople, production technology, product form and function, and distribution or marketing. These aspects are interrelated and have a direct influence on the sustainability and direction of its development, therefore it can be used as a basis in formulating strategies on developing Gorontalo tiohu craft in the future or other similar crafts.

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