This site is all about what's important to me, my politics, my views and ideals, what music I love, and what I think is funny and cute. If you like what I like then yay! We'd probably be good friends if I were not so shy.

I don't make anything that I don't agree with or like and I never will. That's the only thing. Sometimes people just think 'I'm a consumer, serve me!' and come here with the expectation that they should get whatever they want. It's not like that. It's not that I'm close-minded, I'm just Strongly Opinionated. mushycat isn't a really a 'store'... it's just what I do, and it's very personal on lots of levels. Okay, pretty much every level.

Also, I'm keenly aware of the social/political/economic/environmental responsibility that *any* undertaking involves and I take that responsibility very seriously. I reuse/recycle and use recycled materials as much as possible, I don't use harmful chemicals, I don't use sweatshop-produced apparel, and 10% of the profit-type stuff from this site goes to charity. I live my life very differently from most people I think.

You'll notice I tend to write a lot. Please read as much as you can bear! It's important.

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I like it when people send in photos of themselves and their buttons. Here's a random one!
You can go here to see more!

um... it's me!

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I bought a button machine way back when because I could never find buttons that said what I wanted them to say. I remember always trying to take apart buttons so I could put my own images in them. I ruined a lot of buttons that way! oh well.

Now I make all sorts of things myself. In doing so I feel a great responsiblity to stay true to my political ideals, which includes respecting the environment. I think I can do that best by making things that I consider worthwhile instead of merely trendy, and by being uncompromising (but open-minded) in my convictions. I won't make things that I don't agree with, and I won't make things that are wasteful. If I were simply interested in making money, I could easily do both and just make things that would sell and sell. But that's not something I want to do. I don't put up things that I think will sell, I put up what matters to me.

Everything is here for a well-thought out reason. If you disagree with something, you can always email me to talk about it as long as you respect my opinions.

Why make everything myself? Most places outsource some or all of the stuff they carry. I won't do that. I want to make sure everything is made properly, responsibly, and I also just happen to like making things. I've never been content to just be a consumer. At the same time I never thought I would be selling things. Sometimes things just happen.

I use recycled materials whenever possible, I reuse whatever I can, and I recycle the rest. More importantly, I minimize waste in the first place.

Screen printing usually involves using some nasty chemicals, but I don't use any of them except for a drop of low-odor, biodegradable solvent to clean my squeegee. That's it. Nothing harmful goes down the sink or in the trash.

I give a portion of my income to charities and I also help out orgs and people who are trying to make a difference whenever possible. 10% goes to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network , who provide a national hotline for survivors of sexual assault (1-800.656.HOPE), and I've been donating to them for a few years now. I'm not rich (and I never will be) so it's not always easy, but I think it's important to do what I can.

oh, I'm vegan. That means I don't consume or use any animal-based products. I mention that here because that definitely has an effect on the things I make. I would never make anything with wool or leather in it for example.

BTW I take your privacy very seriously. I will never give out your personal information and I never share your email address with anyone. You'll never get any unsolicited email or snail mail from me. All my off-site backups (backing up all my data is important, because it's your orders!) are encrypted.

- ken   

If you have any comments or questions you can use this form to leave me a note. Or you can just email me. email address?