Art toys and collections are popular in China today. Handmade dolls 1 a long history are popular, too. And Beijing silk figurines (小塑像) are just as attractive as modern toys.
Beijing silk figurines first 2 in the Tang Dynasty. Usually, the hands and face of a traditional silk figurine are made of natural silk.
He Mei is an inheritor (传承人) of the handicraft. When she first saw the figurines at a store in Beijing, she was so 3 that she decided to learn the skills from Qi Congying, a famous Beijing silk figurine 4 . And she went on to 5 her company in 2013. Inside her company's workshop, hundreds of figurines shining under the bright lights 6 visitors.
In Tongzhou District of Beijing, the business now has around fifty 7 . Many of them are from nearby villages. As some of them knew 8 about creating figurines before starting their work at the company, she encouraged them to 9 the skills. Today, they are experienced workers who are experts in 10 steps, from painting faces to creating the dolls' clothing.
The company has also hired (聘用) some young designers. They have brought fresh 11 into the company. And they have 12 new series such as figurines featuring the 12 Chinese zodiac signs.
She said, "Today, many of our customers are the young people. 13 we create tiny dolls depending on their preferences." And she 14 that they have also produced dolls whose hands and feet can be bent (弯曲) and clothes can be changed to 15 the dolls' entertainment value.