Editor’s Note: From handcrafted jewelry, fabric hand bags made with Asian inspired prints to Asian influenced apparel and creative home decorations, AsianWeek will be featuring Asian-inspired Arts and Crafts vendors each Tuesday to kick off the summer festival season.
The featured vendors all have previously participated in the Asian Heritage Street Celebration (AHSC) – the largest pan Asian street fair nationwide that takes place the third Saturday of every May in San Francisco.
Produced by the AsianWeek Foundation, the AHSC is committed to supporting and promoting these creative and hardworking craftsmen vendors who may otherwise not get the online attention and exposure they deserve.
Fat Ninja
Fat Ninja Panda Tote
It’s not often that you see the words “fat” and “ninja” branded together. But Judieann and Romeo Ang of Oakland managed to merge these two words together to create the name of their arts and crafts company, Fat Ninja. The Filipino American husband and wife collaboration began in 2008 through their shared love for origami, crafts, and of course, fat ninjas.
Located in the East Bay, Fat Ninja has been a vendor participant at many local street fairs and crafts events, including the Bazaar Bizarre Holiday Show and the Indie-Mart Street Fair. This will be their first time being a vendor at the Asian Heritage Street Celebration. Their crafts range from greeting cards and shirts to housewares and accessories. Fat Ninja’s concept is a combination of Judieann and Romeo’s personal aesthetics - “casually cool, fun and downright cute, all at the same time!” The mascot, an overweight ninja with a throwing star on a white band around its wide waist, is featured in T-shirts, greeting cards and tote bags, sometimes with a fox, kitten, or even a panda. Handmade barrettes and hair clips are flowery and cheerful and can add color to any outfit. The origami paper glass rings and pendants are simple and delicate, conveying both a sense of whimsy and elegance.
Fat Ninja’s unique line of handcrafted accessories and artwork is fun and appealing to arts and crafts lovers of all ages. Check out their online store at www.printfection.com/fatninja and their blog at www.fatninjainyoface.blogspot.com for upcoming Fat Ninja news, events, and do it yourself projects.
Tiffany Louie is an Asian American born in San Francisco, obsessed with SF Giants baseball, Hello Kitty, good food, politics, and dogs (not necessarily in that order). 
