Hands On Well

This video shows the process of making a butterfly for a supporter who requested a custom piece for a friend as part of the 17 Butterflies Project. They asked me to use undyed traditional Korean silk and green-colored threads, and I truly enjoyed working on it with great care. As most of my friends know, about 80% of my daily life and most of my studio space are filled with work for The Hands Project. Because of this, my other projects are currently on hold. However, I am able to keep working on these butterflies because I can carry them in a small pouch and work on them whenever I have a spare moment. There are only a few butterflies left until the 17 Butterflies Project is complete. If you haven’t decided on a Mother’s Day gift yet, how about adopting one of these butterflies? I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone who has participated in this project.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a gift that carries a beautiful story. @HandsOnWell started with a mother’s gratitude and a family promise to give back. Today, we continue that journey through our 17 Butterflies project. When 17 butterflies find a home, we can build our 16th water well for a community in need. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 are crafted from Korean Hanbok silk and vintage silk. The other pins are made from modern Hanbok fabric, designed to be beautiful and washable for everyday wear. Price: 1, 2, 3 - $50 Others: $45 (Tax, shipping, and handling included) Note: Nos. 6, 7 & 8 - CLAIMED Venmo: @workbylee Paypal: @HansOnWell Zelle: [email protected] Every butterfly is handmade with love and helps bring the gift of clean water. Custom orders are available with limited options. Please send a DM to join our initiative and claim your special gift for Mother’s Day this year. Thank you for being a part of our story.

In the fall of 2025, Korea in the Queen City offered a glimpse of Korean culture to the Charlotte community. One of the programs featured performances by Korean musicians, and through that connection, something meaningful continued beyond the event itself. Their collective support made it possible to complete the 15th well of Hands On Well. Our wells have traditionally been funded through community Christmas Cupcake Fundraisers. Since we were unable to organize one alongside KQC in 2025, this well became possible through the musicians who came together through the event. Located in Tnol Totoeng Village, the well now provides clean water access to several families, including eight children. What began as a cultural exchange has extended far beyond the stage, reaching everyday lives in a very real way. At Hands On Well, moments of art, culture, and community connection continue to grow into shared acts of care and lasting impact. With sincere gratitude to the participating musicians of Korea in the Queen City and the Carolina Lady Singers who helped make this possible. Perhaps the most lasting changes begin with small connections between people, reaching farther than we ever expect.

We had the first free wrap up class following Korea in the Queen City, offered for those who joined the Jogakbo workshop and wanted to continue and finish their work. Because it was right after Christmas, fewer than half of the registered were able to attend. Still, we shared a meaningful and joyful time together. We sewed slowly, helped one another, and spent time in conversation.
It was a reminder that the process itself can be just as meaningful as completion. Thank you to everyone who came and shared this moment with us. We look forward to seeing the finished pieces in the next session.

See you at the Pineville Library on 12/27! A free wrap-up class + a little Korean bojagi gift-wrapping experience. RSVP to join us! 2:00-4:30PM - limited space! https://shorturl.at/zLfyJ

Our Korean cultural programming, originally scheduled through the first week of December, has come to an early close due to internal circumstances. I’m taking a bit of time to reorganize and make sure everything that has begun can be finished well. Once plans settle, I’ll share the next steps and any new dates or opportunities. For those who joined our Jogakbo (Korean patchwork) workshop and didn’t get to complete your pieces, I’m preparing free additional sessions so you can finish your work without any extra cost (the first session will be on 12/27). I’m also exploring the idea of hosting a small follow-up cultural gathering so we can close this chapter together in a way that feels right—not unfinished. Looking back, what stays with me are the people I met and the unexpected connections that unfolded. Some of you came with your children, others with teachers or classmates. Families learned side by side, someone wandered in during a business trip, half-Korean kids rediscovered a piece of themselves, second-generation Korean Americans found something both familiar and new, and retired couples came simply out of curiosity and stayed longer than they planned, wanting to understand more. Every encounter had its own story, and being part of those moments was a gift I didn’t anticipate. I’m grateful to the sponsors, volunteers, and the partner who believed in this vision and offered their time, trust, and support along the way. None of this was done alone. Thank you for your understanding, your curiosity, and the warmth you brought to each gathering. Your presence shaped this experience in ways I won’t forget. Seeing everything that began in the spring of 2024 slowly come to fruition has been a joy, and I’m grateful for the lessons and relationships formed along the way.
More updates soon. 
Lee 
Hands On Well

Today was the last JoGakBo (Korean patchwork) class of the series.
We hosted four groups throughout this program, and this last group was the quietest, most focused team - all working with so much care. I’m sure everyone will finish their beautiful pieces very soon.
It’s been such a joy getting to meet and create together through these classes. We still have six Korean cultural events left in our month-long celebration: 
11/16- free lecture on Hanok, and Kimbap class, 11/20- one more Tea Ceremony session, and 11/8 ~ 12/7 Kiyong Kim photo exhibition : Korea Through The Lens.
If you’d like to join us, visit nineeighteennine.com or handsonwell.org, or feel free to DM me anytime. #CharlotteEvents #CharlotteArts #KoreanCulture #cltartist #ncartist #CulturalExperience #Jogakbo #조각보 #한국문화 #KoreanPatchwork #TextileArt #HandmadeCharlotte #ArtWorkshop #CraftClass #CreativeCharlotte #CommunityArts #LearnSomethingNew #WorldTeaCeremonies #KoreaInTheQueenCity #HandsOnWell

Last Sunday, our Kimbap-making class followed right after the Korean Chopsticks Lecture!
About twenty participants joined us to learn, roll, and enjoy their own delicious creations. It was such a joyful evening. We’ll have one more Kimbap class this coming Sunday 11/16, from 5–7 PM, right after Hanok lecture. 
If you’d like to join, please sign up through the Nine Eighteen Nine Gallery website. /events/ 
The class fee is $15 per person, and each participant can make two rolls with ingredients of their choice. Big thanks to everyone who joined us last weekend, to Ms. Jeom Shim Lee for leading the session, and to Ms. Michelle Kim for her wonderful translation support! @charlotteonthecheap #WorldTeaCeremony #nineeighteennine #CharlotteArts #KoreanCulture #charlotteonthecheap #CulturalExchange #ncartist #cltartist #KimbapClass #KoreanFood #CharlotteEvents #kimbab #KimBap #김밥 #김밥체험 #HandsOnWell #KoreaInTheQueenCity

Last Sunday, we hosted the Korean Cultural Lecture Series, Chopsticks Class!
 It was a small and cozy gathering, but we shared such a meaningful time learning about the stories and culture behind Korean metal chopsticks, and the differences among those used in China, Korea, and Japan. As part of the month-long World Tea Ceremony™ — Korea Edition at Nine Eighteen Nine Gallery,
our final free cultural lecture, Hanok — Korea’s Traditional House, will be led by Mrs. Kong, principal of the Charlotte Timothy Korean School. Join us this coming Sunday afternoon to explore the beauty and philosophy of traditional Korean homes. If you’re interested, visit Nine Eighteen Nine Gallery or Hands On Well’s website to let us know you’re coming. #WorldTeaCeremony #KoreaInTheQueenCity #nineeighteennine #CharlotteArts #KoreanCulture #charlotteonthecheap #CulturalExchange #ncartist #cltartist #한국문화 #젓가락 #HandsOnWell

What a beautiful night to begin a month of celebrating Korean art and culture in the Queen City!
Even with so many events happening around Charlotte that evening, we’re truly grateful to everyone who came to share and celebrate with us. Last Saturday, Korea Through The Lens photography exhibition opened with the Sound of Korea mini gala—bringing together music, art, and community in one unforgettable evening. We’re deeply grateful to photographer KiYong Kim (@hotpickorea ), the musicians, the sculptor, the pâtissier, and the volunteers who shared their incredible talent and time, and to everyone who joined us. Our heartfelt thanks also go to @the_joanne_rogers from @nine_eighteen_nine , our wonderful partner at @handsonwell , for making this event possible. We look forward to seeing the gallery continue to share diverse cultures through the World Tea Ceremonies™ series and beyond. The celebration continues through December 7 with Korean tea ceremonies, art workshops, cultural lectures, food events, and a traditional performance.
Check out upcoming programs at Nine Eighteen Nine Gallery or Hands On Well’s website. Special thanks to our amazing sponsors:
@corning_incorporated @hshyosung.official @overseas_koreans_agency @littlmade It was a night filled with warmth, creativity, and connection. /CLTKorean Music by: Soprano. @helenpark224 Tenor. @goodtenor Tenor. Kevin Bae Flute. Chloe Bae Violin. Jieun Yang Violin. Hannah Namkoong Cello. @sohee3758 Cello. Josiah Shin Piano. Sara Jung pâtissier: @theloveleekitchen

Experience the joy of Korean play culture! Learn and try traditional games such as Yutnori, Gonggi, and Ddakji—some you may recognize from Squid Game. A family-friendly event hosted with our local Korean school. Everyone is invited! 🗓️ Saturday, 12/6, 12-4PM Free Admission, Free Parking #worldteaceremonies
#KoreaInTheQueenCity #koreantraditionalplay #SquadGame
#NineEighteenNine
#Yutnori #Ddakji #Gonggi
#games #KoreanGames
#ExperienceKorea
#CLTThingsToDo
#KoreaInCLT
#한국문화
#샬롯이벤트 #CulturalHeritage #handsonwell #overseas_koreans_agency