In Chuon Ngo village, artisan Nguyen Thanh Tuan is one of the longest-serving practitioners of the traditional mother-of-pearl inlay craft. He began learning the trade while still in school. With over 25 years of experience, he has contributed alongside other artisans to bringing the village's products to a wider audience.

According to Mr. Tuan, completing a mother-of-pearl inlay product requires many meticulous steps. From the initial design, the craftsman saws pieces of seashells and oyster shells into small patterned details, then carves the wood to a sufficient depth to inlay the patterns. After securing them with specialized glue, the surface of the product is further sanded, polished, and detailed to perfect the lines. From simple materials, the skillful hands of the craftsman create vibrant paintings and exquisite products.

Mother-of-pearl inlay products by artisans from Chuôn Ngọ craft village.

Artisan Nguyen Thanh Tuan has proactively sought new directions for development, utilizing digital platforms and social media to introduce his craft process, share sophisticated mother-of-pearl inlay techniques, and promote the village's products to a wider audience. Videos detailing each step help viewers better understand the meticulousness of the mother-of-pearl inlay craft, contributing to a change in many customers' perceptions of the value of handcrafted art products. Beyond promotion, artisan Nguyen Thanh Tuan is also striving for innovation in his mother-of-pearl inlay products. He is one of the pioneers in creating realistic portrait inlays, a technique requiring high precision in form and lighting to capture the essence of the subject.

Mother-of-pearl inlay work demands great patience and meticulousness, with most processes still being done manually. Apprentices typically need 3-4 years of training before they can begin the craft. In the journey of preserving and revitalizing the mother-of-pearl inlay craft of Chuôn Ngọ village, young people are gradually becoming important bridges, contributing to connecting traditional values ​​with modern life. Among them, young woman Nguyễn Thị Minh Châu brings minimalist mother-of-pearl inlay designs, suitable for the tastes of young people. Currently, the market for mass-produced accessories and jewelry is flooded with cheap industrial products, so the traditional handicraft industry is also facing considerable competitive pressure. In the design phase, Nguyễn Thị Minh Châu always focuses on creating a unique mark for each product. The crafting process is carried out by artisans with many years of experience in the profession.

Furthermore, Nguyen Thi Minh Chau and her colleagues focus on telling the story of the craft village, sharing the crafting process, and spreading cultural values ​​to a wider audience. Notably, her products are geared towards domestic consumers rather than just international tourists. According to Nguyen Thi Minh Chau, when the domestic market embraces the products of the craft village, it is the most practical way to maintain the livelihoods of the artisans and prevent the traditional craft from fading away.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/giu-nghe-kham-trai-bang-san-pham-sang-tao-1039959