The tragedy in Japan happened over a month ago, but the Japanese continue to live with the consequences every day. As of April 18, the powerful quake, tsunami and nuclear crisis have left more than 14,000 missing and 160,000 people living temporary shelters.

Because we all live in one world, Poketo’s sharing some cool stuff to benefit Japan in–not just one–but two (!) fundraising events, both happening this Saturday. If you’re in Venice or Hollywood, please do stop by.

To Japan, From LA with Love at Space15Twenty

“To Japan, From LA with Love,” is a “coming together of the Los Angeles community to celebrate the beauty of Japanese Culture and raise money to help rebuild through art, music and generosity of spirit.” The event will be at Space15Twenty, where “Los Angeles, I’m Yours” was held almost a year ago. (Missed it by a day!)

Works from some awesome people (Ashkahn, Chris Bettig, Florencio Zavala, Gary Baseman, Gina Osterloh, Katsuo Design, Kozyndan, Marc Atlan, Mel Kadel, Saelee Oh, Travis Millard, Little Paper Planes, Busy Being… whew, running out of breath!) will also be up for grabs.

Space15Twenty is on 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd. The benefit party runs from 7 to 10 pm and includes an art auction, pop-up shop and raffle.

Poketo and OK store at Tortoise

All this month, Tortoise has set up a series of Japan Relief events. Proceeds from their event go to building Japanese architect Shigeru Ban’s temporary quake shelters. Ban and his team are building temporary partitions using his recycled cardboard tubes, which give evacuees a sense of privacy in the crammed school gymnasiums or community centers they now call home.

Tortoise is on 1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice.

Here are some cool things you might find at the pop-ups.

Meet Doug, Janet, Claire and Perry–the Middletons–melamine plates who each bring a little special something to this family of tableware.

This little planner gobbles up your to-dos and weekly plans in one fell swoop. Designed by PCP (who also made these awesome designs for us), the Digest Your Life planner is printed with soy ink on 100 percent recycled paper.

Notefolios are what you get when you mix a portfolio with a notebook. Write down your important notes, but keep track of all those papers and receipts you always seem to lose along the way.

There’s a story waiting to happen with this wallet on the far right, says Jeremyville. What it is, we’ll all have to wait to find out. Perhaps you can make your own story happen in “the so far away.”

Made through a collaboration between Hideyasu Moto and Maho Shimao, these wallets are reminiscent of a simpler time in our lives, filled with cartoons, mushrooms, stars, rainbows and yes, an occasional lemon.

This colorful tote first came into the world as street banners. Upcycled for a second (for fashionable) life, the Street Banner bags are a colorful stand against waste.

Spring break is here, which means it’s time for a getaway. Aside from packing your dresses, shirts and essentials, don’t forget to give your well-worn passport a comfy home. Made of soft and supple upcycled vintage sofa leather, our passport cases are each one-of-a-kind style statements, never to be replicated again. Most come in shades of black, brown and cream, while others are enlivened by splashes of color (even metallics!)

Not only are they stylish and surprising, but they’re quite practical as well. The large exterior pocket makes the perfect niche for your boarding pass and ticket. Inside, discreet slits are perfectly sized for IDs and credit cards. The side pockets are large enough to fit your passport and even a little bit of cash.

In one passport case, you can see traces of up to four different types of leather, each tastefully handcrafted in South Korea by a design non-profit known for giving new life to cast-off materials.

We love the many textures and colors in even just one passport, so we decided to show them off to you, our wonderful readers.

Solid and trustworthy cream and black becomes a natural bronze and brown with a hint of baby blue

Dark and luxurious in black and taupe, this case holds a surprise in blue.

Cool in cream and green is simply solid and dependable in browns and blacks inside.

So, matchmaker, which one is your favorite match?

Springtime means breaking out the snazzy outfits that have been hiding away in your closet during the winter. Complete your favorite delicate dress or cute top outfit with our latest upcycled leather clutch collection. Wonderfully petite and minimalist, this clutch finishes off an outfit elegantly. Rather than using metal zippers, a simple obi-like ribbon wraps around the clutch, securing all your valuables.

This one says “daytime glam,” don’t you think?

This one is a natural beauty.

This one looks ready to go from day to night.

Made in partnership with a non-profit South Korean design firm known for giving new life to cast-offs, the clutches are lovingly made and undoubtedly one-of-a-kind. Wouldn’t they look great with the Dandelion dress, the Roman Holiday, or Stately Secret top? I can’t wait for the next time I feel like going out and being extra pretty. I know exactly what I’ll be wearing.

Different is good. In fact, it is quite awesome.

Different makes people take a second look… which is why we are loving our newly-launched line of upcycled leather goods. Each one of our passport cases, clutches, card cases, button wallets and pouches are all unique. Made from vintage sofa leather rescued from the waste stream, each soft and supple leather accessory gives new meaning to the words “sustainable” and “style.”

Every item in this collection is guaranteed one-of-a-kind and handmade by a South Korean non-profit design firm that specializes in re-purposing cast-off materials. We can’t even ship you the same exact one you see online because not every item is exactly the same. Jordan at Dwell gets it right on the nose, when she writes, “You get a little grab-bag thrill with every order.” That’s exactly how we feel each time we go pick one out to send you guys.

Check out our newest upcycled leather collection!