Wonder Wonder

Brooklyn Diary

2010-09-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to see the new Lines and Shapes book, Brooklyn Diary and honored to be a part of it!

Brooklyn Diary
Curated by Lena Corwin

About the Book:

brooklyn, old and new, is known for its diversity and creative spirit. brooklyn diary takes a look inside the daily lives of twenty-one brooklyn artists, documented by ten different photographers. a place that is both dirty and beautiful, artistic endeavors are abundant in brooklyn– from fashion and photography to organic gardens and distinctive food. the book is divided into categories of walk, eat, shop, home, and studio, and the artists profiled have shared their favorite (often lesser known) brooklyn spots, making it also the perfect, unconventional guide book for those planning to visit.

Featuring:
Lindsey Adams Adelman
Jessica Antola
Jen Causey
Brian W. Ferry
Hikaru Furuhashi
James Gallagher
Julianna Goodman
Jennifer Gordy
Thayer Allyson Gowdy
Tim, Anna, Benji & Casper Harrington
Nidhi Malhotra
Jen Mankins
Lisa Mayock
Caitlin Mociun
Pam Morris
Christopher Silas Neal
Sarah Palmer
Youngna Park
Christopher David Ryan
Sarah Ryhanen
Jennifer Sarkilahti
Shannon South
Bronagh Staley
Kirsten Kay Thoen
Breanne Trammell
Maria Alexandra Vettese
Candice Waldron & Maya Rose
Jessica Williams

Details:
6.5 x 8.75 in (16.5 x 22.2 cm)
112 pages, perfect bound,
offset, full color
1000 copy single edition
release date: 10/11/10
$32 + shipping
($27 discounted price for pre-order and will receive their books on 10/7, four days before the release date).

Pre-order here.

Space is the Place

2010-07-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

Sun Ra

2010-07-23T17:43:00.001-07:00

Gradietion of Seasons

2010-03-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

How exciting to feel the warmer air, see the small patches of green growing in my yard.
Now the winter is fading off, and I love to sense the gradation of two seasons.
I'm glad today was warm enough and wasn't painful to hang dry my dance class lappas outside.
Happy for the spring and missing the winter at the same time, as always!

Back in Stock

2010-01-22T12:39:00.000-08:00

The Afrika Knot Necklaces are back in stock in my store. It's lighter than the old versions, in order to give some twists for people to play with. The combination of fabric is focused on blues and oranges this time, I think it gives necklace nice contrasting colors.
I buy most of my West African fabric from Amadou from Senegal. His store looks like a fabric store at first glance, but there are tailor, hair salon, incense and perfume sections in the back and also it’s a hang out spot for the neighbors. So africa! This time I went back to his store with some Wolof phrases saved on my iphone as I've started to study it a bit. He was so nice that let me practice some simple conversation and he even told me some new phrases.

3 Places to Visit

2010-01-21T20:42:00.000-08:00

I get emotional when I think about these 3 places I want to visit. I've been pulled to those culture and nature a bit too much that my imagination got a bit too far. The fire you see in the drawing above is my love fire ;) Thinking about the future travel is like having a crash on someone.

What are your 3 places you want to visit?

Help Haiti

2010-01-14T23:32:00.000-08:00

As we all know, Haiti can use some helping hands right now.
Think about your extra money in your pocket.
It can be used for people who really need it.
Share your wealth!
Let's help!

Herbal Salves

2010-01-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

This winter, I started to make own Herbal Salves to avoid the dry skin. After gathering all the ingredients and making the "Herb Oil", it's the easiest thing in the world to make.

There are many good things to make your own Salves.
It's so easy and don't take long time. I don't need to buy any creams, eye creams, hand creams or lip balm anymore, because the Salve replaces all of those. It's a bit greasy when you apply, but soon it gets sucked into your skin:) The ingredients are not that expensive, the shea butter may be a bit expensive, but once you buy, you can make many times. (& If you buy a fair trade you are helping the economy in Africa) It's good for sensitive skin or area like lips and around eyes, since there are no harsh chemicals in it. If you are only using it for body, it's fun to add some essential oils, too. You can play around with variety of herbs and other ingredients depend on what kind of treatment and aromatherapy effect you'd like. I also carry the salves in a little tin can, so I can carry it with me
all the time. You can use jam jar for the container, and you can reuse it every time you make new Salves. t's a great money and resource saver after all. etc.

How To Make Herbal Salves

Ingredients: "Herb Oil" (55%*), Shea Butter (30%*), Beeswax (15%*), Vitamin E (optional -but good for you), Your favorite Oil (optional - but I like adding Evening Primrose Oil or Apricot Kernel Oil to boost the antioxidant)
*The percentages are just an example, Can be adjust it for your desired texture. I usually use 1 teaspoon to measure 10%, so it's very easy to measure. (i.e. 55% = 5.5 tsp)
*I bought the most of ingredients from this company.

Making Time: 15mins (+ 2 weeks soaking the herb in oil)

*2 weeks (or more) before you make Salve, soak some fresh or dried herb (such as lavender, rosemary, calendula, camomile, comfrey, mint, etc) into oil (such as Grapeseed Oil, Olive Oil, etc).
When you use fresh herb, make sure you pour enough oil to cover the herb, it'll get moldy if it's not covered. For dried herb, you don't have to worry about the mold. Filter the oil before you use for Salves. (You can also use this oil for cooking if you are using the culinary quality herb.)

1. Place a metal spoon into your freezer. You'll need it later.

2. Boil some water in a shallow pot, place the jars in the hot water, boil 3 minutes to disinfect the jars. Dry the jars.

3. Place a dry, heat resistant glass measuring cup into the hot water in the same pot from step 2. Pour all Oils you are using in the measuring cup, then mix Shea Butter and let it melt. Meanwhile, chop the Beeswax into small pieces, this will make it easier to melt. (or you can buy the small pieces as well - this way is safer. Beeswax is really hard to cut into - I cut my finger instead!) Add Beeswax, slowly let it melt. Be careful to not let water in the mixture.

4. Take out the cold spoon from freezer. Drop some mixture on the spoon to check if the salve is at your desired firmness. If it's too soft, add more Bees Wax. If it's too hard, add more oils.

5. When the mixture becomes your desired texture, pour the mixture into the jar. Let it cool down, then it's ready to use! Store in cool place without direct sunlight.

2010

2010-01-01T13:27:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Last year as Wonder Wonder I had the freedom to work on what I wanted to make. I was able to share the result with many people and received a very welcome response. I'm really encouraged when people are happy with my Wonder Wonder creations. It makes me happy and fuels my creativity :) Through the process I also learned a lot about making a business out of making things. I feel so fortunate to have come to know many designers who make amazing works (Thank you Lena!) and collaboration with an online magazine (Thank you Paul!) Having freelance design jobs pays my bills and enables me to work on WW without too much pressure to make money (Thank you my clients!). Of course, there are still SO MANY things I want to learn and improve, but I know that the most essential thing is to make good work. It's simple but true. In 2010, I'm looking forward to work on new print designs - from something wearable to viewable. My work flow won't have as quick of a turn around, but I like the word "slow and steady wins the race" so I'm going to enjoy the making process. I cannot wait to show all of you what's in store for Wonder Wonder 2010 ;)

Thank you!

The Last Dance of Year

2009-12-30T23:52:00.000-08:00

Today was the last Sabar dance class of 2009, thus, it was a wrap-up for us. It was very fun and silly, we cranked up some funky moves with Baram'baye (spell?), the drummers were so amazing (even more than usual!), and everyone seemed to enjoy the finale and got more excitement to dance in new year :) Though I still suck with Sabar (and Djembe and anything!), I actually could see a lot of improvement in myself, in comparison to 5 month ago, when I first started. Now I can follow the most of basic/traditional moves, and if I can't, I still greatly enjoy the struggle to catch the move without stress. Though I'd like to be "dancing" than "following," but think back, I couldn't even follow the basics several months ago, so it's good for now :) I am so glad this realization came to my mind today, even it was so hard to leave house due to the extreme cold.

The best thing about learning West African Dance is that, more you dance, more fun you get. (Like digging a potato in dirt!) I think the reason why we feel so emotional when we see the beautiful dancers and drummers from West Africa is because they embody the "joy of life" with all over their body and heart. When dancers embrace the drum beats, and the drummers and their beats melt together with dance, it's all about "feeling," unlike other verbal communication. And their dance IS the story of people's life which has been carried on for thousands of years. I have been thinking, "How can I output what I learned from Griots as a Japanese stranger?" but I have not found an answer yet.

Dance is my hobby and I'm not trying to be a performance artist or anything. I'm still skeptical about my rack of talent in dance even. But I LOVE dance, and I LOVE the drum beats, and I LOVE how much dance can make my body and mind so happy and healthy, so 2 years of going to dance classes easily passed. When I'm stressed out or not feel right about myself, dance can make me so clear, open, and neutral. One dance can also bring the new world about the culture and people's life behind it. (ex. I learned about the Bayefaal culture through Bayefaal dance) It even effect my creativity - whether it's direct or indirect, dance effects what I create in good way. There are so many good things returns to me when I dance. So when I realized, dancing became my basic life necessity, just like eating and sleeping.

My new year's dance resolution is to be able to dance in solo circle by the end of 2010, and of course continue having fun with dance. The slow and steady win the race, it's the idea :) Also, this is not directly connected to dance, but I hope that my dance practice keep feeding good energy, joy and inspiration to my main work of life as a designer. It's my fuel! I also would like to give back something good to Senegal or Guinea and other amazing West African countries and its culture and people through my own work, so I hope some sharp idea comes to my heart!

Some of the people in my class has been dancing for really long time. When I see their smile and beautiful polished moves, it's hard to not wanting to still be dancing when I become 60 years old.

As a lucky new bee, I can't thank enough for everyone have been supporting the amazing NY West African dance community for long time. I'm so grateful that I live here :)

Work for Free Magazine

2009-12-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

Wonder Wonder has featured in Work for Free Magazine Issue 3, an online magazine focuses on small designers. It was so much fun to collaborate on the photoshoot, which was done in my back yard with super DIY setting. You can see me (my legs) holding the back drop fabric (we used some of my African pagne and indian sheets) from the back, which was hung from the clothe line! Thank you for Paul Wagenblast and Aidan Koch from WFF Magazine for the oppotunity.

Holiday Sale

2009-12-17T11:04:00.000-08:00

It was a great success.
Thank you SO much for Lena for adding me to the crew.
I've got so inspired by all of designers at the sale - they are all extremely talented, hard working, and have a solid work with tons of LOVE poured into it!

Lena's Holiday Sale!

2009-12-04T20:07:00.000-08:00

Lena has kindly made a room for Wonder Wonder to be a part of her Holiday Sale at her studio in Fortgreen. There will be a group of seriously the BEST local designers! Super excited!

December 12th, Saturday 1-5pm
218 Adelphi St, Fortgreen, Brooklyn

I'm a busy bee as it is always a case of the first half of December, EVERY YEAR! I don't know if I had even one day I really able to relax since the mid November except Thanks Giving holidays. I'm working, making, dancing Sabar, and listening to a TONS of Youssou N'Dour's music, a Senegalise pop star! His happy, optimistic songs smell like the golden sun in Senegal.

images from Lena's blog

ワンダーワンダーがホリデーセールに参加します。誘ってくれたのはまたまたデザイナーLena Corwinさん。セールも彼女のFortgreenのスタジオです。他に参加されるデザイナーの皆さんも素敵な方ばかりでとても楽しみです。

December 12th, Saturday 1-5pm
218 Adelphi St, Fortgreen, Brooklyn

Wonderful Design-Coop Day

2009-11-27T19:25:00.000-08:00

The Design Co-op at Brooklyn Flea was so awesome! The weather was so perfect. All the products from the BK local designers were amazing, and they gave me a lot of inspirations! I was so happy to be able to take a part in.. Thank you for Lena for finding Wonder Wonder, and Rebecca from Moon Tree Letter Press and her lovely roommate for the operation of the booth, and all of you who came!

Thanks Sale!

2009-11-26T22:04:00.001-08:00

Wonder Wonder store is having THANKS! Giving Sale until this Sunday of 29th!

Thank you :)

WW at Brooklyn Flea!

2009-11-14T12:05:00.000-08:00

Wonder Wonder is so excited and working like a machine right now, to take a part in..

Brooklyn Flea Design CO-OP
Curated by Lena Corwin

November 21st, Saturday, 10am-5pm (This is the last one this year!)

WW will be joining in the wonderful local designers:
Virginia Sin – Ceramics
Deadly Squire
Moontree Letterpress
Wayne Pate / Good Shape Design
Maptote
Lena Corwin / Lines & Shapes

And, there will be several other sellers, to be announced.

Brooklyn Flea
176 Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene

G train to Clinton/Washington Ave. stop, C train to Lafeyette Ave. stop

For more info: http://www.brooklynflea.com/

Baay Faal Style

2009-11-07T00:37:00.001-08:00

In my recent Sabar dance class, We learned a type of dance called "Baay faal."
My teacher explained that the dance comes from Bayefall people in Touba, Senagal, and they wear dreadlocks, wearing a patchwork clothing, just like the pants he wears in the class.

That's all he said before we danced, but it was enough to pull my interest. Not only I liked my teacher's patchwork pants made of various colorful African fabric, It sounded like very interesting people that I had to know who they were! I also thought that it was important to know the meaning and history behind of dance we learn.

Sabar is a drum and dance culture of Wolof people, a largest ethnic group in Senegal - about 40% of the population, and many in the Gambia and Mauritania. So I thought Bayefall is a group of people within Wolof, and it was a good clue to find out more.

The majority of the Wolof people are Muslims, as the Senegalese Sufi Muslim brotherhoods appeared in Wolof communities in the 19th century, and grew tremendously in the 20th.

The Bayefall (Baay Faal in Wolof) is a sub-group of the Mouride brotherhood, a Sufi Muslim order largely believed in Senegal and the Gambia. The Mouride brotherhood was founded in 1883 in Senegal by Shaykh Aḥmadu Bàmba Mbàkke, commonly known as Amadou Bamba (1850-1927). As he is buried in Touba, Senagal, it's the holy city and headquarters for the Mourides (the followers).

The Bayefall was founded by Ibra Fall, a famous disciple of Bamba, known for his dedication to God, and considered work as a form of adoration. Bamba finally decided that Ibra Fall should show his dedication to God purely through manual labor.
Many of Bayefall substitute hard labor and dedication to their marabout (spiritual leader and teacher) for the usual Muslim pieties like prayer and fasting.

Bamba and Ibra Fall are the important cultural icons for many Wolof people. People painted their figures from portraits to the walls and signs, just like street art and they look very pop. As you can see on the second photo, Bamba is on the left and Ibra on the right, and in between them there is the holy Touba.

The members of the Bayefall dress in colorful ragged/patchworked clothes, wear their hair in dreadlocks which are called ndiange or 'strong hair', carry clubs, and act as security guards in the annual Grand Magal pilgrimages to Touba. Long time ago, as they kept wearing same clothes, it got worn out. So they patchworked the different fabrics to mend. Now they wear patchwork clothes as style and keep the tradition. I find it very interesting, and it reminds me of Japanese Sashiko embroidery technique to sustain one garment longer. The photos towards the top is more traditional Bayefall outfit.

In modern times the hard labor is often replaced by members roaming the streets asking for financial donations for their marabout. Some Bayefalls are talented musicians. As long as they have religious heart, anyone can be a Bayefall, and this create the international networks of Senegalese music, dance, art and poetry culture. The photo on the bottom is the recent young Bayefall outfit, not so much patchwork anymore but tie-dye fabric and badges feature their (I think?) marabout. It also seems like there is a bit of American Hip-Hop fashion influence, as they layer many garments and its looseness. I really like how they mix the tradition, religion, craft, street culture and other imported western elements into a style!

It's so exciting when a new rhythm and move bring me the meaning and history behind it. It totally expands my inner world and stimulates the motivation to do and make things! and the best part is that it makes me feel SO optimistic towards the human activity on the earth. I know it sounds so generic and too broad, but it really lets me realize the world is such a interesting place, and worth taking time and energy to find out more.

Senegal (and West Africa), is in my top 3 places (along with Tibet/Himalayas and Alaska!) I want to visit. By the time I visit there, I really hope my dance skill will be a A LOT better than now!

The Solar System Necklace

2009-10-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Wonder Wonder's The Solar System Necklace has been blogged here by Jenny, a designer of her lovely clothing line, Wiksten-made. I love her styling with a white Mociun dress with a great pattern on it! Jenny herself and her line are so adorable.. Thank you Jenny! Now I'm busy filling the orders for my store!

The Queens World Traveling

2009-10-27T21:10:00.000-07:00

Roaming around in the ethnically diverse areas in Queens has became a weekend ritual for my husband and I. It started because of my husband's Indian cooking addiction, and we also love exploring. We started going to Jackson Heights, which some people also call a little India. Now we explore (and get delicious and cheap brunch/lunch of course) in Woodside and Flushing too, where Chinese, Taiwanese, Tibetan, Himalayan, Korean, Filipino, Thai, Indian, Bangladesh, Central/South American (and so on!) immigrants are all mixed and making a interesting life activity. As about a half of population in Queens are immigrants, if you look at the entire Queens, it would look like a world map.

Yesterday we had a delicious lunch at our favorite Thai restaurant called Sri Pra Phai in Woodside, then visited a Himalayan corner grocery store where things they sell really reflects people living near there. It was owned by a Tibetan family, (as I see Dalai Lama picture displayed) they sell Tibetan, Central American, Indian, North and South asian products. Then we got some spices at Thai grocer and walked to Jackson Heights. On the way, we found a lovely yellow storefront called Tawa Food, a indian bread store. We went in, and we saw the indian ladies wearing beautiful Sari working to make indian breads in the back, and the interior was decorated in pastel color with blue flower wall paper. We bought The handmade Paratha. When we arrived to the main street of Jackson Heights, it was raining and nicely decorated by the lights and flags, as the community was celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights.

I love seeing and knowing the life activity from people from different culture. If it's more close to "their everyday life activity" I get more excited. That's why I prefer Jackson Heights than Murrey Hill (Curry Hill), Flushing than Manhattan China Town. Since immigrants live and form communities in Queens, I think Queens carry more authentiticy than the city, and the signs of how their culture mixed with others are more honest and interesting than the touristy commercial place. I'm not only seeking the authentic experience, but I'm interested in how one culture become mixed into others.

I have been learning many way to live and work from people from different background, and seeking a way to output the things I learned in a special way I can make or do. For example, inspired by African patchwork pants and making a necklace as Wonder Wonder, etc. But I really not meant to rip off the other cultures or only profit myself. I really want to give back something to where I learned from. That motivates me to let Wonder Wonder grow and that is something I really need to take seriously.

Every time we visit Queens, we are always filled with bright imagery of life activity. All the visual expression like graphics on sign and product packaging, its color and pattern, smell of food and spices, sound of people talking and music they play, taste of food they sell communicate and show me many culture and history behind it. I don't have money to travel all the countries at this point, but if I take $4.50 round trip on subway, which I think it's not that cheap though, I feel like I'm world traveling.

What's David Wearing?

2009-10-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

This is my co-worker and friend, David.
David a designer and artist who makes beautiful crochet accessories as Chauncey P. Graham.
He is probably one of my favorite fashionista in my everyday life. I love coming to our work in the morning, and find out what he's wearing today. It's always a great surprise and fun to see his mix and match. He's so talented doing that.
He loves thrift store shopping in his back home in D.C., and here in NYC he mixed them into his lovely crochet creations and things he picks up in the city.

Today He was wearing his thrifted a great green jumpsuit that fits him perfectly, and a cool red scarf, then he matched them with his yellow crochet hat he made, American Apparel cardigan and H&M white flipflops. (! it wasn't that cold today, but I still admire for the choice)
Isn't it so fun and adorable? It makes me happy because I can see how much he's enjoying styling them. His color choices are so GOOD!

You can read more about his creative styling tips etc here, David's Blog: http://yesdavidishere.wordpress.com

Wedding of the World

2009-06-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

What am I going wear for my wedding?
It's time to think, so I did a little goog-search to see what other people are wearing in the world. My favorite so far, is Japanese Okinawan "Bingara" kimono (3rd from the last), which I've never seen it before and totally fell in love! Too bad I'm not from Okinawa!

I still don't know what to wear!

Flower People

2009-05-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

First time I heard about a ethnic group called Hmong was in Wisconsin over the X'mas break. My Fiance is from there, and his best friend growing up's parents are hippies, and I saw a beautiful embroidared picture something like this, at their house. Featuring bunch of farm animals and farming, agriculture, and life. I just loved the expression of everyday life and warm, colorful look. So I asked the hippy parents where it was from, and what kind of people makes this. I thought it was from Guatemara or something, but it was by Hmong people live in the small community in Wisconsin. I was so pulled to get more information.

The terms Hmong (pronounced [m̥ɔ̃ŋ]) and Mong ([mɔ̃ŋ]) refer to an Asian ethnic group in the mountainous regions of southeast Asia. Hmong are also one of the largest sub-groups in the Miao minzu population in southern China. Beginning in the 18th century, Hmong groups began a gradual southward migration due to political unrest and to find more arable land. As a result, Hmong currently also live in several countries in Southeast Asia, including northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Burma.

If you read more on wiki, you'll find a tough history of Hmong people why they had to travel so much, and as I heard from the hippies, of cause there was a history of segregation after they migrated to US, etc.. I was told by my fiance that I probably look like a native american or Hmong person to older people in WI, because I'm an asian and has "oriental look" and that's how white it is in there.

Soon after I searched over internet, I found the images of how women of Flower Hmong people dress! I guess "Flower Hmong" is a western nickname to those group in Hmong people who dress up like living flowers, mostly living in the part of Vietnam. I thought that their outfits are one of the best thing in fashion I've seen lately. I don't know if they are featured in the Tibor/Maira Kalman's Unfashion but they shoud've if they didn't! (I don't have a copy here at home) The garment has the overall tone of light pink with a very detailed embroidary all over and the complex layering of different colorful fabric. and I love the plaid head scarf with an accent of neon fringes and pompoms! It's just super well styled, to me, in the most interesting way! Here's some good ones I found from googling.

2009-03-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

Uggg. Today is such a gloomy day, icy cold, dark, and it was snowing in the morning. The past few days had been so spring and happy, this is such a tease!

Gloomy air makes me look for something vivid and eye dazzling.. and warm, of cause.

My dream blanket, Pendleton.
http://www.pendleton-usa.com/

Tauba from Sf, she was Jeff's neighbor artist.
http://www.taubaauerbach.com

My friend Danny. I miss him.
http://www.danielminnick.com

2009-03-19T19:35:00.000-07:00

My favorite time of year has (almost) started. I love that I can take more brighter picture at home. All my pics over the winter time is so dark and grainy.

I baked the 5th bread from my sourdough starter. It's getting much better. It rises quickly and the flavor got more depth - mild, pleasant sour-ness! Yum.

I also got a lovely pair of "grandma slippers" from Ukrain via Etsy :-) Love it!
www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5333800

2009-03-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

Sunday
Knit and Bake#3.
Great tea time with baked goods, knitting with Tomoe, Doug and Jan.

2009-03-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

Saturday
Branch meet up at 4pm! Slow day, warm earlier but freezing later.
I had a mismatch sock today.

2009-03-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

A dreamy playhouse by Judith Needham.
Someday when I have little kids I want to let them own this castle!

2009-03-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

Emily from Go Go Distro kindly blogged about WW's Rope Necklace which is on sale on my Etsy store. I'm so pumped that she liked it + made my day :-) Emily was introduced to me via my dear friend Aichen Lin , thanks Aichen!

Go Go Distro
Emily's Etsy Shop

2009-03-14T00:15:00.001-07:00

I like spring time. It's my favorite season, may be because I am a spring born.
Today I made Wonder Wonder's spring 2009 color mood board. So excited to play with colors!