In 2008, a small retail shop on Xiaojing chang alley in Beijing was transformed into an open platform and artist residence entitled HomeShop (家作坊). The project was initiated by Elaine W. Ho (何穎雅, b. 1977) in collaboration with Fotini Lazaridou-Hatzigoga (b. 1979) and Ouyang Xiao (欧阳潇, b. 1983). The small space was the front part of Ho's own home, which was converted into a semi-public place for the neighbourhood. Because of the growing interest in the activities and the need for more physical space, HomeShop relocated to Jiaodaokou Beiertiao alley two years later and gradually the number of core members expanded to eight. Until 2013 when the lease of the second space ended, HomeShop engaged with issues of urban space, the alternation between private and public domains, the village-in-city dynamics, institutional ecology and the possibilities for autonomous living.

The mutually resonating interests among members of HomeShop to bring together daily life, work and community, inspired diversified methods and projects such as performances, workshops, neighbourhood parties, installations, communal events, providing services, and facilitating interventions in public space. One of the most successful projects in terms of mass participation were the four WaoBao! exchange events, which explored the themes of waste, recycling, cyclicality, and alternative economies, through lectures, workshops and other activities.