I was born in the suburbs of Chengdu, Sichuan, one of the birthplaces of Shu embroidery. In this land, handicrafts were never skills to be deliberately learned, but rather a natural inheritance flowing through the ages.

Now, I live in Guangzhou, but the memories of "handicrafts" have never left me. The subtle variations in patterns, techniques, and materials have long been my initial understanding of beauty.

In 2015, I returned to Chengdu and strolled through an unassuming art market. It was there that I met Timmy.

He is of mixed Chinese and American descent, grew up in the United States, yet harbors a deep affection for Chinese culture. We were drawn to the same handicraft almost simultaneously, stopping to admire it. That encounter, unintentional, changed many things.

Thus began a shared journey about "handicrafts."

Over the years, we have visited artisans across China—from bamboo weaving and Shu embroidery workshops in Sichuan and Chongqing, to silk courtyards in Jiangnan, ancient incense-making alleys in Guangdong, and ceramic kilns in Jingdezhen.

What we see is not production, but creation; not efficiency, but time; not standards, but warmth.

Every stitch of embroidery, every weave, every change in glaze, every wisp of sweet fragrance carries the decades of experience and cultural accumulation of artisans.

At the same time, we also see another side—those rapidly copied, seemingly exquisite but soulless "commodities."

This makes us even more convinced that true craftsmanship lies not in the expensiveness of the materials, but in the time and effort poured into it.

It has warmth; it is vibrant and authentic, a way for culture to continue in the present.

It is this belief that led to the birth of ARTERUI.

We hope to bring these handcrafted works, scattered across various places and honed by time, to those who truly understand them.

At ARTERUI, every piece—whether it's Shu embroidery, bamboo weaving, or hand-painted ceramics—is handcrafted by experienced artisans, often requiring multiple complex processes.

They will not be exactly the same. But it is precisely because of this that each piece is unique. These works are not merely decorations or objects; they are a perceptible culture and a passage of time.

We firmly believe that truly valuable objects transcend language and geography. Like my acquaintance with Timmy—it stemmed from a shared resonance with the same handcrafted item.

ARTERUI hopes to bring this resonance to more people. To make handicrafts no longer just traditions on display, but something that can be used, felt, and integrated into daily life.

Handmade, rooted in tradition, and belonging to contemporary life.