Melissa Lew jewelry was included in the December 2016 issue of Virginia Living Magazine, now available on newstands! Their 12 Days of Christmas gift guide features a wide variety of gifts, from tickets to the Richmond Ballet’s Nutcracker to jewelry made by Virginian artists (including me!).
http://www.virginialiving.com/culture/the-12-days-of-christmas/
http://www.instagram.com/p/BNhRfy_BKH3/
Seattle is known for many things, including coffee, the Space Needle, Pike Place, and beautiful art.
But I encourage you to go explore – you never know what you’ll find!
For me, exploring Seattle’s Chinatown district was very important to me. My paternal grandfather immigrated to the United States in 1939, entering through the Port of Seattle. Seattle was his first glimpse of America.
Want to follow the footsteps of Asian immigrants and explore the places they called home?
The Wing Luke Museum is the perfect place to start! They offer a historic hotel tour which include glimpses of a real 1910 shop and a Chinese American Family Association. As I looked into the store, I could imagine my grandfather being welcomed by the association. Buying his groceries there. Socializing with the locals.
They also have a Bruce Lee tour where you can see his first practice space, his first martial arts studio, and how he became a part of the local community.
If you happen to be in Seattle this Saturday, December 3rd, I encourage you to go visit! Shop-O-Rama is from 1pm to 3pm and is a great opportunity to support the museum and local artists. For more information, please visit http://www.wingluke.org/shop-o-rama-schedule/.
I’m proud to be featured at AsiaStore at Asia Society among such a talented community of designers. They have an amazing selection of unique gifts and home decor – it is one of my favorite places to shop and visit!
Looking for a meaningful gift? My double happiness bamboo and stainless steel pendants are available in store and online!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKJMl9aBRyK
Celebrate the season with a special night of shopping and festive activities:
Melissa Lew jewelry was included in this month’s Northern Virginia Magazine cover story, VA Made, featuring fifty-plus locally made gifts for everyone on your list and the stories behind the artisans who make them. Pick up your copy today!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNSO7wVhIv8/
For a more relaxing form of holiday shopping, stop by House of Steep this Saturday to sip, relax, and shop! I will be there with new designs from my Splash line. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, November 26, 2016 from 2pm to 5pm
House of Steep, 3800 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207
Event Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/362395977444739/
Known for its eco-friendliness, Portland, Oregon is an amazing city with thriving art, theater, and music scenes. If you love nature, you’ll love the greater Portland area. You must visit the Columbia River Gorge to see their stunning waterfalls. It was so inspiring – what a great way to connect with nature.
If you’re looking for your zen in the city, Lan Su Chinese Garden is the perfect spot for you! Lan Su Chinese Garden is one of the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China – a powerful experience that combines traditional art, architecture and garden design in perfect harmony. You must go visit!
They have cultural events throughout the year; upcoming events can be found at http://www.lansugarden.org/things-to-do/upcoming/.
Their gift shop has a wide variety of gifts, including garden-inspired necklaces designed by me! These eco-friendly pieces make great gifts for garden lovers and purchases support the garden – a center of calm, culture and beauty in the in the heart of the Portland.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLcMwvlB8Xr/
Enjoy special discounts and find unique gifts for loved ones!
Garden Shop open daily, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Lan Su Chinese Garden and Garden Shop will be closed on Thursday, November 24 in observance of Thanksgiving Day and will reopen Friday, November 25 at 10 a.m.
Melissa Lew jewelry was recently featured in the Fall 2016 edition of Gift Shop Magazine as a palm sized gift with a punch! “Some of the best things in life are free – but some of the other best things in life can be folded or tucked into a small space and generate great joy!”
http://digital.giftshopmag.com/i/732609-fall-2016
Get one of these joyful pieces online, at House of Steep in Arlington, Virginia, or Marcela’s Yoga Boutique in Old Town Alexandria!
I’m often asked, “What inspires you?” The short answer – I’m inspired by my wanderings. I love to explore the world, and each adventure brings new inspirations. I recently took a trip to New England and was so inspired by coastal living and the vibrant autumn leaves. Here are some highlights from that trip:
In Boston, I just happened to come across one of my favorite pieces of art – Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads. I first saw this years ago when it was on display at the Hirshhorn in DC.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLBzRGMBU__/
I loved this pop of color (the green and the yellow) against the rocks at the Portland Head Light.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLE5so5hwn9
I spent some time watching the waves crash into the rocks at the Spring Point Lighthouse. Nature is amazing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLE6VjrBCjq/
At Bar Harbor, the leaves were starting to turn vibrant shades of gold and orange.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLGs8JKBY2b/
It’s hard not to be inspired by sunsets like this.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLKRWwqh1yq/
I can’t wait to go back!
The Mid-Autumn Moon festival is a very important Chinese holiday, second to Chinese New Year. Other names include Moon Festival, Harvest Moon Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Mooncake Festival. To the Chinese, a full moon is a symbol of prosperity, happiness, and family reunion. It is celebrated with mooncakes, one of my inspirations for my new designs, now available at AsiaStore at Asia Society in New York City.
Many US cities will be celebrating it through the weekend, so you still have time to join in the fun.
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
September 17, 2016
Starts at noon
Eden Center
6751 Wilson Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044
Mid-Autumn Moon Family Festival
September 17, 2016
Noon to 4:00pm
Museum of Chinese in America
215 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013
Online registration required
The 21st Annual Mid-Autumn Festival
September 24, 2016
12:45pm to 6:00pm
China Friendship Gate
10th & Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Wishing you forever happiness and prosperity!
These double happiness pendants are now available at AsiaStore at Asia Society in NYC, just in time for the opening of Zao Wou-Ki’s No Limits exhibition (opens on September 9, 2016 and runs through January 8, 2017). For more information, visit http://asiasociety.org/new-york/exhibitions/no-limits-zao-wou-ki.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKJMl9aBRyK/
Asia Society
725 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021
To plan your visit, please visit http://asiasociety.org/new-york/visit/plan-your-visit.