Creating bonsai with copper wire

Nguyen Gia Phuong (born in 2005), who lives in Hai Ba commune, Hai Lang district, was able to quickly transform dead copper wires into one-of-a-kind, beautifully designed bonsai pots while still a student. Gia Phuong was able to take the initial steps toward launching a business thanks to his enthusiasm and creativity.

Nguyen Gia Phuong in Hai Lang District, Quang Tri, turns copper wire into bonsai. Photo: Q.H

Unlimited creativity

Unlike many new students, Nguyen Gia Phuong, a former student of Tran Thi Tam High School in the Hai Lang district, has more than just books and personal items in his luggage. He also has copper and zinc wire, pliers, a glue gun, and plant pots. Phuong used that as his “practice” material while attending Da Nang University. With the aid of those supplies and tools, he has been able to create stunning bonsai pots and earn a good living since high school.

Phuong was raised in a household where his parents were farmers, so she was aware of the struggles they faced and wanted to work as a young child to support them.

Phuong is passionate about finding and creating bonsai, even though she is occupied with his studies. He can spend hours sitting and carefully pruning, shaping, and tending to the bonsai. Phuong thus experiences great sadness each time beautiful plants perish as a result of protracted flooding.

"A cousin taught me how to make copper wire bonsai while I was depressed. This is an immortal plant that requires little care, he remarked in jest. People adore it in large cities, but not everyone is skilled at creating bonsai using copper wire," said Phuong.

After that, Phuong looked up and watched videos on making copper wire bonsai shapes. Phuong was astounded by the magical creativity. To test his creativity, Phuong spent all of his savings on copper and zinc wire, pliers, and a glue gun.

Nguyen Gia Phuong and his products. Photo: Q.H

Start a business from passion

Nobody would have guessed that Nguyen Gia Phuong, a young man, was the creator of the expertly crafted copper wire bonsai pots. According to Phuong, he began experimenting with using copper wire to make bonsai products at the end of the tenth grade. But things are more complicated than Phuong initially believed.

His hands were painful, sticky, and constantly scratched in the early days. When Phuong saw his first product, she felt bad about himself then committed to learning how to produce the following item.

A friend had ordered the unfinished item. That encourages Phuong even more to work on the upcoming products.

His products improved in beauty, sophistication, and artistic quality after that. More orders came in for Phuong from Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang.

Phuong bravely launched a business as a result, began marketing the product, and sought out distribution channels. Phuong is the first to realize that the most crucial factor is for the product to catch the buyer’s attention right away. He therefore always has to remind himself to be creative all the time. He decided to sell his creation to customers only after he was completely happy with it.

Making copper wire bonsai is a labor-intensive craft that demands a lot of skills, passion, endurance, and inventiveness. Artists need a great deal of time and energy to create unique ornamental pots. Typically, Gia Phuong needs four to five days to produce each product. If ignored during that period, the product might stop being flawless. Phuong therefore puts his all into each and every copper wire bonsai that she creates.

"I was so engrossed in the process of creating copper wire bonsai that I neglected to eat and sleep."

A creative product by Nguyen Gia Phuong. Photo: Q.H

Ready to share

Phuong, who makes millions dong every bonsai pot, has never concealed his line of work. He wishes to spread his enthusiasm to people around him and is willing to share. Phuong took the time to teach his friends and kids how to make copper wire bonsai before she left Tran Thi Tam High School.

Phuong is conscious of the importance that many students place on being able to provide for their parents financially. Phuong takes advantage of this to increase their power. "This work is appropriate for our circumstances, age, and ability, despite its difficulty. As long as they are driven, tenacious, and imaginative, I believe anyone can accomplish their objectives. Thus, I would like to work and study alongside my friends," Phuong remarked.

Many people were shocked and impressed by Gia Phuong’s disclosure of his secrets and experiences.

Phuong stated: "I believe that development in all professions depends on our ability to share. I gain a lot of worthwhile things in return when I give. I also grow more when I compete. I therefore have no qualms about sharing with everyone."

Phuong shared at credible forums for bonsai makers using copper wire after having that thought. Recently, forum users chose Phuong’s copper wire bonsai product as the “best work” of the month. In addition, Phuong entered his product in the Hai Lang district’s tenth “Youth Creativity” competition, where it placed third. That gives this guy happiness and inspires him to keep pursuing his passion and inventiveness in order to keep “bringing soul” to copper wire.

When asked about his future goals, Gia Phuong stated that she would keep working hard and trying to get better at what she does. Phuong came to the realization that his work on copper wires was more than just a means of generating income after working diligently for a number of years. It is an artistic creation that results from imagination.

Quang Hiep – Linh Pham