Peteyhana
Hapa Holiday Vendors
What is your brand name?
What makes you Hapa?
I’m a fourth generation Japanese-American, Japanese from my mom's side and mixed Danish/German/English from my dad's side.
What kind of art do you create?
I create one-of-a-kind jewelry designed to bring happiness to the wearer while spreading joy to those around. My designs are big, playful, colorful, and definitely make a bold statement! I'm inspired by retro 80s designs, kawaii culture, Lisa Frank, and vintage stickers. I like to encourage others to invite whimsy into their wardrobe and stop getting so caught up in feeling like growing up means growing dull.
How does being Hapa apply to your work?
Growing up Hapa, I often felt like I was uncomfortably in the spotlight and alienated by people. I’ve encountered othering and dismissal of my identity, being held at a distance from communities on either side of the divide. In my work, I create bold and attention-demanding statement pieces that shout at onlookers, “I’m here, I’m valid, and I won’t be ignored!”
How long have you been a creator?
My hands have always been itching to create since I was a toddler, and luckily my family was very encouraging of my artistic side. I started making and selling jewelry during high school, then established my art moniker, Peteyhana, during my first year of college. I reopened my online shop in 2016 and started investing more of my time and energy in marketing and growing my small biz — and it's taken off from there!
What's your favorite gift you've ever received or given?
I'm very lucky and grateful to have thoughtful friends and family to exchange gifts with! It's hard to narrow down a favorite gift, but the one that touched me the most this year was from my friend Marlena, whose gift was composed of handmade and vintage elements. She painted a custom rainbow necklace with fried egg clouds (my favorite things), tracked down discontinued merch from a favorite indie artist (that I lost in 2012), and shared a vintage pastel knit sweater for my novelty sweater collection, along with some other goodies. Handwritten notes and homemade gifts are always my most treasured items because I'm super sentimental!
What are your favorite holiday traditions?
Christmas Eve and New Year's are big events in my family! We all gather to exchange gifts, play cards, and most importantly — potluck! It's always a good time filled with an array of yummy food. I love eating the food that my grandma prepares, from the marinated lamb shish kebab to the New Year's osechi. My least favorite tradition is eating ozoni, New Year's good luck soup, on the morning of the new year... but I have to do it, or else I won't have luck for the entire year! My family eats the soup in the morning before we start preparing the homemade wontons and other potluck dishes to take over to my grandparents' house for our annual family New Year's party.
What are your favorite pieces of your work?
My current favorites are my rainbow heart statement earrings and my Animal Crossing charm necklaces! I mold the clay base, hand paint the details, and coat each piece with a glossy, glass-like finish to make my designs look like hard candy. I love being able to make and wear such fun art!
Where can people find your work?
What is your social media handle?