The Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will host their sixth Annual Okinawan Craft Fair on May 3 (Saturday), 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the OAA Center’s parking lot in Gardena (outdoors), free admission.
Featuring 26 vendor booths with creatives from across Southern California as well as Colorado, Northern California, Oceanside, and Temecula. The event will also include a white elephant sale, used books, and plants. (Vendors and parking info listed below)
This outdoor boutique stands out in that it always features Okinawa-themed items such as accessories, art prints, bags, buttons/pins, ceramics, clothing, greeting cards, jewelry, postcards, stickers, and more. The OAA hopes that this will be a big draw, as Okinawan items are rarely available at local stores, festivals, and other fairs.
The organization also hopes that the event will provide an unintimidating, community-based platform for youth artists, independent creators, and hobbyists to showcase their talents.
The Okinawan Craft Fair was originally pitched in 2018 by then high school student Melissa Oshiro Tran, who has consistently volunteered at OAA activities since childhood. The first-ever “mini” craft fair was held in December with a humble six vendor tables.
Due to its success, 2019 saw vendors and crowds nearly double. The OAA’s first large in-person event after the pandemic lockdown was the 2022 fair, which was scheduled for spring and held outdoors for safety purposes. Due to an overwhelmingly positive response, it was decided to keep the fair as an outdoor spring event.
Last year marked the first time featuring a vendor from outside of California. “Growing up, I didn’t have a strong connection to Okinawan community, so being here now feels incredibly special,” says Becca Doll-Tyler (Ninazuma Pottery), who traveled from Colorado to participate and plans to return on May 3. “The atmosphere was so warm and welcoming, and I was inspired by how deeply attendees connected with handmade art and Okinawan culture.”
In addition to highlighting Okinawan culture through art and design, the fair has become a place for creatives with Okinawan roots to meet, bond, and inspire each other.
“[I love] all the great and wonderful people I’ve met over the years,” says Jody Lake (Jootoo Clothing), who drives from Temecula to participate almost every year. “The stories behind [everyone’s] crafts – it motivates me to continue and work harder. I feed off their passion for our culture!”
“I feel so grateful to meet and bond with people who share similar histories,” says Doll-Tyler. “Each interaction felt meaningful – whether it was someone sharing why the hajichi or inscription [in my pottery] resonated with them or telling me who they were gifting a piece to. It was a beautiful exchange, filled with generosity and connection.”
The OAA Center is located at 16500 S. Western Ave., Gardena 90247. The event will be held outdoors in the parking lot (outdoors). Limited parking available across the street at Faith Works Church. Pets not allowed (service animals permitted). More information: (310) 532-1929, oaamensore.org/craftfair, Facebook/Instagram @oaamensore
CONFIRMED VENDORS
Vendors or items subject to change without notice
Vendor websites and social media links: oaamensore.org/craftfair
• Aimee Buday, Kim Kobashigawa, Monica Solis – Journal covers, beeswax wraps, postcards, keyfobs, coasters, napkins, bookmarks, paper, pillows, potholders, gift tags, and bags; greeting cards, playing cards, pins, patches, and stickers; beaded jewelry, crocheted flowers, kumihimo keychains, knitted beanies, and handwoven scarves
• Hiro Melody Edington (from Oceanside!) – Scrunchies, sunglasses cases, keyfobs, bags
• Ghost Light Craft Company – Stuffed animals, charm bracelets, buttons/pins
• Hello Sushi Store – Playful gift items inspired by Asian cuisine and culture including towels, blankets, t-shirts, stickers
• Rumiko Hirano – Handmade bags, Okinawan items, wood step stool, crocheted items
• Seiji Igei Nakaki, Lasha Tamae – Stickers, double-sided keychains, pins, postcards, magnets, sticker books, plushies, hats
• Jane’s Homemade (from Berkeley!) – Baked goods, hard candies, gumdrops (all gluten-, dairy-, and egg-free; made with organic cane sugar and vegan-friendly ingredients)
• Jootoo Clothing (from Temecula!) – Temecula-based clothing company fusing the uniqueness of Okinawan culture with the Southern California lifestyle
• Kawaii Craft Shop – Handmade Japanese-inspired jewelry and accessories including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, hair accessories, phone accessories, purse hooks, mirrors, bookmarks, magents, stationary, wine accessories, keychains, charms
• Madame Sakura Crafts – Washi paper jewelry and gifts, kimono fabric jewelry, candles, resin coasters
• Masu Originals – Handmade painted woodwares
• Melissa’s Creations – Stationary, trading cards, paintings, tote bags, stickers
• Mi So Happi – Women’s fashion items with kimono trim, accessories with obi and kimono, scarves, totes, cards
• Mumin + Kii, Shima Playlist – Ceramics, hand-sewn items with Okinawan fabric; Okinawa-themed art, buttons, charms, original music, pins, postcards, playing cards, stickers, zines
• Natsuko Designs – Handmade pottery
• Ninazuma Pottery (from Colorado!) – Handmade pottery with Okinawan proverbs and hajichi patterns
• Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Los Angeles Branch – T-shirts, stickers
• Shima Veggies (from Oakland!) – Okinawan plant seedlings (goya, moui, nabera, fuchibaa/mugwort, koregusu pepper, roselle hibiscus), dried teas, dried peppers, hibiscus shiso furikake
• Carol Shiraki-Kaneshiro – Handmade items including sun catchers, windchimes, painted rocks, mini succulent gardens, fairy wands for yard plants
• Shop Megumi – Handmade eco-friendly recycled paper greeting cards and post-consumer waste recycled paper art prints, waterproof vinyl stickers, beaded jewelry and rings/keychains, succulents
• Sirmasterknight – Art prints, stickers, keychains
• Studio Nakama – Handmade ceramics
• Tamagusuku Ryu Kansen Atae No Kai – Kimonos, Okinawan wooden signs, flower and bingata stickers, craft paper cranes, Kansen Kai t-shirts
• Kellie Toyama – Art prints and screenprinted works featuring hajichi symbols and bingata imagery
• White Mountain Treasures – Dish towels, lanyards, bags, jackets
• Diana Yamashiro – Handmade bags including made with kimono fabric
• OAA white elephant sale, used books, and plants
• OAA merchandise