Amateur artisans find their groove with woodwork

Meditative hobby

Zhang Zhang, deputy dean of the School of Art Design and Media at East China University of Science and Technology, sees a deeper reason behind the surge of young professionals taking up woodworking.

On one level, they are chasing the satisfaction of creating original pieces, using wood as a medium to convey personal ideas and aesthetics. On another, the very act of making an object allows them to infuse each piece with emotion, rendering it precious to them, she said.

But beyond these motivations lies a process of self-healing, which has been confirmed by the medical field, Zhang said.

Experts argue that this trend is not just aesthetic, but also cultural, psychological and social, reflecting how young urban adults seek purpose and balance through pursuing a craft.

Wu from Anhui said she is only halfway through renovating her apartment, but will keep sharing her projects to inspire her followers, especially young women.

"I want people to see that you don't have to be strong or have a fancy workshop. You just need patience, curiosity and courage," she said.

For Hu, woodworking is no longer just about doing practical jobs in his home. It's a meditative hobby, a way to physically connect outside an otherwise digital and fast-paced existence.

"When I'm not swamped with work, I love the slow, tactile process of creating something from raw materials. It's deeply rewarding," he said.

He has balanced his consulting job with occasional woodworking projects and favors small, thoughtful creations, like handcrafted storage boxes made with traditional joinery, often gifted to friends with their names engraved on the wood.

One memorable piece was a whimsical bookstand shaped like a house, complete with a miniature garden, a picket fence, and even a tiny lamp that illuminated the scene.

"It took several evenings to make, but it felt like giving a piece of my heart as a gift," he said.