I have been into art and craft since young, I love creating things with my hands. I started to get professional drawing training back in middle school and became an art majored student in high school. Then after I moved to the US, I attended art school and got BFA diploma.

When did you start creating? Was there a specific moment or inspiration that led you to it?

2012 was the year I started to go anime conventions in the US, and I saw many amazing cosplayers hand crafted their costumes, that was the moment inspired me to start making my own cosplay! So I self studied sewing and had draping as elective course in college. Since then I’ve been sewing, there’s been 10 years.

What emotions, messages, or themes do you hope to convey through your work?

Drawing, painting, crafting and sewing is a zen meditation practice for me. After I finished a piece I’ll feel satisfied and successful. I will be so happy when I see customers’ smiles while wearing my sewing items.

What materials, tools, or techniques do you use, and why did you choose them? 

I mainly use sewing machine and serger for my sewing items; I do watercolor and acrylic painting too. I choose them because that’s my specialty

What was the biggest challenge you faced in your creative journey, and how did you overcome it?

There’s one time I had to ship my sewing item to Canada, I filled out the custom form with tariff code in a USPS office, but then I was told by USPS staff that the Canada post was on a strike; I then explained the situation to my Canadian buyer, and I had to find another carrier to ship the item. Then I went to UPS for a quote which cost $60, I messaged the buyer about the UPS quote and asked her if she still wanted to proceed, I also expressed how sorry I felt for her to pay so much just for the shipping. The buyer agreed the shipping quote and it delivered safely after a week and the buyer was very happy.

Do you remember your first sale? How did it feel?

I was so thrilled and couldn’t believe someone actually would buy the item I made, I felt being trusted and was very grateful.

Has a customer ever shared a special story or reason for purchasing your work?

I share my sewing items on Reddit and social media platforms, there once a Reddit user from Australia asked me a shipping quote to their country, I was so surprised someone overseas likes my item! And later on they finally decided to buy it despite the expensive shipping.

Is there a particular piece or product that customers seem to love the most? What makes it special?

Both of my 4 prong and 3 prong jester hat is popular among all my listings. Because they’re customizable so that buyers can create their own color pattern to match their costume; another reason is my sewing pattern is unique and no other products on the market looks like mine, proof is I have many messages asking for the sewing patterns.

What are your future plans? What do you hope to achieve through your creative business?

I hope to have more sales and do more pop up art tables so I can support my family and becoming a full time artist/seller.

Are you working on any exciting new projects or collections?

I keep creating new items to attract different crowds, I also do alternate fashion accessories, also handmade jewelry etc.

Why did you choose to join ZART? How has our platform helped your creative business?

At first, one of the ZART operation specialists found me on “Red Note” (XiaoHongShu) and introduced me to ZART. I found ZART is sincere about helping artists with their low commission rate and platform charge. It’s another way to get exposure for my works.