Weighing an offer from a foreign university to enroll in a graduation course and a career in embroidery, Zhang Xue chose the latter in Suzhou, his hometown.

Though it is not his first time to pick up needles as he helped his mother sew when he was a child, Zhang's decision initially raised eyebrows, but his success proved him right.

Zhang's embroidery has gone beyond the craftsmanship itself, as he decided to combine the traditional skill with modern elements to promote it among young people. Zhang, who is 30, and his mother, who is also enthusiastic about stitch work, often visit museums to get inspiration. One of Zhang's pieces called Galaxy, which incorporates more than 20 embroidery methods, has been displayed overseas.

Now, more people at home and abroad are keen to buy Zhang's works, and in order to make his embroidery pieces available to more people in an easy way, Zhang opened an online shop on e-commerce platform Taobao, where customers can also buy raw materials to do embroidery themselves.