Read our interview with Darian, the creator behind Café Bun Studio.
Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, I’m Darian, I’m an artist and small business owner in Germany and I love bunnies! So much, that I started a small business around them and because of them: I illustrate adorable bunnies (and sometimes other things!) and turn them into stickers, button pins, keychains and more.
I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember: drawing with different mediums both traditional and digital, crafting with clay and other materials. I never really thought I could make money doing this because it was engraved in my brain that art doesn’t pay your bills. Then I adopted two bunnies in September 2023 and I’ve been obsessed with drawing them and bunnies in general since. In May 2024 my friends got me a button pin machine for my birthday because I’ve been talking about how cool it would be to make them for a while! I started making a few buttons, and soon also made stickers. “Café Bun Studio” officially started in September 2024, because before I’ve been using my Instagram Account for my bunnies to also post my art and that didn’t feel right anymore.
We noticed that your bunnies are a huge inspiration for you. Can you introduce us to them?
My bunnies are called Mocca and Chai Latte, and they’re making my life brighter everyday! These two little floofballs reside in our living room (aka the bunny room and humans are sometimes allowed) and are the reason a lot of what I earn through my business vanishes quickly again.
Even though they’re small, they both have big and distinct personalities: Mocca is not the biggest fan of humans and she doesn’t like being pet. She does however like to hover in your general presence and sometimes boop your knee or foot. She’s also a pro in making the cutest zoomie sessions around the table (mostly when we’re not looking…)! Chai is a little cuddle bun and really likes to be pet, sometimes even actively askes for it. He’s an adventurer and doesn’t always think before he hops. They both love to cuddle with each other and love each other very much in general.
Are there any specific subjects or themes that you like to feature in your work?
Of course bunnies, but I also love to feature LGBTQ+ and chronic illness/disability themes in my art and products. As a queer and chronically ill person I know how happy you can feel if you see yourself represented and I just want everyone (or everybun) fo feel included and represented!
Can you describe a dream project that you have?
I’d love to make plushies one day! Of course of my own bunnies, but maybe also some other bunny plushies inspired by Café Drinks.
Why did you decide to start your own business?
I wanted other people to also see the art that makes me so happy to create! And because of my chronic illness I can’t really make money any other way right now, so I thought I could maybe earn a bit to feed my bunnies and for their vet appointments.
How do you set your business & brand apart from others?
My combination of bunnies and lots of queer and chronic illness themed art is quite original I think! I also love to include my bunnies Mocca and Chai both in my art and also in my branding and advertising which makes my business a bit more unique.
What is your preferred medium and why?
Digital art is my go to these days. I love how convenient it is, that you can go back if you made a mistake, duplicate things and that you don’t have to figure out how to take good photos of the art and can just quickly turn it into products. As a person with chronic fatigue I also love the fact that I don’t have to sit up at a desk to create; most of the time I just draw in my bed.
Is there anyone that you would like to thank?
I’d like to thank Kat for creating this wonderful and cozy space to connect, discuss business questions and just have fun together. 💖
All images included in this article belong to Café Bun Studio.
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