Woven straw crafts

Woven straw crafts

　　Woven straw crafts are a specialty of Qingdao, made from natural materials such as cattail grass, wool grass, corn husks, and craft paper cords. The products mainly fall into two categories: one is woven straw glass bottle covers, which are brightly colored, elegant, and provide insulation on glassware; the other is handwoven items such as tea coasters, seat cushions, door mats, woven storage boxes, and daily household crafts, all of which are available in major commercial areas of Qingdao.

　　Since the liberation, Qingdao’s plaited straw products have been divided into two main categories—round straw plaits and split straw plaits—with over 2,000 varieties. These plaits serve as raw materials for straw crafts and can be made into various products such as baskets, straw hats, wall mats, lampshades, and door/window curtains. They can also be directly exported to countries such as West Germany, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong and Macau. In the 1980s, annual exports reached around 4,000 bales.

　　Handwoven straw baskets — Since the liberation, Qingdao has produced over 2,000 varieties of handwoven straw baskets. These baskets are practical for carrying items and also have high ornamental value. Most of the handwoven straw baskets produced in Qingdao are exported.

　　Straw miscellaneous items — Qingdao produces several hundred varieties of straw miscellaneous goods, including straw baskets, trays, paper baskets, wall mats, and decals. These items serve both practical and decorative purposes. In 1986, the annual production was around 200,000 pieces, with most products sold domestically.

　　Straw tea coasters — Straw tea coasters produced in Qingdao come in two types: practical ones, mostly sized between 4 to 18 inches, and decorative hanging pads designed for aesthetic purposes, which can be customized in size and pattern. A small portion of Qingdao’s straw tea coasters are sold domestically, while the majority are exported to over 20 countries. In 1986, the annual production was approximately 500,000 dozen.