As 2026 begins, I realize that I haven’t actually changed much. Not because I’m stubborn, but because there is one thing I’ve never wanted to let go of — being taken seriously.

I’ve always felt that this is something very basic, yet also very rare. No matter what role we are in — as a client, a friend, or someone being served — deep down, everyone hopes for one thing: to be treated as someone who truly matters. This is also why, over all these years, our studio has continued to stick with what may seem like a “not very smart” way of working — serving only one client at a time.

Not because we can’t take on more work, but because I know myself very clearly. If I were to handle several pieces at the same time in one day, the quality would definitely drop, and that state of being fully present and attentive would slowly be diluted. Because I know very well that, in a day, I truly can’t handle many works at once. I don’t want our pieces to become something rushed out just to meet deadlines. And I don’t want any client who comes to us to feel like they are simply waiting behind a number. So we are slow, but we are fully focused. When you come to us, we listen carefully to what you say, we take the time to truly understand who you want to gift this to, what you want to express, and what you hope to leave behind.

Over these three years, I’ve become more and more certain of one thing: Being taken seriously is actually a very rare feeling. Whether you are a client, a collaborator, or simply someone who comes by to ask a question — when the other person truly stops, listens to you, and tries to understand what you are thinking, you can feel it in that moment.

I personally love placing words, emotions, and blessings gently into our works,
 little by little. For example, when a client receives their piece, there will be a blessing card inside. Their name is printed on it, and what’s written is not the kind of generic message that everyone receives. It is what I genuinely want to help them convey through this particular piece. Sometimes it is a blessing,
 sometimes a remembrance, and sometimes it is simply a sentence that says: “I understand what you want to say, but can’t quite put into words.” There are also some details that you won’t notice at first glance. But if you are willing to look a little longer, you’ll discover the good meanings quietly hidden within the work. I truly enjoy the process of placing these small thoughts into each piece.

Because I believe that warmth is often hidden in places that seem insignificant.

To me, paper carving is not just about completing a piece of work. The birth of every piece exists to commemorate a very specific, very real story. It might be a gesture of gratitude, a blessing, or a memory that belongs only to two people.

If one day, in some corner, you come across our work and feel even a hint of being taken seriously — then I think we would not have failed this encounter.

If you ask me where I want to take the studio in 2026, I won’t give a grand answer. I only hope that when you receive our work, you can clearly feel one thing — this intention has been treated with seriousness and care. This is something I’m not ready to change just yet.

( Translated from the original Chinese text )