I wanted to pretend, but unexpectedly I slapped myself in the face.
Of course Ning Weimin felt quite embarrassed.
But having said that, the price of this recklessness is well worth it.
Because Ning Weimin discovered that when it came to making money through export sales, the silk people in the capital seemed to be more suitable than the mane people.
As we all know, traditional dolls are representative and popular tourist commodities in many countries.
The German Nutcracker, the Belgian Manneken Pis, the American Tin Soldier, and the Japanese Geisha and Samurai are all popular around the world.
There is no other reason than that the appearance and clothing of the dolls can best reflect the iconic humanistic characteristics of a country or a nation.
Moreover, this thing is easy to carry, can be stored for a long time, and is very decorative.
Unless there are cowardly children at home who love to destroy things or pets that bite everything they see.
Otherwise, as long as the price is right, everyone may be willing to buy one and take it home.
It is precisely because of this that the size, beauty, material, and craftsmanship of the dolls are what tourists care about most and are the direct motivation for them to spend money.
So if we compare the mane and the silk people, it is obvious that the silk people have the absolute advantage in these aspects.
You should know that the most special thing about the bristles is that they can use the toughness and elasticity of the bristles to create dramatic effects.
For example, place a group of mane figures in a copper plate and tap the edge of the copper plate lightly with a small hammer.
Then along with the sound rhythm of "ding-dong", the mane man will dance in circles.
One move after another, clear attack and defense, like a martial arts drama of fighting and fighting.
This thing has always been called "drama in the plate" or "good show in the plate" by people in the capital.
Others say it is a "little drama on a copper tea tray".
He was even called a "robot without a machine" by foreigners who were lucky enough to meet him.
But because of this, the first production requirement for this kind of thing is to control the weight.
How can you wield a knife or a gun when you are so heavy?
Many parts of the natural mane man's helmet and armor can only be pasted with paper.
The size of the mane man is not very large, usually only between ten centimeters and twenty centimeters.
As a result, the degree of drawing is also limited, which inevitably affects the exquisite effect.
On the other hand, silk figures have no weight and weight restrictions.
That is a doll that purely pursues beauty and lifelikeness.
The common size of this thing is between 28 centimeters and 40 centimeters, which is much larger than the Mane Man.
The materials used are no different from real Peking Opera costumes.
When making it, you have to use sculpture knives, brushes, paintbrushes and other tools, and use a variety of skills such as sculpture, painting, sewing, dyeing, filigree, embroidery, and pasting to make it.
Both the cost and the gorgeous effects are unparalleled.
Otherwise, how could it be praised by the people as "a small thing that makes a living"?
Then think about it and you will know that from the perspective of foreign tourists and their actual needs.
Obviously, the high-end and classy silk figures are more likely to be favored and appreciated than the mane figures who act with bronze pans.
Therefore, Ning Weimin's accidental collision was really a stroke of luck.
What he happened to find turned out to be more in line with his actual needs than what he wanted.
This is the real "no effort required".
In addition, after listening to Director Zhang introduce the origin of this silk man workshop and the twists and turns he has experienced.
After learning that this is the only place left in the capital that can barely produce silk figures.
Ning Weimin felt a sense of joy from the bottom of his heart.
He was sincerely grateful to God for arranging this perfect match.
Otherwise, he might never be able to find something as good as this and such exquisite craftsmanship.
This is not only a personal loss for him, but also a loss for the people of the capital, and a loss for our nation.
This is not an exaggeration.
Because if anyone could know what these master craftsmen who are engaged in silk figurine production have experienced.
What did they do, and how did they get to where they are today step by step.
I'm afraid everyone has to say this.
It’s difficult. It’s really not easy for this silk workshop to survive to this day!
A child without a mother is a long story to tell.
I'm afraid we have to talk about Juanren's workshop before liberation.
Because even though the silk figures are well-made and require many and complicated techniques, in the past, such things could not be put on the market.
For a long time, this thing can only exist as a toy to entertain children, and its economic value has never been high.
Before liberation, only wealthy people would buy one or two of these for their children.
That is to say, it is the noodle shop that orders some old birthday stars or Magu made of silk and silk yarn, cut, tied and framed, and inserted on the "longevity noodles" for decoration.
This is the most common silk man, commonly known as "flat hanging man".
Of course things were different after the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Under the arrangement of the state, these artists established the "Traditional Toy Art Figure Production Group" and began to move towards formalized production.
With the help of many artists and "Clay Figure Zhang", the artists' skills further improved, and finally ushered in their glorious era.
In the decade from the 1950s to the 1960s.
Although there are not many people, this group has successively developed and created "Xishi Huansha", "The Lady Playing the Flute", "Li Wan Goddess", "Night Tour by Holding a Candle", "The Drunken Concubine", "Ganlu Temple", "Liang Hongyu Strikes"
"Drums against the Golden Soldiers", "Cui Yingying", "Zheng Yingying", "Harvest Dance", "Lotus Dance", "Peacock Dance", "Ordos Dance", "Lotus Lantern", "Little Knife Club" and other new theme products.
It was once used as a concierge gift for foreign friends visiting China.
Afterwards, it became popular due to the enthusiastic response internationally.
Japan, Canada, Brazil, Sweden and other countries have placed orders for silk figures, and demand exceeds supply.
As a result, the "Traditional Toy Art Figure Production Group" not only brought glory to the country and created a large amount of foreign exchange profits, but also finally developed into an "Art Figure Factory" with more than 40 people.
Unfortunately, the good times did not last long, and special years came later.
In the mid-1960s, the "Art Figure Factory" was forced to disband due to chaos.
The silk sculpture artists were all assigned to the No. 3 Device Factory in Dongcheng District to make electronic devices.
In 1972, when the "Art Figure Factory" was restored, there were less than ten old masters who returned.
Later, because the output was too small to make a profit, the factory was merged into the Hosiery Factory in 1976.
But this is not the end of "displacement".
Then in 1978, these people were transferred to the costume factory because they were really useless.
Finally, in 1980, when these people were transferred to the Brocade Box Factory again, there were only seven people left in the production team, and three more old masters retired.
At this time, the silk figurine products that were once popular overseas had long been forgotten by people.
As for the things produced in this workshop now, they can only be displayed in an inconspicuous place in an arts and crafts store.
Needless to say, how many people who go to arts and crafts stores are foreigners?
Of the domestic customers who go there, I'm afraid not many of them have extra money and are willing to spend it on this thing.
Therefore, there is a mismatch between supply and marketing, and the situation becomes worse.
You may not be able to sell two or three products in a month.
It's a bit embarrassing to say that thanks to the limited output of several masters in the workshop, the factory can barely afford to pay.
Look, who can say that this is not called "a pearl covered in dust".
A skill that can make a lot of money has been reduced to this.
What a strange story!
Of course, having said that, if this were not the case, Ning Weimin would not be able to eat this big cake.
After asking around, I found out that there were only a few hundred items of merchandise in the warehouse, and the price of a silk figure was only twelve yuan.
Ning Weimin has decided to do the "dominating" business.