Gold Dust Studios: I'm struck by how many beautiful and intracate items you have listed on your Etsy site. How long does it take you to make one of your beautiful brooches?
Friston Ho'okano: Every piece that I design is unique and it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to complete. However, there are different stages of "drying time" when attaching each layer, so the actual time depends on how delicate or how heavy the pieces are.
GDS: How long have you been making art and how long have you been creating in the media and styles, you work in now?
FH: This is going to be a fun response to that question! I grew up in the late 70's and 80's (high school thru college days), and I was such a fan of NEW WAVE music and fashion. I started designing pins for my big, padded shoulder jackets and skinny ties for myself when going out to the night clubs in Waikiki. Then people started asking me where I got them.
I always loved art since I was a child. I've been a professional, award-winning floral designer for over 20 years, so design and composition were easy for me. I always included wire and jewelry in my floral designs.
GDS: How did you get involved in making steampunk jewelry?
FH: My interest in Sci-Fi and the Victorian era was always evident since I was a kid watching "Wild, Wild West" on TV and Walt Disney's "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" back when I was a child. Movies were a great influence as well such as "The League of Extraordiary Gentlemen".
But, most importantly, Hawaii has a HUGE connection with the British Monarchy during the Victorian era. Our Hawaiian Monarchy always adopted the architecture, fashion, and royal titles similar to the British Monarchy.
I never knew there was a "name" to my interest in Victorian and Industry (beauty of the machine powered by steam) until the past few years. But, I would say I had a keen interest in "Steampunk" in the early 90's. Like many of my friends my age, (40-somethings) we just started embracing the term "Steampunk". But, we always loved it...before it had a name!
GDS: Who are your biggest influences?
FH: One of the hugest influences for all us Steampunk Artists has to be Jake Von Slatt. He's a "tinkerer" and builds big stuff inspired also by the same influences from period sci-fi movies, H.G. Wells, and Jules Verne.
As far as someone who influences me in jewelry design? I'm inspired by many artists that do work with wire and glass beads but no one specific.
Coming from the floral industry, my influence in design comes from Hitomi Gilliam - a brilliant floral designer who utilizeds all sorts of media in her work - like I do. We (Artists) all take inspiration from each other.
GDS: Do you have formal training or are you self-taught?
FH: I'm definitely self-taught. Since I was a kid I always tried to figure things out by "trial and error". I was a very determined kid when it came to all things Artistic (drawing, painting, ceramics, etc.).
GDS: I know you live in Hawaii, which is spectacularly beautiful and that you incorporate some of your culture into your work. How does your environment impact your art?
FH: My interest in the Steampunk genre definitely goes back to my earlier mention of the huge relationship between our Hawaiian Monarchy and the British Monarchy. I try to incorporate tribute pieces in my art work after the Hawaiian Monarchs and metals that have intricate scrollwork similar to Victorian English and Hawaiian Heirloom jewelry.
I do my own "scroll work" in my coiled wire use in all my pieces. Being a designer from Hawaii, I thought it was important for me to include pieces that have significance to my culture AND YET still looking very industrial and appropriate for Steampunk art.
GDS: Where do you create your works of art?
FH: My enclosed garage is my studio. It is set up to do my handcrafted designs with an office, and computer station. My city's post office is two minutes away.
GDS: I noticed you've made quite a number of sales. Do you have trouble keeping up with the demand? Did you have to actively network to get folks to your site, or did they come flocking, as I did, as soon as soon as I saw your work?
FH: For me, my brain is always ticking and creating. I just try to make as much as I can so that I have a great variety of items to list on my shop.
For every piece I sell, I figure at least 10 people will see it or ask about it.
I do make sure to promote on Twitter and on my Facebook business page. I highly advise taking advantage of the social networks to get your name and product out to the masses. So far, all my customers have been from out of state. We don't have a large Steampunk community here in Hawaii.
GDS: What do you take your inspiration from?
FH: My goal in life and ultimate inspiration in what I do is: "I want to make Art because it makes me happy. I want people to be happy when they buy my Art." Being happy and fulfilled as an Artist when people buy my pieces is my inspiration.
GDS: Can you talk about your concept of a perfect world and how it relates to your real life? What suggestions might you have for others to contribute to a more utopian society?
FH: I've always been a spiritual person, and I believe that we all should send positive energies to each other and the world. Whether it be thru prayer or happy thoughts and wishes. We all have the power to "heal".
I believe that what we send out in the Universe will come back to you...like Karma. This is how I think if I want to have a good day tomorrow. Be happy today and every day the best you can. And most importantly..."Live what you Love!"
