The celadon pony pendant crafted by Jin Xin. [Photo/Lishui Daily]

A celadon pony pendant crafted by Jin Xin, an artisan from Longquan, a county-level city in Lishui, Zhejiang province, has become an unexpected hit ahead of the Year of the Horse. Since its launch two months ago, over 20,000 pieces have been sold, generating nearly 2 million yuan ($290,109.53) in sales.

The pendant, named with a playful nod to wealth and good fortune, features coin patterns, a gold ingot, and a leather strap. Jin initially fired 2,000 pieces and shared them on social media, only to see them sell out in under 10 minutes.

Orders have since surged, with one client requesting 5,000 units at once. Despite round-the-clock production, Jin's workshop is struggling to keep up with demand, leading to shortages of accessories and packaging.

Jin noted a recent shift in his creative approach. Moving away from purely collectible pieces, he now focuses on cultural and creative products that appeal to younger consumers.

Inspired by the zodiac year, he designed the pendant as a portable, meaningful accessory — whether hung on a bag or in a car — imbuing it with blessings and emotional resonance.

Jin believes that while celadon may feel cool to the touch, a product should convey warmth. He plans to release one youth-oriented piece each year, aiming to bring celadon into daily life while expanding its practical applications.