I was born in Taiwan in 1978 and I have lived in America for most of my adult life. Since I was young I have had a love for color and form. With the support of my parents I came to California in 1996 to pursue my education in art. While a student at San Francisco State University I began to focus on ceramic sculpture. After I graduating in 2003 I went back to Taiwan for a year to reconnect with my family and culture. I moved back to the Bay Area where I can live with a wider range of artists. I currently teach ceramics in several places as well as maintain a studio practice in Oakland, CA.

What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? I remember back when I still had a 9-5 job, I was so unhappy and not motivated to do anything creative, so withsupport of family and friends I quit my job and went into the craft business. But I do still work outside of my studio; I work about 10-20 hours a week teaching ceramics in the bay area, and the rest of time I get to stay in my own studio!!

Describe your creative process when designing/making your product line. I love animals, all different kinds of animals. Every time when I see an animal I just want to narrate for it, and sometime I feel like I am the animal that I am drawing, this drawing process has a special connection with me.

What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? I like being able to make money doing something I love. The worst part is having no guarantee of the amount of money I will actually make.

What’s the best advice you have been given about your business or craft practices? “Don’t undersell yourself.”

I have an open studio June 5,6 and 12,13, It’s at my home/studio in Oakland and is the best way to learn about me and my work. You can find information about events that I will be at on my Blog www.justhue.blogspot.com, or shop on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/pikahue