San Pedro CRAFTED Market: Best Stores and Local Finds
The Port of Los Angeles, located in San Pedro, is one of Southern California’s busiest cruise ports and serves cruise lines including Celebrity, Cunard, Disney, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Oceania, and more. While the port sits just five miles from Long Beach, San Pedro’s CRAFTED Market offers its own distinct character and creative scene.
With only one day in port, I focused my time on shopping near the cruise terminal rather than venturing into Los Angeles’s larger artistic districts. That led me to one of the most unique retail destinations in the area — CRAFTED at the Port of LA, a beautifully renovated warehouse showcasing an exceptional collection of goods designed and handmade by local San Pedro artisans and makers.
Holland America Ship Docked at The Port of Los Angeles
Located in a fully restored 1940’s-era warehouse, this retail experience is home to over 135 artists, makers and craftspeople, who display their items in over 45 shops, galleries and vignettes spread throughout the building. There’s even a craft brewery with a tasting room and beer garden located right next door called Brouwerij West.
At CRAFTED, visitors will find an outstanding array of locally made fashion, jewelry, accessories, ceramics, leather, home décor, bath and beauty products, stationery, art and more. I had the pleasure of meeting a few of these creative designers and artisans.
MT Mixed Media Arts
Artists Morgan and Todd started making items in their garage before building a home studio, MT Mixed Media Arts, in which to create metal, concrete, wood and glass home décor, furniture and functional vessels. The colorful glass garden sculptures and art would be a beautiful addition to any outdoor landscape. Some of the featured pieces are made by local friends and sometimes even their kids!
88 Kitty
Mother/daughter duo Karn and Pria Maineri started creating artisanal soaps, candles and bath bombs in their kitchen before expanding to their Los Angeles studio under the name 88 Kitty. All products are handmade, vegan and smell delightful! The two ladies also name each of their fragrances with “tongue in cheek” phrases that capture the fragrance’s spirit. Two of my favorites were the Temper Tantrum Bath Bomb and Literally Every Guy From The 80’s candle.
Zia Finds
A global mercantile, Zia Finds is a beautifully merchandised space featuring local as well as international designers and artisans. Authenticity and sustainability drives owner Donna Humphry’s purpose, so the collection features original and vintage items including clothing, household goods, garden décor and so much more! There is even a Camp Zia filled with retro and classic toys, books and games for kids.
The Vintage Stop
Owner/designer Kelly Reid is a delightful woman who has designed and sold replicas of classic home décor as well as her own original designs and custom upholstery work for more than 20 years at The Vintage Stop. She is a master upholsterer and textiles are her passion. Kelly informed me that she has “thousands” of bolts of vintage fabrics in storage! She carries original and reprint barkcloth fabrics and sputnik lamps. Being near Hollywood, some of Kelly’s pillows and furniture have even been featured in movies and television shows such as Mad Men, including movie memorabilia! You’ll love Kelly’s awesome collection and display of antiques and collectibles, vintage Singer sewing machines, that look just like the one from the early 1900’s that my mother and aunt used when I was growing up. Kelly also offers classes in servicing and sewing with these vintage machines.
Diva Beads
Tish Pollack is the amazing designer/owner of Diva Beads, who has also authored a book called The Essential Guide to Epic Jewelry Design. Using only the finest materials from around the globe, Tish creates unique, colorful handmade jewelry designs inspired by treasure of the sea and ancient artifacts. Many of her pieces feature mermaids, ocean creatures and spiritual and folkloric symbols. Each piece is unique and hand-crafted by Tish onsite where she also demonstrates bead weaving, a technique used to create intricate patterns with seed beads and crystals. Tish offers customized jewelry designs, often incorporating her customers’ family keepsakes so they can be worn and cherished for future generations.
Homemade by The Hays
This locally-owned, family-run business features small batch, hand poured artisan candles designed in unique shapes and refillable vessels. Each candle is made from 100% soy wax and toxin free fragrances blended with essential oils. Stop by Homemade by The Hays, they smell divine!
San Pedro Saddle Co.
Designer and artisan Billly Price creates hand-crafted leather goods and accessories, including weekender bags, belts, wallets, leashes, bike leather, gun holsters and accessories. He specializes in custom and semi-custom designs. Billy’s working studio is onsite, where visitors can watch him cut, sew and trim his remarkable leather designs.
Adewole Arts
This gallery and working studio, Adewole Arts, features handmade pottery inspired by the traditional clay work of African women and heavily influenced by California beaches and design. Artist April Adewole plays with colors in her textile and ceramic art pieces that include dinnerware, home décor, ceramic jewelry and more. Across from the gallery is her Kitchen Studio where she creates her remarkable, vibrant designs, and also shares her love of clay and fused glass by hosting public classes.
San Pedro Art Association Gallery
One of the largest and most impressive art galleries in CRAFTED is hosted by the San Pedro Art Association (SPAA). The Gallery showcases over 35 local artists that specialize in a wide range of crafts such as 3D printed artwork designs and sculptures, functional and artistic ceramics, fiber art including crocheted, knitted and felted apparel, handbags, hats and toys, hand-crafted jewelry, organic art comprised of natural elements such as driftwood designs and printed stones, paintings in all mediums, paper art including journals, greeting cards and postcards, repurposed and vintage art, handcrafted functional and decorative woodwork and furniture, and photography.
One of the outstanding artists I saw in the SPAA gallery was Renee Grinnell of Beneath The Surface Imaging, who is a master at underwater photography. She was recognized as the Underwater Photographer of the Year in 2021. Since 2004, Renee has traveled around the globe, diving in some of the most remote parts of the world, photographing marine organisms and mammals. Her images are available as prints on dye-infused aluminum, which offers a unique, luminous appearance and retains archival quality.
In addition to these creative artisans, there are scores more to explore at CRAFTED. From live plants to cute dog supplies and resin art to unique shadow boxes and lots of fabulous one-of-a-kind jewelry and apparel. Be sure to add CRAFTED to your itinerary the next time you are in San Pedro.
Also, a heads up! Stay tuned for the exciting development of the Port of West Harbor on the San Pedro Waterfront, where 150,000 square feet of restaurants, retail and entertainment including waterfront dining will be available to visitors. This site replaces the former Ports O' Call Village. Many of the CRAFTED artists will be showcased there in the future as well!
Love the artisan items featured in this post, but can’t make the trip yourself? Visit our SHOP to discover similar handcrafted items made by local artisans, delivered straight to your door! I also share my favorite workshops, tours, and classes that turn global travel into a hands-on, unforgettable experience.
