Why I Never Miss a Local Arts & Crafts Event (And Where You’ll Find Me Tomorrow)

Tomorrow, you’ll find me at the Arts & Craft Fair at the Oshman Family JCC Townsquare in Palo Alto — coffee in hand, tote bag ready, and eyes wide open.

As the founder of Oyu Botanica, people sometimes assume my weekends are all spreadsheets and shipping labels. And yes, there’s plenty of that. But some of the most important work I do happens at events exactly like this one: walking slowly past handmade ceramics, woven textiles, small-batch candles, and botanical prints, talking to the makers behind them.

Craft Is in My Blood

My grandmother never called herself an artisan. In Mongolia, she simply made things — remedies from plants she gathered, balms she blended by feel and memory. Watching her taught me that craft isn’t a hobby or an aesthetic. It’s knowledge passed through hands.

That’s why arts and crafts fairs feel like home to me. Every booth is someone’s grandmother’s recipe, someone’s years of trial and error, someone’s quiet refusal to let a skill disappear. When I formulate a new product for Oyu Botanica, I’m participating in that same tradition — just with botanicals instead of clay or thread.

What I’m Looking For Tomorrow

A few things I always keep an eye out for at events like this:

• Makers with a story. The best products come from people who can tell you exactly why they make what they make.

• Materials done honestly. Natural fibers, real pigments, clean ingredients. You can feel the difference.

• Inspiration for the brand. Color palettes, packaging ideas, display setups — I always leave with a camera roll full of notes.

• Connection. Some of my best business friendships started with “I love your booth.”

The Details

Arts & Craft Fair

📍 Oshman Family JCC Townsquare — 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA

🗓 Saturday, June 13, 2026

⏰ 12 PM – 5 PM

🎟 Free and open to the public

If you’re in the Bay Area tomorrow, come spend an hour or two. Buy something small from someone who made it themselves. Ask them how they got started. Support the kind of economy where things are made with intention, not just produced.

And if you spot me there — say hi! I’m always happy to talk skincare, small business, or where to find the best matcha nearby.

With warmth,

Tugs

Founder, Oyu Botanica