We were lucky to catch up with Chad Van Wye recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Chad thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
Growing up, my parents always said I had a habit of taking things apart just to figure out how to put them back together. My dad was a painter and a car guy, so he introduced me to the artistic and mechanical side of things early on. He encouraged creativity and hands-on problem-solving, which definitely shaped the way I work today.
My mom, on the other hand, taught me how to start a project—and actually finish it. Let’s be honest, for a lot of us artists, finishing something can be the hardest part! But jokes aside, she’s the hardest-working person I know. She helps run a major law firm and absolutely excels at what she does. I admire her deeply—not just for her work ethic, but for how she balances being a kind, understanding leader while staying strong and focused in business.
Both of my parents have been incredibly supportive, and I’m grateful for the different strengths they passed on to me. Their influence really helped shape who I am, both as a creator and as a business owner.
Chad, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Chad Van Wye, and I’m the founder of Hoku Props, a creative studio dedicated to precision craftsmanship in prop making, costume design, interactive sets, awards, and more. Alongside my partner and co-author Sammy, we have shared our expertise and journey in published works, aiming to inspire others through detailed insights into the art of fabrication and creative innovation.
My journey began with a passion for 3D modeling, fabrication, and immersive storytelling. What started as a personal hobby quickly transformed into Hoku Props, where we specialize in creating detailed armor, weapons, functional wearable technology, and custom fabrications for cosplayers, production studios, and the gaming and film industries. We also provide premium 3D print files and host workshops designed to empower fellow creators to bring their projects to life.
What truly sets Hoku Props apart is our blend of cutting-edge digital design with traditional craftsmanship. Every project receives detailed attention, ensuring each piece is not only visually stunning but durable and fully functional for real-world applications. Our creations are designed to excel, whether on stage, screen, or in everyday use.
One of our proudest achievements was winning the Grand Prize at TwitchCon’s first-ever Cosplay Contest, a milestone that showcased our expertise in engineering complex, large-scale builds that perfectly combine aesthetic beauty with functional integrity.
Beyond just creating, Sammy and I are deeply passionate about mentorship and education, frequently sharing our knowledge through workshops, panels, and online content. We believe in inspiring and empowering the next generation of makers.
At its heart, Hoku Props is more than just a studio; it’s a place where creativity meets precision, where imagination is brought to life through dedication, innovation, and artistry.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Back in 2014, life handed me a powerful lesson I never expected. At the time, I was balancing college classes and nurturing a growing business, HokuProps—born from my passion for prop and costume making. It was May 14th, an ordinary day in my workshop, creating custom costume pieces for a client. The pieces required resin casting, a meticulous process where resin cures within a mold under high pressure inside a sealed chamber. This method is particularly important for achieving flawless transparency and eliminating air bubbles, ensuring perfect casts.
That day, however, wasn’t ordinary at all. After fully pressurizing the chamber, I approached to carefully release the pressure—something I’d done countless times before. But in an instant, without warning, the lid catastrophically failed, causing the chamber to explode violently. Fragments of the shattered lid hurtled through the air, and several of them headed directly toward my face.
Without diving into the graphic details I can say unequivocally that by all rights, that day should have been my last. Whether it was sheer luck, my trusty beanie redirecting a deadly shard away from penetrating my skull, or perhaps the lifelong migraines that had unexpectedly prepared me for enduring unimaginable pain without losing consciousness, something gave me the precious moments I needed to seek help despite being completely alone.
People often ask me: “If you could go back and change that day, would you?” Each time, my answer surprises them. With absolute conviction, I wouldn’t change a thing. As terrifying as the accident was, as difficult as the road to recovery became, even after losing my left eye, that moment was transformative. It taught me resilience. It sharpened my skills as an artist and propelled my passion for my craft to heights I’d never imagined.
As soon as my body allowed, I was right back in that workshop, creating again, more driven and inspired than ever. That accident didn’t break me; it sculpted me into the artist, business owner, and person I am today. And for that, I’m eternally grateful.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Consistency has been a huge part of it. I also had the advantage of being early to a lot of emerging maker technologies that have since blown up. Being a 3D artist gave me a real edge when 3D printing started to go mainstream—suddenly, a lot of makers were coming to me for help with their projects.
That same pattern followed with laser cutting, CNC work, 3D scanning, and engineering prints for better assembly. I’ve always made it a priority to stay ahead of the curve and constantly improve my skills.
I think what’s really helped is not just doing great work for myself, but helping other makers succeed with theirs. That collaborative mindset, along with delivering consistently reliable results, has shown people that both I and my business are not only skilled—but dependable.
We might not have the biggest numbers, but our reputation speaks for itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hokuprops.com
- Instagram: hokuprops
- Facebook: HokuProps
- Twitter: HokuProps
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hokuprops
- Other: https://linktr.ee/hokuprops
Image Credits
All Cosplay Photos are by Alexandra Lee Stuiods (https://www.alexandraleestudios.com/) @aleestudios on Instagram.