Crafting Visions Beyond Home
Wang Juan, 34, Devoted Mother of Two, Passionate Handicrafter
“These gatherings are not just about work. We sing, dance, and enjoy our time together. It makes me feel connected to a larger world”
In a small village nestled deep in rural China, Wang Juan's life was once a textbook example of a traditional housewife—caring for children and elderly relatives, managing household chores, and coping with the monotony and isolation of rural life. Married young, following long-standing village traditions, Wang Juan's daily routine seemed pre-determined: wake up, prepare breakfast for the children and elderly, do the laundry, clean, and then sit idly at the doorstep.
“I always thought about what it would be like if I hadn’t married so early, if I had the chance to explore the world beyond our village,” Wang Juan said as she sat outside her house, crafting a colorful coaster. Her skills in handiwork were well-practiced, honed from years of making and mending.
Her husband worked away from home most of the year, sending money back each month to support the family. This arrangement left Wang Juan alone to shoulder the household responsibilities. He was a firm believer in the traditional roles within a marriage—women should stay at home, and the idea of his wife working was, to him, kind of a source of mockery.
“People will laugh at a man who lets his wife earn the money,” he would say disparagingly. Sometimes, he would belittle her attempts to do more, telling her she wouldn't be able to make it on her own outside the village.
“Joining Chillfuzz changed my routine. It brought color to my days and connected me with others who enjoy crafting as much as I do,” she explained. At Chillfuzz, she and other women from the village work together, share stories, create unique, nature-inspired pieces. They weave carpets that mimic the forest floor, dotted with patterns of bushes and blooming flowers. They also handcraft small decorative items, like mushrooms and pond-shaped ornaments, each piece a miniature of the world around them.
“These gatherings are not just about work. We sing, dance, and enjoy our time together. It makes me feel connected to a larger world,” Wang Juan said, her fingers deftly weaving a pattern that mirrored the lush outside her window.
This new job has given her more than just income—it has given her a sense of independence and a voice in her household. “I used to rely solely on my husband’s earnings. Now, I contribute too. It feels empowering,” she shared, her voice filled with pride.
Wang Juan is now saving money for something she has always dreamed of—a trip to see the big cities, mountains, and oceans she has only heard about. “I want to experience those places for myself.”
