Liu Langfang's workshop offers embroidering courses for women in local villages, Qingyang, Northwest China's Gansu province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

So far, she has created over 500 sachet designs transformed from traditional Qingyang sachet patterns. The company sold more than 300,000 sachets in 2018, many of which were exported to countries including the US, Germany, Italy and Belarus.

Lifting up the left behind

With most adult men having left for cities to seek higher-paying work, the women left behind have basically no personal income, struggling to take care of children and the elderly.

The days of cowherds and weaver maids have passed. In villages around Qingyang city, many women still enjoy needlecraft as a daily pleasure, making things for their loved ones and taking great pride in their skills.

"That's why I decided to organize these left-behind women. Our piece-rate pay works out very well. For those who need to stay home, we will send samples and materials to their home, and pay them right after collecting the embroidery," Liu said.