Meet Baiyu Qu

We were lucky to catch up with Baiyu Qu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Baiyu, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

1. Daily Connection to Nature:
Living in Hawaii, I’m constantly surrounded by incredible beauty — ocean textures, volcanic rocks, and tropical flora. Every weekend, I might go hiking just to reconnect with nature.

2. Sketch Every Day:
Sketching is actually a big part of my work. My messy sketchbook is where I develop ideas and capture raw inspiration — with no pressure to make anything “good.” Sometimes the worst doodle leads to the best future piece.

3. Cultural Research:
Hawaiian traditions, Polynesian motifs, and ocean mythology are huge sources of inspiration for me. I spend time visiting museums, talking to locals, and reading native stories to find authentic starting points for new designs.

4. Travel:
Even hopping to another island or visiting a small village market can refresh my senses. New foods, smells, and people — they shake up the mind in the best way.

5. Mindful Breaks:
When I feel burned out, I completely step away — hiking, diving, or just spending time at the beach. Letting my brain breathe always brings the best “aha!” moments later.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Since March 2024, I have been working full-time as a jewelry designer in Hawaii. Transitioning from an independent jewelry artist to working within a company has been a significant shift — and a deeply rewarding one.

In the past, I spent most of my time at the bench, handcrafting jewelry and creating whatever inspired me at the moment. My work was completely hands-on, allowing me to freely explore materials, techniques, and artistic ideas. Now, my daily routine looks quite different: I spend most of my time behind the screen, focusing on jewelry design through CAD programs. Both experiences have been fascinating and have helped me grow tremendously as a designer. Working in a company setting has given me a more comprehensive understanding of the jewelry industry. My background in art-making has been a major advantage when designing for the commercial market. It allows me to approach each design with a strong sense of craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail, while also considering functionality, wearability, and customer needs.

I’m very excited to share that I have several new collections launching this year. These upcoming designs reflect my evolving journey as a designer and are inspired by the beauty and spirit of Hawaii.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that had the greatest impact on my journey were passion, design ability, and a strong understanding of jewelry manufacturing.

For those early in their journey, my advice is to build a solid foundation — both through formal education and as much hands-on experience as possible. Stay curious and humble, always open to learning new things, and don’t be afraid of failure — every mistake is an opportunity to grow. The combination of knowledge, practice, and the right mindset will set you up for long-term success.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been developing self-confidence. I wasn’t someone who naturally felt confident, but working in a professional environment helped me recognize my strengths. By contributing to team successes and receiving recognition from my leaders and manager, I gained a stronger belief in my abilities. This growth has allowed me to take on new challenges more proactively and communicate my ideas with greater confidence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mauidivers.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baiyu-qu-450407210
• Other: The website belongs to the company I am working for.

Image Credits

Last Image Credit: Maui Divers Jewelry — Fish Net Tahitian Black Pearl Pendant in Gold.