By Patricia Belyea
I’ve always believed that when one door closes, another opens. So, with a happy heart, I’m pleased to announce that the Okan Arts online Japanese Textile Shop has closed after 15 years.
Okan Arts isn’t a big business—we’re just a mother/daughter duo sharing our love of life, textiles, quilting, and Japan with others.
Our patchwork of activities includes making quilts, importing vintage Japanese textiles, hosting quilting workshops and retreats, and leading wonderful textile tours to Japan.
Note: The only activity we’re discontinuing is the online Japanese Textile Shop.
ABOVE: Vintage Japanese chusen-dyed yukata cottons
Offering vintage textiles online is a complicated and labor-intensive endeavor. Beyond sourcing fabrics in Japan, arranging shipments to the US, and unpacking them, we unroll every bolt to inspect for damage, measure yardage, photograph the fabric, write descriptions, upload the listings, and then announce the products to the world.
A perfect bolt of yukata cotton yields 12 to 13 yards of luscious fabric. A damaged one might yield zero to 9 yards.
And then comes fulfillment—preparing each order like a sweet gift, packing it up, and shipping it out.
Running an online shop with such unique and low-volume products has been a labor of love!
ABOVE: 2024 STUDIO SALE
TWO HUGE SALES
Okan Arts has been importing textiles from Japan for over 15 years. We’ve built up a treasure trove of gorgeous goodies that are not online — and now it’s time to share them in two HUGE sales events:
Studio SALE in Long Beach CA
An in-person event
SAT May 10, 10am to 3pm
2315 E Seventh Street in historic Long Beach CA
Everything is 50% off or more!
Learn more +here
JaponTex SALE in La Conner WA
An in-person event
SAT June 7, 10am to 3pm
The La Conner Inn, 107 S Second St in La Conner WA
Everything is 50% off or more!
Learn more +here
Looking Ahead
Going forward, you’ll still be able to buy yukata cotton and other Japanese textiles from Okan Arts at in-person events with me. I’ll always bring fabrics — either in my suitcase or shipped ahead in boxes — for a pop-up shop.
ABOVE: Patricia and Helene
Our Good News
I’m thrilled to be working on a textile design collaboration with artist Helene Cotton — it’s going to be truly revolutionary! I’ve also made an agreement with the quilt museum in La Conner to exhibit my work in a solo show during the Summer of 2028.
This summer, Victoria is pursuing certification as a bookkeeper. She already keeps the books for Okan Arts and enjoys meticulously sorting through numbers!
I’ll continue giving talks, teaching, and writing. And both Victoria and I will be welcoming enthusiastic visitors to Japan for our textile tours during the Fall and Early Spring seasons.
Okan Arts is not stopping—we’re pivoting!
We’re living fully and joyfully. And we hope the same for you.
