Reborn Troops

Zhou Wanwan's jewelry store is located on a busy pedestrian street in the city center, but it is decorated warmly and exquisitely.

The windows display a wide variety of jewellery, from traditional jade bracelets to modern silver earrings.

Zhou Wanwan is a woman in her early thirties, with a petite figure, pretty face, and a look of tenacity and persistence in her eyes.

Zhou Wanwan’s best friend Qianqian is a cheerful girl. The two grew up together and have a deep relationship.

Qianqian often gives Zhou Wanwan advice and helps her run the store. Whenever Zhou Wanwan encounters difficulties, Qianqian is always the first to stand up and support her.

That day, Zhou Wanwan was sitting in the store as usual, flipping through a jewelry design magazine.

Suddenly, her cell phone rang. She picked it up and saw that it was Hu Ting calling.

Hu Ting is Zhou Wanwan's old customer and also her friend, and the two have a good relationship.

"Wanwan, I have a special order and would like to ask you to help design a piece of jewelry." Hu Ting's voice came from the other end of the phone with a hint of excitement.

"What order? Tell me about it." Zhou Wanwan put down the magazine and listened carefully.

"I want you to design the gourd into a piece of jewelry. It should be unique and creative, and it would be best if it could reflect the feeling of traditional Chinese culture," said Hu Ting.

Zhou Wanwan was stunned for a moment. Gourd? This is not a common jewelry design element. She was a little nervous, but she still agreed: "Okay, I'll try it."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Wanwan fell into deep thought. Gourd has a special symbolic meaning in traditional culture, representing fortune and auspiciousness.

But how to design the gourd into a piece of jewelry that is both beautiful and unique is indeed a big challenge.

Just when she was at a loss, Qianqian pushed the door and walked in.

Seeing Zhou Wanwan's sad face, Qianqian asked with concern: "What's wrong? What trouble did you encounter?"

Zhou Wanwan told Qianqian about Hu Ting's order. After listening to it, Qianqian's eyes lit up: "This is a good opportunity! Gourds are auspicious symbols in Chinese culture. If you can design a unique gourd jewelry, you might be able to attract a lot of customers!"

Zhou Wanwan smiled bitterly and shook her head: "I also know this is a good opportunity, but the design of the gourd is too difficult, I'm afraid I can't do it well."

Qianqian patted Zhou Wanwan on the shoulder and encouraged her, "Don't be discouraged. I believe you can do it! How about this? Let's go online to find some inspiration and see if there are any good design ideas."

Zhou Wanwan nodded, and the two of them sat in front of the computer and began searching for design information about the gourd.

They browsed a large number of pictures and design cases, and gradually, some preliminary ideas began to emerge in Zhou Wanwan's mind.

"I think we can simplify the shape of the gourd and make it into a pendant, and then carve some traditional patterns on it, such as auspicious clouds and bats," said Zhou Wanwan.

Qianqian nodded in agreement: "That's a good idea! But I think it can be a little bolder, like inlaying some gems on the surface of the gourd to add a modern feel."

Zhou Wanwan and Qianqian’s discussion became more and more heated. They kept flipping through various design materials in front of the computer, trying to find the best inspiration.

Time passed by unknowingly, and the sky outside the window gradually darkened.

"Wanwan, look at this!" Qianqian suddenly pointed at a picture on the screen and said excitedly, "This designer combined a gourd and a dragon together. It looks both traditional and modern."

Zhou Wanwan took a closer look and saw that the picture showed an exquisite necklace. There was a lifelike dragon carved on the gourd-shaped pendant, with the dragon's body coiled around the gourd, making it look particularly vivid.

"This design is really good," Zhou Wanwan said thoughtfully, "but I think we can be more innovative and combine the gourd with the candied haws and use rubies to make the shape of the candied haws. This way, it has both a traditional feel and a modern and fashionable feel."

Qianqian's eyes lit up: "This is a great idea! Ruby candied haws sounds very attractive. We can use gold to make the main body of the gourd, and then inlay rubies on it to make it look like a candied haws."

Zhou Wanwan and Qianqian were immersed in their innovative designs when Hu Ting called again.

Zhou Wanwan answered the phone, and Hu Ting's voice was a little hesitant: "Wanwan, I just thought about it and felt that although your design is very novel, it seems to lack some New Year flavor."

Zhou Wanwan was stunned for a moment and asked, "New Year's flavor? You mean..."

"Yes," Hu Ting explained, "I think we can add a small window decoration on the gourd shape, which may better reflect the atmosphere of the traditional Chinese festival."

Zhou Wanwan and Qianqian looked at each other, and Qianqian nodded, motioning Zhou Wanwan to continue listening.

"Window paper-cuts?" Zhou Wanwan repeated, and the pattern of window paper-cuts began to emerge in her mind.

Window paper-cuts are a common decoration during traditional festivals. They are usually cut into various auspicious patterns with red paper and pasted on windows, symbolizing joy and good luck.

"Yes," Hu Ting continued, "I think the pattern of the window paper-cuts can be combined with the shape of the gourd, so that it has a traditional flavor while maintaining the modern feel of your design."

Zhou Wanwan thought about it and felt that this suggestion was indeed good. She said to Hu Ting: "Okay, Hu Ting, let's redesign it and add the element of window paper-cuts."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Wanwan and Qianqian sat back in front of the computer and began searching for patterns and designs for window paper-cuts.

They found some traditional window paper-cut patterns, such as the word "Fu", magpies, plum blossoms, etc. These patterns are full of the rich atmosphere of traditional Chinese culture.

"We can incorporate these patterns into the design of the gourd,"

Qianqian suggested, "For example, you could carve a window grille pattern on the surface of the gourd, or inlay gemstones into the shape of a window grille."

Zhou Wanwan and Qianqian decided to further improve the design plan, so Zhou Wanwan called Master Zhongshan.