In a workshop in Jiaozhou, a county-level city in Qingdao, shells are meticulously transformed into radiant artworks through the ancient technique of luodian, also known as mother-of-pearl inlay. This 3,000-year-old craft is experiencing a vibrant revival, mirroring the rise of the city's creative handicraft sector.

Qingdao has systematically nurtured its handicraft industry, now boasting 92 municipal workshops, seven specialized streets, and 57 provincially recognized enterprises. Key sectors like embroidery, tea-making skills, and shell carving collectively generate over 50 billion yuan ($7.1 billion) annually.

To propel the high-quality development of the handicraft industry, it is essential to move "out of the workshops" and "into the broader market" That's why Qingdao has focused on building an integrated "online + offline" promotion system.

Online, the city has comprehensively mapped its handicraft resources and introduced a digital media service platform for the industry. This platform connects the entire industrial value chain, serving over 500 enterprises and featuring more than 2,000 products. The largest single order on this platform exceeds 1 million yuan annually.

Offline, since 2022, Qingdao has leveraged high-level platforms such as the Qingdao Handicraft Festival, which has been held for four consecutive years. This city-wide celebration, facilitated by the government and involving broad public participation, brings together scattered artisans and workshops, creating a distinctive and influential platform for the handicraft industry.

From individual artisans to cohesive industrial clusters with an output of hundreds of billions of yuan, Qingdao's approach demonstrates how cultural heritage can fuel a distinct urban economy. By connecting past and future, the city is weaving traditional craftsmanship into a modern story of innovation and economic vitality.

Shells are meticulously transformed into radiant artworks through the ancient technique of luodian, also known as mother-of-pearl inlay. [Photo/WeChat account: qingdaopicture]