We were given an opportunity to try the Gold and Sliver Embroidery for ourselves on traditional embroidery looms. Our teachers, the Master of Embroidery are very lovely ladies who are masters of their craft; some have been doing this for over 30 years. The master, Shi Cui Zhen and the other teachers showed us how to do different stitches. Their hands moved so fast, with such precision and beauty, it was fascinating. We were all able try. However, while it looked easy it was really a lot of practice. We really enjoyed this very relaxing and peaceful activity and the silk has such a beautiful sheen and radiant colors that the results are stunning.

“The Gold and Sliver Embroidery is personally my all-time favorite activity. It was very awesome experience and through it, I learned Ningbo’s art and culture which i will try to let our people know that I will be returned back to my homeland and I want to learn more about Ningbo’s art and culture ”. Said Maida from Pakistan.

The last event took place on December 4, 2015. It was to learn making Ningbo Golden Painted Lacquer. This was also a wonderful experience. The inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, Master Chen HuaMing and Mater Shen LiJun came to Red Peony’s Academy so that we could experience this ancient craft. The Masters had prepared the plates for us with beautiful peonies, but left the stems and leaves for us to complete. In NIngbo, you see many of the ancient items covered with ornate, detailed raised designs and patterns that are decorated with Gold Leaf. This craft is hundreds of years old.

This craft activity was very absorbing;looking around you could see that everyon was completely engrossed in the work of creating beautiful stems and leaves. To finish the flowers were decorated with gold paint and they looked amazing beautiful. Everyone wsa so very happy with their work and that they had a treasured memory of NIngbo to take home with them.

Emily from England said, “I really enjoyed learning making Ningbo Golden Painted Lacquer. The had designed the plate for us, and so after they showed us what to do, it was actually quite easy to make the leaves and stem. They all looked really quite easy to make the leaves and stem. They all looked good once we had finished. I would never have otherwise had an opportunity to learn about this part of Ningbo’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, so I enjoyed it. I’m going to give the plate to my grandfather as a present.”