Figurine master more known for kindness than skills

After an impoverished childhood, the artist wants to try her best to help others

With her rough yet deft hands, Gao Guiying kneaded and pressed a lump of dough to shape 10 petals of a red rose in less than 10 minutes at her workshop in Jinan, capital city of East China's Shandong province, on April 5. On a desk in front of her, there were different colored doughs and dozens of dough figurines made by Gao and her six apprentices.

The 70-year-old has become a local celebrity with her image and stories frequently seen on the news. However, what makes Gao well-known among locals and outstanding among folk artists of dough figurines is not for her skills, but for her kindness. She has helped many people in need and changed their lives.