Deng Weiwei's leaf carvings, like this panda work, attracted a lot of attention at the recent International Handicrafts Trade Fair in Florence, Italy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A young Chinese woman's leaf carving works attracted significant attention at the recent International Handicrafts Trade Fair in Florence, Italy.

Leaf carving is complicated and time-consuming. It usually takes about 10 days to turn natural leaves into works of art through a series of processes like selection, cleaning, soaking, drawing, carving and drying.

Each piece requires over 40 steps, and only one of 20 carvings will be completed successfully. When finished, the artwork can last for decades.

At the recent International Handicrafts Trade Fair in Florence, Italy, Deng Weiwei's leaf carving works from Southwest China's Chongqing attracted a lot of attention. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Deng Weiwei, 27, started to learn this traditional Chinese folk art in 2016 and opened a studio in Southwest China's Chongqing.

Her works feature local and national characters, such as pandas and Chinese kung fu master Jackie Chan.

"The pandas have been the bestseller at the fair," she said, adding that she usually uses leaves from oriental white oak, linden and magnolia.

Deng Weiwei's leaf carvings, which attracted a lot of attention at the recent International Handicrafts Trade Fair in Florence, Italy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]