The short videos are set against the background of stunning rural scenery. He cuts a length of bamboo shaft, removes its green skin with a sharp knife, and carefully cuts some pliable thin strips of the same length and width. He processes the strips to make them durable, first by boiling them and then allowing them to dry in the shade.
He's quite a dab hand and is adept at turning "waste" into treasure. He also shared how to make a delicate tea tray in the shape of a boat from an old piece of bamboo, as well as how to repair a shabby desk in an artistic way.
"In the mobile internet era, everyone can have a leading role in short videos. People from all walks of life, including craftspeople, have the chance to showcase their talent. It's also a channel to meet those who share similar interests, as well as to cultivate potential customers," he says.
According to Xie, it's a good platform to promote such traditional craftsmanship among young people, the main consumers of short videos.
Xie believes it's important to lay a foundation by mastering the traditional bamboo weaving technique.
"The master may teach, but progress is up to the hard work of the individual. Bamboo weaving is like composing a piece of writing — you should meditate at first. The most difficult part is innovation, and you need imagination to achieve that," he says.
