Create & Curate: Handcrafted Blooms & Pearls Jewelry Workshop by Nunchi & Summer Space Studios x NYAAF

​This event is part of the New York Asian Arts Festival 2025:

​The New York Asian Arts Festival (NYAAF) is dedicated to amplifying AAPI artistic voices, fostering community through creative connection, and creating accessible pathways into the arts. Learn more here: www.nyasianartsfestival.com.

​Join us for a creative, hands-on experience where floral artistry meets sustainable design. In this special edition of Create & Curate, you’ll craft your own one-of-a-kind piece by blending delicate handcrafted paper orchids with upcycled fashion jewelry.

​🌸 What You’ll Create:

​Guests will choose between two unique designs:

1. ​A wearable paper orchid hair accessory
2. ​A versatile faux pearl-strung necklace that doubles as a bag charm

​Each guest will take home a finished, custom-made piece—completely designed by you.

​🌺 The Orchid Process

• ​Work with pre-made white doublette paper orchid petalshandcrafted by Summer Space Studios.
• ​Customize your bloom by painting the petals and sealing them with Mod Podge for a glossy, lasting finish (30-minute dry time).
• ​While your petals dry, move on to the pearl design portion with NUNCHI.
• ​Once dry, assemble your flower with a pearl center and attach it to your final piece.

​⛓️‍💥 The Pearl & Chain Process

• ​Deconstruct vintage fashion jewelry to create your own pearl-strung accessory.
• ​Choose from a curated selection of faux pearls, gemstones, chains, and charms.
• ​Build a unique piece with guidance from the NUNCHI team—perfect as a necklace or a statement bag charm.

​All tools and materials are provided—you bring the creativity.

​No experience necessary. Just come ready to craft, connect, and take home something beautiful.

​NUNCHI is a Korean-American female founded jewelry brand powered by culture, self-expression, and impact. Our mission is rooted in the Korean concept of “Nunchi”, awareness harnessed into actions that promote balance and harmony. We channel our “Nunchi” to embrace a fewer, better philosophy and create meaningful pieces that embody identity and connection. We’re not your average jewelry brand – our product design, authentic storytelling, and creative partnerships champions what is right, unapologetically takes up space, and confidently expresses our identity.

​Founded in 2018 by Poy Twitchsri-Granati, Summer Space began as a personal creative challenge—a commitment to crafting one paper flower each day for 100 days. What started as a passion project soon blossomed into a thriving studio specializing in bespoke paper flowers, from single stems and bouquets to large-scale floral artworks for special occasions, brand activations, and event décor.

​Beyond creating exquisite paper flowers, Summer Space offers immersive workshops for private gatherings and corporate team-building, inviting participants to explore the artistry of paper flower making. At its heart, the studio’s mission is to inspire self-expression through creativity, encouraging everyone to “bloom in their element.

​20% of the proceeds from ticket sales will support KACF:

​The Korean American Community Foundation® (KACF) was founded in 2002 by a group of Korean American leaders in New York with a simple idea: philanthropy by and for the community.

​The goal was to address the chronic underinvestment in the Korean immigrant community by raising funds for programs serving under-resourced Korean American individuals and families, while also mobilizing community members to engage in a culture of giving.

​This May, we’re thrilled to launch the first-ever New York Asian Arts Festival: a citywide celebration spotlighting underrepresented Asian American artistry and reimagining of how we engage with culture through art.

From curated exhibitions of talented Asian artists to hands-on activations in partnership with art studios across the city, NYAAF invites you to create + connect with the community.

Follow along and sign up for updates: nyasianartsfestival.com

Hosted by @itmeanslight x @discoverakin