Current Status and Challenges of Hong Kong Handicrafts

According to data from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council in 2023, the Hong Kong handicraft market size reaches approximately HK$1.2 billion, with sales during the Lunar New Year period accounting for more than 35% of the annual total. However, under the impact of globalization and digitalization, traditional craftsmanship faces unprecedented challenges.

Mrs. Wang Meihua, head of "Artisan Workshop" in Kowloon Tong, told us: "Ten years ago, there were over 200 handicraft workshops in Hong Kong, but now there are fewer than 80. However, it's gratifying that young people's interest in traditional crafts is rising. Especially during the pandemic, more people began to value the warmth of handmade creations."

Dr. Li, Professor at the School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, pointed out: "The uniqueness of Hong Kong handicrafts lies in the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures, which gives them unique competitiveness in the global market. Limited-edition Lunar New Year works are the concentrated embodiment of this characteristic—they retain traditional auspicious meanings while incorporating modern aesthetic concepts."

Currently, Hong Kong's main handicraft categories include six major types: ceramics, embroidery, wood carving, metalwork, paper art, and glasswork. Each category has its professional workshops and representative artisans, forming a complete industrial chain.

Real Craftsman Stories: Three Local Artisans' Entrepreneurial Journeys

Ceramic Artist Zhang Lihua: From Accountant to Pottery Artist

42-year-old Zhang Lihua was originally an accountant who worked in the financial industry for 15 years before resigning to pursue pottery creation due to her passion for handicrafts. She rented a 300-square-foot studio in Tsuen Wan to begin her handicraft journey.

"My first encounter with clay was on Women's Day 2015 when a friend took me to experience a pottery class. At that moment, I felt an unprecedented sense of peace," Zhang Lihua recalls. "At the time, I felt I had found another possibility in life."

Her Lunar New Year limited-edition works feature the theme "Prosperity and Abundance," with each piece requiring five main processes: throwing, trimming, bisque firing, glazing, and glaze firing. The entire process takes 7-10 days. Zhang Lihua reveals: "I only produce 50 sets of Lunar New Year limited tea sets each year because I want to ensure every piece can achieve perfection."

Zhang Lihua's works range in price from HK$800 to HK$3,000, often experiencing supply shortages during the Lunar New Year period. She says: "Although my income isn't as high as when I worked as an accountant, I have found true happiness. Whenever I see customers using my works, that sense of satisfaction is priceless."

Embroidery Artisan Chen Xiuying: Three Generations of Flower Embroidery Skills

68-year-old Chen Xiuying was born in Guangzhou and began learning Guangdong embroidery techniques from her grandmother at age 12. After moving to Hong Kong in 1978, she continued to uphold traditional embroidery skills and opened "Xiuying Embroidery Shop" in Causeway Bay.

Chen Xiuying's Lunar New Year works feature themes of "Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Good Fortune" and "Flowers Blooming for Prosperity." A 30x40 cm piece requires 15-20 days to complete. She uses traditional silk fabrics and natural dyes to ensure the texture and color of the works can be preserved for a long time.

"Every stitch and thread matters; no carelessness is allowed," says Chen Xiuying. "My granddaughter is now learning from me, hoping this skill can be passed down."

Chen Xiuying's embroidery works range in price from HK$1,500 to HK$8,000, with orders during the Lunar New Year period typically requiring booking two months in advance. She reveals: "There aren't many people in Hong Kong who truly know Guangdong embroidery anymore. I hope to cultivate more young people to learn this skill."

Wood Carving Artist Wong Chi-ming: A Post-90s Traditional Skill Inheritor

28-year-old Wong Chi-ming graduated from the Product Design Department of Hong Kong Polytechnic University and chose to learn traditional wood carving after graduation. He opened "Wood Heart Workshop" in Sham Shui Po, specializing in limited-edition wood carvings for the Lunar New Year.

Wong Chi-ming draws inspiration from Hong Kong's old architecture and street scenes. His Lunar New Year works often incorporate local elements such as Victoria Harbour night views and Tang Building landscapes. He uses imported rosewood and huanghuali wood, with each piece requiring six processes: material selection, design, rough carving, fine carving, sanding, and lacquering.

"It's indeed not easy for young people to learn traditional skills, but I believe that with dedication, good works can be created," Wong Chi-ming states. "I hope to interpret traditional culture in a modern way and let more people understand the charm of wood carving."

Wong Chi-ming's works range in price from HK$500 to HK$2,500, with his Lunar New Year limited-edition pieces typically selling out by the end of December. He plans to expand his workshop scale next year and recruit more apprentices.

Creative Secrets of Limited-Edition Lunar New Year Handicrafts

Exacting Material Selection and Design

Hong Kong artisans are extremely meticulous about material selection when creating Lunar New Year limited-edition works. Ceramic works mostly use kaolin and porcelain stone to ensure fine texture; embroidery works use genuine silk fabrics and pure cotton cloth; wood carving works prefer high-quality woods such as rosewood, huanghuali, and camphor wood.

In terms of design, Hong Kong artisans typically begin conceptualizing the theme of Lunar New Year works six months in advance. They conduct in-depth research into traditional cultural symbols such as the twelve zodiac animals, auspicious patterns, and folk stories to ensure the works have both festive atmosphere and rich cultural connotations.

Precise Requirements for Production Techniques

Taking ceramic Lunar New Year limited-edition works as an example, the production process includes:

1. Material selection: Selecting high-quality clay, screening and mixing

2. Shaping: Hand throwing or mold shaping

3. Drying: Natural drying for 7-10 days

4. Bisque firing: High-temperature firing to 900-1000°C

5. Glazing: Applying special glazes

6. Glaze firing: Secondary high-temperature firing to 1200-1300°C

7. Decoration: Hand-painting Lunar New Year patterns

8. Final inspection: Ensuring quality without defects

The entire production process typically takes 2-3 weeks, with strict quality control standards for each process. Artisans say: "The Lunar New Year is the most important festival—we absolutely cannot compromise on quality."

Strategic Considerations for Limited Production

Hong Kong artisans generally adopt limited production models for the following reasons:

• Ensuring consistent quality of each piece

• Increasing the scarcity and collectible value of works

• Avoiding waste from overproduction

• Maintaining the warmth and personality of handmade creation

Statistics show that most Lunar New Year limited-edition handicrafts are produced in quantities of 20-100 pieces, with ceramic works typically limited to 50 pieces, embroidery works limited to 20-30 pieces, and wood carving works limited to 10-20 pieces.