Rain Li

Rain Li is a much sought-after, Beijing-born cinematographer. She left home at an early age to England to pursue her dreams and found work as a model. She studied at The Arts Institute of Bournemouth. After her studies, Ms. Li trained as an electrician on short films, commercials then moved on to camera work, and later to cinematography.

Her film work includes Gus Van Sant's Paranoid Park, collaborating with Christopher Doyle. For music videos, she has worked with Justin Timberlake on Sexy Back.

More about Rain Li's work can be found on her website.

Enjoy!
Dai - Dear Monday

Minis

New People Mall in Japantown SF

A few weekends ago I went to check out a new addition to Japan Town in San Francisco -- the New People Mall. Specializing in "J-pop", this ultra-modern mini-mall features a movie theater (showing Japanese movies) and fashion from Japan's Harajuki district.

The fashion is what you'd expect -- over-the-top babydoll dresses, lots of black, plus modern takes on Japanese traditional classics, like the split-toe worker shoe.

The top floor, called the Superfrog gallery, was closed the day we were there, but is supposed to feature a rotating installation of artists inspired by Japanese culture.

Very cool, very different, a little taste of Tokyo! Be sure to check out the bathrooms while you're there (and the multi-function bidets!).

Read about New People Mall in SF Gate.

Visit the New People Mall website.

Dreams Do Come True

For lack of ideas about what Asian-related topic to write about, I couldn't help but share the good news about the grand opening of our guitar school and art studio in Los Gatos, CA. If you live in the area or are visiting, we would love to meet you!

Chris and I just had our grand opening last weekend and it was truly a blast. We celebrated the opening of Chris Bryant Guitar School and Twin Soul Art Studio in downtown Los Gatos, CA. We had two weeks to prepare the school and studio before the celebration, so you can imagine how busy we were after Christmas until the day of the event on January 10th. I took care of putting up all the wall decals (Dali Decals on Etsy) and my sister helped me design the Twin Soul Art Studio logo as a main focal point for the back wall. I prepared the appetizers for over 100 people and loved how everything came together. My family was a great support and they flew out from Hawaii just for the event. The weather brought sunshine, lots of traffic, happy hearts and awesome music. Chris put together a five-hour playlist of Indie artists - The Decemberists, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Brett Dennen, Tristan Prettyman, Meiko, Joshua Radin, Belle & Sebastian, Matt Costa, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, The Dandy Warhols, We Are Scientists, Bishop Allen, As Tall As Lions and Ben Harper to name a few! And, I was happy to also put up tons of gig posters by the talented and down-to-earth artist Strawberryluna on Etsy.

Twin Soul Art Studio currently features Chris Bryant's pottery and my collage art. In time, I will conduct collage workshops for both children and adults in the studio. This space will also be open to showcasing other artists' work as well as trunk shows. With the guitar school next door and a music album in the making, we are creating a wonderful artistic world for others as well as ourselves - a dream come true in infinite respects.

Chris Bryant Guitar School - Reception

Chris Bryant Guitar School - Reception

Chris Bryant Guitar School - Reception

Twin Soul Art Studio - Retail, Gallery & Workshops

Twin Soul Art Studio - Retail, Gallery & Workshops

Twin Soul Art Studio - Retail, Gallery & Workshops

Twin Soul Art Studio - Wall Decals by Dali Decals

Owners - Chris & Jeanne

Jeanne - Three Paper Pigs

Happy MLK jr. Day

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. My daughter has been learning about this man and his legacy for equal treatment of all people, and I am happy that we are so fortunate to live in a place where differences are celebrated and embraced. I came across this article where teens in the Bay Area share their thoughts about MLK Jr. and his message, and how it applies to their lives today.

I try to keep King's spirit alive by teaching my daughter that the world made of people who celebrate different things, have different perspectives and experiences, but that we are all Human. We all experience the same emotions and essentially, just strive to be happy.

How are you living Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream?

Sweet Republic

In 2008, Sweet Republic opened its doors in Scottsdale, Arizona. The artisan ice-cream parlor was founded by Jan Wichayanuparp and Helen Yung, two former investment bankers who decided to follow their dreams.



Sweet Republic makes their frozen treats from scratch, using fresh, natural ingredients from as many local vendors as possible. Some gourmet flavors include Salted Butter Caramel, Earl Grey Tea, Cheese Course Duo, Basil Lime Sorbet. All are served in biodegradable packaging.



If you are in Scottsdale, Arizona and want a sweet treat, be sure to visit Sweet Republic.

(All photos belong to Sweet Republic)

Enjoy,
Dai - Dear Monday

Winter Sale

Japanese furniture by Greentea Design

The Winter Sale discounts are offered based on the collection the furniture is in. The Kuryo Collection gets the biggest discount at 30% off. The popular Maru Table Collection, made directly from reclaimed Korean floors has a discount of 10%. The Sakura lighting collection and Antiques Section are both 10% off as well. The rest of Greentea Design's line is 20% off. The sale only applies to stock pieces; custom orders are excluded from any discounts.

Sheila D Reversible Bags

Back when I lived in Los Angeles many moons ago, I worked with a talented web artist who helped me build my first jewelry website. I loved Sheila's eye for clean design and pops of color.

She now makes these nifty reversible bags out of colorful fabrics and textures at SheilaD.com. I especially love the Round Bags! Please check out her work!

Minis

Perfect Blend of Function and Fashion

Onitsuka Tiger collaborates with the famously talented Simone Legno of Tokidoki. The partnership with Onitsuka Tiger brings together two unique facets of Japanese culture. Onitsuka Tiger's strong history of creating outstanding athletic products married with Tokidoki's modern interpretation of Japanese art creates the perfect blend of function and fashion.

Asics America: Onitsuka Tiger + Tokidoki

Onitsuka Tiger + Tokidoki Snowtopia

Onitsuka Tiger + Tokidoki FABRE BL-L

All images and descriptive text from AsicsAmerica.com (Onitsuka Tiger + Tokidoki Product Collaboration)


Jeanne - Three Paper Pigs

Ozoni

My mom always makes a special Japanese soup for New Year's (Shogatsu), called Ozoni, a clear fish/seaweed broth with root veggies and rice cakes (mochi). Come January first, I will make my own attempt at making Ozoni and have some friends and family over to share in the first meal of the new year.

If you have access to a Japanese or Asian market (or try your local supermarket), you can get the ingredients to make this soup. Try it out! I've been Googling recipes, and it looks like you can make it as simple or complex as you like. I'll probably try something along the middle of the road in terms of ease and ingredients. Maybe one of these:
Dashi soup stock by Alton Brown
Ozoni recipe 1
Ozoni recipe 2

I haven't decided what foods to add to the soup, but it'll probably be some of these:
Japanese radish (Daikon)
Taro root (Satoimo)
Fish cake (Kamaboko)
Shiitake Mushrooms
Napa cabbage
Chicken
Carrots

Mochi will be oven-broiled to be crispy on the outside and gooey, sticky on the inside. These are added just before serving.

And to add to the festivities, hot sake will also be served.

Mmm!

Happy Holidays,
denise of akemidesigns

Wardrobes by Greentea Design

Little Bluebird Studios

If you are crafty or know someone who is, Little Bird Studios has some great DIY kits to make super cute pendants. Each DIY kit includes all supplies and a step-by-step tutorial.

Graphics of the Kokeshi dolls like ones below are included in the pendant kit, but you can also use your own favorite pictures, etc.


How about a bookmark kit for the avid reader who's also crafty:


Unfortunately they won't be shipping until after Christmas, but these would make great projects for the days spent indoors in the cold winter months

(All photos belong to Little Bluebird Studios)

Happy holidays!!
Dai - Dear Monday

Asian Supermodel on Victoria's Secret Runway

Every year the Victoria's Secret angels strut their stuff on a runway in New York. For years, Victoria Secret has represented sexy fantasy in an accessible way, and for the first time ever, an Asian model was part of that fantasy.

Liu Wen, 21, is 5 foot 10 and got the job during a model casting call. She has walked the runways of designers like Balenciaga, Roberto Cavalli and Ralph Lauren and now she's broken even more barriers by appearing on national US TV as a Victoria's Secret model.

You can read her story in this article on CNN: First Asian Model on Victoria's Secret Runway.

Now Showing Studio

Now Showing Studio started one afternoon when Alex Drummer and Melanie Brooks were window shopping at a nearby vido store that was going out of business. Instead of browsing the isles of discounted videos or games, they set their sights on the large display of plastic and carboard backer boards from the rental displays. They knew immediately that they hit a crafty motherlode! A couple of days of dreaming and brainstorming later, they had a new idea for a jewelry line made from recycling the backer boards in fun and innovative ways! Now Showing Studio was born!

You can follow the Now Showing Studio on their blog here.

Here are my favorite picks from Now Showing Studio:

Upcycled Dragon Ball Z Necklace $22

Upcycle Cowboy Bebop Necklace $18

ALL images are used with permission from Now Showing Studio!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Collage Brass Bookmarks on Etsy

Three Paper Pigs collaborates with the lovely, witty and talented artist HubGirl to create a bookmark series in time for the holidays. This inspired line features my original collage art, which blends bold graphics and shots of color for a modern work with a decidedly vintage air.

The original art print is glazed into a brass setting soldered to a sturdy, heavy-duty 4" long paperclip. The back is carefully painted for a smooth finish. Please take a look at our collaborative bookmark series on Etsy.


















Jeanne - Three Paper Pigs

Indian fashion love

This past summer, my daughter was a flower girl in a Hindu wedding. She absolutely loved all the glittering sari in bright colors and bold patterns worn by the many women. She herself wore a sunflower yellow sari with sparkles.



In addition to the clothing is the equally dazzling jewelry—bracelets, earrings, necklaces, hair ornaments. My daughter loved her red and silver bangle bracelets.

I came across a company called Isharya that offers beautiful Indian inspired jewelry, filled with rich jewel tone colors, bold designs, and intricate craftsmanship. My favorite is this beautiful flower bracelet. It would be a perfect compliment for so many outfits, from jeans to dresses, and be a great signature piece for your wardrobe.

warmly,
denise of akemi designs

Asian inspired kitchen cabinets by Greentea Design

Twigs & Honey

Twigs & Honey hair accessories... in a dream world, I'd probably wear one everyday. These objects of hair art are designed by Oregon-based Myra Callan. Her line features headbands, veils, hats, belts and more. Organic and nature-inspired, each piece seems to tell a story of their own.









Enjoy Twigs & Honey collection and feast your eyes on the photograply.

(All photos are from Twigs & Honey website.)

:: Dai - Dear Monday

Chinese Characters, Popular Symbols

Today I was asked if I read Chinese characters. Alas, I do not. But as a jewelry designer, sometimes I use pendants that have Chinese characters and I thought it would be handy to have a resource for the most popular characters seen on charms, etc.

I found this selection of images from The Chinatown Connection, click on the link for more word translations.

Peggy

Corset Themed Original Collages on Etsy

I recently added four new corset-themed collages to my Etsy store. Feel free to convo me if you would like to see a specific themed collage. I am open to commission work. Enjoy!

"Dimension" Original Collage on Watercolor Paper
Etsy

"Living" Original Collage on Watercolor Paper
Etsy

"Chance" Original Collage on Watercolor Paper
Etsy

"Collaboration" Original Collage on Watercolor Paper
Etsy

Jeanne - Three Paper Pigs

Thu Tran: Food Party

I admit that I'm on Facebook way too much. I found a link to this awesomely campy video by visual artist Thu Tran. It's called Food Party. I couldn't stop watching. The crafted sets from cardboard reminds me of worlds I tried to create as a child with an excess amount of large cardboard boxes. The puppetry is simple and funny. The plots are ridiculous and hilarious. And the dialog is awkward (but in a good way). According to Tran on her website, "Food Party is a fake tv show that explores fun ways to prepare foods that are readily available to you. The show involves puppetry, cutlery, and fake mastery."

You gotta check it out!

Warmly,
denise of akemi designs

Antique and Contemporary Bathroom Vanities by Greentea Design