Qian Honghai

Chinese Wood Carver

​

Qian Honghai and his partner, Miaomiao, live a life as raw and naturally crafted as the pieces they create. Honghai didn’t start as a woodworker; his path began in tech and as a video game concept designer until a trip to Yi County in Anhui Provence sparked a transformation. With a deep-rooted love for collecting and restoring old artifacts, he found himself drawn to the traditional woodcraft, apprenticing with a master in ancient building restoration.

​

Today, Honghai and Miaomiao run ‘Yi She’, a studio that reflects their love for nature, travel, and a slower, intentional life. They spend nearly half the year on the road, immersing themselves in vast grasslands, mountain ranges, and remote villages. They’ve soaked in natural hot springs with wild monkeys, wandered forests, and even stumbled upon a Mongolian wedding, where they were welcomed with open arms. For them, life is all about being curious, kind, and fully present, experiencing the world by being in it—qualities that echo through every piece they craft. 

​

Honghai’s style stays true to the spirit of the wood itself, with the marks of his tools visible as part of each piece’s story. Honghai’s creations are sturdy and down-to-earth, designed for the outdoors—a wooden cup that hangs from a backpack, a bowl that can handle rough terrain. Each item embodies the honest and enduring beauty of nature, offering a bit of that spirit to anyone willing to live a life of adventure, just as Honghai and Miaomiao do.