Mumsnet merchandise - your input needed please

[JustineMumsnet]

Hi all

After years of being asked to come up with MN merchandise and (aside from some incredibly tight t-shirts with virtual mother on them way back in the early-2000s) pretty much sticking our collective fingers in our ears, we've finally found someone who can help us produce and sell a qualiteee online range - hopefully available in time for Christmas. And we're looking for your input.

We reckon a range of T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and mugs with Mumsnet in-jokes/ popular phrases - which is what folks have mentioned in the past - but is there anything else we've collectively missed? And what do you want on them? A T-shirt telling all and sundry to LTB? A mug asking whether YABU? A hoody announcing that it' really best to RTFT?

Ideas very much welcome please

I like it! It's in the same vein as "cunt bunting" but not offensive and safe to have around the kids.

I'd definitely get some teatowels and mugs if they were not too expensive!

I don't like that - I think it is a play on the received idea that mumsnet must be bland and homespun cos it is mums innit, and that annoys me, because mn does not pretend to be bland and homespun; it just goes all out sharp and savvy, and only dickheads (like Gok Wan) miss the point and think otherwise

Also it is a US-originated played out idea that CRAFTING can be SUBVERSIVE and it is turning into an unsubversive imperative to sit around doing tedious things with crochet hooks to show you are a real woman

shit, strike-out fail

Anyway, Stuart, I'm not doing your job for you. You need to sort your assets out if you are doing a licensing deal

OK, thanks for the feedback. Appreciated. As you can see, my instincts aren't spot on around this stuff...

Feel bad for the MNer who spent time on this just to have people call it bland and start writing in capitals to point out how much they dislike it.

A bit rude I think.

Good point. Sorry to whomever it was.
it is a nice idea but I got a bit carried away
I think I forgot that an invidual mn-er had designed it and got all swept up in the idea that a. it is intended to represent us and b. it is commercial so you have to tell it how it is

sorry, it was mean and out of order.

I like it! It's in the same vein as "cunt bunting" but not offensive and safe

But the twee looking "cunt bunting" doesn't sell so well, only the more edgey looking version sells

I think it was lovely if the MNer who as done this & it IS a pretty design, just not commercial enough - commercial can often mean nasty & crap, but sells well, so don't take it as a personal slur on your effort

One thing I learned in a previous role is that the stuff you think will sell stubbornly refuses to, and the stuff you think you'll end up owning forever disappears fast than you can say "The Secret Service does not comment on procedure"

We're pretty much set on the launch range now, but looking for more ideas for further down the line.

I like the general idea of the mug but agree its too twee.

I think there's an insularity at place here,because certain phrases mn popular
Doesn't actually make them funny,or ironic in a you had to be there way
I'd be surprised if anyone wants cunt worm merchandise

I know. the only slogan worth having is

words on a screen

Agree that there's some in-jokery. That's part of the appeal for those that are into that sort of thing. There are levels of commitment to that - either full on with a t shirt, or nice and subtle with a mug which nobody but you need really know about (unless you're in the habit of taking a mug with you when you're out and about). Much the same as any team merchandise - the buyer gets to choose the extent to which they want to publicly wear their colours.

We aren't doing cunt worm merchandise.

I don't like it, too fancy shmancey frilly. Might be good filling a whole tea towel, but I wouldn't buy it,

I would like YABU YANBU in the same simple sanserif font that I see on MN. In a way, that's the point of it!

BTW anybody mentioned having a mug with "Nobdie's mug" on it?

I don't like AIBU much or what it represents for MN so I wouldn't buy anything with that on.

But I quite like the in jokes.

Should have some designs to show you all tomorrow, with any luck. Nice and simple, using the MN font, and with the Charlies Angels logo (without text) very small alongside. We're just trying to finalise the smiley (as well as cake, biscuit etc) illustrations. It hasn't been easy scaling those up (and therefore adding detail) but whilst keeping them looking as they do on the boards.

Ooh cant wait to see it.

I am a teensy bit concerned about what this may do to the MN Secret Santa/Appeal thing.

Sparkling?

Interested to see the initial range :)

Well when we all get told what to send, will everyone change their mind, and everyone that has been nominated will receive an MN themed gift?

I'd buy a trolley token with the logo. And a scarf covered in teeny jammy dodgers.

I'd like a trolly token with a reference to P&C parking on one side and "just fucking walk" or some such on the other.