BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//PYVOBJECT//NONSGML Version 1//EN
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:events.uid.6880@www.discovernikkei.org
DTSTART:20240427T000000Z
DTEND:20240427T000000Z
DESCRIPTION:The Okinawa Association of America (OAA)\, one of 2023’s Cali
 fornia Nonprofits of the Year\, will host their fifth &lt;strong&gt;Annual Okina
 wan Craft Fair on April 27 (Saturday)\, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the OAA Center
 ’s parking lot in Gardena (outdoors).&lt;/strong&gt;\n\nThe Okinawan Craft Fai
 r was originally pitched by then high school student Melissa Oshiro Tran\,
  who has volunteered at various OAA events throughout her youth. &lt;strong&gt;T
 hough smaller than other craft fairs\, this outdoor boutique stands out in
  that it will include Okinawa-themed items&lt;/strong&gt; such as accessories\, 
 art prints\, bags\, buttons/pins\, clothing\, greeting cards\, postcards\,
  stickers\, and more. &lt;strong&gt;The organization hopes that this will be a b
 ig draw\, as Okinawan items are rarely available at local stores\, festiva
 ls\, and other fairs.\n&lt;/strong&gt;\n&lt;strong&gt;The OAA also hopes that the even
 t will provide an unintimidating\, community-based platform for youth arti
 sts\, independent creators\, and hobbyists to showcase their talents. &lt;/st
 rong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;(Vendors listed below)\n&lt;/strong&gt;\n&lt;/em&gt;Yukino Yeganeh is
  a mother and crafts as a form of stress relief. &lt;strong&gt;“I enjoy meetin
 g people who share the same love for Okinawa and fellow crafters who can h
 ighlight the Okinawan culture in such creative ways.”&lt;/strong&gt; Yeganeh i
 s one of many Okinawan community members who use fabric with traditional p
 atterns in their handicrafts.\n\nJody Lake\, the founder of JootooClothing
 .com\, drives from Temecula to participate in the craft fair almost every 
 year. &lt;strong&gt;“[I love] all the great and wonderful people I’ve met ov
 er the years. I love being a part of this Okinawan community and being abl
 e to share in our culture and see what other [vendors] make as well.”&lt;/s
 trong&gt; Lake’s brand incorporates traditional Bingata motifs into modern-
 style shirts and hats.\n\nThe first-ever “mini” craft fair was held in
  December 2018 with a humble 6 vendor tables. Due to its success\, 2019 sa
 w vendors and crowds nearly double. The OAA’s first large in-person even
 t since the pandemic lockdown was the 2022 craft fair\, which was held out
 doors for safety purposes. The new setting brought an even larger crowd\, 
 so it was decided that all future craft fairs would be outside.\n\n&lt;strong
 &gt;“I see more young crafters with innovative ideas\, and the [OAA Craft F
 air] is becoming a unique opportunity to bring in fresh angles to see Okin
 awan culture\,”&lt;/strong&gt; Yeganeh said.\n\nLake plans on making the drive
  from Temecula once again for this year’s event. &lt;strong&gt;“And the stor
 ies behind [everyone’s] crafts – it motivates me to continue and work 
 harder. I feed off their passion for our culture!”&lt;/strong&gt;\n\nThe OAA C
 enter is located at 16500 S. Western Ave. in Gardena. The event will be he
 ld outdoors in the parking lot. Pets not allowed (service animals permitte
 d). &lt;strong&gt;For parking and more information\, please visit oaamensore.org
 /craftfair or contact the office: (310) 532-1929\, oaamensore@gmail.com&lt;/s
 trong&gt;. Follow the OAA on Facebook/Instagram @oaamensore\n\nThere will be 
 a special “meet the vendors” potluck on April 21 (Sunday)\, 4 - 6 p.m.
  at the OAA Center’s Yamauchi Bldg. (online access via Zoom starting fro
 m 4:30 Pacific). RSVP: &lt;strong&gt;tinyurl.com/nuchaashii24\n&lt;/strong&gt;\nThe Ok
 inawa Association of America\, Inc. (OAA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organi
 zation that is dedicated to preserving and promoting Okinawan culture. For
 med by first generation Okinawan immigrants (issei)\, the OAA has grown in
 to a multi-generational organization that hosts numerous events throughout
  the year including cultural lectures\, performances\, social gatherings\,
  and senior-focused activities. 2024 marks the organization’s 115th anni
 versary as well as the 25th anniversary of the OAA Center in Gardena.\n\n&lt;
 strong&gt;\nVENDORS LIST&lt;/strong&gt;\n&lt;em&gt;(Listed vendors or items subject to ch
 ange without notice)&lt;/em&gt;\n&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;AIMEE BUDAY\, KIM KOBASHIGAWA\,
  MONICA SOLIS&lt;/strong&gt; – Beaded jewelry\, candles\, crocheted flowers\
 , handwoven towels\, lavender sachets\, playing cards\, postcards\, stick
 ers | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.etsy.com/shop/kimikaraya/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Ets
 y&lt;/a&gt; (Kim) | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/kimikaraya/&quot; target=&quot;_b
 lank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; (Kim) | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/always_be
 e_weaving&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt; (Monica)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CEL LA 
 FLACA&lt;/strong&gt; – Stickers\, t-shirts\, commissioned art\, saataa andaa
 gii\, poundcake\, enamel pins | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.cellaflaca.space/&quot; 
 target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Website&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/noodleo
 fthedead/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HIRO MELODY EDING
 TON (from Oceanside!)&lt;/strong&gt; – Handicrafts with Okinawan print fabric
  (coasters\, hair ties\, key straps scrunchies\, and more)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;stron
 g&gt;TERESA FUKUSHIMA&lt;/strong&gt; – Soy bean candles&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;JANE&#x27;S H
 OMEMADE (from Berkeley!)&lt;/strong&gt; – Baked goods\, hard candies\, gumdro
 ps | &lt;a href=&quot;https://janeshomemade.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Website&lt;/a&gt; |
  &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082856336275&quot; target
 =&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/janeshomemad
 e22&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;JOOTOO CLOTHING (from T
 emecula!)&lt;/strong&gt; – Clothing\, tote bags\, and hats | &lt;a href=&quot;https:
 //jootooclothing.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Website&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://ww
 w.facebook.com/Jootooclothing&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;h
 ttps://www.instagram.com/jootooclothing&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li
 &gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;MELISSA&#x27;S CREATIONS&lt;/strong&gt; – Notebooks\, keychains\, sti
 ckers\, stationary\, art | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/melissatcre
 ations&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;MIXI-MART&lt;/strong&gt; 
 – Posters\, prints\, stickers\, handcrafted goods (crochet plushies\, ha
 nd sewn cup coasters\, lanyards\, and more) | &lt;a href=&quot;https://lashatamae
 .com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Website&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/
 lashadraws&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;MUMIN + KII&lt;/str
 ong&gt; – Sweatshirt with Okinawa cotton print trim\, coin purses made wi
 th Okinawa prints\, Okinawa sweet potato mochi steamed with ginger leaves
 &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;DANE NAKAMA&lt;/strong&gt; – Ceramics\, paintings and drawin
 gs | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.bydanenakama.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Website&lt;/a&gt;
  | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.facebook.com/bydanenakama/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Face
 book&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/bydanenakama&quot; target=&quot;_bla
 nk&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;NINAZUMA POTTERY (from Colorado!!!)&lt;/str
 ong&gt; – Pottery mugs and tumblers (“ichariba choodee” and hajichi d
 esigns)\, ishigantō pieces | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.ninazumapottery.com/&quot;
  target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Website&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/ninazu
 mapottery&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;RYUKYUKOKU MATSUR
 I DAIKO LOS ANGELES BRANCH&lt;/strong&gt; – Hoodies\, t-shirts\, stickers\, c
 alendars\, pens\, pins | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.rmdlosangeles.com/&quot; target=
 &quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Website&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.facebook.com/rmdlosangeles&quot; 
 target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/rmd.lo
 sangeles&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SHIMA PLAYLIST DUS
 HI-NU-CHAA&lt;/strong&gt; – Featuring artists from the islands and in the dia
 spora (art\, buttons\, charms\, original music\, pins\, postcards\, Ryū
 kyū Kingdom playing cards\, stickers\, zines) | &lt;a href=&quot;https://linktr.
 ee/shimanchuplaylist&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Website&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://fac
 ebook.com/shimaplaylist&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https:/
 /instagram.com/shimaplaylist&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;stron
 g&gt;SHISHIGUMI L.A.&lt;/strong&gt; – T-shirts\, stickers | &lt;a href=&quot;https://ww
 w.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093310549394&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Facebook&lt;/a
 &gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/shishigumi.la&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;In
 stagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;TAMAGUSUKU RYU KANSEN ATAE NO KAI&lt;/strong&gt; 
 – Wooden keychains\, kimono’s\, zori&#x27;s\, obi&#x27;s | &lt;a href=&quot;https://ww
 w.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085542887247&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Facebook&lt;/a
 &gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.instagram.com/kansenataenokai/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;
 &gt;Instagram&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;TIERRA MURRA BY ECOMMSHIPMENTS&lt;/strong&gt; 
 – Clothing from kimono\, microwave bowl holders\, jewelry\, luggage tags
 \, Okinawan fabric\, Okinawan jewelry\, scrubbies | &lt;a href=&quot;https://tier
 ramurra.com/&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Website&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href=&quot;https://www.faceboo
 k.com/tierramurradesigns&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;Facebook&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;UMU
 TU DU TAKARA&lt;/strong&gt; – Necklaces\, handwoven placemats\, handmade Okin
 awan-styled kusudama\, jewelry&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;WHITE MOUNTAIN TREASURES&lt;/s
 trong&gt; – Quilts\, towels\, mini lanyards\, buttons&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;
DTSTAMP:20240516T161814Z
SUMMARY:5th Annual Okinawan Craft Fair
URL:/en/events/2024/04/27/5th-annual-okinawan-craft-fair/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR