Crafty Christmas: Ditch the Trinkets for These Creative Gifts

Although it’s the season of giving, many Beijing expats are left feeling like Scrouges. After all, they’d love to buy something special to bring back home to their relatives for the holidays, rather than the same old junky trinkets that they purchased at the Silk Market and other tourist traps in years past.

RELATED: Beijing's 2016 Christmas Bazaar Guide

Thankfully, Beijing is host to a swath of entrepreneurs selling more distinctive wares. We’ve rounded up a few of the most promising below, so that your holiday shopping will make you cheery and not feel like a chore.

56 in One
With this e-commerce venture, Kalu Shama is working to bring the traditional handcrafts of China’s 56 minorities from the rural fringes and into urbanites’ homes. “Our goal is to make more people aware of the interesting and beautiful products of the 56 ethnic groups in China,” says Shama, who was born and raised in the Yi minority in Sichuan, of the embroidered table cloths, coasters and more hand made by minority artisans that she sells on her WeChat store and Taobao. “We want to show respect, and help protect, these traditional crafts even as China’s economy develops so rapidly.”

Key Products

• A spinning and weaving placemat (that can also be used as a coaster, RMB 80) from the Tibetan nationality now residing in Qinghai Province. Shama says: “These items feature sheep and yak hair weaved in a more modern design.”
• An embroidery placemat (RMB 100 each) from the Miao nationality in Guizhou province. She says: “This cross stitch embroidery will add a vibrant aesthetic to your dining room.”
• A table runner made members of the Miao nationality residing in from Hunan province, which she describes as: “An ancient textile dyeing with 3000 years history. Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• 56 in One has many more items from various other ethnic minorities, in a variety of styles and sizes. In the future, Shama plans to also sell paintings, wall tapestries, and other art works from various minority groups.

Where to get it
WeChat public account: Search “i56inone" (or scan the QR code below) or add the owner directly (ID: kammo003) to ask about more specific styles and sizes

NOTE: Book at least three weeks in advance, because the production cycle of these handmade products takes about 20 days to complete.

ReVived Design
This is another socially conscious craft upstart, but ReVived is a little different because it has a strong environmental focus. Founder and designer Lise van den Bos collects discarded keyboard keys, waste textile, broken zippers, and even soda can pull-tabs and bottle caps, and uses them to adorn handbags and other items until they are left with a chic, sleek look. “If you are a long term Beijing resident you have already taken back silk and pearls several times, so something different and more creative is needed,” she says, adding: “My items are all hand-made… collected in Beijing, turning Beijing's trash into a treasure to take home.”

Key Products

• Gold color round pull-tab purse (RMB 420)
• Keyboard key cuff links (RMB 35 per pair)
• Pull-tab belts (RMB 130, both men’s and women’s)

Where to get it
Weidian: Scan the QR code below:

Peng Peng Paradise
A regular at the Farm to Neighbours market in Liangmaqiao’s Grand Summit, this designer maker designs cutesy handmade felt jewellery, crafts and decorations. Patrons can also visit the Peng Peng Paradise WeChat page to ask for customized designs. 

Key Products

• Earrings (RMB 40-60, depending on customised design)
• Broach (RMB 80-100)
• Zodiac doll ornaments (RMB 200 and up)

Where to get it
The Farm to Neighbors Market

WeChat public account ID: pengpengmeow

Liuba Draws
Liuba Vladimirova turns greeting cards into warmly colorful love letters to Beijing. “I like to create unique things that show the quirky side of Beijing,” Vladimirova says. “My cards are suitable for different occasions, and I made sure to also make the inside of the cards attractive and fun.”

Key Products:

• Cards are RMB 25 each (including an envelope), or five for RMB 100.

Where to get it:
Website: www.liubadraws.com
Instagram:@liubadraws
WeChat: liubatje

This article originally appeared in the Nov/Dec 2016 issue of the Beijinger, which you can read here via Issuu, via the PDF here, or in hard copy at all of your favorite venues across town.