Artisans ~ China Travel Pictures

Jade carver ~ China Artisan at Work - Beijing

China is known for its wonderful artisans works in jade, such as jewellery, figurines, and personal care items.

Here, a carver demonstrates the art near the showroom retail outlet.

The pieces are quite beautiful, and there's no pressure to buy.

Jade Tiger at a Friendship Store End Result Artisans Skill - Beijing

This is just one of dozens of jade items for sale.

Look for jewelery, ornaments and knickknacks.

If you notice a small roller like the ones used to paint walls, it's designed to iron out any worry lines.

Ladies are encouraged to roll the smooth, cool jade over their faces each morning to tighten poores and soothe the skin.

Jade and Porcelain Buddhas Work of Skilled Chinese Artisans

These small sculpturesof jade and porcelain buddhas make fine souvenirs, and there is no lack of choice.

Usually your guide (and most western visitors will have one) will be a great help in getting you a good value.

Cloisonne artisan demonstrating the art of Metal Painting

Cloisonne is enamelware in which different colors of enamel paint are applied to the designs created by thin metal strips.

The price varies according to quality and size. Simple bracelets, rings and earrings are very inexpensive, usually $2-$5 each, but they will not withstand heavy wear.

Treat them as interesting souvenirs for the young girls on your shopping list.

Large Cloisonne vase a work of art!

See for yourself how lovely this is artful work is!

Retailers usually can help you arrange to ship home larger items, such as this floor vase, but factor the shipping cost into the total price.

If you live in a large city with a vibrant Chinatown, most likely you can buy these items at home.

I found this out when shopping in a Chinese mall at home in Mississauga, Canada, much to my chagrin, and the price was comparable.

Older Cloisonne Vases Blue, White Show Long History China Artisans

Along the hall leading to where the artisans were demonstrating their skills, we passed a small room with pieces of old style cloisonne that had been set aside as a type of museum.

The pieces were done in an ancient style, with blues and whites.

New Cloisonne Vases Multi Colored Art Works

The showrooms / retail stores are department store size, and most visitors can easily take a half hour to just walk through before making a decision.

The staff in these stores will be impeccably groomed young ladies, each one overseeing her own section of the counter.

While many study English at school, often they are too shy to speak to Westerners. Speak slowly, using simple phrases and gestures, and you will be understood. When you want to buy something, the clerk will lead you to the department manager, who will complete the transaction. Plan to pay in yuan, though more stores will now acccept credit cards for larger purchases.

Pearls Forming in the Shell~ How to grow a pearl

China is a major pearl producer, so this is the place to buy all manner of pearl items -- jewellery, sculptures or even blended into face creams.

When I saw the lavish displays of pearls, I wished I had known how to choose good quality ones.

In my ignorance, I wasn't even certain of the difference between cultured and natural pearls, though I could differentiate between saltwater and freshwater. :-)

Freshwater cultured pearl necklaces, I later learned, are a bargain in China. And virtually all commercial pearls today are cultured. Real pearls feel rough and gritty when gently rubbed along your teeth; the plastic or glass pearls sold on the street feel smooth.

Chinese Zodiac Animals Made From Tiny Seed Pearls - Artisans Skill

The 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac are defined by different animals, like those shown here, fashioned from freshwater pearls.

These pearl zodiac sign animals make a unique souvenir, and are easy to tuck into a corner of a suitcase.

Xi'an Terra Cotta Warrior Reproduction Beijing China

Several replicas of Xi'an terra cotta figurines were stored outside one of the department stores where we had stopped for lunch and shopping.

When I saw this one, facing towards the wall, and life-sized, I had to smile.

Apparently, even terra cotta warriors heed the call of nature :-)

Do take time to learn a bit about the artisans and the crafts in China.

A sight-seeing trip can be a shopping trip, too, and you'll feel more confident with your purchase if you are aware of good quality crafts, especially in jade, and in pearl jewellery.

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