Meet Sunnie Creative
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
Where are you from and does that affect your work?
I am originally from Shenzhen, China,
and immigrated to the U.S. when I was 13 years old. My cultural background plays a big role in my designs, as I love incorporating elements of my Chinese heritage into our products. For the past three years, we’ve created a Lunar New Year collection, as well as an Asian food and fruit collection, both of which are inspired by my childhood memories, traditional symbols, and the vibrant colors of Chinese culture. Blending these influences allows me to create pieces that feel both nostalgic and fresh, celebrating the joy and playfulness of my heritage.
That is very cool and unique to you. Who/what are your biggest artistic influences? My biggest artistic influence is Hayao Miyazaki. I grew up watching his films and have always been deeply inspired by his whimsical art style, rich storytelling, and the sense of wonder he creates in his worlds. I strive to bring that same sense of playfulness and magic into my own designs
What is the hardest part of your creation process?The hardest part of my creation process is the design and prototyping phase. I usually start by sketching out ideas before turning them into digital illustrations, but I also have to consider how they will translate into physical product. This includes choosing the right colors, figuring out the best way to cut the acrylic, and ensuring the design is both visually appealing and functional. Each collection goes through multiple rounds of prototyping to perfect the colors, shapes, and overall look. Once this phase is complete, the rest of the process flows much more smoothly.
There is a lot of behind the scenes involved. What’s your favorite item that you’ve created, and why? My favorite item we’ve created is definitely our animal portrait magnets and brooches. I’ve always loved the charm of vintage cottage-style gallery walls and wanted to bring that idea to life with my own designs. That’s how the Sunnie Farm collection was born—I imagined a whimsical farm where these animals live, each with their own unique personality. I designed their portraits as if they were meant to be hung in a cozy farmhouse, adding a playful and nostalgic touch to our collection.
What do you love most about Pasadena?Pasadena has such a unique charm—its diverse community and rich artistic culture make it an inspiring place to be. The city is home to incredible art spaces like the Norton Simon Museum and the Huntington Library, and it hosts amazing yearly art events that bring creatives together. It’s a wonderful place for artists to share their work and for people to find inspiration.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In five years, I hope to still be growing Sunnie Creative, expanding the business in a way that allows me to reach more people while also giving me more time for myself and my family.
What is a valuable lesson you have learned that has helped you grow? The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that there is space for everyone, and the best thing you can do is stay true to yourself and your own work. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others. In the early days of my business, I often compared myself to others and wondered why I wasn’t getting many orders or enough attention on social media. Over time, however, I learned to focus on myself and my work, and to only compare my progress to who I was before. That mindset has motivated me to keep improving and to build a better version of my business each year.
What is a fun fact about you that others may not know? One fun fact: My mom loves gardening, and she has a beautiful garden in our backyard. I often use that space for product photoshoots. Whenever I feel burn out on designing new styles, I often go to her garden to find inspirations.
Any new items or projects that you are excited about? We just created a Spring Festival Collection to celebrate the Year of Horse. The collection features original designs in soft green and pink for a fresh take on tradition, and they are perfect to wear all year round. I’ve attached some photos of the new collection below.
Any advice for someone just starting off on their own? My biggest piece of advice for someone just starting out is to strongly consider doing in-person events. They're an amazing way to test your products in real life, get immediate feedback, and really start building your brand's presence.
Any new items or projects that you are excited about? We just created a Spring Festival Collection to celebrate the Year of Horse. The collection features original designs in soft green and pink for a fresh take on tradition, and they are perfect to wear all year round.
Love that. Anything special you’d like to share? We release a new collection every 1-2 months, and we’re always excited to share more fun, creative art with you! Stay tuned for fresh designs!
Find Sunnie Creative at Jackalope Pasadena in Central Park this April 25th & 26th!
Website: https://sunniecreative.com/
Instagram: @sunnie.creative
I like seeing artists talk about their work in a way that still feels grounded and personal. That kind of creativity always lands better for me than something polished with no real point of view behind it. I get a similar feeling from Casual Carats. The pieces feel easy to wear and still have some character, which is probably why they stand out. I want jewelry that feels like part of real life, not something made only for a display case.