Growing popularity

The rising public enthusiasm for traditional cultural products in recent years has seen the creations by Zhao and her apprentices hotly sought after in the market.

Shen Yulan from Wuxi has been following Zhao in crafting the fine embroidery since 2008.

"I took a shine to its delicacy the moment I laid my eyes on it," recalls Shen, in her 30s.

Already something of a deft hand in the trade, Shen says she still faces challenges in each new creation.

"Aside from a sense of freshness, creating a new work always poses difficulties, such as subtle hue transition and contrasting effects of real and abstract elements," she says.

Shen admits there is still a long way for her to navigate the microscopic world of needlework. "Fortunately, Zhao could always intervene when I was about to go astray," she says.

Zhao takes joy in the fact that the craft she has pursued all her life has seen a vigorous revival. She is often at the center of attention during various cultural events and exhibitions.

To date, she has nine apprentices and says she still feels obligated to promote the traditional art.

Decades of practice saw her realize that learning embroidery might not be too difficult, but without a deep sense of understanding, it's impossible to achieve truly remarkable work.

"Teachers can pass on techniques, but the quality of the embroidery depends on the artist's personal artistic refinement," Zhao says.

"Progressing from crafting to creating is a transformative journey every artisan must undertake. It is through relentless learning and innovation that we can elevate our traditional techniques, safeguarding them from the erosion of time and imbuing them with renewed vigor."

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