Craftsman turns unique hobby into best seller

In one corner of China (Ezhou) Cross-border E-commerce Industrial Park in Hubei province, an artisan's meticulous craft catches the eyes of international buyers. On a pedestal stands an intricately created mecha robot, seemingly crafted with the precision of a 3D printer. However, 3D-printers weren't utilized at all. Every panel, joint and curve was hand-cut from ordinary card stock by Pi Linjun, a local artisan in Ezhou.

Mecha robots typically offer unparalleled flexibility with several adjustable joints, allowing them to adopt a wide range of poses.

To turn a sketch into one of these figures requires more than 300 pieces of paper and at least 20 hours of work. The most elaborate designs take an entire week. Dozens of Pi's creations — from sci-fi automatons to anime characters — are now on display in the park's showroom.

For Pi, this is more than an exhibition. It is a transformation from personal hobby to export products.

At 38, Pi lives with disabilities and a limited ability to communicate. For years, he built models only for himself. With the park's support, his work has now reached customers overseas. His models are exhibited under bright lights and broadcast on platforms like TikTok by overseas hosts.

Real-time viewer feedback is relayed directly to him. "One buyer asked for assembly instructions. Another wanted larger sizes. The park made sure I knew," Pi said.

Behind the scenes, park staff handle logistics, Customs clearance and after-sales communication — a one-stop service shielding him from the complexities of cross-border trade. Since his first exhibition in April, Pi has already delivered more than 200 models through the park.

Financially, the changes are palpable. With free studio space and regular exhibitions, Pi saves on costs and earns more than before. His craft, once obscure, has become an overseas phenomenon. His income has stabilized, and he is now considering building up a small team of assistants.

The models are not limited to paper art. From cosplay figurines to agricultural products, the park hopes to export more "Made-in-Ezhou" stories.

"Cross-border e-commerce is no longer only about scale and factories. It is also about niche, creativity and differentiation," said Huang Lingyu, general manager of the park's livestreaming operations. "The key is brand building and avoiding homogeneity."

For Pi, brand building will take time. He dreams of blending Chinese intangible cultural heritage motifs into his anime-inspired designs, though he admits the path forward is still uncertain.

What is certain is that his handiworks, once confined to adorning a small workshop in the inland city, are now flying across borders, a proof that even fragile paper creations can travel the world.