Jessica’s Craft Workshop: Creating DIY Joy in Wudaoying Hutong

One April afternoon, as I was strolling through Beijing’s legendary Wudaoying Hutong, known for its charming shops and bars, I encountered a Chinese woman in a beret who was walking a confident orange tabby cat on a harness. I was somewhat surprised by this rather unusual encounter and struck up a conversation with her. She told me her name was Tao Fei (陶飞) and she worked in the store we were standing in front of and invited me inside. I had passed this store, which is set back from the street a bit and has a facade decorated with pottery shards sunk into the cement, many times before but had never visited; it reminded me a bit of Tianjin’s Porcelain House. 

Along with selling collectibles, Jessica’s Craft Workshop (碰瓷儿艺术DIY) offers visitors hands-on experiences in creating some unique products right across the street from the Yonghegong Lama Temple.

Several days later I found myself back in the store doing a one-on-one pottery workshop under the tutelage of a very patient young man called Xiao Fen (小粉), whose deft fingers create beautiful pieces of pottery over a spinning pottery wheel. He helped me create a custom-designed cat cup with ears and a tail handle which he would later fire in a kiln and glaze. I also met the store owner, Jessica (张元, Zhang Yuan) who came to Beijing from Tianjin over 15 years ago, spoke English well and was warm and welcoming.

Please introduce your shop. What motivated you to open such a shop and when did you open it? What about your employees?
I traveled to Jingdezhen (which is very famous for pottery-making and located in Jiangxi province) in 2010...I decided to stay a while and learn the (pottery-making) technique. It took me almost one year to learn how to make pottery and then I started a small factory for designing and making pottery products there.

When I decided to return to Beijing I found out that there were few people who had opened  Pottery DIY studios at that time. I think pottery-making is really a good way for people to relax, especially for people who live in a big city, so I started my first pottery DIY studio in Nanluoguxiang in 2012.

All my employees are graduates from Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute [China's only higher learning institution dedicated to the ceramic arts]. I provide them with the opportunity to experience more about the marketing part while they support me with their technique.

What products and services do you offer?
We started with pottery DIY years ago but have more DIY choices now such as making lipstick/gloss, soap, scented candles, mosaics, making ukuleles, glass painting, painting on canvas and T-shirts, Ebru scarves, tufting carpets, etc., and will have more choices in the future.

We help people throw parties; people can experience the DIY part not only in our studio, but also at their place. We also sell some pottery products, jewelry and souvenirs.

What challenges did your shop encounter during the pandemic and how did you overcome them?
It was really a hard time during the pandemic, I had to close my workshops which were located in malls, only keeping the one which is located at No.25 Wudaoying Hutong. We were lucky because SF Express did not stop during that period, so we could offer online DIY and (continue to) sell our products and jewelry.

What brings you the greatest joy in running this store?
I think the most interesting part of running this store is that I can meet people from different places, of different ages, and with different views. We have made lots of friends over the years and some of them have become close friends. The store has become a place for people to meet friends, chat freely and let them grow closer to each other.

What are some of the most memorable moments you have experienced running this shop? Have any celebrities visited?
There have been a lot of memorable moments. I really enjoy the moments when our customers feel very happy about what they have made by themselves and get a sense of achievement.

Many celebrities have visited my studios and even engaged in DIY there, for example, the world table tennis champion Liu Shiwen and the singer Zhang Gasong have visited. 

What are your future plans for your business?
I hope more people find out about our studio and join us for DIY workshops.

I have even planned research activities between Beijing and Jingdezhen, and would like to let more people experience a relaxing way of making pottery and know China better.

Jessica’s Craft Workshop 碰瓷儿艺术DIY
25 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区五道营胡同25号
Hours: 1pm-9.30pm, Mon-Fri; 10.30am-10pm, Sat-Sun
Phone: 15910686707, 13701372523

READ: Strawberry Sweets: A Delectable Journey Through the Capital

Images courtesy of Jessica (张元, Zhang Yuan)