Barbie Doll House Maker

At a roadside shop in Medan, capital of North Sumatra, Monang Siagian approached his employee, Anto, at work painting a miniature house. After watching him for a while, Monang, 52, snatched a pair of pliers nearby and tapped them against a nail protruding from the little house's roof. "Don't you see the nail still sticking out?" he said, admonishing Anto. "Look over the whole thing!"

Monang, owner of the shop demands perfection. He does not want his products to harm the children who will play with the toy. The shop is the only place in Medan selling Barbie doll houses. He makes them from plywood painted in pink, purple and white. He also produces tiny furniture pieces, like sofas, cabinets, chairs and beds. One set sells for Rp150,000.

January 13, 2015