By Clyde Noel
 MyMy Nguyen, owner of VietNam’s Arts & Crafts on State Street, shows off the wide variety of imported arts and crafts on display in the retail shop. |
Walk into VietNam’s Arts & Crafts on State Street and you may find owner MyMy Nguyen behind the counter embroidering a silk cloth for a pocketbook or table covering.
The newly opened store offers a wide selection of handmade products embroidered or specially handcrafted with luxurious butter-soft silk threads. The bags and purses feature silk fabrics, hand embroidery and hand-sewn beads and designs.
Nguyen learned her embroidery in the convent of a Catholic school in Vietnam.
“Every day after school, I was that little girl who sat alone in a quiet room embroidering gowns for the priest or tablecloths for French customers,” Nguyen said. “The political conditions of the country were different from today, and I helped support the convent by making things to sell.”
When she was 19, Nguyen came to school in the United States. Five years ago, after marriage and raising her family, Nguyen returned to Vietnam and contacted Sister Alice at the convent.
“I wanted to start a business because I love the beauty of hand-embroidered arts so much,” Nguyen said. “At first I designed handbags decorated with my original embroidery; but I needed additional help, so I went back to the convent.”
Once Nguyen opened her business, she assisted Vietnamese artisans to achieve success. Nguyen hopes to share the beauty, value and soul of Vietnamese artists and their workmanship with everyone in this country.
“I traveled Vietnam from north to south looking for fine arts to bring to the United States,” Nguyen said. “I exhibited in trade and art shows. Once I visited Los Altos, I enjoyed the friendliness of the people, and started to look for a storefront.”
Nguyen’s fashionable handbags and purses are original and one of a kind. They come in a variety of shapes and designs to suit different occasions.
Behind the counter is a 3-foot-by-5-foot framed, embroidered silk design of colorful flying fish. Nguyen has smaller artwork for sale, including several etched on mother of pearl.
“My pieces solicit a lot of attention,” Nguyen said. “People are impressed and seem to
enjoy the uniqueness of the selections.”
Historic calligraphy, including several pieces done by a Buddhist nun, in VietNam’s Arts & Crafts, are also available. Originally a brush pen and ink on peach paper, today they are designed on paper, wood or silk fabrics and provide a visual representation of the traditional writings.
Nguyen offers one-on-one classes for anyone interested in learning her techniques. She will also create an original design commissioned exclusively according to a customer’s request.
VietNam’s Arts & Crafts is located at 220 State St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. For more information, call 941-1858.
