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As the 2024 International Baking and Equipment Exhibition approaches, anticipation builds for the unveiling of a surprising exhibit on the first floor, not where one would typically expect to find delectable treats. Amidst the equipment section, a captivating array of lifelike wool felt bread creations steals the spotlight. These plump and airy bread replicas, adorned with a golden-brown crust, tempt onlookers to take a big bite. However, one must resist the temptation, as these mouthwatering bread displays are the handiwork of Lei Hsiao-chen, the founder of "Wool Felt Bakery."

Lei Hsiao-chen, often hailed as the "Wool Felting Maestro in the World of Baking," gained recognition last year at the Youth Affairs Bureau's "Product Development Creative Competition" in Taoyuan City. Using her unique wool felting technique, Lei transformed Hakka rice and traditional local snacks into handmade coin purses and ornaments, winning first place in the youth category with her "Hakka Snack Imagery Series." In 2019, her Taiwanese classic pineapple bread earned her the "Cultural and Creative Excellence Award" at the Taiwan Cultural Expo, and she was even commissioned by the Taoyuan City Government to create a customized gift for President Tsai Ing-wen, solidifying her status as a beacon in the world of wool felting.

However, Lei's journey to success took an unexpected turn. Born and raised in a military dependents' village known as "Rainbow Village," Lei followed in her father's footsteps and joined the military, a seemingly natural decision. Yet, her heart harbored a dream of creative pursuits. Upon graduating from high school, Lei, a pragmatic individual, initially sought stability in a conventional job. A few years ago, she made a life-changing decision during the process of applying for retirement.

During this period, Lei's superiors tried to persuade her, saying, "You've served a stable 16-year term; endure a few more years, and you'll be eligible for a lifelong pension. Have you considered that?" However, Lei realized the longing in her heart to contribute something meaningful to the world of wool felting: "While wool felting makes it clear what I want to do in the next moment, I have no idea what I'll have left after enduring a few more years to get a lifelong pension. What will remain?" Fueled by this realization, she concluded her 16-year military career.

Establishing her brand, "Wool Felt Bakery," Lei Hsiao-chen, affectionately known as "Little Baker," embarked on a unique entrepreneurial journey. Contemplating how to distinguish her wool felting creations from others, a teacher's advice stuck with her: "Start with what you love!" Recalling childhood memories from the military dependents' village, where a bread truck loaded with delicious treats arrived at the street corner every day at 4:30 p.m., Lei decided to kickstart her business with lifelike wool felt bread. To achieve realistic bread textures, she invested significant time in researching and experimenting, incorporating skills she acquired in leatherwork, woodworking, patchwork, painting, and paper cutting. Eventually, she succeeded in crafting multicolored wool felting creations, mimicking the appearance of bread.

Despite her success in creating unique pieces, marketing her brand posed a challenge. Lei began participating in various handmade markets, including Eslite's "Year of Dreams Market" and POP UP ASIA Asian Handmade Expo, successfully gaining visibility and attracting interviews and collaborative offers. She acknowledges the difficulty of promoting handmade crafts in Taiwan's environment: "Promoting handmade crafts in Taiwan is challenging. I consider myself lucky; many colleagues in the industry struggle for visibility even after a decade or two."

Nevertheless, facing the pressure of tight production deadlines during market events and additional manpower costs, Lei was at times on the brink of exhaustion. "I learned on the go. When problems arose, I forced myself to grow and become stronger," she reflects. Later on, she developed an electric felting needle to increase efficiency and expanded her product range to include brooches, earrings, as well as practical items like coin purses and crossbody bags, transforming wool felt bread from a mere visual experience to a functional one.

In addition to replicating "non-edible yet irresistible" lifelike delicacies such as traditional bread and snacks, Lei aspires to portray the most beautiful aspects of Taiwan's local culture through wool felting. Objects like the vintage rotary phone from her childhood home, the classic Tatung rice cooker in her kitchen, and the Weishi motorcycle her father rode have all become inspirations for her creative works.

Today, Lei Hsiao-chen categorizes her brand into three focal points: products, education, and promotion, combining them into a comprehensive wool felting art space. She acknowledges the gap between dreams and reality but emphasizes the importance of finding a balance, stating, "Even though there's a distance between dreams and reality, there must be a balance in between. You have to find it to persist in the path you want to walk to the end." She adds, "What I most want to do is to use wool felting to express the emotions of Taiwan's land in a way that everyone can understand – a form of art that transcends language barriers."

Lei Hsiao-chen expresses her hope that through her efforts at the 2024 International Baking and Equipment Exhibition, more people will come to appreciate the uniqueness of wool felting and experience the captivating fusion of art and delectable delights in Taiwan's baking industry.