When AI Knocks on the Door of Creativity – How The Gourd Shop Welcomes It

At The Gourd Shop, we believe that every handcrafted product tells a story. And to tell that story fully, human emotion is irreplaceable. However, on our creative journey - constantly experimenting and reinventing - we also embrace modern tools, including AI (Artificial Intelligence), as a helpful companion when used at the right time and in the right role.

AI – A Filter for Inspiration, Not the One Holding the Brush

At The Gourd Shop, AI doesn’t replace humans. It’s only applied in specific stages where it can enhance efficiency or customer experience. A prime example is our chibi-illustrated bag collection. Instead of printing a photo as-is, customers can choose a manga-style filter - transforming real portraits into cute, animated versions—generated with the help of AI.
This feature not only saves time but also offers a fun and personalized experience.

However, AI only plays a role in the initial image transformation. Every other step - layout design, color coordination, material selection, and final product finishing - is still carefully crafted by hand, ensuring artistic integrity and personalization in every item.

Creativity Has No Limits

We recognize that every customer is an artist in their own way. If you've created an image using AI and wish to apply it to a The Gourd Shop product - whether it's a bag, a print, an apparel item, or a gift—the answer is always: Absolutely!

We don’t limit the source of creativity, nor do we require all designs to come from “the Gourd studio.” Instead, we take pride in being the place where you can bring your ideas to life, whether your image comes from AI, hand-drawn sketches, or just a vision in your mind.

Humans at the Heart of Every Creation

While technology offers useful support, the soul of every product at The Gourd Shop is rooted in human touch - from everyday stories and personal inspiration to the meticulous hands of our artisans.

Let’s take a look at some of our signature collections:

🌸 Floribus – born from real flowers collected by the designer on the streets of Cali, Valle del Cauca, then pressed and transformed into a unique visual collection.

🎨 Ink wash paintings by Nguyễn Gia Hy – where every brushstroke carries raw emotion, impossible to replicate through any algorithm.

🍵 Ceramic, porcelain, bamboo, and rattan collections – all product photos are taken in-house by our photographers, not AI-generated or stock images, preserving the authentic texture of handcrafted materials.

🧵 Embroidered items – entirely hand-designed by The Gourd Shop’s own designers. Each embroidery file is carefully drawn, color-coordinated, and fine-tuned stitch by stitch to ensure the most vivid and soulful result.

AI is a tool - helpful, but not all-powerful. At The Gourd Shop, we choose to integrate AI mindfully and selectively, so that each product retains its handcrafted soul, personal touch, and emotional depth.

So if you have a new idea - drawn with AI, by hand, or simply floating in your imagination - don’t hesitate to share it with us. Because creativity knows no boundaries, and it’s through these unique encounters that truly memorable creations are born.