Events
Supporting Local AAPI-owned Businesses.
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month this May, we’re excited to highlight some amazing businesses within our community. Throughout the month, we’ll be hosting a series of pop-up stalls in our store, spotlighting a diverse range of products crafted with passion and dedication by local Asian American and Pacific Islander artisans.
Here’s what’s in store:
Saturday, 05/11, 12pm-5pm:
NTS Bracelets: Jewelry
NTS Bracelets is a small Fil-Am owned jewelry brand in San Diego, CA, created by Nichole Trinidad. “NTS” stands for “note to self.” Nichole hopes to use her NTS jewelry to empower, motivate, and encourage others to always live inspired by wearing these gentle reminders. She draws much of her inspiration for her pieces from her supportive community, friends/family, and especially Filipino culture. She loves creating pieces that are both beautiful and meaningful and is excited to share them with others for AAPI Month!
Find them on Instagram: @ntsbracelets
Saturday, 05/18, 12pm-5pm:
Tracy Badua: Author of books
Tracy Badua is an award-winning Filipino American author of books about young people with sunny hearts in a sometimes stormy world. Her latest young adult novel, We’re Never Getting Home, which follows two ex-best friends stranded at a music festival together, is being hailed as an “entertaining and insightful romp” and “perfect for anyone with Coachella FOMO.”
Find them on Instagram: @tracybaduawrites
Sunday, 05/26, 12pm-5pm:
Zinnie Designs: Home-sewn Korean-inspired skirts and scrunchies
Introducing Jodie (42), along with her kids Zeke (5) and Linnie (7), creators of Zinnie Designs based in San Diego. Their entrepreneurial journey began when the kids wanted to earn money by selling homemade lemonade and friendship bracelets. From there, they expanded into sewing useful items like coin purses, makeup bags, and more. Inspired by Jodie’s Korean heritage, she started crafting Korean fabric scrunchies and modern hanbok skirts, traditional attire for special occasions like Seollal (Korean New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). Adopted from Korea at 2, Jodie is rediscovering and sharing her culture with her kids. They love helping in the sewing corner, learning about money, and inspiring the family every day. Zinnie Designs hopes you enjoy their hand-sewn items as much as they do.
Find them on Instagram: @zinnie_designs
& Fiori by Frenses: Upcycled Leather Jewelry and Paintings
Frenses Perey, a Filipina artist based in San Diego, holds a Fine Art degree from SDSU and studied in Florence, Italy, where she discovered her passion for leatherwork. In 2007, she launched Fiori By Frenses, a jewelry line that upcycles scrap leather into whimsical, bohemian, and minimalist designs, promoting sustainability. Currently, she creates intricate miniature oil paintings, each only 2 inches by 2 inches, inspired by nature, her city, and motherhood. Last year, she exhibited a year’s worth of these miniatures at Visual Gallery. Her solo exhibition in May 2024 will showcase her new minimalist abstract watercolors alongside her miniature oils. Opening reception is on May 11th.
Find them on Instagram: @fioribyfrenses
Look out for their products in store this May. We can’t wait to see you there!
