Our Story

GrasShanghai - Where Ancient Straw Plaiting Meets Modern Life

I am the shop owner, Betty Tian.

I grew up in a remote village in northern China, which has remained relatively untouched by modern civilization or the nation’s economic boom. The silver lining in this is that the natural environment of the areas has been well preserved, with hectares of cattail and reeds flowering in countess small rivers, lakes and farms.

Wild cattail grass growing in wetlands

For over 1000 years since the great Tang Dynasty of China, women in my hometown of Hubin County have been using cattail and reeds to hand-make shoes, bags, cushions, beddings, baskets, fans and other essential household items. It is the one and only place in China, and perhaps around the world, where this unique tradition is still practiced. The handcraft comes in hand in time of need: my mother, grandmother, and the mother of my grandmother all kept their family warm in winter with the elaborately-woven cattail shoes and beddings.

Over centuries, time has remained frozen in this small county, along with the technique. In summer, men from the countryside will go together to collect the cattails that grow in shallow waters of the lakes, rivers and wetlands, where the environment has been preserved in its pristine state. When transported from the wild to the villages, women of the family will then take the fresh grass and lay them out in front of the houses or on the country road to dry them out by natural sunlight. The dried plants will be carefully filtered according to quality, and then stored in the farmers’ houses.

Everyday, women will take out some small portion of the plant and soak it in clean water so that it is soft enough for weaving. For women in Hubin, it is their way of living: rise early to make breakfast for the family, then those in the neighborhood will gather in a chosen woman’s house or in the Hutong (a traditional Chinese alleyway) to work together, weaving all kinds of crafts from cattails. While working, they bond – talking, laughing and gossiping. This tradition is passed from mothers to daughters, making the women of my hometown both financially independent and socially bonded.

Sadly, with the rise of factories in China and the modernization in society, this time-honored tradition is slowly fading from the world. However, it is still preserved by a few women in my hometown who are determined not to let this craft die, and wish to share their beautiful creations with you. By buying only one of the hand-made artifacts produced by the locals in days-long, diligent work, you will support our movement to maintain one piece of China's rich and beautiful tradition.

The new Pottery Collection is a new adventure and we are excited to share with our dear followers! Same principle applies: everything HANDMADE with love. Unique, Vintage and Functional!