Our story

Okura Design

Steeped in the founder’s richly creative Japanese-Peruvian heritage, Okura Design is an expression of the gift of creativity that can be found in each one of us - in a uniquely original form.

Trained in Bellas Artes, founder Patricia’s artistic journey has been shaped by the rich cultural diversity she has encountered living and working in four continents, first exhibiting her work in a 1992 festive fair in Lima Peru. Her Christmas angels can now be found adorning trees each year in homes worldwide! Most recently, her focus has turned to macramé, the art of knots which harks back to the Andean quipus associated with the cultures of ancient Peru.

Studio

Each of the designs is handmade and of a limited edition. Many of them can be personalised with a name or a brief message. She hopes that her products will bring joy to someone as they have brought joy to her, helping her overcome a series of health setbacks. Deeply concerned for our earth, wherever possible, Patricia makes use of upcycled materials, endeavouring to give a new life to products otherwise destined for landfill. 

Memory Bears

One of my most cherished creations is the Memory Bear, where I transform special clothing into a cuddly companion that holds deep sentimental value to your family.

These bears can serve as a beautiful reminder of a loved one who has passed, offering comfort in their absence. Alternatively, they can capture the precious moments of a baby’s life, turning old clothing into a lasting memento of their earliest days.

Workshops

Having discovered the wonderfully therapeutic benefits of making things by hand, Patricia  is now delighted to be sharing this with others.

I am concerned about current mental health challenges facing us, adults and children alike. I want to do something to help and I believe handicrafts could be an answer.

Workshops for adults began in summer 2023 in Elderbank Hall, Brize Norton and in High Street Methodist Church, Witney. Now, from her studio on Witney High Street, Patricia is also offering workshops for teenagers.

Her aim is to offer activities which engage and develop the imagination and channel creative energies in purposeful directions. A couple of hours spent productively, in a peaceful and purposeful atmosphere, away from social media and pressures of daily life. 

I have been tremendously encouraged by the positive effect they have on well-being. Often at the start of a session, when the students see what they are going to be making, they panic. After two hours, I love to see their happy faces as they finish their beautiful project. 

The sense of accomplishment is huge and fosters a ‘can-do’ attitude. And what a lovely feeling to be able to make beautiful, original gifts for friends and family!

And it is not only the product but the process too which promotes wellbeing: one knot at a time, even seemingly complex designs come together. That seems to be the key, “one knot at a time”. Could it be a way of thinking which is transferable to other challenges that we face?