Get riches from stitches

Wang Feng displays the fruits of her hard work at her embroidery shop in Xingyi. [Photo/chinanews.com]

As the temperature drops outside, the number of customers to Wang Feng’s ethnic embroidery shop in Xingyi, Guizhou province, continues to rise as the popularity of her delicate brocade heats up.

Wang’s Ethnic Embroidery Experience Shop is home to a veritable treasure trove of woven work, iconic of the Bouyei ethnic group.

Starting her embroidery business in 2013, it was not until the following year that it started to take off, thanks to the help of the Women’s Federation of Xingyi’s Zhenfeng county.

A selection of Wang Feng’s embroidery work. [Photo/chinanews.com]

“The most popular items are our handmade scarves,” Wang said.

The Women’s Federation aims to provide a voice and more opportunities to women in the county.

Realizing that embroidery is an undeniable cultural trait of the Baoyei ethnic group, which accounts for 42 percent of the population in Zhenfeng county, the federation began to facilitate programs to help Baoyei women profit from their passion.

Embroidery is a way of life for Baoyei women, with many learning the craft as children, and to be able to transform their skills to create an income is invaluable.

Wang is just one of many success stories. “Now I can make an income of approximately 400,000 yuan ($58,229) annually,” Wang said.

In a Brocade Embroidery plan set out in 2014, the federation arranged training sessions to teach women to make embroidery products designed for the mass market, so far benefitting more than 600 women.

“The plan not only helps women make more income, but is also a great way to promote ethnic culture,” said Li Na, head of the federation.

Li also said that the plan is helping to alleviate the phenomenon of empty-nest elderly and left-behind children, as fewer people are travelling to bigger cities for work.

Statistics show that the county has approximately 14,000 women skilled in embroidery. The federation is encouraging businesses with large production scale to set up microenterprises as a way to further expand the embroidery industry and employ more people.

Women living in villages can be employed to make clothing, scarves, sashes and other products. “I undertake assignments from Wang Feng every day and can make 1,500 yuan each month,” said Zhou Yufeng from Zhexiang town. Those working full time can earn as much as 3,000 yuan a month.

The Brocade Embroidery plan has brought out the best in the county’s traditional and ethnic culture. More than 30 businesses have been set up, engaged in weaving, tailoring and handmade embroidery.

A number of processing mills have been founded where products like ties, brooches, hats, backpacks, and shoes are made.

The federation has also arranged embroidery contests, and exchange activities.

Edited by Owen Fishwick