I was chased by my sickly junior brother who had two lives

After successfully promoting glass products as daily necessities for the people, Chen Jia and Chen Jue did not stop exploring. Their eyes now fell on two exquisite and gorgeous traditional crafts - enamel filigree and kingfisher feather inlay, and they planned to incorporate them into the production of hairpin accessories to bring unique surprises to people who pursue beauty.

On this day, the sun shone through the carved window lattices and gently sprinkled on the room in the Chen Mansion, which was filled with various jewelry design sketches and material samples. Chen Jia and Chen Jue sat opposite each other, and on the table were enamel paints, gold and silver threads, emerald feathers, and some prototypes of hairpins. Chen Jia gently twisted a slender gold and silver thread, with a smart light flashing in her eyes, and spoke first: "My husband, I have recently been quite interested in enamel filigree and kingfisher feather inlay crafts. You see, enamel is colorful, filigree is delicate and exquisite, and kingfisher feather inlay can give jewelry a lively charm with the beauty of emerald feathers. If these techniques are incorporated into the production of hairpins, it will definitely create amazing jewelry, which is unique in this jewelry forest."

Chen Jue nodded slightly, his eyes fell on the emerald feathers, and he said thoughtfully: "My lady, your idea is really brilliant. The enamel filigree craft can outline lifelike patterns on the hairpin, and the kingfisher feather inlay adds a touch of natural agility and luxury to it. However, these two techniques are both complex and delicate, and it is not easy to achieve a perfect fusion. Enamel filigree requires exquisite manual skills to pinch out exquisite patterns with gold and silver wires, and the slightest deviation in temperature control during the firing process may result in all previous efforts being wasted. The kingfisher feather inlay craft has extremely high requirements for the selection and pasting of emerald feathers, which must ensure that the color of the emerald feathers is bright and that they are firm and do not fall off."

Chen Jia put down the gold and silver wires and said seriously: "My husband, I know how difficult it is. But it is precisely because of its complexity that it is more challenging and valuable. For enamel filigree, we can look for skilled filigree craftsmen and let them practice repeatedly to master the techniques of making different patterns. During the firing process, we will arrange someone to monitor the temperature and prepare multiple emergency plans to deal with possible problems. For the kingfisher feather inlay craft, we must strictly screen the kingfisher feather suppliers to ensure that the source of the kingfisher feathers is compliant and of high quality. At the same time, let the craftsmen study a more solid pasting method to improve the durability of the kingfisher feather inlay."

Chen Jue thought for a moment and added, "Madam, when designing a hairpin, we must fully consider the characteristics of the two crafts so that they complement each other rather than conflict with each other. For example, use enamel filigree to outline the outline of the flower and the veins of the leaves, and then use kingfisher feathers to fill the petals, so that the colors and textures blend with each other. Or, use enamel filigree to show complex patterns on the main part of the hairpin, and add kingfisher feathers to the details such as the head and tail of the hairpin to achieve the effect of adding the finishing touch."

Chen Jia's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "My husband's ideas are great! In this way, our hairpins are not only ornaments, but also works of art that combine exquisite craftsmanship and unique design. Then we should quickly gather craftsmen who are good at enamel filigree and kingfisher feather inlay, as well as creative ornaments designers, to discuss together and start this wonderful creative journey."

Chen Jue nodded in agreement: "Okay, let's not delay any longer. Gather everyone as soon as possible, let the sparks of wisdom collide here, and jointly create an eye-catching hairpin ornament."

Soon, a group of skilled craftsmen and designers gathered in the room. After Chen Jia and Chen Jue explained their ideas in detail, a senior enamel filigree craftsman frowned and said, "Duke, Madam, the enamel filigree craft is extremely demanding on patience and skills. The bending and splicing of each gold and silver wire must be just right to present a perfect pattern. Moreover, different colors of enamel pigments require slightly different temperatures during firing, which is a great challenge to control the firing temperature."

Chen Jue thought for a moment and said, "Master, you are very experienced. I hope you can give more guidance to young craftsmen in terms of filigree techniques and organize them to do special exercises. As for the difficulty of firing temperature, we can purchase more accurate temperature measurement tools and arrange experienced masters to be responsible for the key firing links. Through multiple experiments, we can find out the most suitable firing temperature for each pigment."

At this time, a craftsman in inlaying kingfisher feathers said, "Madam, Duke, in addition to the selection of kingfisher feathers, the pasting process is also crucial in the inlaying kingfisher feathers. The kingfisher feathers are thin and fragile, and when pasting them, we must ensure that they are firm but not damage their original color and shape. We need to find a pasting material that is both strong and will not corrode the kingfisher feathers."

Chen Jia said, "Master, then please take the trouble to work with other craftsmen to research suitable pasting materials. At the same time, be more creative in the arrangement and combination of the green feathers to make the green feathers more vivid and beautiful."

A jewelry designer said: "Duke and Madam, when designing hairpins, I think we can combine current popular elements with traditional auspicious meanings. For example, with themes such as phoenix and peony, we can use enamel filigree and kingfisher feather techniques to create hairpins that are rich in cultural connotations and fashionable."

Chen Jia nodded and said, "That's a good idea. During the design process, we should focus on the overall coordination and beauty, and fully display the charm of the two crafts. At the same time, we should consider the needs of different age groups and different occasions and design a variety of styles."

Everyone took orders and threw themselves into the intense preparation and creation.

A few days later, Chen Jia and Chen Jue came to the enamel cloisonné workshop. A craftsman excitedly presented a prototype of a hairpin that had just been cloisonnéed, and said, "Duke, Madam, we used plum blossoms as the theme for this hairpin, and used gold and silver wires to cloisonné the branches and petals of the plum blossoms. Do you think this pattern is satisfactory?"

Chen Jia took it gently, examined it carefully, and exclaimed: "Master, this filigree craft is really exquisite! The plum blossoms outlined by the gold and silver threads are lifelike, the lines of the branches are strong and powerful, and the curves of the petals are soft and natural. However, in some details, such as the stamens, it would be more vivid if it could be more refined."

Chen Jue also nodded and said, "Master, during the subsequent firing process, you must pay attention to protecting the shape of the filigree to avoid deformation due to high temperature."

The enamel filigree craftsman said quickly: "Don't worry, Duke and Madam, we will continue to improve it according to your requirements and will be extra careful when firing it."

In the Jade Inlay Workshop, the Jade Inlay craftsman is carefully pasting the jade feather. Chen Jue looked at the hairpin that had already been partially pasted with the jade feather and said to the craftsman: "Master, the color of this jade feather is bright and it is pasted very neatly. But in terms of the overall layout, can you adjust it a little bit so that the distribution of the jade feather is more layered and the connection with the enamel filigree part is more natural?"

The craftsman who inlaid the kingfisher feathers nodded and said, "What the Duke said is absolutely right. I will optimize the layout of the kingfisher feathers so that they can be better integrated with the enamel filigree."

After the craftsmen's hard work day and night, the first batch of hairpins that combined enamel filigree and kingfisher feather inlay techniques were finally completed.

A hairpin with a phoenix theme is particularly eye-catching. The outline of the phoenix is ​​outlined by enamel filigree, and its posture is vigorous, and the texture of its feathers is delicate and lifelike, as if it is about to spread its wings and fly high. The kingfisher feather technique is used for the tail feathers of the phoenix. The bright color of the kingfisher feathers adds a sense of agility and magnificence to the phoenix. From a distance, it looks like a real phoenix perched on the hairpin.

There are also hairpins with peony as the theme. The petals and stamens of the peony are shaped by enamel filigree, with rich and bright colors. The kingfisher feathers are dotted on the edges of the petals, making the peony more delicate and charming, as if emitting bursts of fragrance.

Chen Jia and Chen Jue looked at these works that embodied everyone's hard work, and they were filled with satisfaction. Chen Jia said, "My husband, these hairpins are so stunning! Each one is a work of art. I believe that after they are put on the market, they will be sought after by many beauty lovers."

Chen Jue smiled and said, "My dear, this is all thanks to everyone's joint efforts. We can first set up a special display area in the store to display these new products and invite dignitaries, ladies and jewelry lovers in the city to come and appreciate them. At the same time, we can increase publicity by holding new product launches and craft demonstrations, so that more people can understand the charm of the fusion of these two traditional crafts."

Soon, Chen Jia and Chen Jue held a new product launch in their store. Celebrities from all walks of life in the city were invited and praised these exquisite hairpins.

A socialite picked up the phoenix-themed hairpin, gently inserted it into her hair, looked at it in the mirror, and exclaimed: "Duke Chen, Madam Chen, this hairpin is so beautiful! Wearing it on my head, it seems that I have also been stained with the nobility and splendor of the phoenix. The fusion of enamel filigree and kingfisher feather inlay craftsmanship is simply seamless."

Chen Jia smiled and responded: "Thank you for your praise, Miss. We are committed to inheriting and innovating traditional craftsmanship. We hope that these hairpins can add a unique charm to you."

A jewelry collector said: "These hairpins are not only exquisitely crafted, but also uniquely designed. They perfectly combine traditional elements with modern aesthetics and are of great collection value. Duke Chen and Madam Chen, you have made outstanding contributions to the development of jewelry culture."

Chen Jue said: "Sir, you are too kind. We hope that through these works, more people will appreciate the profoundness of traditional crafts and let them shine with new brilliance in modern society."

With the praise of the public, Chen Jia and Chen Jue once again achieved great success in the field of jewelry with their innovative ideas and persistent pursuit of craftsmanship. Their hairpins that combine enamel filigree and kingfisher feather inlay crafts have not only become the darling of fashion, but also injected new vitality into the inheritance and development of traditional crafts, becoming a good story in the history of fashion and craftsmanship in Qing Dynasty.