She said the praise from Liu during the London exhibition had also greatly encouraged her to improve her technique.

Another outcome from the exhibition is that an art innovation platform, supported by the Institute of Directors in the UK as well as the China handicraft workshop, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with Rongshui county and Sanjiang county in Guangxi. This will enhance support and boost promotion as well as marketing. One local garment company in China is now studying Wei's embroidery work.

"Now my biggest hope is that I can improve my skill so that my embroidery will be more widely known to international garment brands," she said.

"Once applied, this will help me to turn my embroiders into commercial artists, and lead local women out of poverty," she said.

Contact the writers at zhangyue@chinadaily.com.cn