Interview with designer Cindy Hsu Zell of WKNDLA

 

We're so excited to present our first interview for the new year featuring a maker from my hometown of LA.  Get to know the experimental charming designer of the modern sculptural wall hangings and jewelry line, WKNDLA-named after the designer's fave time and place.  With a background in sculpture along with retail installations and display, LA-based Cindy Hsu Zell took a leap last year to pursue her passion full time. Her creations embody a minimalist aesthetic, yet a standout for the innovative fusion of different materials (textiles, wood, metal) and design techniques.  Rooted in creating special pieces for her friends and family, Cindy's beautiful modern designs are treasured additions to our shop.

We love your stunning modern wall hangings! How would you describe your design approach and creative process- from design, inspiration and the formation of each collection?

I like to work organically, when I have an idea I try to make it as soon as possible because no matter what I picture in my head, the final product always ends up a little different. Usually this is because I can’t force a material to do something it doesn’t want to do so I like to get hands-on early and see where it goes. I try to have a cohesive group of materials or shapes to play with when forming a collection, such as the Small Hours collection of wall hangings inspired by different times of the day from sunrise to sunset, or Perpencircular, inspired by curves and straight lines. Right now I’m focusing on making all of the small and large-scale ideas dancing around my head without an overarching theme in mind, it’s going to be a little more experimental and one of a kind!

How did you get started in designing and crafting sculptural wall hangings and jewelry?

I created the brass, wood, and natural fiber wall hangings as favors for my wedding. I wanted to make a modern version of the good luck talisman to give to each of our guests as a token of our appreciation for them coming out to celebrate our special day with us. That’s how I started designing my wall hangings, by making each piece for a specific person in mind very close to us.

Love your design aesthetic and mixture of different elements. How do you integrate and choose the materials to use for each design?

I like to work with a very neutral color palette so mixing more texture and materials came very naturally in the design process. I love the contrast of shiny brass with raw wood. I also really enjoy incorporating different techniques into my pieces, from metalsmithing to woodworking, to spinning rope!

How have your designs evolved? What's next for your collection or any new projects?

My designs are continually changing as I find new materials to work with and develop new techniques. I’m really interested in continuing to hone in on my rope-making skills and see what kinds of interesting new shapes and combinations I can make from scratch. I really want to make some larger wall sculptures and installations this year!

Any advice for others taking a leap and starting their own business in design and creating products?

My advice is to be original and kind, always.

I know it’s so hard to choose, but what are some of your favorite pieces from your collection?

My favorite piece is called Perpencircular 002 and is made of a very large piece of rope draped over a wooden dowel. This piece is the reason I started making rope myself, because I wanted to create a 4” diameter rope from scratch. It took 8 hours alone to walk the string before I spun it and several hours to dye it indigo. It is over 4,000 strands of thread thick and uses 36,000 feet of string. I can still recall every drop of blood, sweat, and tears that went into that thing! I currently have it hanging in my studio where I don’t think I’ll ever move it.

Running a business requires a lot of time and passion for what you do- on your down time, what are your other interests, passions or activities that you enjoy?

My husband Matt and I just bought a house and I love figuring out how to decorate it. The slow process of building furniture to fill it with and finding the perfect pieces to save up for is totally addictive. We also love all food and enjoy discovering new restaurants and cooking our favorite dishes. We just got a grill so we’re obsessed with making dinner in the backyard, our favorites are ribeye steak and pizza!

Fun facts about you. Secret talents? Any irks and quirks you'd like to share?

Matt and I love to watch the Bachelor, and have watched almost every season of every show from the franchise together for the last 6 years. I love all the drama but have to admit that I also cry during every finale because I’m a hopeless romantic and believe they can actually find love on that crazy show. I also taught myself how to play the ukulele so I could play my favorite songs by Beirut.

What is your personal style or aesthetic?

My style is very comfortable, versatile, and minimal. I only wear black and grey, I can’t really help it! For my home, I also love neutrals and keeping everything very clean. I don’t think any of this is very surprising or different from the aesthetic of my art!

What are some of your favorite pieces and items you collect for you or your home?

I love trading art with other makers and they are some of my favorite pieces in my home. It is such an amazing and humbling opportunity to be able to exchange my time and energy for an object that I’ll treasure forever. I also like to collect functional souvenirs from every place I travel to that blends in with the aesthetic of my home. I like to look for things like textiles, art, and ceramics that I’ll actually use and display that has a great memory behind them of the journey!

Shop WKNDLA wall hangings

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 As a small business, we love to work with and support a community of emerging designers. It has been a joy to share Cindy's process and journey as she balances work, craft and life. Her organic flexible approach and respect for materials inform her stunning designs. Her advice resonates with any industry big or small and of course, in all aspects of life that "kindness" is key.  The joy, support and care for her customers and community of makers are evident in what she does. Utilizing skills from woodworking to metalsmithing, she is truly one of the sweetest and versatile makers I've met. Thank you so much Cindy for taking the time to share your craft, process and personal side! And so delighted to showcase your work and support my fellow Angeleno!

Product and Studio/Home Photos courtesy of WKNDLA

Studio Visit: Sue's Pottery Studio

There's no doubt I have a weakness for ceramics! Whether it's visiting a ceramic studio in New York or Copenhagen, it gives me great joy to pick up our ceramics from the ceramicists themselves as well as learn about the craft. I couldn't be more excited to discover the beautiful work of a group of local potters right here in my own backyard. With over 50 years of combined experience in ceramics, Sue Kang and a collective of amazing ceramicists, including Kelly Kwon and Thomas Akarawa, have been quietly doing what they love under the radar. They design and craft beautiful table ware and sculptural vessels in the California bay area.  They recently started selling them and so happy to introduce their pieces to the world! Nestled in the woods in San Jose, they welcomed me to their cozy ceramic studio which impressively houses both a gas and electric kiln. 

Sue balances teaching pottery while running her beautiful cafe in Saratoga, Sue's Cafe and Gallery. I witnessed a sense of joy, camaraderie and community among these makers, as they create beautiful objects and gather together to share a delicious prepared meal by one of the potters. One of them also brought a box of lemons shared with everyone and was so grateful for my fresh lemons that day.

 

Sue instructing her student.

dark clay use for the tea strainer/ potter's wheel

 I'm in awe and an admirer of the craft,as they explained the different clays, glazes, cone firings and equipment. A cup may be a vessel with a simple use. But beyond the function, it's the sum of materials, the tactile and kinesthetic aspects of the craft, combined with the intuitive creative design and time. Plus throw in the science and magic of the kiln and of course, the passion and hard work of the potter making each piece unique. As I drink out of my favorite tumbler, I'm reminded of the love and care that goes into each piece.

Kelly Kwon with her ceramic pieces

Thomas Arakawa / stoneware and wood-fired vessels

As we catch a glimpse of the process and the studio, it has always been our hope that you share this journey with us to get to know the craft and the people behind the designs that we carry. I have a sincere appreciation for the individuals and the process of each piece that we showcase. We're delighted to support and introduce the beautiful work of these charming, kind and talented group of local makers.

Shop our new ceramics!

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Thank you so much Sue, Kelly and Thomas and all the potters at the studio for graciously welcoming me and teaching me about your craft. It's a pleasure and so inspiring to see your dedication and love of pottery through the years. So grateful to know all of you and learn about the process. Thank you!

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Whether jewelry, accessories or home wares, Vuela has little treasures for your loved ones this Valentine's Day.

Shop Gift Picks:
The Things We Keep earrings / Cinq cuff / Sayaka Davis bracelet / Mute Object Ring / Shino Takeda bowl / Trois Petits Points locket / Micaela Greg scarf / Thomas Arakawa planter / Sue Kang tea cups/ Naoko Ogawa necklace

Vuela Fall/Winter Photoshoot with Jennifer Young Studio

We're so happy to have worked again with Jennifer Young to capture some our favorite Vuela pieces this Fall/Winter season. Here are some lovely images from our photoshoot taken steps away from her beautiful studio in one of my favorite central coast towns, San Luis Obispo.

We love this season's apparel-dresses and jackets from Osei Duro and Atelier Delphine as well as accessories from new to the shop Lotfi and Katrien Reifeiss. We are adore the new bag design from shop favorite Ellen Truijen!

The Things We Keep Jewelry /Osei Duro Jacket / Lotfi Bag / Katrin Reifeiss Moyen Pouch /

Ellen Truijen Bag / Micaela Greg Scarf

Atelier Delphine Antwerp Coat / Osei Duro Aburi Dress

 

 

We're thrilled to present the objects and wares that we've added this fall/winter season. They're well-crafted and well designed pieces destined to become well-used, well loved pieces for your home!

Tina Marie Copenhagen Vase

Takahashi Kougei clock / Pia Lund Vase

Yoko Ozawa Tea Pot / Oji Masanori Brass Trivet / Love Lynsey Wooden Bowl / Nancy Straughan Kitchen Towel

Clib Klap Espresso Cups

Shino Takeda Ceramics / Studio Joo X Vuela Collaboration Bowl

Pia Lund Hapilu Bowl / Romy Northover tea cups

The Gift Edit Part 3: Ana Lisa Hedstrom + Sculpture Space New York

We're delighted to present our latest holiday gift guide for some last minute shopping. Given our love of textiles and all things ceramics, we're proud to the present the gift picks from amazing artists working in these areas: Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Andrew Kennedy and Magda Dejose of Sculpture Space NYC. 

We love to showcase beautiful textiles from international as well as local artisans in Vuela Boutique, so we couldn't be more excited to feature the renowned textile artist and educator, Ana Lisa Hedstrom. Based in Northern Cal, she has made amazing contributions to the field of contemporary shibori textiles. Featuring her innovative use of colors and patterns, Ana Lisa’s signature shibori textiles are included in the collections of the Cooper Hewitt, The Museum of Art and Design, the De Young Museum, the Oakland Museum, and the Racine Museum. 

Her work has been exhibited and published inter-nationally along with receiving two NES grants and is a fellow of The American Craft Council. She has completed public art commissions for the Emeryville Ca. city hall and the American Embassy in Brunei.  She is committed to education in her craft, as she has taught and lectured at SF State University , CCA , and numerous international conferences and summer art programs.  Ana Lisa's picks feature her love of fabric and graphic patterns as well as her background in ceramics.

Ana Lisa Hedstrom / "Lexicon" Resist Dyed Silk

Osei Duro Aburi Dress and Arca Jacket / Micaela Greg Spectrum Scarf / Tina Marie Ceramics

"I have been a textile dyer for over 30 years…and I love color and pattern! Before I became a “textilian” I studied ceramics and still can’t resist collecting pottery everywhere I travel. It is so easy to travel to Vuela Boutique! I love Tina Marie’s matte blue/green glaze on her bowl and pitcher. So simple and satisfying. Of course, I perused all the textiles on the site and was struck with the strong geometric patterns on Micaela Grey’s Spectrum Scarf. I can’t wait to see what arrives for Spring!"-Ana Lisa Hedstrom

Ana Lisa's Work via

I had the pleasure of visiting Romy's studio located in Sculpture Space NYC this fall. We have such a weakness for ceramics and thrilled to feature the founders of this wonderful space in New York. 

Since 2011 Andrew Kennedy and Magda Dejose have worked collaboratively on a variety of projects and founded Sculpture Space NYC in 2014.  The facility is a ceramics and sculpture center designed to foster creativity, concept and collaboration for artists and designers.  Sculpture Space NYC was designed and built by Andrew Kennedy. He studied painting at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, worked as an assistant at Richard Artschwager Studio and has been showing his work in New York and abroad. Magda Dejose is an American artist (born in Brazil) living and working in New York City. She has shown her artwork in Japan, Brazil, USA, Canada, Mexico, Portugal, and China. Andrew and Magda's have curated gift ideas highlighting the range of home wares we offer from ceramics to wooden objects.

 

Yoko Ozawa tea pot I Silvia Song wooden bowl I Tina Marie pourer I Romy Northover cups

Scuplture Space NYC provides space, equipment, advanced education, and opportunities for studio members to expand and develop their work. SSNYC's aesthetic is based on the principle that any element in the studio, as furniture, objects, and room’s layout, should be primarily based upon its intended function or purpose.

Sculpture Space NYC

And for other gift ideas, please check out our Holiday Gift Guide Series: Part 1 and Part 2

Photos of textiles and studio space courtesy of artists. 

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Thank you so much Ana Lisa, Andrew and Magda for participating in our holiday gift guide! We're happy and humbled to share your stories of passion and contribution to your craft and the community. And of course, we really appreciate your help in curating gifts from our shop this holiday season! 

The Gift Edit Part 2: Artist Misato Suzuki and Chef Kuniko Yagi

Our part 2 of our holiday gift guide series continues as we present wonderful individuals in the community as they share their top the top picks from Vuela. 

Cold Picnic Hanging Planter / Cluse Watch / Forma Earrings / Tina Marie Vases

I've long admired the work of  Misato Suzuki and featured her work on our blog earlier on. And through our serendipitous connections, I've had the pleasure of meeting this talented sweet artist who produces some of my fave artwork. She was born in Aomori, Japan, acquired her MFA in Claremont University and currently resides in our old city of San Diego, California. Featuring pretty colors, beautiful patterns, and textures that communicate playful whimsical themes, her work has been featured in galleries worldwide and available in One Kings Lane and Artfully Walls. Misato's top picks include treasured finds from around the globe showcasing her love of travel.

Photo of Misato Suzuki's Paintings from One Kings Lane via

The Things We Keep Necklace / Cluse Watch / Romy Northover Cups / Bookhou Tote / First Rite Tank Top

Kuniko Yagi forged a unique path to a bright culinary career, growing up in Maebashi and then embarking on a route to finance. An untrained cook with a natural artistic drive and nurtured affinity for gastronomy, Kuniko trained and worked with Chef Myers of the Michelin starred Sona. Kuniko later served as Executive Chef of Myers’ brasserie, Comme Ça in West Hollywood and Las Vegas before heading up the kitchen of the award winning Hinoki & the Bird in Century City. She appeared as a contestant on Bravo TV’s “Top Chef,” and has earned a number of critical accolades for her work with Hinoki & the Bird including StarChef.com’s Rising Star in 2010. When not at the stove, Kuniko spends her time surfing, knitting and walking her German Shepherd in Venice Beach. Kuniko has chosen beautiful and versatile essentials that we hope will become well-loved pieces for many seasons. 

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Thank you so much for participating in our holiday gift guide Misato and Kuniko! We really appreciate this opportunity to share your story as well as your lovely picks from our shop.

The Gifting Edit: Jen Szeto and Amanda Jane Jones

The holiday season is upon us and we're thrilled to share our gift edit! And for this season, we've reached out to some of our favorite inspiring individuals we admire to curate some holiday gift ideas.

San Fransciso-based Jen Szeto is a force to be reckoned with, not just for her stunning imagery through her Instagram account, Window of Imagination, but for her warmth and beautiful adventurous spirit.  Combining her passion for fashion, climbing, architecture and travel, she pushes the boundaries of styling and photography to create images with such visual eloquence. We're delighted to present Jen's top picks for this holiday season- pieces that feature her love of modern distinctive design yet versatile and hardworking.

We've long admired the work of graphic designer and art director, Amanda Jane Jones. As a founding Kinfolk designer and currently the founder of the beautiful new quarterly Define magazine, she is truly an inspiring lady in how she balances work, love and family. She has curated a collection of gifts from Vuela that embody her love for timeless pieces and beautiful simplicity.
 

SHOP THE GIFT EDIT:

 Jen's Picks: Lotfi tote / Oji Masonori bottle opener / Studio Joo vessel / Slow Studio mug

Amanda's Picks: Bohemia Design hammam towel / Slow Studio mug / Sayaka Davis Necklace / The Things We Keep Ring / Ellen Truijen Wallet 

Please contact us at info@vuelaboutique.com for custom gift boxes! And stay tune for more gift picks soon!

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Thank you so much Jen and Amanda for participating in our holiday gift guide! We're so grateful and blessed to know you and really appreciate your help and support of our small business always!