Meet the Maker: Becky Hui Chan of Honey & Bloom
Have you checked out the new Brit + Co. Shop yet? Well, HAVE you? If you’re looking for a reason to get your shop on, look no further. Meet Becky Hui Chan of Honey & Bloom, a design company based here in San Francisco. Becky makes colorful posters and prints, 14kt and 18kt gold plated jewelry, bold totes and an array of greeting cards. As she explains, “I make art, design experiences and craft objects from the heart.” Um okay, we’re sold already.
The best news yet? You can snag Honey & Bloom’s posters and prints in the shop today! Bonus: Get $10 off your first order, plus free shipping on orders over $50. Read on for Becky’s story.
First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
Prior to starting Honey & Bloom, I worked as an Art Director and Designer for various companies including Wired Magazine, ReadyMade Magazine and SYPartners. I continue to freelance, collaborate and give creative direction on multiple projects with strategy + design firms and other companies while running H&B.
Why did you decide to start Honey & Bloom?
Established in 2008, Honey & Bloom is a design company that celebrates my passion for the arts and design. It was founded on the simple belief that good design plays an essential part in our everyday lives. I make art, design experiences and craft objects from the heart. I aspire to create products that everyone will love.
In five words or less, tell us why you love to make.
The possibilities are endless.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere; I find that if you are focused on the present and engaged in the moment, there is usually something that will and can inspire you. I feel blessed to live in a city where things are constantly happening and changing and where there are so many interesting people doing amazing things. There’s a lot of life and culture to embrace in San Francisco.
What does the making process look like for you?
For every project, whether it’s for a client or for H&B products, I jot down ideas and concepts in my notebook before I jump into the creating/making process. I also rummage through books and magazines for inspiration and I lay them all out and tack thoughts and things to boards. Once I have a few concepts I’m ready to bring to life, I start developing the piece(s).
Depending on what I’m making, I’ll go back and forth between my notebook and the work I’m designing. The prototyping phase is important and is definitely a huge part of the process in making the final piece perfect. After my designs are complete, I partner with talented screen printers, highly skilled artisans and craftsmen in bringing some of my work to life.
What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other makers?
Don’t quit your dream job and you’ll grow old doing what you love.
What other creative hobbies do you have?
I love dabbling in different forms of arts and crafts. Whether it’s experimenting with new materials, doodling with color pencils and watercolors, or even revisiting my childhood hobbies like making friendship bracelets, I love the process and the tactile feel of handmade things and objects. Oftentimes, sketching is my go-to and capturing moments through photography is also a favorite of mine.
Tell us how technology has changed and supported what you do.
Since we live in a world where technology is always changing, I believe that adapting, embracing, and accepting these changes are a big part of making the most out of every opportunity. For small businesses like Honey & Bloom, the advancement in technology in the past few years has helped push our business to new levels of success. With the boom in social media and the ability to easily sell online, our business has gained a lot of visibility and grown exponentially.
How do you think the analog world is changing as the digital world continues to boom?
I think that the analog world is changing and adapting to the digital world in many great ways. Magazines, books and other printed media are now easily available in both digital and printed form. This is very convenient for many people and for those who prefer the printed pieces, I’m happy to say that those are still very much around and hopefully not going anywhere for a long while. I am a strong advocate for the printed piece, that’s why I fell in love with what I do and how I started my career.
What’s up next for you?