Building a Business of Giant Hand Pillows with Michael McKinney Haus of Hands

Michael McKinney is a Seattle-based artist and the founder of Haus of Hands, a soft sculpture project known for its playful and unconventional “Big Hand” pillows. Working across mediums including music, fashion, sculpture, and writing, his work often draws from the avant-garde and the absurd. His work has been featured in The Seattle Times, The Stranger, KEXP, and Dwell Magazine.

In this hands-on workshop, Mikey will guide students through sewing their own pillow inspired by his signature “Big Hands” style. Along the way, he’ll share how he turned a playful idea into a creative brand—from getting started with soft sculpture to photographing his own products and releasing limited-edition drops.

Currently open to Seattle University students only.
Really want in? Contact us and we'll try to get you in as a guest.

In collaboration with the Seattle University Billodue Makerspace

The Creative Exchange welcomes a new guest artist each month to share their creative practice, career path, and the realities of making a living in the PNW. Participants will engage in hands-on learning, experiment with tools and techniques, and create a tangible piece to take home. All while discovering new interdisciplinary career pathways across arts, technology, and business. Learn more about at The Creative Exchange.

Help Us Bring This to All of Seattle

The Creative Exchange is currently a pilot program hosted at Seattle University, but we're building toward something bigger. The more interest we hear from the public, the faster we can open The Creative Exchange beyond campus. Tell us you're interested to help shape what comes next.