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| The products, made from fabric and bamboo frames, can be hung or displayed as decorative pieces in interior spaces |
Carving Out a Unique Path
Located on Le Duan Street in Hue City, artisan Nguyen Dai Nghia’s small workshop brings together a wide range of materials, including coconut shells, eggshells, seashells, scrap metal, and leftover fabric… All are carefully sorted before being put through different stages of the crafting process.
Initially, he crafted pieces as a way to explore and test his ability to work with various materials. As his skills gradually improved, he began to focus on refining the products with the intention of bringing them to market. “I experimented first to see how far I could go with the materials before thinking about selling,” artisan Nguyen Dai Nghia said.
Trained in Sculpture at Hue University of Arts and with a background in painting, he has an advantage in handling form and color. Over 12 years ago, he began making jewelry from coconut shells, a material that is hard, durable, and widely available.
To complete a piece, coconut shells are cut and shaped, surface-treated, and coated with lacquer. Details made from eggshells, seashells, or metal are then attached, followed by additional layers of color and polishing. This process must be repeated multiple times to achieve technical consistency. “At times, I kept making mistakes and had to discard everything and start over from scratch,” he recalled.
The surface of the jewelry is treated with multiple layers of color, giving each piece a sense of depth and preventing it from appearing monotonous. Currently, artisan Nguyen Dai Nghia has developed around 30 jewelry designs in a variety of forms. Each piece is crafted as a one-of-a-kind item, distinguished by its own unique variations in colors and details.
“Customers choose them because each piece has its own unique character. That’s what motivates me to stay committed to this craft in the long run,” Mr. Nghia shared.
Infusing Soul into Each Piece
In addition to coconut shells and metal, artisan Nguyen Dai Nghia also collects leftover fabric scraps from ao-dai tailoring shops across the city, treating them as a vibrant source of materials. “I often go around asking for fabric remnants. Each piece has its own color and texture. When they were combined, I found even more creative inspiration,” he shared.
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| Coconut shells, eggshells, and metal are repurposed as materials for handcrafted products |
Fabric-based products are built on bamboo frames, which serve as a lightweight and flexible “skeleton”, while the outer fabric layer adds a soft, refined visual quality. Before being crafted, the fabric is ironed, hardened, and bonded with white glue to help it retain its form. From what initially appear to be disparate materials, decorative pieces gradually take shape. The finished products can be hung or displayed in interior spaces, becoming especially striking when fitted with internal lighting.
Mr. Nghia shared that his products are still in an experimental phase and are being steadily refined. Once the process is fully developed, he hopes to open it up to visitors, allowing them to observe firsthand and even participate in stages such as frame construction, fabric pressing, and assembling. This hands-on approach not only highlights the value of craftsmanship but also keeps the products closely connected to practical use, thereby enhancing their appeal. He added, however, that further improvements are needed, from design to foldable structures so that the items are not only aesthetically pleasing but also convenient for customers to carry home.
Currently, the crafting of coconut shell handicrafts is maintained by a small team of around 4 people, mostly family members. Recruiting and training workers also remains a challenge, as handicraft products require skilled hands and a high level of precision.
Through ongoing experimentation with recycled materials, the products made by artisan Nguyen Dai Nghia carry a clear personal signature while ensuring their practicality in daily life. This approach not only sustains his creative pursuits but also opens up opportunities for his handcrafted products to reach broader markets.