Gourds transformed into tea sets for sale overseas

Zhang Lianzhong, 44, a resident of Xingtai, Hebei province, has marketed his tea sets made with gourds to overseas customers

Zhang has been a calligraphy and fine arts enthusiast since he was a child.

In his spare time, he occupies himself with handwriting or painting and often gives his work away to friends.

In 2012, Zhang received some gourds as a gift from one of his customers, inspiring him to draw on them and make them into various things related to tea.

Equipping himself with various knives and pyrography tools, Zhang started creating various tea sets in different sizes. He has made more than 100 kinds, including tea kettles, teacups, tea tables and tea strainers.

In a year, he can make about 300 sets, some of which are sold to foreign countries and regions, including Japan and Australia.