Sisters are a glass act honoring heritage

In the 1970s and '80s, two batches of apprentices learned from Chang Yuling, but after her death in 1986, the craft gradually declined until the Chang sisters revived it.

Chang Hong's works were exhibited at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai. After nearly 100 years, the craft once again stood on the world stage. "It seems like a conversation with my ancestors, and I want to revive the glory of my family," says Chang Hong.

Although the craft is back, there are many challenges. Chang Hong doesn't want it industrialized, which may change the craft and lead to crudely made products, but the current working process is not that efficient, and profitable returns cannot be guaranteed.

Now Chang Hong is training her granddaughter, 10-year-old Chang Kaixin, to learn the craft. "I consciously cultivate her, and make her stay by my side when we work. Maybe she will inherit it in the future. I also want to impart the craft to more people," says Chang Hong.