Holiday Reminder
October 28th, 2010
Just a reminder that we are currently on holiday – click here for postage information during this time.
We added loads of new stuff to the shop just before we jetted off though – take a gander at it here.
Archive for the ‘Random Utterings’ Category
Bed, Bath And Beyond
September 30th, 2010
It’s October in an hour’s time. OCTOBER. How did we get to this stage in the year again so soon?! The past year has flown past, which is surprising given how much has happened. But, here we are, in the throes of the Christmas rush again.
Yes, I’ve said the C word! For us crafty types, Christmas preparation starts in the summer and I’m already at the slightly-panicked so much to do stage! But this Christmas I’m determined to be organised and that’s why we now have 3 new members of the team to join me and Sarah – welcome, Briony, Louise and Val!
So, to be further organised, the plunge has been taken and we now have a workshop!
I’m really excited about being able to spread out and be more organised! It’s a bit bigger than our spare room and will hopefully free the living room of it’s piles of boxes, etc. The previous tenant was Emma from the lovely Showpony, which is why we have a paint-stained bath in there (used for screenprinting). I’m tempted to keep it and either take all my calls in there or start a dog-grooming sideline!
Can’t wait to get moved in now! But plenty to be getting on with before I do – including ordering Christmas cards, packing boxes and adding a whole heap of new stuff to the shop – keep your eyes peeled!
Also, the winner of the mug giveaway will be announced tomorrow morning – remember to come back and see if it was you!
Risky Business
August 17th, 2010
This month sees the fifth anniversary of Miso Funky starting up. It’s been quite a 5 years. Things have changed radically since the first tiny steps me and Jo took, knitting a few scarves, literally slinging them in a carrier bag and taking them to a school fair in Edinburgh. We expanded, we contracted, we expanded again, set up the first indie market in Glasgow, helped form theGlasgow Craft Mafia, found our niche, scaled back personnel, scaled up production, took on helpers, outgrew several wardrobes and even got some things on the tellybox.
The past two years, it’s just been me and it’s been a hectic two years. I’ve brought my little business to a point where it could easily become my full-time occupation (if only I could lose my taste for foreign holidays and spontaneous shoe buying) and to where Miso Funky is an easily-recognisable brand and a (albeit minor) force to be reckoned with in the grand scheme of things. I’ve met a lot of people along the way on the journey, who’ve been friendly, supportive and genuine in those things for the most part (and tried to reciprocate that), along with some villains and I’ve learned A LOT.
I’m damn proud of what me and Jo, and latterly I, have achieved and I’m excited about where it’s headed now and what might be round the next corner. But all this is not without it’s struggle. I’ve spent every waking (and sometimes, nodding off over my sewing or laptop at 3am after a 10 hour shift at work, non-waking) moment on the business, either creating, designing, doing admin, researching, answering the endless, endless emails or fighting one of the many fires that spring up. I’ve taken on the running of another company, and all the extra admin and labour that involves and I’ve roped in several helpers, not least of all my long-suffering husband, who helps out with making stock, as well as logistics of said stock and the logistics of his frazzled wife, doing the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry and basically making sure I am still alive. All this on top of having had an organ removed last year (the notorious gallbladder) and still suffering the after-effects of that, with another hospital visit to look forwards to next month.
So – what is the point in all this, I can hear you sigh? Well, I didn’t knock my bloody pan in doing all this just to have it ruined with this:
This is an actual bona fide listing from Etsy, which thankfully has either been taken down or expired now. I found it via Regretsy, a site which lampoons the worst/craziest things from Etsy, an online market place which allows makers to sell their handmade crafts. Handmade. Craft.
The last time I checked, iPhones are not handmade. Or in any way even loosely craft-related. Or indeed vintage, given that the item in question can’t be more than 2 or 3 years old (the craft community somehow goes hand-in-hand with vintage). Seeing this listing was pretty much the final nail in Etsy’s coffin for me as a seller, as I can’t understand how it would be able to slip through the filters to be allowed to be listed, let alone someone sitting at home thinking Etsy would be the place to list it for sale.
Now, I know this is turning into an epic post, but bear with me. I know that Etsy and it’s ilk are very useful tools to designers starting out. I also know that for well-established people who don’t have the time, skills or unflinchingly generous friends to make their own website, it’s invaluable for being an online storefront. But it’s not for me anymore.
It’s taken me so long to come to this conclusion, but this today sealed the deal - an open letter from Mary Portas to the UK Handmade Community.
Cutting to the chase, when I saw the letter to Mary Portas last week, my initial reaction was, oh, that’s a good idea.
But then I read it again. And I saw that, to me, it came across as demanding something that we should be working towards anyway. A bit “woe is us”. A bit like asking for specialist treatment because we’re doing something “different.” And I felt uneasy and a little bit cringey that it had been written. And then I felt bad that I felt that way because I am the biggest supporter of the notion of handmade over High Street there is and the community that goes with it.
But then I read Mary’s response which, in her inimitable way, spelt out the hard facts. That until the community as a whole gets it act together and starts behaving in the way it wants to be received, it won’t get anywhere. That there is a wide gulf between handmade and homemade, which we all already know, but that the gulf is not widened any further by our own actions (the example that springs to mind from the response is the point on product photography). The fact that vintage iphones are unacceptable and we are damaging our businesses and the reputation of handmade by letting this happen and being associated with it.
I read this and sat back and thought, that’s what I needed to hear. That it’s OK to question the suitability of outlets like Etsy for your business. That it’s not necessary to follow the pack because you feel you should be or you have to. And I have been feeling this way for some time and it’s just not for me, personally. I don’t have time to spend on the endless updating and tweaking that seems necessary to get any sort of consistent sales or enquiries from it and in recent months, I’ve wanted to be part of it less and less.
And so, I’m shutting up shop. Once my listings expire, it will remain empty, for all the reasons I’ve already discussed. And although I know that some people will think me crazy, I will sleep sounder knowing that my work, that I’ve literally put blood, sweat and tears into, will not be getting undermined by the fuzzy, out-of-focus photographs of old dreadlocks, the special multi-packs of deoderant and the homemade sex toys.
I wish the story could end there but there was a counter-response to Mary Portas which I read as just reiterating what’s already been said. To coin a phrase, you’ve taken that too far. Better to gratefully receive advice that people pay a lot of money for and act upon it, I’d have thought. To get your own house in order before you start asking for a hand-out. The debate will rumble on for weeks, months and maybe years to come, but I’ll be refocusing my efforts on making my business the best it can be and getting it into a position to be a real competitor in the marketplace, where being handmade won’t be the only thing I can call a point of difference to the big guys. (Product photography clearly being one of the major things I’ll be focusing on, before you think my hypocritical!)
What do you think about all this? I realise my standpoint won’t be the most popular of views, but it’s my view and it’s what I think is going to work for me. I don’t want to come across as denigrating anyone or anyone’s business, as I am fully aware that these are the personal choices that everyone must make in the running of their enterprise. I also appreciate that it took the UKHandmade people a lot of thought and effort to do this in the first place and although I don’t agree 100% with the sentiment, I do wholeheartedly appreciate that it’s kicked off a debate. I’m a nice person but I’m also a realist. I know my approach won’t fit everyone, but it fits me, and that’s all I can really focus on.
So don’t hold it against me that I’ve fallen out of love with Etsy and it’s counterparts. I’ve certainly not cast it aside as a buyer and will continue to support handmade and indie businesses by choosing where my hard-earned cash goes and choosing delightfully well-designed and hand-crafted items each birthday, Christmas, high day and holiday. But for now, I’ll be beating my own path through the handmade jungle and picking out that path more carefully than before.
Help Wanted – Apply Within
July 16th, 2010
Image via Library With The Lead Pipe.
Are you a tapestry ninja? Love to stitch on canvas?
We’re looking for an experienced, accomplished tapestry stitcher to make up some samples for us.
You must be able to stitch our kits up to the highest standard to a deadline, with more projects possible in the future. It would help if you are a cross stitcher too, but it’s not essential.
Interested? Email hello@misofunky.com with a little bit about yourself and your experience and we’ll talk!
International Orders
April 20th, 2010
As everyone is no doubt aware by now, the UK is hiding under a cloud of volcanic ash at the moment, blown over from Iceland. I know it sounds like the same sort of excuse as “the dog ate my homework”, but it’s true!
As a consequence, international orders will be delayed. I have no idea how long by or by which method they’ll reach you, but you keep buyin’ and I’ll keep sendin’ and we’ll get there in the end!
Kawaii volcano illustration by Asking For Trouble.
Tagged and Tagging
February 25th, 2010
Obviously, as one of the best places to buy sweary cross stitch in Glasgow (umm, the only one!) , me and the gang are obviously very supportive of other indie businesses. We should really be telling you more about these! Shame on us.
So, did you know about Bonbi Forest? Lee May’s illustrations and jewellery are quite simply beautiful. I had my owl scarf on earlier in fact – everyone always asks me where it’s from and I always point them in the direction of Bonbi Forest. Which is where I’m pointing you now. Yes, you!
Anyway, Lee May tagged me on her blog to take a photograph and write about it. Here’s the challenge:
1: Open your first photo folder, 2: scroll to the 10th photo, 3: Post the photo and the story behind it, 4: Tag 5 or more peeps to continue the thread…
So, here it is, my photo:
Ah, look, this was taken back when Scotland had sunshine! Actually, I know exactly the date this was taken – 5th July 2009. The date is ingrained in my brain for many reasons – it’s my mother in law’s birthday, it was the first market at Edinburgh’s Grassmarket I took part in, my friend Catherine had her baby, Lucy, that day and my gallbladder packed up when I got home, leading to months of agony waiting for surgery. I don’t think I’ll ever forget such a momentous day!
Anyway, I digress. This photo was of my stall just after I set it up. Considering the amount of stuff I managed to cram on it, I am surprised anyone could see anything to buy stuff! On the left, are some cushions I made out of vintage material, thinking they would go down well – I didn’t sell any that day and I never took them anywhere else or put them online, so they are now on my sofa at home. In fact, I am reclining on one as I write!
The samplers kept falling over in the breeze that day, which was very annoying. It was the first outing I think for the banner at the front of the stall, too. It’s since been replaced with a giant one.
It was a nice day, as I recall it, sunny and warm and I met some nice people and had a lovely hog roast roll from the shop near Red Door Gallery. That’s probably what tipped my gallbladder over the edge, in fact! But we can put all that behind us now (hopefully)!
Now, I’m going to tag some other people to take on this exercise. If you don’t do it, I’ll send Iona round to prod you until you do! No cheating now! (You should also check out these indie designers blogs, if you have time, please.)
Katy at Girl Industries.
Jen at Hello Jenuine
Bronwen at Rhubarb Crumble
Marceline at Asking For Trouble
Laura at Dropstitch
Feel free to join in!
Ask Us Anything!
February 15th, 2010
Not one to miss out on a new technological fad, we’ve joined the Formspring gang.
You can ask Hamish any question you like – be it business, about our products, a silly question or a question for Claire, even (like what’s with these animal helpers?).
Best Sellers of 2009!
January 4th, 2010
I’ve been doing a bit of end-of-year admin and finding out some interesting information along the way, including coming up with a list of the top 10 best-selling items online of 2009.
Here, for your possible interest, it is!
9. Sniff Glue Worship Satan sampler
8. Home Sweet Fucking Home sampler
7. What Would Delia Do? sampler
4. In Case Of Emergency Breakdance sampler
And in at number one, the runaway winner thanks to amazing press coverage…
I wonder what 2010 will bring! One can only imagine!
2009 Round Up
January 2nd, 2010
As is traditional, here is a recap of the year just passed.
January
Brr, it was cold. January should be quiet, but it was pretty busy and set the tone for the whole year. Amongst other things I grew some mushrooms, started my amazing art wall, bought a vintage cuckoo clock, finished that bloody poodle cushion and went to Edinburgh with Jo and Marceline and ate sausages. It was fun.
February
February was another busy month of sewing interspersed with buying things at low prices. I learned the magic of wearing boots in winter to keep your feet relatively dry. I sewed a gazillion samplers for my first proper big wholesale order. I was in the UK DIY Exhibition, the promotional material for which one of my pieces was on and it snowed a bit.
March
March felt a bit like the calm before the storm. I was sewing like a demon to get stuff done for the UK Craft Mafias exhibition and several new stockists. I took time off to have my 30th birthday and a day trip to Edinburgh with Jo. I scored more charity shop bargains including a great art deco-y cabinet for a fiver and Spike the monkey came into my life. I also got a fringe and never looked back, hair-wise.
April
Ah, April – the arrival of Jeff the embroidery machine, our new ally/nemesis in the good fight of craft. I also was very pleased to have my work stocked in Red Door Gallery in Edinburgh, which was one of my crafting goals. And, as if that wasn’t enough, Marceline and I did a guest article on Etsy and all hell broke loose over on Super Cute Kawaii.
May
Well, thank goodness we went on a 2-week holiday to Rhodes in May or we wouldn’t have gotten away. We had a splendid time soaking up the sun and I didn’t sew a stitch the whole time. I did have horrible toothache, however. Apart from that I attended the worst craft fair ever in the history of mankind at Nude on Ashton Lane, ate nice homemade bread and stroked Basil’s velvety ears.
June
June was when things started to get a bit mad. I did a market at Oran Mor and used my new shelves. I sewed the Make Tea Not War above which was to lead to bigger things later in the year. I found loads of great things at a car boot sale. On the down side, I had to visit casualty, my first of 2 visits in as many months as it would turn out, to have my earring removed from inside my ear lobes as my body started to freak out…
July
July was the month that my gallbladder broke but also the month that Catherine and Lee’s baby arrived – on the same day! The following months fell into disarray a bit, online-wise due to this (the gallbladder, not the baby).
We did manage a day trip to Helensburgh, we got a new telly and I invented the cross stitch badge, one of the best sellers of 2009. I also had a huge series of destash giveaways.
August
Pretty much all that happened in August was that I was ill and was sewing. I took some time off to invent the I Hate Washing Up tea towel and to buy a really nice mirror. Make Tea Not War was featured in the Sunday Times via Hunkydory Home and therefore I had to sew 18 million of them in the space of about 3 weeks. I was back and forward to hospital and doctors all the while trying to get surgery organised to remove my dodgy gizzards.
September
I thought September was mostly taken up with being ill, as I didn’t manage to blog on my personal blog at all. But it turns out it was one of the busiest months of the year. The Sunday Times craziness continued and I had to think about taking on staff. I was featured in an Australian magazine which garnered lots of interest from Down Under. I took part in a documentary about small businesses with the Glasgow Craft Mafia/Enterprise Nation. I got lots of orders, wholesale interest and new stockists. I lost a lot of weight as I didn’t have time to eat. And the Make Tea Not War mug arrived in time to build up to being one of the best-loved products of the year. Phew!
October
October was the month that I finally had surgery to remove the gallbladder. But I still managed to squeeze a lot in before that including buying a badge machine of my own and making a kajillion badges, doing a very cold market in Newcastle, visiting Hadrian’s Wall and finally enlisting Sarah as a pair of hands to help me with the sewing – I’d have been totally sunk without her. I went into hospital at the end of the month and returned home gizzard-free.
November
I have pretty much no written record of November as much of it was spent in bed recuperating but I did somehow manage to still get out a billion orders, stock new shops and generally get a lot done, thanks in no small part to Lee running around after me, Sarah sewing as fast as she could and Marceline keeping Super Cute Kawaii’s fires burning without me.
In between it all I got an iPhone, bought some shoes online that look like Cornish pasties, introduced several new products including the Irn Bru can portrait and tote bags, sewed some foul-mouthed Christmas decorations, received some awesome get well gifts and had my matchbox tags featured on TV thanks to Katy.
Towards the end of the month, I also finally launched the Miso Funky Stitch Your Own kits, with a lot of help from Marceline, and a new chapter in the business was opened. I also had an entire month off work to try and get my skin to hold together, which was nice.
December
December was it’s usual heady mix of panic and adrenaline trying to fulfil all the orders for Christmas. I also ventured to London to do my first market there which was a bit of a mixed bag – we didn’t sell all that much and we were both sick as dogs and lost a lot of money in general, but on the plus side, we did have Beard Papa cream puffs.
December also saw lots of press for Hamish, including the Channel 4 website and the Guardian and also a lady in Argentina got my robot design tattooed on her. Blimey!
To compound the ending the market year on a low note, I did a very mediocre market at Oran Mor the following weekend, followed by the second worst market ever in Edinburgh, in which we sat in sub-zero temperatures whilst water dripped all over our stuff in a tent. It did snow though, which pleased both Marceline and I immensely – and in fact, it’s hardly stopped since (the snow, not the being pleased immensely).
I also sewed up a David Bowie sampler for a friend’s galpal along with lots of other Christmas orders, which Sarah valiantly sewed on for too. I spent a few days at real work (fancy!) which eased me back in gently to the real world.
I had a lovely Christmas with my family and a quiet new year drinking frozen margaritas in my pyjamas and shouting at the telly.
So, that was it. The busiest year for Miso Funky yet and also quite a varied one otherwise. I’ve ended the year with a much bigger business and an organ lighter – both of which I didn’t fully expect this time last year.
I have such huge plans for 2010, which I hope to really be the year of the giraffe. I also have big plans for being a better blogger.
I don’t plan on losing any more organs.
Happy new year to all of you – lang may your respective lums reek!
Happy New Year!
December 31st, 2009
Happy new year from the Miso Funky crew!
May your new year be happy, healthy and funky!
Watch this space – 2010 is the year of the giraffe!
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