Embroidery artist and costume designer Shi Jiaran founds a studio in Beijing to train people with zero knowledge of needlework to make garments and embroidered creations. CHINA DAILY

Shi's designs mostly focus on four series, including the Palace Museum and landscapes. Zaojing (caisson ceilings) are one of her favorite motifs.

Shi uses special bamboo and cloth. She has finished more than 100 embroidered fans, which are exhibited twice a year in different cities in China.

Shi also studies many other seemingly unrelated subjects that actually improve her embroidery, she says. She took half a year to learn cosmetology and is now practicing photography. Her travel photos sometimes inspire her fan designs.

She also makes round silk-fan brooches.

Embroidery artist and costume designer Shi Jiaran founds a studio in Beijing to train people with zero knowledge of needlework to make garments and embroidered creations. CHINA DAILY

Shi recently spent three months on her newest creation, embroidered earphone cases. She took inspiration from traditional Chinese perfumed sachets.

"I wouldn't be able to make the earphone cases if I hadn't learned about making pouches," she says.

Shi believes there are many more possibilities of incorporating embroidery into daily products, such as the glasses cases and lipstick pouches.

"I hope more people can become interested in embroidery," she says.

"Immersing yourself in needlework can help you forget about a bad mood."

Contact the writer at liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn