AT the bustling weekend market held at the Shenzhen Women & Children’s Building in Futian District, a group of makers are infusing street vending with a fresh twist. By day, they are ordinary office workers; on weekends, they transform into creative stall owners.

These innovative entrepreneurs craft unique items using coffee beans, 3D printers, and aluminum wire, seamlessly blending traditional culture with cutting-edge technology.

One stall is particularly eye-catching, selling bracelets and accessories made from strings of coffee beans. The beans, in varying shades of brown, are paired with glass and turquoise beads.

The stall is run by three individuals from diverse backgrounds: Li Xia, a fashion e-commerce worker; Ma Ling, a former office clerk; and Zhang Li, Ma’s mother, who once ran a cultural products business in Beijing.

Their inspiration comes from a serendipitous attempt.

“My mom said, ‘Why not give street vending a try?’” Ma told Shenzhen Evening News. “Coffee is a part of urban life. Why can’t we turn it into something wearable and experiential?” Li explained.

These coffee beans, though not meant for drinking, have been specially processed to retain their aroma and shape, becoming a unique medium that bridges modern life with traditional craftsmanship.

However, incorporating coffee beans into cultural products is not as simple as just piling them up.

Zhang is meticulous about the arrangement of the beads and the matching of colors, which she believes embody the essence of traditional craftsmanship.

The team also shares DIY tutorials on the social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, building a private fan community to attract customers for appointment-based experiences.

Another stall set up by Zhang Peng, an employee in the electronic component industry, draws children like magnets. They are captivated by the vibrantly colored “rainbow dragons,” the endearingly cute 3D-printed animals, and the aluminum wire-woven potted plants and apples on display.

In March of last year, Zhang brought his first batch of 3D-printed models to the market, and he has been a regular presence there ever since.

Initially, a 10-centimeter monochromatic dragon took over one hour to print, while the colorful “rainbow dragon” required over 10 hours. Over the course of a year, he has managed to cut the printing time in half.

In addition to 3D printing, Zhang has also dedicated a year to mastering the art of aluminum wire weaving.

Zhang hopes that through these models, tech can become less cold and more of a tangible, perceptible form of creative expression.                  (SD News)