Additionally, antique dealers in the mall often engage her services to restore damaged pottery. While antiques in perfect condition are both rare and expensive, works that have been repaired are far more affordable to ordinary customers.

Gu clearly understands both the practical and sentimental benefits behind customers' decisions to turn to ju ci.

"A teacup is not just an object of everyday use. People become attached to it after using it for years. It embodies their memories. It is like a piece of themselves," she said.

Gu Yu, a craftswoman, uses the ju ci technique to repair a broken cup at Hongqiao Antique Center in Shanghai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

While Gu's methods are increasing popular, there are only a few studios in Shanghai that offer ju ci services and Gu only knows of roughly 10 other craftsmen in the city trained in ju ci.