The Okinawa Association of America will host their fifth Annual Okinawan Craft Fair on Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the OAA Center’s parking lot in Gardena.
The Okinawan Craft Fair was originally pitched by then high school student Melissa Oshiro Tran, who has volunteered at various OAA events throughout her youth. Though smaller than other craft fairs, this outdoor boutique stands out in that it will include Okinawa-themed items such as accessories, art prints, bags, buttons/pins, clothing, greeting cards, postcards, stickers, and more.
The organization hopes that this will be a big draw, as Okinawan items are rarely available at local stores, festivals, and other fairs.
The OAA also hopes that the event will provide an unintimidating, community-based platform for youth artists, independent creators, and hobbyists to showcase their talents.
Yukino Yeganeh is a mother and crafts as a form of stress relief. “I enjoy meeting people who share the same love for Okinawa and fellow crafters who can highlight the Okinawan culture in such creative ways,” she says.
Yeganeh is one of many Okinawan community members who use fabric with traditional patterns in their handicrafts.
Jody Lake, founder of Jootoo Clothing.com, drives from Temecula to participate in the craft fair almost every year. “[I love] all the great and wonderful people I’ve met over the years,” she says. “I love being a part of this Okinawan community and being able to share in our culture and see what other [vendors] make as well.”
Lake’s brand incorporates traditional bingata motifs into modern-style shirts and hats.
The first-ever “mini” craft fair was held in December 2018 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 since the pandemic lockdown was the 2022 craft fair, which was held outdoors for safety purposes. The new setting brought an even larger crowd, so it was decided that all future craft fairs would be outside.
“I see more young crafters with innovative ideas, and the [OAA Craft Fair] is becoming a unique opportunity to bring in fresh angles to see Okinawan culture,” Yeganeh said.
Lake plans on making the drive from Temecula once again for this year’s event. “And the stories behind [everyone’s] crafts – it motivates me to continue and work harder. I feed off their passion for our culture!”
The OAA Center is located at 16500 S. Western Ave. in Gardena. Pets are not allowed (service animals permitted). For parking and more information, visit oaamensore.org/craftfair or contact the office at (310) 532-1929, oaamensore@gmail.com. Follow the OAA on Facebook/Instagram @oaamensore
There will be a special “meet the vendors” potluck on Sunday, April 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the OAA Center’s Yamauchi Building. Online access via Zoom starting from 4:30 p.m. RSVP: tinyurl.com/nuchaashii24 without notice. Vendor websites and social media links: oaamensore.org/craftfair
Scheduled vendors include:
Aimee Buday, Kim Kobashigawa, Monica Solis – Beaded jewelry, candles, crocheted flowers, handwoven towels, lavender sachets, playing cards, postcards, stickers
Cel la Flaca – Stickers, T-shirts, commissioned art, enamel pins
Hiro Melody Edington (from Oceanside) – Handicrafts with Okinawan print fabric (coasters, hair ties, key straps scrunchies, and more)
Teresa Fukushima – Soybean candles
Jane’s Homemade (from Berkeley) – Baked goods, hard candies, gumdrops
Jootoo Clothing (from Temecula)– Clothing, tote bags, and hats
Mixi-Mart – Posters, prints, stickers, handcrafted goods (crochet plushies, hand-sewn cup coasters, lanyards, and more)
Umutu du Takara – Necklaces, handwoven placemats, handmade Okinawan-style kusudama, jewelry
White Mountain Treasures – Quilts, towels, mini lanyards, buttons
Plus OAA white elephant and used book sales and OAA merchandise.