"Kawaii Mono" means "cute things" in Japa­nese, and Marisa Gee’s wares are instantly recognizable, especially if you’re looking up close.

Among the items for which she is best known are pendants or earrings featuring small glass bottles containing the tiniest origami you might ever see.

Origami pieces include cranes made from Japa­nese washi paper or candy wrappers, as well as washi paper turtles, frogs, owls, cats, dogs, hearts, cubes, squares, flowers, butterflies and stars.

For the tiniest origami creatures she folds, Gee starts with squares of paper measuring just a half-inch by a half-inch.

She also makes origami jewelry that doesn’t involve glass bottles.

Origami earrings are made from squares of paper measuring from 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches, and each piece is coated with Japa­nese lacquer — a three-day process.

"When it’s tradewind weather, we have to coat," she said. Otherwise, any humidity in the air means the lacquer won’t cure properly.

Gee also was inspired to fill the tiny bottles with colorful Japa­nese konpeito candy, which has proved popular with her customers. The konpeito jewelry is not for snacking: The candy is sealed inside to keep out unwanted six-legged guests.

Gee also creates jewelry and accessories from acrylic pieces she designs, including pandas, oni­giri and Hello Kitty-inspired characters.

Beyond jewelry, Gee also makes magic wallets and "local-kine recipe magnets," which are a no-brainer to keep on the fridge for yourself or to send to expat family members and friends on the mainland ono for a taste of home.

The ministyluses she sells are customized with her handmade charms.

Her items sell for as low as $2 for certain keychains or earrings, and up to $30 for origami bottle earrings.

Gee will be adding an inspirational line of products this year, "so I can share my faith," she said. "Without God none of this would be possible."

Magnetic bookmarks that fold over and clip over the top of a page will be one of the items in the line, she said, having had one too many traditional bookmarks fall out of textbooks.

Currently enrolled in college, she also has the business to manage, and for which she must create inventory.

"I manage my business and school by making a schedule. I set my classes to where I have enough time to work on my business," she said. It can be hard, but Gee is grateful for help from her mother.

"I like to make things that are unique and different," Gee said, so she is constantly working on new designs and new items to make, and takes customer requests into consideration in creating new designs.

Gee started crafting at age 6, inspired by her mother. She always wanted to start her own business, and after graduating from Mili­lani High School in 2010, she did just that with Kawaii Mono.

She attends at least one craft fair a month, and during Christmas season tries to book at least one each weekend. Customers can ask to be added to her email list for her upcoming craft fair schedule.

WHERE TO BUY:

>> Shirokiya

>> 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Pacific Islands Arts Festival, Kapiolani Park 

>> March 19-21, Hawaiian Island Ministry conference, Hawai‘i Convention Center

>> March 27-29 Kawaii Kon, Hawai‘i Convention Center

>> May 1-3, Islandwide Spring Crafts and Food Expo, Neal Blaisdell Center

ON THE NET:

mkt.com/kawaiimono808, email: kawaiimono808@yahoo.com

Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com, or on Twitter as @erikaengle.