Young Chinese craftswomen stun world with handmade artwares

With their passion for handicrafts, perseverance in seeking excellence, and the courage to pursue their dreams, many young Chinese craftswomen have turned their hobbies into jobs, developed their own styles, and stunned the world with exquisite artwares, the WeChat account of the All-China Women’s Federation reported Tuesday.

Shi Jiaran: maker of traditional Chinese-style moon-shaped fans

Shi Jiaran graduated in fashion design, and fell in love with making traditional Chinese-style moon-shaped fans shortly after she learnt about the handicraft by accident.

(Photo courtesy of Shi Jiaran)

In addition to following the traditional techniques of the art, Shi also integrates new methods of embroidery and metal processing as well as her own creative ideas into her handicrafts, leaving people constantly impressed.

(Photo courtesy of Shi Jiaran)

Shi treats her works as haute couture, and decorates her fans with fashionable materials and using advanced techniques, such as paillette, crochet, Chinese-style embroidery, French-style embroidery, feather embroidery, and three-dimensional embroidery.

(Photo courtesy of Shi Jiaran)

Thanks to her efforts, the traditional art that was once popular among ladies in ancient times has reached wider audiences today.

(Photo courtesy of Shi Jiaran)

Shi said she hopes to pass on the handicraft by opening her own workshop.

(Photo courtesy of Shi Jiaran)

Du Meng: creator of fantasy world with artwares made of glass

Du Meng is a craftswoman who makes glass artworks. She became fascinated by glass art in 2010 when she went to the US after graduating from the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA).

(Photo courtesy of Du Meng)

Glass art is believed to be the most difficult handicraft for beginners to master, as they must be made using heat, which means one must be adept at using tools.

(Photo courtesy of Du Meng)

But for Du Meng, a deft flick of her wrist can turn a piece of glass may into a bird soaring in the sky, an elk running through the woods or a pair of children’s dance shoes.

(Photo courtesy of Du Meng)

(Photo courtesy of Du Meng)

Drawing inspiration from her daily life and memories of the past, she turns the pictures in her mind into intricate artworks in her hands.

(Photo courtesy of Du Meng)

Yan Hong: turns scrap into delicate phoenix coronets

Yan Hong made the only Peking Opera phoenix coronet using 18 ring-pull cans in August 2019, making her a hot topic on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo for the first time.

(Photo courtesy of Yan Hong)

She spent 13 days designing the coronet and two days assembling the pieces.

(Photo courtesy of Yan Hong)

Yan Hong majored in nursing in college, and had worked as a nurse for two years before deciding that she should devote herself to her passion for making replicas of female hair ornaments. That hobby has now become her job.

(Photo courtesy of Yan Hong)

The materials she uses include copper wire, aluminium wire, wool ball, and even potatos. In her hands, these simple materials often have unexpected results.

(Photo courtesy of Yan Hong)

In December 2019, Yan became one of many outstanding Chinese craftsmen invited to deliver a speech at the University of Oxford.

Souji: maker of gorgeous miniature doll houses

An enthusiast of animation, Souji has published several comics with heart-warming stories, and taken part in cosplay activities of her favorite animation works. She also loves playing with dolls, making miniature houses and all kinds of miniature articles for her dolls.

(Photo courtesy of Souji)

Her first miniature house took her three years to make, and she has since developed a stronger interest in the craft, now becoming a full-time miniature house maker.

(Photo courtesy of Souji)

In 2018, Souji made a miniature replica of the home of Sophie, the heroine of the animated movie Howl’s Moving Castle. The miniature house was a vivid reproduction of the settings and design of the house in the movie.

(Photo courtesy of Souji)

(Photo courtesy of Souji)

“Making miniature houses for dolls is all about pursuing better craftsmanship. When I make these little articles, I find my inner peace,” said Souji.