By Patricia Belyea
WAUCONDA WA On April 13 of last year, Okan Arts announced to its email subscribers that we were closing our online Japanese Textile Shop. Everything was on sale — seriously on sale. The result? Every item online sold out in less than 5 hours.
BELOW April 2025 — Announcement of Online Clearance Sale
Four weeks later, Okan Arts hosted a one-day sale at our Long Beach, CA studio / warehouse. All the goods that had never been photographed or uploaded to the website were hauled out of storage and priced to move. The sale was a huge success.
BELOW May 2025 — Studio Sale in Long Beach CA.
With a small amount of inventory still remaining, Okan Arts hosted a one-day pop-up sale in La Conner WA in June.
BELOW June 2025 — JaponTex Sale in La Conner WA.
Phewwww. That was a major undertaking.
Yet if you visit Okan Arts today, you'll still find textiles in our online Japanese Textile Shop — packs of yukata cotton, kimono wool, and kasuri cotton, along with Scrap Packs and David Packs for David Owen Hastings' workshops.
What happened?
Well ... I'm the culprit.
BELOW Today — Scrap Packs in the Okan Arts Japanese Textile Shop.
These days, Okan Arts no longer has a warehouse or staff to fulfill fabric orders. It's just me.
I wouldn't say I have an addiction to buying beautiful Japanese textiles. That would be a disservice to people who truly struggle with addiction. Instead, I'd like to think my attraction falls into a more benevolent category — the angels of love.
Despite the million other items on my to-do list, I love handling these remarkable fabrics. I love their patterns and colors. And I love sharing them with others who appreciate them.
BELOW Before & After — A new storage space, built by my supportive husband, for the Japanese textiles at my home in the Okanogan Highlands.
When I come across a beautiful Japanese textile — one that's undamaged, visually appealing, and within our price range — I buy it. No hesitation. I simply can't help myself.
Three or four boxes of Japanese textiles arrive at my log house each month, totaling 30 to 45 bolts. I unpack and unwrap everything, photograph the fabrics as quickly as possible, and assemble the packs. Then I upload them to the website.
BELOW A box of luscious yukata cottons arrive from Japan.
So yes, Okan Arts will continue to offer small quantities of authentic Japanese textiles to our circle of friends and followers.
After all, some habits are worth keeping.
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To visit the Okan Arts Japanese Textile Shop and see the available Packs +click here
