Meet Katie/yiwen Hou | Art Director, Designer, & Craftsperson

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie/yiwen Hou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie/Yiwen, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
“Every witch making magic happen deserves a unique altar centerpiece.”
As a practitioner of spirituality and witchcraft myself, I once wished for a personalized space filled with tools made just for me. In 2023, I began carving wands, symbolizing the pointing finger of witches. Wands are intended to gather and direct energy to specific spots, enhancing the strength and effectiveness of spells.
At Studio Pythoness, I aim to rekindle the intimate connection between magical objects and their owners, a bond initiated by the craftsperson. I started by forging fallen branches after storms and collecting unwanted bits from pruned trees and bushes. My first studio space was my college dorm, where I lined the floor with paper bags to catch wood shavings and worked on the bark and wood. A few months later, I acquired an electric tool to refine my craft and began decorating the wands with hand-carved crystals, also adding elements such as metal and engraving, and tailoring each piece to my clients’ practice needs.
To further assist in designing personal wands, I’ve expanded my services to include energy and oracle readings as part of my customization consultation for newer witches.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from other spiritual creatives is my willingness to explore the darker aspects of the human psyche. Much of my recent work delves into themes of trauma, fear, and hallucinations. I engage deeply in what is often called “shadow work,” which greatly influences my creations. While some may view my work as very dark, I embrace this aspect of it. As a fan of Jung’s writings, which have significantly shaped modern spiritual beliefs, I believe one must confront their shadow. In his Red Book, Jung wrote, “To suffer from evil means you still love evil, yet you love it no longer.” Do you admit that you suffer from “evil” then? There is a shadow even inside the holiest of us, and setting oneself apart from this “darkness” is an act of cowardice and self-deception. I hope my work resonates with those who are on the painful journey of confronting their shadow, knowing that their efforts will ultimately be worthwhile. For those who walk through the darkest nights will come to see the brightest day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m currently based in North Carolina, US, and whenever a friend visits, I always take them to Asheville. Nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is like a pearl in your hands—a charming city renowned for its natural environment and vibrant art scene, inspired by the surrounding nature. If you’re visiting for a few days, I recommend starting with a meal at Sunny Point Café. Then, go on a hike to observe the local flora and fauna, perhaps paddle board down the French Broad River, or take a jewelry-making class at the River Arts District. Before you leave, spend a day exploring the city, visiting the Asheville Art Museum and Momentum Gallery, grabbing some tea at Dobra Tea, and strolling around to pick out a crystal souvenir from Enter the Earth. Asheville is such a beloved city, do yourself a favor and consider a spiritual retreat there next summer!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is dedicated to the wonderful community of spirituality and occultism in London, UK. During my studies and research for my studio, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many remarkable people, including those with PhDs in the field. Whether scholars or not, we’ve all become teachers to each other through our exchange of experiences. A special shoutout to the incredible staff and librarians at the College of Psychic Studies, Watkins, and Treadwell’s.

Website: https://pythoness.studio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio.pythoness/

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/yiwen-hou-306b99190

Other: Demo Reel:
https://youtu.be/C8bpz8gDlhM?si=W5XHh1Zga464XPjI

Image Credits
Dinara Askenova – Photographer (the two candle lit photos)