We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yiwen Hou a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yiwen, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I began creating custom ritual tools for witches in 2023, though I’ve been an intuitive fine artist my entire life. The journey started unexpectedly: one day, I found myself shaving layers off a stick I had picked up with a random kitchen knife. Why that stick? I can’t recall any intellectual reasoning—looking back, it felt divinely guided. The result was a wand, just as you’d imagine a magical one to be. This intuitive creative process led me to embrace the project fully, eventually becoming my graduate thesis. In my research, I conducted case studies to highlight the individuality, empowerment, and deep connection embedded in the stories of witches. For modern practitioners, witchcraft often revolves around personal development and contributes to mental and physical well-being.
The purpose of witchcraft varies—some seek a spiritual path, a connection with nature, inner power, or a means to help others and achieve goals. Despite these differences, one shared belief is treating the practice as sacred. Witchcraft is more than rituals; it’s a lifestyle dedicated to change, often beginning within ourselves. Whether through spells or physical effort, witches manifest their intentions and take actionable steps to make them reality.
Many witches come from trauma-filled backgrounds, but it’s within these hardships that we often find our greatest power. Witchcraft is fundamentally about self-evolution and setting change into motion. As a craftsperson and member of the local witchcraft community, my role is to create tools that empower practitioners— tools that honor their sacred practices and help them feel confident in their journey toward transformation, and I cannot be more proud to do what I do for this reason.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Yiwen Hou, also known as the Pythoness of Studio Pythoness. Professionally, I am an emerging art director with over three years of experience in digital production, art direction, and commercial illustration. While my professional work leans heavily toward digital production, I love incorporating the tangible magic of analog art into my projects. As part of my studio practice, I craft personalized ritual objects inspired by my spirituality, witchcraft, and fascination with transpersonal psychology.
Nature serves as the foundation of my work—I gather fallen branches, which I carve and combine with elements like stonework and painting to create unique wands. Each piece is carefully sealed with resin for durability, blending functionality with artistry. These wands are deeply personal creations, designed with the intention of becoming meaningful companions for practitioners. Each one tells its own story, reflecting the individuality and spirit of the witch it is made for.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

For me, embracing what makes you strange and different starts with unlearning self-inflicted shame and guilt. Moving to the U.S. at the start of high school, I felt awkward and out of place. While I had curious and open-minded friends, the school environment was conservative, leaving me hyper-vigilant and guilty for simply occupying space. My differences—cultural, behavioral, and creative—often felt like burdens. The turning point came when I met my feral best friend from Puerto Rico and an Italian-mother-like architect mentor. One taught me to stop caring about outside opinions, while the other helped me see my so-called strangeness as strength, and fully encouraged me to peruse it as a career.
As I moved into college and now my career, I’ve learned to trust the journey of standing out rather than fitting in. From skeptic to practicing witch, I’ve unlearned much to embrace my individuality. It’s this growth that helped me find my place and passion—and I believe the key is to unlearn the shame of being different and let your uniqueness shine. Where is the fun and excitement in being the same as everyone else?

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I currently wear many hats, but I spend a significant portion of my time working at a local witch shop. It’s a place where I meet people, hear their stories, strengths, and struggles, and have meaningful conversations that make me feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. My coworkers know about my creative practice and fully support me in sharing what my studio offers with our customers. Often, people are fascinated by my craft and eager to learn about the possibility of having a custom wand made for them. At my studio, I prioritize quality over quantity. My philosophy is about finding the right individuals who truly resonate with my work and providing them with tools that perfectly suit their unique needs and practices. So I say, find the right community, and engage with authenticity.

Contact Info:

• Website: pythoness.studio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio.pythoness/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yiwen-hou-306b99190?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app