{"response":"{\"Why are Sơn Mài paintings so expensive?

Sơn Mài paintings are expensive because they’re made with special materials and take a lot of time to make.

Imagine you're making the strongest, tastiest sandwich ever. Instead of regular bread, you use special kinds that shine in the light, like glittery bread! And instead of normal jam, you use something super smooth and shiny, made from tiny bits of shell and pearl. That’s what goes on top of the bread to make it look amazing.

Now imagine doing this not just once, but hundreds of times, carefully placing each little piece so it all looks perfect. It's like building a tower with thousands of tiny blocks, one by one. Each layer is special and needs time to dry before you add the next one.

That’s what artists do when they make Sơn Mài paintings. They use these special materials and spend many hours making each painting look beautiful, just like how you would make a super strong sandwich with love and care!