Nguyen Quang Huy is considered the “Wizard” by those who love handmade items in Vietnam as he can build sailing boats inside light bulbs and bottles. Thanks to his skillful hands, scraps are turned into eye-catching decorative items.
Huy learned the art of building boats inside light bulbs and bottles from the Internet. He likes boats and the sea so he has done his utmost to find ways to make this type of product. In 2004, he made his first work of a sailing boat inside a light bulb from a flat wooden piece and two rectangular paper pieces.
Talking about his craft, Huy said that he only uses simple tools like gravers, tweezers, glue 502 and rulers. To start, it is necessary to select a suitable bottle or light bulb because their shape will determine what type of ship will be built. Huy uses pieces of wood to make the boat hull, papers to make the sails and tooth sticks to make the masts, which are then painted and beautifully decorated with patterns before being put inside a bottle or a light bulb. Glue 502 is used to join every part together and fix the position of the boat inside the bottle or the light bulb. Among the different stages, getting parts of the boat inside the bottle is the most difficult as it requires the maker’s meticulousness, accuracy and patience.
For more than two years of doing research, Huy has now mastered all techniques of the craft. To make a simple piece, it takes him only about 15-20 minutes. However, for complicated and unique products, such as the Ha Long sail boat, the black pearl ship, the Titanic and aircraft, it takes much longer. He acknowledged that to make these products, he must create his own tools using materials like spokes, needles and a knife.
With creative and beautiful products, Huy won first prize at the 1st handmade product contest in 2015 organised by the Centre for Tomorrow. At present, his products are displayed at 58 Hang Ngang, Hanoi which have drawn much attention from young people and foreign tourists.
 Nguyen Quang Huy is engulfted in the work.  Nguyen QuangHuy creates new products of high aesthetic value.  Joining parts of the boat together inside a bottle or a light bulb requires the makers’ meticulousness and precision.  Pouring glue to graft parts of the boat together.  The maker must be patient in every stage.  Nguyen Quang Huy makes the boat hull using pieces of wood.  The stage of grafting pieces of wood to create the hull.  It takes him 10-20 minutes to complete a work.  Huy uses simple tools such as a pincer, a scissors, a pen and thread to create beautiful pieces.  Nguyen Quang Huy often cleans and maintains his works. |
Talking about his craft, Huy said that he only uses simple tools like gravers, tweezers, glue 502 and rulers. To start, it is necessary to select a suitable bottle or light bulb because their shape will determine what type of ship will be built. Huy uses pieces of wood to make the boat hull, papers to make the sails and tooth sticks to make the masts, which are then painted and beautifully decorated with patterns before being put inside a bottle or a light bulb. Glue 502 is used to join every part together and fix the position of the boat inside the bottle or the light bulb. Among the different stages, getting parts of the boat inside the bottle is the most difficult as it requires the maker’s meticulousness, accuracy and patience.
| Nguyen Quang Huy won first prize at the 1st handmade product contest in 2015 organised by the centre for Tomorrow. |
With creative and beautiful products, Huy won first prize at the 1st handmade product contest in 2015 organised by the Centre for Tomorrow. At present, his products are displayed at 58 Hang Ngang, Hanoi which have drawn much attention from young people and foreign tourists.
 Diverse products.  A Ha Long cruiser inside a light bulb.  Huy always updates models of boats to diversify his works.  Besides building boats inside bottles, Huy also makes flower vases using light bulbs.  The area displaying Huy’s products at the night market. |
Story: Ngan Ha - Photos: Khanh Long
