The Okinawa Association of America (OAA) will host their seventh annual Okinawan Craft Fair on Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the parking lot of OAA Center, 16500 S. Western Ave., Gardena. Free admission.
Featuring 19 booths with 24 creatives from across Southern California as well as Colorado, San Diego, and Temecula, the event will also include a white elephant sale, used books, and plants.
This outdoor boutique stands out in that it always features Okinawa-themed items such as accessories, art prints, bags, buttons, ceramics, clothing, greeting cards, jewelry, pins, postcards, stickers, woodwork, 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.
“It’s great to see the community support growing [and] how big it has gotten since our first one in 2018,” says Melissa Oshiro Tran, who started this event as a high school student.
OAA’s first-ever craft fair was held in December 2018 with a humble six vendor tables. OAA’s first large-scale event after the pandemic lockdown was the 2022 fair, which was moved to springtime and held outdoors for safety purposes. Due to an overwhelmingly positive response, it was decided to keep the fair as an outdoor spring event.
Masako Tobaru (Ghost Light Craft Co), whose father is a decades-long OAA member and frequent performer at OAA events, started participating at the 2025 fair and plans to return this year. “The craft fair was a great way to reconnect with the organization and community after I had lost touch when I moved away for college,” she says. “It also gave us an opportunity to merge our love for crafting with my culture.”
“It’s important to keep the culture alive and share a piece of my heritage through my work,” says Oshiro Tran, who is also an artist. “People are able to really connect with the designs, especially since it is extremely difficult to find these types of work outside of Okinawa.”
Street parking and limited parking 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
Beehaus Atelier – Beaded jewelry, handwoven/crochet items (scarves, dolls, floral bouquets), embroidered art
Aimee Buday – Coasters, bookmarks, keychains, wax wraps, napkins, journal covers, mug rugs, placemats, potholders, oven mitts, paper bag ornaments
Bukustance – Items made from vintage kimonos, thrifted denim, and recycled fabric (totes, handbags, zipper bags, accessories)
Chiruu Tattuu – Ryūkyū-themed art prints
Ghost Light Craft Co. – Creating custom plush for a kinder tomorrow (bingata bats, gōyā pocket pals, anthro animals wearing bingata print yukatas, whale shark)
Haisai Little Lotus (from San Diego) – Books by various marginalized authors/illustrators, buttons, vinyl stickers, bookmarks, zines, handpainted hajichi vinyl records, magnets, fans, pins, body art/face paint station
Hapa Mama Cookies – Homemade cookies
Hapa Mama Crafts – Crochet items (hibiscus trivet and pin, minsaa ori mesh market bag and head bandana, mosu bag, scrubby, flower coaster), sewn items (hot bowl holder, microwave potato bag, water bottle carrier, wallet/money holder, scrunchies)
Hello Sushi Store – Playful gift items inspired by Asian cuisine and culture (beach towels, blankets, pillows, stickers, t-shirts, and more)
Irene Higurashi and Judy Kaainoa – Okinawan fabric bags and key fobs, repurposed Okinawan fabric necklaces and jewelry, magnets, zippered pouches, note and photo cards, scarves
Hina Doll Studio – Original prints, tote bags, tapestries and trinkets with bingata/hajichi design motifs
Rumiko Hirano – Handmade bags, crocheted items, Okinawan handbag and wooden chopsticks
Jootoo Clothing (from Temecula!) – Culture-blended fashion brand fusing the uniqueness of Okinawan culture with the SoCal life style (shirts, hoodies, hats, tote bags)
KimiKaraya – Greeting cards, stickers, pins, patches
Masu Originals – Hand-carved painted woodwares (napkin holders, fridge magnets), original artwork
Melissa’s Creations – Original trading cards, stickers, post-it notes, pens
Hana Morita – Stickers, prints, jewelry, bag charms
Mumin + Ki – Handmade shiisaa, bags with bingata pattern fabric scraps
Ninazuma Pottery (from Colorado) – Handmade mugs and tumblers with hajichi and Okinawan proverbs, kijimunaa charms
Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Los Angeles – Shirts, keychains, stickers, pins, hoodies
Shima Playlist Dushi-nu-chaa (Friends) – Ryūkyū-themed buttons/pins, keychains, postcards, prints, stickers, zines by artists around the world
Shop Megumi – Okinawa art prints, greeting cards, vinyl stickers, jewelry/keychains, and more
White Mountain Treasures – Dish towels, wrist lanyards, aprons, bags
Diana Yamashiro – Handmade bags including made with kimono fabric
OAA white elephant sale, used books, and plants
OAA merchandise