Ke Ai

Ke Ai Stockist of Asian novelties, toys and all things cute you won't find anywhere else in South Africa.

✨ Ke Ai Artist Spotlight ✨ 💙 What prompted you to start TAOart? In 2016 I was making money online selling adoptables on ...
17/08/2026

✨ Ke Ai Artist Spotlight ✨

💙 What prompted you to start TAOart?
In 2016 I was making money online selling adoptables on deviantart under the pseudonym That Awkward Onion, but because that was hard to say and type I shortened it to TAO, which became TAOart for comicons so as not to be confused with the Chinese philosophical and religious tradition. It has not helped the confusion.

💙 Who are you?
A less awkward onion.

💙 What makes your products special?
I think the fact that everything I make is stuff I enjoy and want to make. I like fandom and weird things so that's what I make.

💙 What is your top selling products, and then your favourite product?
My top sellers are 3D printed fidgets. I made some of the models myself and some are generic but all of them seem to do well. My favorite (Not a product because he's not for sale.) is Starbit. The brother of my stall mascot Norbit. He's an animatronic plush toy with a single bombastic eye of indifference. I love him because he's a thing I made with my partner where my partner did the sewing and I did the animatronics. He's just lovely.

💙 List of products:
Art Prints/ Posters, Mousepads, 3D printed puzzles, 3D printed fidget toys, stickers, button badges

22/07/2026

Ke Ai artist spotlight: The Bleeding Trees 🌳 🩸

1. What prompted you to start _thebleedingtrees_ ?
- truthfully, i needed a way to make money to help my mom pay for my college tuition, so i monetized my hobby. i didn't get to graduate college due to other reasons but _thebleedingtrees_ is still going strong! So at least there's a win lol.

2. Who are you?
- i am a being of chaos and creativity. i exist to create art, predominantly from fabric. my favourite food is donuts and coffee, my favourite colours are purples and greys. i love my fiance and cat and i have an army of shrimps. and you can call me nicole.

3. What makes your products special?
- everything is handmade by me, there's a tiny bit of my chaos stitched into every little critter, every blanket, every cosplay. that chaos is eternal by the way.

4. What is your top-selling product, and then your favourite product?
- top sellers are my art dolls - delicately crafted little pixies with embroidered faces, buttons for eyes and colourful wool for hair each with their own personality! my favourite product is something i've been working on this year that i have not yet launched (coz it's not ready yet (when it is ready you will know okay))

5. List of products:
- art dolls
- animal plushies
- embroidered patches (vintage designs from an ancient embroidery machine)
- oh i also do cosplay and other works on commission!

6. What inspires you?
- the noise in my head
- touching fabric in the wild
- pigeons
- the laugher of my fiance when i tell him a terribly cheesy joke

7. ⁠Where are your favourite places to travel to?
- literally anywhere that isn't the suburbs but if i can go to a forest or the ocean you have to tranquilize me to get me back home.

8. ⁠Anything else you would like to add?
- uuuuhhhh my life motto is "always be your most authentic self" and whenever anybody needs to hear something, anything, i just say "godspeed thundercat" and that's exactly what they need to hear.

🧋✨ A quick heads-up from Ke Ai & Bubble Emporium! ✨🧋For everyone’s safety, we will be closed on Tuesday, 30 June due to ...
26/06/2026

🧋✨ A quick heads-up from Ke Ai & Bubble Emporium! ✨🧋

For everyone’s safety, we will be closed on Tuesday, 30 June due to the planned national shutdown.

We’ll be back serving up delicious bubble tea, tasty treats, and all your favourite Ke Ai goodies as soon as we’re able! 💜

Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe out there. We can’t wait to welcome you back soon! 🫶

25/06/2026

✨ Tiny pins. Big personality. ✨

Looking for the perfect accessory to show off your style, fandom, or sense of humour? Ke Ai’s collection of adorable pins has something for everyone!

Whether you’re decorating your jacket, backpack, lanyard, or favourite tote bag, our pins are the perfect way to add a little extra you to your day.

Pop in and find your next tiny obsession! 💖

20/06/2026

Meet Sin Bin, one of the fantastic consignees you’ll find at Ke Ai! We asked her a few questions about her creative process, inspirations, and the story behind her brand. Here’s what she had to say:

1. What prompted you to start SIN BIN?
Long ago I worked in the concrete jungle of corporate and they had a casual Friday once a month and encouraged creativity. So once a month a made a pair of ears to wear to work. And what started as a fun outlet quickly became a small business side hustle. Then one evening chasing work deadlines and commissions I took a leap of faith and started SIN BIN. Fun fact, before I called my business SIN BIN it was called Hand Made Ears for a year.

2. Who is SIN?
As in the creator? Lol, hi... My name is Cyntha aka Cyn aka Sin... My family been calling me Sin Bin since I was 8 years old... Yes there is a story there, no you don't need to know. Haha. A person of mystery 👀

3. What makes your products special?
Each item is handmade making it a bespoke item with it's own little quirkiness.

4. What is your top-selling pair of ears/tails? What is YOUR favourite pair of ears or product you have made?
Classic Cat ears are the most popular despite people constantly requesting for other types. A close follow up is faux fox ears. As for my favourite thing to have ever made... That is tough, but it generally unusual custom requests that allow for freedom of creativity.

5. List of products:
Ears, Tails, Sets, Antlers, Horns, Headpieces, Bows, Artwork (Prints & stickers), Beanies (that have ears) and so much more.😅

6. What makes your brand?
I have tried really hard to create a brand that welcomes the whismcal, that encourages wearing the thing that makes you happy. To be uniquely you.

7. Where are your favourite places to travel to?
Currently Japan, though I only recently went there for awhile. But essentially I love to travel and have travelled most of Southern Africa (as well as alot in South Africa).

8. What inspires you?
Textiles, colours, experiences... Something so simple like the changes of seasons can inspire an illustration or a new collection.

🍻 Father’s Day Special at Ke Ai! 🍻Treat Dad this June and enjoy a little something extra!Spend R100 or more at Ke Ai and...
13/06/2026

🍻 Father’s Day Special at Ke Ai! 🍻

Treat Dad this June and enjoy a little something extra!

Spend R100 or more at Ke Ai and receive 50% off a beer at Apollo’s Taberna et Mixtarium. 🍺

Whether you’re shopping for Dad or simply spoiling yourself, it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a cold one afterwards!

📅 Valid until 30 June 2026.

T’s & C’s apply.

⚔️ Calling all geeks, gamers, trainers, planeswalkers, adventurers, and warlords! ⚔️Introducing GGs (Geeks & Gamers Gath...
13/06/2026

⚔️ Calling all geeks, gamers, trainers, planeswalkers, adventurers, and warlords! ⚔️

Introducing GGs (Geeks & Gamers Gathering) at Ke Ai!

Starting 16 June (12 - 10pm), every Tuesday from 5pm - 10pm, we’re turning Ke Ai into the ultimate gaming hub for:

🐉 Dungeons & Dragons
🃏 Magic: The Gathering
⚡ Pokémon TCG & Trading
🔨 Warhammer

Gather your party and reserve a table! Groups of 4 or more who book a table will each receive a FREE Bubble Tea!

🎟️ Entry: R80 per person
📞 Contact Franco to reserve your spot
💰 Payment can be made at Ke Ai on the night

Spaces are limited and reservations will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, so don’t wait too long!

Roll for initiative, shuffle your deck, and prepare for an epic night of gaming, strategy, and great company.

🎉✨ MEDIA LAUNCH WEEKEND ALERT✨🎉Join us at Ke Ai & The Bubble Emporium from 29–31 May for a weekend packed with sweetness...
27/05/2026

🎉✨ MEDIA LAUNCH WEEKEND ALERT✨🎉

Join us at Ke Ai & The Bubble Emporium from 29–31 May for a weekend packed with sweetness, sass, and unapologetic nerdy cuteness! 🧋💖👾

Sip on our delicious bubble teas while browsing a treasure trove of adorable geeky goodies, quirky gifts, collectibles, and all the cute things your little nerd heart could possibly desire. From kawaii vibes to bubble tea bliss…we’ve got your weekend plans sorted.

Bring your besties, bring your sweet tooth, and come celebrate our Media Launch Weekend with us! ✨

18/04/2026

🎌 Ke Ai Operating Hours 🎌

Your favourite treasure trove of all things wonderfully weird and kawaii is ready for you! 🛍️✨

Step into Ke Ai, That Random Japanese Store and lose yourself in a world of delightful finds, from the adorable to the unexpected 🇯🇵💫

Trading Hours:
Wed – Sat: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 10am – 3pm

Pop in, say hi, and maybe leave with something you didn’t know you absolutely needed 😉💖

Address

Garden On 4th, 4th Avenue, Linden
Johannesburg
2008

Telephone

+27823265831

Website

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