Funki Munki Badges

Some more photos of badges

2011-11-27T20:51:00.001Z

Here are some photos taken from today's badge making session.

You can click on all of them for larger images.

Just so you can see what they look like IRL.

New Uploads

2011-11-27T19:58:00.003Z

We've uploaded a couple of hundred new designs to the website today.

Here are a small selection:

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/acleanhouseisasignofawastedlife-p-4403.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/dangermymouthworksquicker-p-4438.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/donttalktomybreasts-p-4457.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/ihopekarmasmacksyouintheface-p-4472.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/imtotallytweetingthis-p-4499.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/kawaiifood1-p-4505.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/patienceisavirtue-p-4546.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/star5-p-4573.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/wellbehavedwomen-p-4586.html

---

Don't forget we have 20% off orders (excluding custom orders due to the extra work involved) quoting XMAS20 at checkout until Dec 15th. Max purchase 250 badges. Voucher can be used on more than one occasion.

Remember when you spend over £15 you get FREE worldwide delivery, and if you buy more than 20 badges you'll get a bulk discount (deducted automatically at checkout).

What are you waiting for?!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2011-11-22T23:03:00.002Z

We're starting to get very busy.

We've used over 10% of the components we ordered from China already and have orders pencilled in which'll take that figure to over 20%. At this time of year it's good to check we have enough ink for the printer, enough printer paper, enough packaging materials and stamps.

It's also important to remember to look after myself. When things get hellish busy I tend to neglect myself - telling myself I'm 'too busy' to eat and drink. That doesn't work because if there's no fuel in the engine, the vehicle grinds to a halt!

We're doing a roaring trade in custom badges, Christmas badges and wedding badges.

Here are a few shots from today.

A custom order

One of our larger orders getting prepared

Don't forget we have a beautiful discount code for you!

Use voucher code XMAS20 to get 20% off orders up until Dec 15. This is valid on orders up to 250 badges but excludes custom orders due to the extra work involved.

I will be winding down orders from around Dec 15th so I can enjoy some family time and do some last minute Christmas shopping.

How is your Christmas shopping going?

Christmas ideas for TEENS from Funki Munki Badges

2011-11-13T16:50:00.002Z

Teenagers.......we've all been one! ;)

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/99percentsarcasm-p-3532.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cautioncontainsattitude-p-3551.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/dontbothermeimwastingpotential-p-2207.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/eatsleepgamered-p-2712.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/everyoneisentitledtomyopinion-p-991.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/ilovejustinbieber-p-1334.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/mrsbieber-p-2939.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/ivegotbieberfever-p-1332.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/ilovejls-p-3223.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/ilovebeingawesome-p-3787.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/itoldyouso-p-2189.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/imnotweirdimgifted-p-3602.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/meh-p-2192.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/pandapanduh1-p-3447.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/random-p-2178.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/rarwmeansiloveyou-p-2210.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/textidk-p-3104.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/textlolpink-p-3105.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/textomg2-p-3106.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/blackandpinkcheck-p-3712.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/coloureddots2-p-3740.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cookie1-p-3949.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/dottycupcakeongreen-p-3751.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/fleurdelis2-p-3564.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/nauticalstarpurpleblack-p-3440.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/newzebraprintblackandwhite-p-1822.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/peacerepeat-p-3827.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/peacesignslines-p-3829.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/stripeycupcakeonyellow-p-3875.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/sweetcupcakeonred-p-2111.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/tigerstripes-p-3125.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/starhollowwhite-p-1168.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmasnaughty-p-3380.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmasniceuntilprovennaughty-p-3381.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmassantaicanexplain-p-3384.html

Hopefully that will give you some food for thought, and don't forget we do custom badges/magnets, too!

1 inch pin button badges 79p, magnets 99p. Bulk discount (over 20 badges/magnets) and free worldwide delivery when you spend over £15).

www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk

Use discount code XMAS20 to get 20% off orders up until Dec 15th (excluding custom orders as they involve a lot more work).

Christmas ideas for KIDS from Funki Munki Badges

2011-11-13T14:53:00.001Z

I would advise anyone buying our badges for very small children to take caution.

My friend Tracy wanted a couple of custom badges for her daughter's 3rd birthday, which I made and she attached to one of her daughter's teddy bears as she didn't want any accidents. The bear was perched on top of her daughter's wardrobe, out of reach. I thought that was a great idea. You know if your own child is safe with a sharp object or not, so I'm not going to tell granny how to suck eggs :)

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmassantatriopart1-p-4204.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmasgingerbreadtriopart1-p-4191.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmassantaslittlesweetiegingerbread-p-3940.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmassnowwomanonblue-p-3942.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmassantaslittlesweetie-p-3941.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmassantaslittlehelperred-p-3939.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmascutesantaongreen-p-1534.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmascutiepink-p-3933.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmasniceuntilprovennaughty-p-3381.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmassnowmantrioreddots-p-4212.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/merrychristmasson-p-1439.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/merrychristmasdaughter-p-1438.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmassantashelper-p-3385.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/sheep-p-769.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/penguin-p-757.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cutehippo-p-674.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/bunnyonstripes-p-2413.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cuteowlonblue2-p-1772.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cutepirateskull-p-1858.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cutiedeerpink-p-2426.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cutestrawberry-p-2075.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/angledskullpink-p-1924.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/funkyladybird-p-1368.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/greenmonster1-p-3967.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/greenmonster3-p-3969.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/yellowmonster-p-4150.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/redmonster1-p-4083.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/iloverobotsblue-p-2486.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/capnsweemate-p-3549.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/littlepirate-p-3610.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cutepiratetricornhat-p-1229.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cutegreenfluffycreature-p-334.html

Hopefully that will give you some food for thought, and don't forget we do custom badges/magnets, too!

1 inch pin button badges 79p, magnets 99p. Bulk discount (over 20 badges/magnets) and free worldwide delivery when you spend over £15).

www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk

Use discount code XMAS20 to get 20% off orders up until Dec 15th
(excluding custom orders as they involve a lot more work).

Christmas ideas for WOMEN from Funki Munki Badges

2011-11-11T14:41:00.001Z

Gifts for men here

For the chocoholic woman:

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/certifiedchocolateinspectorbrown-p-2252.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/chocoholicbrown-p-2681.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/chocolateloverred-p-2278.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/carpecocoapink-p-2270.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/idgiveupchocolatebutimnoquitter-p-1074.html

For the caffeine addict:

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/caffeinequeenonbrown-p-2329.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/coffeecupsauceronlightbrown-p-2314.html

For the woman who likes to make and bake:

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/borntocraft-p-1896.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/craftdivaonpink-p-1900.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/craftsewingmachineonyellow-p-1903.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/craftyonpink-p-1910.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/crochetrocks-p-1887.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/idratherbesewing-p-3420.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/idratherbebaking-p-3419.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/bakingqueenpink-p-2323.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/keepcalmandbakecakes-p-4245.html

For the mums:

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/askmeaboutmykids2-p-3895.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/merrychristmasmum-p-1444.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/mumonzebra-p-4065.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/mumsareawesome-p-1046.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/mumslikedadsonlycooler-p-4068.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/handsdownbestmum-p-4030.html

For the stressed woman:

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/beniceimoutofprozac-p-3358.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/becauseisaidso-p-2632.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/drinkwineandswearalot-p-4231.html

For the woman with other hobbies:

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/willshagforshoes-p-265.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/flirtred-p-2440.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/gotcocktails-p-2747.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/idontneedaman-p-2772.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/iloveshoes-p-2839.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/iloveshopping2-p-2840.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/keepcalmandbuymestuff-p-4269.html

For the girlie girl:

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/keepcalmandthinkpink-p-4360.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/keepcalmandwearpearls-p-4371.html

For the woman who likes cute things:

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cherriesonbrown-p-2332.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cookie1-p-3949.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cuteowlonblue1-p-1773.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/fancyowl3-p-1731.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/icecreamconeonbluedots-p-2066.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/lovecupcakeonpink-p-2525.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/ladybirdonlilac-p-2517.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/leopardprint-p-231.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cuteskull-p-290.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cutepinkfluffycreature-p-335.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/owlloveyoubrown-p-2561.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/matryoshka1-p-1806.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/lovesymbolonred-p-2541.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/teatimepinkdots-p-2595.html

Hopefully that will give you some food for thought, and don't forget we do custom badges/magnets, too!

1 inch pin button badges 79p, magnets 99p. Bulk discount (over 20 badges/magnets) and free worldwide delivery when you spend over £15).

www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk

Use discount code XMAS20 to get 20% off orders up until Dec 15th (excluding custom orders as they involve a lot more work).

Christmas ideas for MEN from Funki Munki Badges

2011-11-07T21:23:00.003Z

I'm going to do a series of posts highlighting some of our badge designs which will be suitable for a certain category - men, women, teens, younger children (but not too young - use your discretion about giving your wee 'uns a sharp implement!), the older generation, etc.

I always find fellas the hardest people to buy for. Girls are easy - something pretty, something chocolatey, something that smells nice. Men are more awkward to get for.

There is one swear word in one of these designs so don't look if you're going to be offended ;)

For the farty man

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cautionmethaneexplosionimminent-p-470.html

For the sporty man

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/idratherbegolfing-p-1160.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/idratherbefishing-p-1158.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/idratherbecycling-p-1162.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/idratherbesurfing-p-1156.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/bluebowlingball-p-4160.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/dartboard-p-681.html

For the dads

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/askmeaboutmykids-p-2625.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/becauseimthedad-p-2633.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/bestfreakingdadever-p-2638.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/dadonstripes-p-2696.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/handsdownbestdad-p-2759.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/merrychristmasdad-p-1442.html

For the man with other hobbies ;)

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/beeroclock-p-986.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/diytoolsonred-p-1898.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/gameonblackyellow-p-2729.html

For the grumpy man

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmasmerryfuckingxmas-p-1210.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmasihatechristmas-p-950.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/christmasihatenewyear-p-951.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/goawayimbusy-p-1118.html

For the overgrown kid

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/cleverlydisguisedasanadult-p-2689.html

For the sage man

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/everyoneisentitledtomyopinion-p-991.html

For the man with a good sense of humour

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/ihavethebodyofagodbuddha-p-3410.html

For the man into music

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/keepcalmandbangyourhead-p-4246.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/keepcalmandlistentomusic-p-4318.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/keepcalmandplayguitar-p-4347.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/keepcalmandrockon-p-1690.html

For the man into tv & film

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/beammeupscottystartrek-p-313.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/resistanceisfutilestartrek-p-318.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/smeghead-p-279.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/keepcalmandcallthedoctor-p-4270.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/keepcalmandmindmeld-p-4339.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/tothebatmobile-p-3484.html

http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/whatthehellisajiggawatt-p-3885.html

Hopefully that will give you some food for thought, and don't forget we do custom badges/magnets, too!
1 inch pin button badges 79p, magnets 99p. Bulk discount (over 20 badges/magnets) and free worldwide delivery when you spend over £15).

www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk

Use discount code XMAS20 to get 20% off orders up until Dec 15th (excluding custom orders as they involve a lot more work).

CRAFTfest

2011-11-07T20:25:00.001Z

I'm taking part in an online craft fair called CRAFTfest from the 26th-27th of this month.

It's s place where you can do all your Christmas shopping in one go.

There are 170 shops taking part on that weekend and there will be a wide variety of offerings from jewellery to gifts to homewares to bath & beauty - you get the picture! :)

Here are a tiny fraction of the shops involved:

The Very Small Company who sells beads and jewellery-making supplies, ribbons and trims, buttons, creative textile supplies and craft supplies.

Miss Bohemia who is a jewellery designer who creates vintage styled and magical jewellery and a new accessory range which includes trinket & keepsake boxes.

Wedding Toppers who make personalised cake toppers from fimo for all occasions.

Bows and butterflys who sell hand painted woodem items for in and around the home.

Lollipop Boutique who makes handmade hair treats.

---

We have a great discount code on at the moment which is valid until December 15th. You get 20% off orders using voucher code XMAS20 at checkout. It isn't valid on custom orders due to the extra work involved.

We have over 3400 designs online, including over 300 Christmas designs, which make great stocking fillers or a little something to put in with a Christmas card.

Have a great week!

Interview with Kelly from Kokokelli

2011-10-12T13:51:00.003+01:00

I've bought 4 custom cards from Kelly and they're always great!

Were you always crafty as a child? I've been a creative person all my life, even as a child I'd be drawing, painting or trying to make something lol
When did you start your business and what made you start it? I started crafting in January 2010 but Kokokelli officially started in June 2010
How did you come about your business name? I was trying to think of something for ages but then one day when I was reading about Kokopelli I thought, why not make a play on the name and call myself Kokokelli?! lol
Tell us a bit about what you do: I make gorgeous handmade jewellery & greeting cards at affordable prices. Whether your chic & classy or weird & wonderful Kokokelli will have something for you. And if we don't - just ask! We love doing custom orders!
What are your favourite pieces you make? I love everything I make really cos its all different and been inspired by different things. I've done quite well with my wedding cards really as I've had a few custom orders from different people for those.
Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years? I would love to say that I'd like to be working for myself and earning loads of money doing wot I love most but the way things are at the moment especially with the recession it's not looking too good. So I'm gonna say I myself would like to be settled down with my lovely Dr in our own place with a few kiddies and hopefully I'd be running my business from home aswell as doing another job if need be.
If time and money were no object, is there anything you’d like to do differently? I'd love to have the funding to be able to advertise more and really get the Kokokelli name out there, it's very hard starting off especially when you've been unemployed for a year and a half and you don't have any money!
Tell us about 2 crafters you love and why. I love Leah from 'Funki Munki Badges' (and not just cos this is her blog lol) but I always look forward to reading her tweets, status, and blogs as they either have me in tears of laughter (but sometimes sorrow) or cheer me up if I'm down. Leah is lovely genuine person and basically a 'what you see is what you get' kinda person and I love that quality in a person. I also love Shirley of 'Diddybears' cos she does so much to help others. She's even doing a campaign at the moment called SHHIM (Support Handmade However It's Made) where she is helping out fellow crafter's who have been affected by the new rules coming into place at Folksy. - Aww, thanks! I'm welling up!
What do you do when you’re not crafting? When I'm not crafting you'll usually find me on facebook and twitter trying to promote myself as much as possible (without being accused of spamming lol) or chilling out with my lovely Dr.
Please leave all links, ie Facebook, Twitter, Etsy, Blog etc (as applicable).

WEBSITE - http://www.kokokelli.co.uk

FOLKSY SHOP -
http://www.folksy.com/shops/kokokelli

FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/kokokelli

TWITTER -
http://twitter.com/KokokelliWomble

BLOG -
http://kokokelli.blogspot.com/

Hi from Kelly herself!


Hamsa hands bracelet I bought a Hamsa hand bracelet and earrings set for my mum last Christmas and she loved it. I might have to take another one off your hands this year Kelly! :) ---

If you want to be featured in my next Crafters Questionnaire simply send your details to sales@funkimunkibadges.co.uk (title the email Crafters Questionnaire) and 4-5 good quality/large photos (at least over 500 pixels is best).

Were you always crafty as a child?
When did you start your business and what made you start it?
How did you come about your business name?
Tell us a bit about what you do:
What are your favourite pieces you make?
Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years?
If time and money were no object, is there anything you’d like to do differently?
Tell us about 2 crafters you love and why.
What do you do when you’re not crafting?
Please leave all links, ie Facebook, Twitter, Etsy, Blog etc (as applicable).

I aim to feature a crafter a week. Will you be next?!

New ventures

2011-10-10T23:15:00.002+01:00

It's funny how life turns out. When something crap happens it can often be the impetus to a change for the good.

Ever since Funki Munki Badges has been in existence we've had the same components supplier. We had a brief dalliance with another company recently but their machine seemed to be substandard as every badge came out with splits in it. It was a shame as the customer service from them was second to none. They refunded every penny we paid plus all postage costs and couldn't have been nicer.

So that left us with our existing supplier, who seem not to care too much if they give a good service or not. We'd been gradually growing tired of them as they'd been sending literally hundreds of duff components - hence us trying the other company - but as it's so difficult to get supplies in this country (each company has its own machine and components unique to it which will differ to everyone else's) we stuck at it.

We ordered enough components to see us clear through Halloween (one of the busiest times of the year for us) 2 and a half weeks ago. Normally delivery is within 2 days. Last I heard from the supplier, we'll be lucky to see any components before Halloween itself, a wait of over 5 weeks. This has never happened before.

I've had to stop promoting Funki Munki Badges on Facebook and Twitter as with no products to make, there's little point. If we don't get some components soon - within the next week to 10 days - we will have to shut the website temporarily.

To possibly have to shut for the first time ever because we've been badly let down has filled me with rage.

I do good bloody things when I've got a fire lit under my arse!

We've been dallying around with the idea of ordering our components from a supplier in China for a long time, but have held off as we were worried about being stiffed by HMRC. The time has come now that we don't have any choice but to suck it and see!

Ordering from China means we can get our components cheaper, which means we can offer a more competitive quote for bulk orders, which are the real bread and butter of our business. Also, because of my health (Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to name just two of my medical complaints) the act of making badges is incredibly hard on me, and I already have the makings of a frozen shoulder.

We're going to buy a pneumatic badge maker so I don't have to work a lever any more, and as it'll take far less time to make badges we can take on more work. More work, more competitive quotes for our customers.....we should have done this ages ago!

All in all, although we've been pushed into a corner, this is the best possible thing that could've happened. All we have to do is wait for our overdraft increase to come into force and then we'll be making our first order to China.

Even though Halloween will be a bloody wash out for us, at least we can have a good crack at Christmas!

I can't bloody wait!

P.S.

10% off code, new Halloween & Xmas badges and CRAFTfest

2011-10-02T23:30:00.001+01:00

Hello! Long time no blog :(

There's 10% off on our website Funki Munki Badges until 31st September using voucher code HALLOWEEN at checkout. You can feel free to share this with your friends and family and it can be used multiple times on all orders except custom orders.

We've added oodles of new photos to our Halloween category and our Christmas category.

There are now well over 200 badges in each of those categories. Here are a couple of new Christmas designs, a small departure from us as they're 3 part designs.

I'll be selling these in badge or magnet form attached to red or green Christmas cards (whichever the customer prefers). They will come supplied with an envelope and in a poly bag so they'll be a great gift idea. There are also snowmen and elves to come!

Price TBC.

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In other news, we have a bottom scroll bar on the website now which goes from left to right along the bottom of the screen so you can look at a couple of hundred badges at a time. To go onto the next page you just have to scroll back to the left and there are the page number links to click on there.

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It's a way off yet but we're going to be taking part in CRAFTfest in November, which is a virtual craft fair. I love the idea!

Click for larger image.

It'll be a great way to do some networking and make some new crafty friends.

1000 fans

2011-07-14T21:30:00.001+01:00

We've made 1000 fans on our Facebook page now....in fact we're already up to 1025! We've made about 600 fans in the last few months, through a lot of hard work and networking.

Do you use networking pages? They really work.

Here are a list of the ones I use at the moment.

Send In The Troops

England - S.I.T.T.

Promote My Fan Page

GET MORE FANS

Find Me Fans

Toot Your Own Horn

Link Love

Blabbermouth Central

Candy Freak Promotions

Go and say hi and tell them Funki Munki Badges sent ya ;)

A crisis of faith

2011-07-11T11:15:00.002+01:00

I'm having a bit of a crisis of faith about our business.

Between dodgy component suppliers, copycat bastards and printer/pc issues it all feels like one big drag. Oh yeah, and there's the small matter of barely being in profit too. I'm way too generous for my own good and when we do bulk orders I'm quoting people prices so low we barely make a bean. I need to value our work more and charge people for the love and effort which goes into every single one of our badges. Every custom order we do is charged on its own merits, but I need to start charging for what we do, rather than comparing ourselves price-wise to poor imitations.

Our quality control is ridiculous - I work over a baking hot and blindingly bright 100w equivalent lamp so I can see what I'm doing. The printer and the table our badge machine is on are wiped down daily before I start making badges to minimise the dust. I won't even wear certain clothes (ones that shed a lot of fibres) when I'm making badges as they can affect the process. I throw away almost as many badges than we post as if there's a clothing fibre, speck of dust or a blemish in the paper a fraction of a millimetre wide it never gets to be seen by a customer. In our feedback on our website the one thing nearly everyone says is what good quality the badges are, which leads me to believe some websites are sending shit quality work out to people. I see my work an extension of me as a person, and as such I won't send poor quality work out.

We recently tried to change over to a new badge supplier and spent over £300 on a new machine and a load of new components, but for reasons neither us nor the supplier could understand, every single badge we made came out with splits in the paper and the plastic covering. We've built up a reputation for high quality badges, and I'm not about to let that go down the drain.

So that set up has to go back to the supplier, which leaves us with our original supplier, who've been sending us inferior components for months. The pins sometimes can be too long which means you can't unpin the badge at all so it's as much use as a condom for a eunuch, the curve of the pin clasp can be too deep which puts huge dents in the front of the badges, the plastic coverings can be polluted with chunks of paper dust (in a pack of 100 there are 3 pieces of paper - one at the start, one in the middle and one at the end, but there's obviously some cross-contamination issue), or like tonight - a whole packet of 100 plastic coverings, all faulty. Every single one had a massive scratch on it. Virtually every badge we've made for the last few months has had to be re-done for one of the reasons above. When I sent an email telling the company about the duff components, they said that no one else had complained, and generally didn't seem to give a toss. Just because no one else has complained it doesn't mean all is hunky dory with the components, as most gentle souls put up with crap for a long time before making a complaint (as we did!)

So we need to find a new supplier ASAP, because the time (as well as the money) wasted because of our current supplier is a joke. To complicate matters even further, Mr Munki is a hardcore gamer and kills top-notch graphics cards stone dead in about a year, so our main pc is dead at the moment while we wait (and wait, and WAIT) for Parcelforce to get off their arses and deliver the new one. Because Mr Munki is a technological genius, he has all our business mails as well as all gazillion of his personal email accounts coming in to our pc rather than him going to each account separately to read the emails, which is just wonderful until times like this when it's all F.U.B.A.R. and then we have to fart arse around trying to retrieve our business emails, which has been just an additional hassle these last couple of weeks. On top of it all, our ludicrously expensive printer has started playing up. All in all it's been a hideous time recently and I'm starting to wonder if we'll ever be in profit.

This is our 3rd trading year. In our first year we had the start-up costs - we had to buy the machine and the components, as well as setting the website up and arrange web hosting. Last year we paid a lot of money to have our website redesigned by a graphic designer, so we made negligible profit once that was taken into account. This year might be the first year we might turn an actual profit, but not all the while we're being charged good money for shit components. The trouble with changing to a new supplier is it will usually mean changing the badge maker too, as each company's components will rarely fit in someone else's machine, a cynical plot methinks. We have the decision to make now whether or not to buy our components direct from China, but are worried about HMRC screwing us over with customs charges.

All in all, what used to be an absolute joy has started to feel like hard work. After how many years of no profit do you say enough is enough?!

So the question is, good business people, have you had a crisis of faith about your business? If so, what did you do about it? Did you call it a day, change direction, or just plough on and hope things got better? I think we will do the latter and just hope things do turn a new leaf soon.

Sorry this has been so long, but it needed to be gotten off my chest. I'm sure all will seem better in the morning over a cuppa :-)

Has anyone got any words of wisdom to share?

DRAW WINNER ANNOUNCED

2011-06-19T13:13:00.002+01:00

Hello everyone! I'm sorry this is a day late but I had a manic day yesterday.

The entries to the draw were as follows:

1. Theonlybonster - via blog

2. Christina - via blog

3. Carla - via blog

4. Maytreelane - via Twitter

5. Jay - via Twitter

6. Bondgirl - via blog

7. Bondgirl - via Twitter

8. Midnite - via blog

9. Lipglossiping - via Twitter

10. Jonk87 - via Twitter

11. Sam Jenkins - via blog

I used a random number generator on Random. org to pick the winner.

CLICK FOR BIGGER IMAGE

Number 6 is the winner!

Congrats Bondgirl!

I'll contact you via Twitter to get your email address so I can send you a code to the value of £10 off www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk :)

Pet Twitter peeve!

2011-06-07T16:21:00.001+01:00

Social networking is great most of the time, right? ;)

I'll tell you the one thing which drives me up the wall (literally bat shit, irrational crazy lady who wants to kill someone) is self-proclaimed wisdom bloggers.

Not only that, but especially the ones who quote themselves as the font of all knowledge.

I'll give you an example. Bob Smith will post a quote "Love is magnificent." - Bob Smith.

Yes, some of these fucking tools (for want of a better phrase, and one which is most apt has 4 letters, starts with c and ends with t) really think they are bestowing gems of wonder onto us which have dripped from their own narcissistic minds, through their stubby little fingers (which are that way because they spend all day every day telling people how wonderful they are) and defecate it into my Twitter feed.

It drives me fucking crazy.

Please, I implore you people of the world, don't do it. Twitter is riddled with people who proclaim themselves wise and it's so pathetic. I unfollow any tool who clogs my feed with this endless cycle of patting themselves on the back for their own perceived genius.

I'm a humble sort who thinks genius is best proclaimed when said person is dead and buried.

To wit, most of my favourite quotes are from dead people. I'm sure they didn't go round telling everyone they were the shit when they were alive.

What's your biggest Twitter/Facebook peeve?

My biggest Facebook peeve is idiots who use the like button to 'like' everything they themselves say, be it their own status updates or replies to other people's statuses. I'd like to chop their fingers off and cram them up their.......use your imaginations.

One of my favourite quotes is apt for blogging:

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than write for the public and have no self - Sir Francis Bacon.

750 Facebook likers giveaway EXTENDED TIME FRAME

2011-06-03T22:51:00.008+01:00

Hiya!

Thanks to the wonderful Send In The Troops on Facebook, we smashed our 750 likers target tonight.

As a thank you to everyone I'm going to give away one £10 credit for our website.

Due to new regulations about not holding competitions on Facebook, I'll be holding the competition here.

There are 2 ways to enter and each way counts as one entry:

1. Tell me what your favourite badge is in the comments. If you don't have a Blogger account, leave me your name/e-mail or Twitter/Facebook details so I can get hold of you if you're the winner.

OR (I added the 'or' in case it wasn't clear).

2. Retweet the following on Twitter with no changes whatsoever:

Win a £10 voucher for www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk from @funkimunkibadge http://bit.ly/lvHuzj Pls RT #competition

You can do both the above to gain you an extra entry into the competition, or just step 1 or just step 2, it's entirely up to you.

T&Cs

Competition opens at 11pm BST 03/06/11

Competition closes 11pm BST 17/06/11

Winner will be picked by Random.org and announced on 18/06/11

I will give the winner a one-time discount code to the value of £10 (or that day's exchange rate if the winner is outside the UK) to use towards an order from our website.

The voucher cannot be used towards a custom order.

Any remainder of the order costs and postage are payable by the winner. (Postage is free worldwide if your order totals over £15).

Competition is open worldwide.

Any questions?

EDIT 5/6/11. I've removed the part saying you have to follow my blog to enter, as not everyone has a Blogger account and I want everyone to have a chance to enter.

EDIT 7/6/11. I've extended the deadline by a week as seemingly hardly anyone wants free money!

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A BLOGGER ACCOUNT TO ENTER.

If you don't have a Blogger account simply use the drop down under the comment box and either use the 'name/url' option to live me your name and a link I can find you on if you win (i.e. Facebook/Twitter or blog/email) or the 'anonymous' option, where you need to tell me where I can find you (email, FB, Twitter etc) if you win.

Simples! ;)

Some new 'uns to go live this weekend

2011-05-28T18:45:00.001+01:00

Hi all! Happy bank holiday weekend - shame the weather is rubbish!

As ever, we've been busy creating new things for you. Here's a selection.

I don't know if you know we're also on Facebook?

Click here.

As ever, our website is here.
You can always email us at sales@funkimunkibadges.co.uk.

These badges will be on the website by Monday night at the latest.

Have a great weekend!

New badges on the website

2011-05-04T18:59:00.002+01:00

Hiya!

We've uploaded almost 200 new designs to the website today. These include tattoo designs, sugar skulls/Day of the Dead skulls, Christian badges, wedding and engagement badges, teacher badges and a whole lot more.

Here's a small selection:

Are there any requests for badges you'd like to see on the website?

Competition to win £10 to spend with Funki Munki Badges!

2011-04-22T16:05:00.001+01:00

As mentioned in my last blog, the wonderful Carla over at Picking Oranges has a blog where you can win £10 to spend with us at Funki Munki Badges.

All you need to do is follow Carla's blog and tell her which of our badges is your favourite.

If you also follow this blog it'll gain you an extra entry into the competition!

What are you waiting for?! Get over to the post and place your entry!

I'm excited! I can't wait to see who wins!!

Awesome review of Funki Munki Badges

2011-04-22T15:36:00.002+01:00

We at Funki Munki Badges are thrilled to have been featured in Carla's blog Picking Oranges. Please have a read as it's a comprehensive review of our service to our customers.

It's always so nice to hear that our customers love what we do!!

You should definitely follow Carla's blog, as she's going to be running a competition to win £10 worth of badges from us to be drawn on May 17th. She's also going to be doing further giveaways, and as she's all kinds of awesome, it'll be a worthy follow.

And the winner is.............

2011-03-13T22:37:00.001Z

There were 13 entrants, including one I allowed in who'd sneaked past the post.

I used Random.org to put numbers 1-13 in. 1 being the first person who entered and 13 being the last.

1. Dan Parker

2. Donna Ward

3. Debbie Hutter

4. Mrs Miggins

5. Bond Girl

6. Jean Gray

7. Christina Marie

8. CJS Illustration

9. Bonnie King

10. Kelly Johnson

11. Marie 6

12. Olya Schmidt

13. Elizabeth Owens-Dwy

(click images to enlarge)

And the winner is......

That makes Jean Gray our winner!

Choose your 20 badges from our website (not forgetting to copy and paste the links for all of them).

Mail that list to sales@funkimunkibadges.co.uk entitled 'Giveaway Winner' and they'll be winging their way to you in the USA soon.

Stay tuned for our next giveaway at 750 Facebook fans.

If you are a crafter and you'd like me to feature you, please give me a yell! Although hardly anyone reads this blog, I'll link feature posts on the Facebook page too.

Funki Munki Badges 500 Facebook 'likers' give away! GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

2011-03-11T21:05:00.001Z

Hello all :)

We have made (and surpassed!) the 500 'liker' mark on our Facebook page so as promised we're holding a give away to thank everyone for their support.

I am going to give you 20 free badges from our website, which can be found here.

Also, because Kelly from Kokokelli is so awesome, she's donated a lovely bracelet for our lucky winner!

Now the boring and important stuff

1. To enter, leave a comment on this blog. If you don't have a Blogger account you can leave your name and URL (use the drop down box under the comment box to do so) or sign in as 'Anonymous' (again using the drop down box).

2. The 20 free badges DOES NOT include any custom badges, nor any fridge magnets.

3. You can choose 20 different badges or 20 of the same, it's entirely up to you as long as they're on our website. When I contact the winner afterwards, it'd be helpful to have a list of links copied from the address bar at the top of the page for each individual badge you want. Example: This badge has the link of http://www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk/dontbothermeimwastingpotential-p-2207.html

4. The draw will be conducted using Random.org.

5. You have until 9pm (GMT) Sunday 13-03-11 to leave a comment and the name of the winner will be posted in a blog here on Monday morning 14-03-11 which will be linked to Facebook.

6. The draw is open worldwide, except certain countries where the post is notoriously bad. A full list of countries we will post to is here.

7. Make sure to leave me your Twitter/Facebook details so I can get hold of you to tell you you're the winner!

8. In the event that the winner doesn't respond within a week, the give away will be redrawn!

9. This give away is - and will remain - separate to any orders you may place before the give away is drawn and announced.

Feel free to follow me on Blogger :)

Any questions? Just yell.

Giveaway as soon as we get to 500 posts on Facebook!

2011-03-01T21:34:00.000Z

Hi everyone. Long time no post!

I've had a bit of a hideous year so far.... I was pregnant, it was an ectopic pregnancy, and now I'm light one fallopian tube and have gained an 8 inch scar. Still, this isn't the time or place for it (other than explaining my absence) so onto GOOD stuff!

Currently on our Facebook page we have 472 fans and need 500 to do a give away. It's the strangest thing - every time I mention a give away people leave the page. I don't get it! :S I would've thought everyone loves free stuff, right?! We just need 28 more people and as soon as we have them the give away can be launched! Please tell people to come 'like' our page :)

Anyway, so far we have donations from Kokokelli and ShakeAway in Hastings as well as a load of badges from us.

While I'm here I'll post a gazillion of our recent badges for you.

Some of these are so new they're not even on the website yet!

Moooooooar Christmas badges!

2010-11-23T01:45:00.000Z

There are about a hundred of them. Here's a selection:

Go get 'em! www.funkimunkibadges.co.uk

Newest badges 3

2010-11-12T22:15:00.001Z

Here are the stragglers.