Crafts Way LLC / The Real Crafts Way: A Complete Guide to Hawaii’s Premier Craft Supplier

The Real Crafts Way, also known as Crafts Way LLC, is an international wholesale supplier and on-line retailer of arts and crafts products, specializing in artificial flowers and Hawaiian cultural accessories, based in Hawaii. The company is an international wholesale supplier of all arts and crafts items, and an online retailer of unique quality foam flowers, artificial flowers, clay flowers, silk flowers, latex flowers, custom-made flower hairpieces, hair accessories, Hawaiian items, hula flowers and hula dancer supplies.

The business is based in the community of Aiea on the island of Oahu and has a successful ecommerce website at craftsway.com, from where products are shipped worldwide. It’s for individual buyers buying one or more items for their own personal use, as well as wholesale customers ordering large quantities for retail sale or for use in events or halau (Hawaiian dance school).

Key Takeaways

  • Crafts Way LLC (The Real Crafts Way) is an international wholesale and retail arts and crafts company located in Aiea, Oahu, Hawaii 98-023 Hekaha Street, Suite 6.
  • The company focuses on artificial flowers (foam, silk, clay, latex, nylon, paper and plastic), Hawaiian leis, hula accessories, custom flower hairpieces, wedding pieces, and craft supplies.
  • The original source of Hawaiian Airlines’ foam flowers, which are a key part of the brand’s identity, is widely attributed to Crafts Way.
  • The company has a retail showroom and warehouse in Aiea, and an online store at craftsway.com, and ships internationally.
  • Products can be single retail items or large wholesale orders of 10 pieces or more per color for bulk foam flower categories.
  • Store hours are 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Contact via phone at (808) 485-2270 or (808) 485-2272, by email at [email protected], or through Line ID: craftsway.
  • The exceptional range of realistic artificial flowers, the neat layout of the store, the competitive prices, and the friendly service are often mentioned in customer reviews.

Address and Phone Numbers

Detail Information
Business Name Crafts Way LLC / The Real Crafts Way
Address 98-023 Hekaha Street, Suite 6, Aiea, HI 96701
Phone (808) 485-2270 / (808) 485-2272
Email [email protected] / [email protected]
Website www.craftsway.com
Line ID craftsway
Store Hours 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Social Media TikTok: @craftswayofficial
Parking Ample parking available on site

The store is situated in a parking lot complex in Aiea, and there is ample parking in the lot, making it even more convenient to visit the showroom. The online store accepts international orders and ships to addresses all over the world, except Hawaii.

The History Behind The Real Crafts Way

The one thing that has earned Crafts Way LLC a reputation in Hawaii is the fact that it is the developer of the foam flower that has come to define Hawaiian Airlines presentation by its cabin crew.

The original foam flowers that got it all started are at Crafts Way. The flowers worn by Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants in their hair or at their ear have been obtained from Crafts Way, a fact the company proudly touts and TripAdvisor and other customer reviews bear out.

This relationship with Hawaiian Airlines provided the brand with a visibility platform that went far beyond the typical specialty craft retailer. All Hawaiian Airlines passengers who saw the flight attendant’s flower were having a Crafts Way experience. The flowers became a culturally ingrained emblem of Hawaiian hospitality and Crafts Way was the company that made them.

Since that original foam flower product line, the business has grown to include a complete product line of many different kinds of flowers, materials and accessories, and has retained its Hawaiian made and Hawaiian inspired identity, which sets it apart from the generic craft suppliers.

The Crafts Way LLC Sells: Full Product Range

Crafts Way has a wide range of products. It covers artificial flowers of various materials, hula/cultural performance accessories, wedding products, custom-made hairpieces, and wholesale supplies for crafters and resellers.

Artificial Flowers

The Crafts Way product range is based on artificial flowers. Craftsway offers a wide range of retail and wholesale Hawaiian crafts, such as custom made flower hairpieces, retail and wholesale artificial flowers, flower leis, necklaces and accessories, wristbands and bracelets, wedding flower pieces and bouquets, and other flower craft supplies and accessories. The company caters for large orders and exports internationally.

The artificial flower range comprises of:

Foam Flowers: The original Crafts Way product and the most prominent category. Foam flowers are made with a lightweight, durable fabric to create a natural tropical flower look. Plumeria, tiare, pua kenikeni, orchid, hibiscus, gardenia, lily, spider lily, daisy, pikake, ohai-ali’i, heliconia, ginger, mum, tuberose and magnolia are just a few of the available varieties.

Silk Flowers: Silk flowers have a slightly different texture and finish to foam and are also used in leis, headbands and decorative pieces where a more subtle sheen is desired.

Handcrafted Clay Flowers are among the most realistic looking artificial flowers available. Fine petal detail and subtle colour gradations are possible with the clay medium, which closely mimics the look of fresh flowers.

Latex Flowers: Latex flowers have a smooth, slightly rubbery surface that resembles the waxy surface of some tropical flowers, such as gardenias and anthuriums.

Nylon Flowers: Nylon flowers are made with nylon over wire frames to produce a fine, translucent look. They are often used to make leis and hula accessories.

Paper and Plastic Flowers: These are used for decoration and crafting and are usually the least expensive in the line.

Custom-Made Flower Hairpieces

CraftsWay offers custom made flower hairpieces for retail and wholesale in the finest silk and foam flowers, silk leaves and other artificial materials. Artisans handcraft these flower hair clips in Hawaii with the main objective of achieving the appearance of natural flowers. Hairpieces are apt for hula dances, parties, marriages, celebrations and any occasion. In addition to hair clips, CraftsWay also provides flower hair combs, flower hair sticks, flower hair buns and flower earrings.

The cost of custom hairpieces ranges from $3 to $10, $12 to $20, $22 to $35, and $40 and up, depending on the complexity of the arrangement and materials used. More expensive items are likely to be more complex, with several different types of flowers, additional leaves, and more detailed workmanship. Products made in Hawaii use the highest quality artificial flowers, achieving an appearance close to natural flowers, with beauty that lasts for years.

Leis and Accessories

Crafts Way’s lei category is for all types of leis used in Hawaiian cultural and social settings:

Silk leis: Most popular, and can come in a variety of flower types and colours.

Kukui nut leis: Leis fashioned from kukui nut beads that are important in Hawaiian cultural ritual.

Shell leis: Decorative leis using shell as an element, either in addition to or in place of flowers

Haku headbands: Braided headbands with flowers and leaves, worn in hula performance and at formal Hawaiian occasions

Hula bands: Bands worn around the hips during hula dances

Hula and lei sets: These are sets of hula and lei flowers together.

Flower arrangements worn on the wrist, worn in hula and at celebrations; wristbands and bracelets.

CraftsWay offers gorgeous and high quality Hawaiian hula and lei sets, using the finest quality of braided smooth leaves, silk flowers and silk leaves. Handcrafted by artisans to achieve the appearance of natural flowers, their beauty lasts for years to come.

Wedding & Special Events

Bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages made from Crafts Way’s artificial flowers are part of the wedding category. They are often used for Hawaiian weddings and destination weddings in Hawaii where fresh flower arrangements may be impractical or too costly. Crafts Way’s flower wedding products include those that are artificial, which are not only realistic in appearance, but last forever after the wedding.

Make supplies and accessories

Buyers who buy materials to make their own arrangements will find the craft supplies category. It contains loose pieces of silk leaves, hair sticks, hair clips and combs, as well as other raw craft materials used by crafters in their own creations.

Wholesale Ordering is available at Crafts Way

Crafts Way has a large wholesale operation as well as retail. All wholesale orders for artificial foam flowers MUST be in quantities of 10 per colour. The wholesale catalogue includes more than 400 products from bulk hairpieces in custom sizes to bulk foam flowers in all species and sizes, to leis and accessories in bulk quantities.

The company can be contacted directly for wholesale buyers:

  • Phone: (808) 485-2270 or (808) 485-2272
  • Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
  • Line ID: craftsway

International wholesale orders are accepted and shipping arrangements are made with customers from various countries. The size of the Crafts Way catalogue, and the fact that it is willing to deal with large custom orders makes it one of the more extensive sources available to event companies, retailers and those who buy in large quantities.

Customer Experience: What Buyers Say

The overall picture of Customer reviews of Crafts Way LLC gathered from TripAdvisor, Wheree and Hawaiian Local is consistent and positive.

What Customers Praise

Crafts Way LLC is a top choice for anyone who loves flowers and enjoys creating. The range of silk flowers, such as plumeria, hibiscus, orchids and more, that are so beautifully designed to represent the beauty of fresh flowers is a favorite among customers. The visual appeal of the products is complemented by competitive pricing. The well-planned design makes shopping enjoyable as people can move around easily and find the unique materials for crafting and colorful flowers in the aisles. Customers appreciate the friendly service and how products appear to be very real; some wear them every day or give them as gifts, showing that the craftsmanship is very good.

One of the most memorable comments on the TripAdvisor listing was from a reviewer who stated that, “If you have ever had the pleasure of sitting on a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant with a flower in her hair or ear, it’s most likely a Crafts Way flower. This is something that many people enjoy finding out about the store.

Areas of Caution

A few customers have reported delays in order delivery, some reporting long wait times for orders or issues with finding their orders, slightly affecting trust. These reports seem to be more prevalent with online orders than showroom orders. If the buyer has an event to attend on a specific date, such as a wedding or a performance or cultural event, they should take into account the possibility of shipping delays and make sure to reach out to the company to verify the timeline before ordering in bulk.

How Crafts Way Fits Into Hawaiian Craft Tradition

Crafts Way is part of a particular tradition of Hawaiian material culture the creation and use of flowers for adornment, ceremony and cultural expression. Perhaps the most recognised symbol of Hawaiian hospitality is the lei in all its forms. The haku headband and hula paraphernalia have more significant cultural meaning within the islands themselves, and the hula is a living art, a practice that links the modern hula dancer to a long tradition of movement, chant and storytelling.

This is not just a matter of compromise. A way to overcome the perishability of fresh flowers, so that people can perform, fly, or give the same look and feel time after time. Creating a foam plumeria that looks natural is not a simple task its ability to capture the light, resist handling, and provide the right colour saturation. Crafts Way’s artisans playfully play within this tradition, giving as much attention to proportion and finish as a traditional craftsman would to any natural material.

Natural materials and their artificial counterparts are connected throughout craft traditions around the world. Those who use natural materials in their own projects, such as bulk natural grapevine for wreath-making, decorating their entryways, or making seasonal arrangements, will know the same principle: the material must be used to express the creative idea, whether it is gathered from nature or created to mimic it.

The larger issue of who creates enduring, significant craft objects, and what is the difference between craft and mass production, links the Hawaiian foam flower tradition to the history of decorative and applied arts. The Shani Levni guide to the best traditional artists in the world explores this issue through culture and tradition, and the criteria used technical skill, cultural authenticity, and aesthetic timelessness are equally relevant to a Hawaiian flower artist as they are to a painter or sculptor in any other medium.

Crafts Way vs. Comparable Suppliers

There are a number of other suppliers in the hula accessories and flower business in Hawaii. It’s important to understand the differences between Crafts Way and other sources so that buyers can make an informed decision.

Supplier Location Specialisation Wholesale Ships Internationally
Crafts Way LLC Aiea, Hawaii, USA Foam/silk/clay flowers, hula accessories, leis, custom hairpieces Yes Yes
HulaFlowers.com Thailand Foam flowers, silk flowers, hula accessories Yes Yes
FoamFlora Thailand Foam flowers, hula accessories, leis Yes Yes
General import wholesalers Various Mixed craft supplies Yes Yes

For many buyers, the difference with Crafts Way is its Hawaiian roots as opposed to the suppliers based in Thailand. Products are created by Hawaiian artisans in Hawaii, and Hawaiian connection to hula, lei making and Hawaiian ceremony is direct and not commercial. This distinction is significant to buyers who appreciate a sense of place, especially for cultural performances or formal Hawaiian events.

If cost and volume are the only issues for the buyer, they may find suppliers in Thailand that can provide these components at the lowest wholesale price, though without the custom-made, Hawaii-origin distinction.

A visit to the Crafts Way Showroom, Aiea

The best place on Oahu to experience the entire product line before making a big purchase is the actual showroom located at 98 Hekaha Street in Aiea. The showroom enables a buyer to see the realistic quality of the flowers first hand, to accurately compare colours and to discuss custom orders or specific requirements directly with the staff.

The Aiea site is easily reached by car from the airport and the organised store layout makes it easy to browse a large catalogue even for first timers. Hours are 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. For those who have specific wholesale questions or are talking about custom orders, it is recommended to call ahead.

The store has also become a sort of tourist draw for Oahu’s visitors who aren’t just craft buyers, a place where the Hawaiian flower tradition is manifested in its most functional and modern medium, where the how and why of a foam plumeria’s appearance is met directly and satisfyingly.

Crafts Way for Different Buyer Types

Single leis, hair accessories, and flower picks for everyday use, travel souvenirs or personal use are available for retail sale at the craftsway.com or at the showroom. Foam and silk flower are appropriate gifts that express a true Hawaiian identity because they are realistic.

Many hula schools on the mainland and Hawaii use hula practitioners and halau: Crafts Way as their primary source of supply. Hula and lei sets, hip bands, haku headbands and individual flower picks are all available, with the flexibility of large repeat orders for schools that perform regularly.

Event planner and decorators: The artificial flower collection is ideal for event decoration, whether it’s table designs, venue theming or personal adornment at Hawaiian-themed events. Artificial flowers are also durable and can be used for extended periods of time and repeated events.

Retailers and resellers: Crafts Way can be a good source for retail stores outside Hawaii that carry Hawaiian or tropical floral accessories, due to the minimum order size of 10 pieces per colour, and international shipping.

Buyers who buy materials for their own projects: There are loose flowers, leaves, and accessories in the craft supplies section. They are used for wreath making, floral arrangements, garland making and decorative arts. As an art collector may appreciate the authenticity of an original, handcrafted piece, like a true Bob Ross painting for its creative intention, the materials offered at Crafts Way are for those who wish to create their own piece that embodies true craft values, not generic mass production.

Conclusion

One of the most established and unique craft suppliers coming from Hawaii, Crafts Way LLC offers a wide selection of Hawaiian floral craft that ranges from single foam plumerias to full hula costume sets and custom-made wedding hairpieces made by Oahu artisans. Its authenticity as the source for Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants’ foam flower is true and documented, and makes it stand out from the many artificial flower suppliers that sell for lower prices.

The Aiea showroom is the most effective in Hawaii for interacting with the product line and discussing custom or wholesale needs face-to-face. The online store at craftsway.com is responsible for shipping for buyers in other parts of the U.S. and abroad, and the same level of customer service is provided with direct phone or Line contact orders.

From a single hair clip for everyday wear to a wholesale order for a retail shop to a complete set of hula accessories for a school performance, Crafts Way’s extensive catalogue and dedication to Hawaiian-made quality ensures it’s a sure bet in its class.

To find more guides to craft suppliers, art materials and creative resources, check out the complete library of Shani Levni.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Crafts Way LLC / The Real Crafts Way?

Crafts Way LLC, or The Real Crafts Way, is a Hawaii based international wholesale supplier and retail store that specializes in artificial flowers, Hawaiian leis, hula accessories, custom-made flower hairpieces, wedding items, and craft supplies. It is headquartered in Aiea, Oahu and has a showroom and online store located at craftsway.com.

What is the address of Crafts Way LLC?

Crafts Way LLC is in the address 98-023 Hekaha Street, Suite 6, Aiea, HI 96701 in the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Store hours are 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. The site has plenty of car parking.

Does Crafts Way deliver overseas?

Yes. Crafts Way also does large orders and ships worldwide from its online store at craftsway.com. Customers outside of Hawaii can order online or directly via phone, email or Line ID: craftsway to discuss wholesale deals.

What type of artificial flowers does Crafts Way sell?

Crafts Way offers foam, silk, clay, latex, nylon, paper and plastic artificial flowers. Plumeria, tiare, orchid, hibiscus, gardenia, lily, daisy, ginger, heliconia and many other Hawaiian and tropical flowers are among the wide variety available in the foam flower range. Retail and wholesale quantities of custom-made flower hairpieces are also available.

What is the least number of shirts that Crafts Way can order?

Orders for artificial foam flowers must be made in multiples of 10 flowers per colour for wholesale. All other product categories, please contact the company directly at (808) 485-2270 or [email protected] for wholesale terms.

Do Hawaiian Airlines attendants wear Crafts Way flowers?

Yes. Multiple TripAdvisor and other customer reviews confirm that Crafts Way is the inventor of the foam flowers worn by Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants, a feat the company proudly claims.

What does the difference between Crafts Way LLC and The Real Crafts way mean?

It is the same company. Crafts Way LLC is the registered company name. The Real Crafts Way seems to be a brand or trading name in some listings and marketing contexts to differentiate between the original Hawaii based business and others with the same or similar name.

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