There was a holiday market happening a the craft store I frequented in Little Tokyo, Nellita’s Crafts. I entered the ugly sweater contest and won a prize! But, the real prize was the experience of Takumi Alley’s whimsy and delight. The organizer was a bit panicked, apologizing for being more of a artist than a events planner.

“Hey, I’m an events planner!”

And that’s how this started.