Rising Stars: Meet Nancy Lee of Koreatown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Lee.

Hi Nancy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
“handmade by nensh” has been highly experimental since I started in 2023. After finger knitting my first dumpling bag as a present for my sister-in-law, I kept making more because I loved the adorable aesthetic of the squishy giant yarn. I worked in art museums for 15 years so was surrounded by wonderful, supportive friends and colleagues who commissioned bags and helped me get in a couple of museum stores. In the past 2 years, I’ve said yes to any and every interesting opportunity and met brilliant artists, makers, event organizers, and new friends. I still make and sell dumpling bags along with different styles I’ve developed and love to teach finger knitting workshops for adults and kids.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I learned to crochet and knit from YouTube tutorials and my own trial-and-error experiments, never intending to start a brand. I’m still figuring out what “handmade by nensh” can encompass and how to express and enjoy my own creativity as a fiber artist while sustaining myself financially. I make one-of-one designs that bring me delight and that clashes with selling sometimes as I’m not tracking popular items or thinking in terms of inventory. But when I get to witness someone find their perfect bag, that chemistry is so exciting. I finally started my Etsy this year and I’m trying to get into some brick-and-mortar stores.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a crocheter, knitter, teacher, art lover, librarian-in-training, and polyglot. I get to combine all those parts of my life when I teach workshops. Earlier this year I led a free, multi-generational, multi-lingual workshop at my local public library, Pio Pico Koreatown Branch, where 18 people learned to finger knit scarves. I also taught a memorable workshop called “Knitting as Rest” at TeAda Productions, an LA-based theater rooted in the stories of immigrants and refugees.

I’m best known for making giant yarn bags in many colors and styles, drawing people in with bright colors and cute design details. But I’m most proud of teaching others to make their own cozy creations and tap into their inner artist, especially folks with no experience who start out nervous but always end up impressed by their own handiwork. I’m excited to teach a new style of bag making workshops this summer at Empty Shelf at Mission Art Center.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Mutual flourishing is an important foundation for me and consequently “handmade by nensh.” Books like “Rest as Resistance” by Tricia Hersey and “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer are touchstones. Radical rest and reciprocity swim against the currents of toxic grind culture and hyper individualism, presenting other possibilities. I think once you know even one person who’s doing something different, then it seems more possible. And we need loads and loads of examples.

Libby is my favorite app, allowing me to borrow free ebooks and audiobooks from the library. Next on my to-read list is “Forest Euphoria” by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian. I do read mostly nonfiction but “Babel” by R. F. Kuang is an unforgettable novel that I highly recommend.

Pricing:

• Bags 10-70
• Workshops 65

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadebynensh/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handmadebynensh/
• Other: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/handmade-by-nensh/workshop

Image Credits
Anna Gonda, Chisato Hughes, Joshua Arguelles