Show Off Your Own Figurine


Do you want your own doll?
Have you ever imagined you were soccer superstar David Beckham? Now make it happen.

Give this shop one of your photos, and you can get your own figurine, a combination of your head and David Beckham's body, within 20 days!

But you can become much more than just Beckham. There are more than 300 images to choose from. The owner said the most popular image is Yao Ming, the basketball giant.

By J. Jia

Laugh Now and Then as the Fat Laughing Buddha


Cute laughing Buddha
Look what I've got! Several wooden sculptures in Beijing called the fat laughing Buddha.

Made of rosewood, each of the sculptures features a vivid image with a natural luster. Looking at one of them for a few seconds, I just burst into laughter!

I will send them to my friends and wish them happiness!

By J. Jia

Fortune with Your Tea?


Pu'er tea cakes in Beijing
Last week, I went to a very interesting Pu'er tea shop where the shopkeeper is not only a Pu'er tea dealer, but also a fortune-teller.

I bought two pieces of cake-shaped Pu'er tea. They came from high-elevation, natural plantations in Yunnan.

I told the shopkeeper my birthday and showed him my palm, and he told me about my future and past. Crazy accurate!

By J. Jia

For Babies as Strong and Brave as Little Tigers


Little tiger's head shoes
Whenever I come across a pair of lovely tiger-head shoes, I can't help picking them up.

That's because I love tigers and they really look like a tiger's head! The eyes, nose, mouth, beard, and ears: I'm left wanting nothing.

These ones are for babies!

So cute. Chinese couples often buy their babes such a pair of shoes, hoping they will be strong and brave as a little tiger.

By J. Jia

Old Beijing, Now


Mini courtyard gates
I think "old" (almost ancient) Beijing is so charming. When I saw the lovely miniature gates at a Xiangcun Art Studio Outlet, I grabbed them right away.

With grey bricks and tiles, stone steps, a wooden door, a pair of stone lions, and some green moss, it really brought me back in time.

It's just the same as the gate of my grandfather's courtyard not far from Tian'anmen Square! Such a simple time...

By J. Jia

Rekindle Your Passion At "Match-Quote"


Rediscover your passion for smoking?

Cathryn always likes to poke fun at my habit, and takes me to shops with products for smokers.

Yesterday she took me to "Match's Quote" where I discovered a universe of specially-designed matches and matchboxes.

The designs showed modern abstract pictures, traditional Chinese patterns, Peking Opera masks, graffiti, and international stars. I liked the modern designs best.

By A. Lao

Play a Tune on an Ancient Bronze Bell Set


Can you play a tune?

At an archaeological gift shop, I found a kind of percussion instrument that was used in ancient China over 3,500 years ago!

It's an imitation of an archeological find - a bronze bell set. I picked up a small wooden hammer, and knocked on the seven bells hanging from a wooden frame. The sweet simple notes rang throughout the shop!

If only I could remember a musical score!

By J. Jia

Oh, My Scarves!


Pile after pile of scarves

I never thought scarves were very important. But now, I know, I was wrong.

 

On my way to a Beijing's old Drum Tower, I stepped in a little shop. My god! Never have I seen so many crazy scarves!

 

Some double-sided embroidery patterns caught my eye, and I almost bought one. I also like the modern, elegant wool shawls for parties, they feel like baby's skin, so soft and exquisite. 

 

--by Cathryn

 

Jingdezhen Porcelain Bowls Thin as Paper!


So thin....
Big surprise when I saw bowls as thin as paper at a porcelain shop in the center of Beijing.
Ten paper-thin bowls were put together. Looking from above, I thought they were a rose.
I want to use them, but maybe it's too risky.... I guess the owner will have to just show them off on a shelf. 
By J. Jia

Auspicious Paper Cutouts!


Chinese Mona Lisa
Traditional Chinese paper cuts that show Einstein and Mona Lisa are hard to find.

But this place has it all.

It's great to find a mixture of east and west, then bring it back home.

Some of the paper cutouts had layers of colors with an elaborate, unique look.

By A.Lao


 
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