Time-honored crafts in Nanxun district, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, are finding new markets as artisans and young entrepreneurs integrate traditional craftsmanship into modern design.

In Ganglang ancient village, 72-year-old craftswoman Bao recently saw her silk-flower installations displayed in a store window of the luxury jewelry brand Harry Winston overseas.

In Guanyintang village, traditional knot buttons have been turned into fridge magnets, brooches, earrings, and other accessories, helping villagers earn income while working near home. Young entrepreneur Zhang Lihua returned to her hometown and introduced computer-aided design to modernize knot-button products.

In Ganglang, young silk-flower artist Pan Feifei established a workshop that breaks down designs into standardized procedures, allowing more than 70 elderly artisans to participate.

A batch of silk-flower installations. [Photo/Tide News]

The updates go beyond just individual workshops. Recently, the "Source of Silk" Cultural Industry Block opened in Ganglang, featuring the Jiangnan Dyeing and Weaving Workshop along with two master studios.

Together, Nanxun's silk and Huzhou writing brush industries boast more than 800 companies and support nearly 20,000 jobs. Last year, the Huzhou writing brush industry generated 830 million yuan ($123.46 million) in revenue, while the silk industry recorded 8.38 billion yuan.

Local efforts now focus on attracting young apprentices, developing new products, expanding study tours, and integrating traditional crafts with e-commerce and international design.