Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Mr. Funky Interview and Giveaway!

Narumi Ogawa is the clever brain behind Mr. Funky! She has a recent book full of easy-to-follow tutorials for adorable dolls and accessories. You can make hats, scarves, flowers and even a water bottle carrier (my personal favorite). She was nice enough to do an interview with us, and she's even offering up her new book, Mr. Funky's Super Crochet Wonderful, as a prize for one lucky Plush blog reader. Leave a comment to be entered! Thanks again to Narumi for the interview. We loved learning more about her.



S - You've been crocheting as Mr. Funky since 2003. How long did you crochet as a hobby before you decided to make the leap to business?

MF - It probably took me 1 year to establish Mr.Funky. I had never crocheted in my life until year 2002. I started going to crochet class at yarn shop every Saturday for 2 months. I was crocheting ALL THE TIME!

S - Since you began, have you been able to turn Mr. Funky into a full time job, or do you have another profession you balance as well? Do you have any advice for people who want to make their craft their business?

MF - In 2003, I started showing my Amigurumi dolls to store owners. I also showed my creations at parties, clubs, art walk and sample sales... basically anywhere I went. There were so many events in Los Angeles, and I just took advantage of the opportunity of living in La La Land. I talked about Mr.Funky to every single person I met. At that point, I was working as a movie editor for a small company and a model scout for movies. I didn't think Mr.Funky would turn to be my full time business, but I participated in 2 trade shows in summer 2003, and I received huge orders from the shows. After that I started working with sales reps in California, Texas, Georgia, and Massachusetts.



S - You grew up in Tokyo, Japan. A lot of the cutest Amigurami books and patterns I've seen come from there. Do you think growing up in Tokyo had a large influence on your work and style?

MF - Most definitely, and I am lucky to be born in the 70's. I LOVE 70's culture. I am inspired by the cool Japanese animations, cartoons, TV shows, and music and they are mostly from 70's. Also my dad was musician, and he's taken me to see lots of Jazz concerts and live music since I was a little kid. I often create Amigurumi dolls by listening good music.

Read the rest of the interview here, and enter to win Narumi's book!

61 comments:

theboywil said...

yay for crochet bears...

Anonymous said...

Love the photo and would love to have the book. Thanks for the inspiring interview.

Susan

Anonymous said...

Loved the interview. Have just recently taken up crochet again so would love the book - such upbeat and interesting projects. Merry Mog

ikisti said...

that was a good interview. Thanks.
Its great to see someone make their love their job, as long as it doesn't stop being there love after.

Though with such cute little guys how could it. :)

Anonymous said...

Love Mr. Funky! It's amazing how fast someone's talent can grow.

MJC said...

It goes without saying, you have to have talent to produce these adorable keepers! Enjoyed the interview. Adore the animals!

Catalyst Of Calamity said...

So! Very! Extremely! Cute!
I guess I'm going to have to work on my crochet skills!

Angela said...

love everything!

Hello Pineapples! said...

Thanks for the interview. I love Mr. Funky!

Unknown said...

Adorable!

Bern said...

The owls are particularly adorable!

It's great to hear from the person behind the cuteness.

Anonymous said...

Great interview! Amigurumi is on my list of things I'd love to learn; thank you for the drawing opportunity.

belle7171 said...

The interview was great! I love Mr. Funky's stuff.

Anonymous said...

I love these little animals -- so cute!

meowmix said...

what a bunch of cute stuff

Patricia said...

Love the interview and the funky animals. Would love the book!

Kristy said...

I love the owls! The book is so cute!bb

The Edwardsesesesss said...

Adorable, I love it all!

Allison M. said...

I would love that book! This is my entry for the contest! Thank you.

Jennifer said...

The interview is amazing. Love all the adorable animals.

Andi said...

I'd love that book!

Anonymous said...

I just started crocheting amigurumi and getting the book will help continue the obsessiveness! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Wishing you continued success!

jennyy

Blaize said...

Excellent work. stblaize at gmail dot com

e* said...

I would love to add this book to my collection! Adorable.

e* said...

i love them all. want to win so bad....

Keri said...

The picture is very cute, and I'd love to own a copy of the book. Thanks for the opportunity.

Unknown said...

Amigurumi is one of my favorite crafts to work on - everything is cuter in miniature! Thanks for the interview!

Karen Chartier said...

Fabulous! So creative!! : )

Dawn said...

Wow, what cute creations.

Beth Mort said...

These little crochet animals make me sooo happy! They are inspiring - and imaginative especially for children - so much better than many toys these days.
b

Beth Mort said...

Thanks for the interview! These little critters are incredibly imaginative!

Anonymous said...

Very cute.. I want to try but my skills aren't that great. I also have issues with patterns kind of wing it girl with a bit of guidence

Unknown said...

the owls are wicked cool (well, they ALL are)

Mary B said...

Wow, I would love to have that book!

tkuehn1158 said...

Very interesting interview. Love your Amigurumi designs.

Anonymous said...

They are total love

Anonymous said...

I have just found your website and love it. I'll be back. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks.

Funky Finds said...

I love all the Mr. Funky designs!!!

maria carlander said...

oooh, i'd love to own that book. I adore the little owls!

Eugenia said...

All beautiful work. Would love to have the book. Thanks for sharing. :)

mel said...

Great interview! I love Mr.Funky, and I love amigurumis! Thanks!

amber said...

Great (funky) inspiration! I can't wait to buy . . or win the book.

cowboybunny said...

What adorable, huggable, cute animals. I would love to have the book. I would love to learn to make these. Thanks for the opportunity to win!!
woundupladybug.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Oh, I want to win that book! It looks awesome! :-)

Anonymous said...

so cute! I love these little guys!

Anonymous said...

this book has been on my wishlist for awhile- would love to win it!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Funky's creations! I'd be so excited to win the book! Thanks for the great interview.

Jenn said...

So cute. Sign me up. jenn.hicks at gmail dot com

slidingirl said...

Inspiring! I love that she has made a business for herself from a side obsession, and hasn't even been crocheting that long. Congrats Narumi!

Melody said...

L love the anmimails in the book. I'm starting to learn crochet. This book has some inspiring designs.

Anonymous said...

Wow, thanks for the great interview. I love the little owls soo much. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

I would love to have that book, I keep eyeballing it at the bookstore!
Thanks for the great interview.

Lorena said...

I have seen this book before and would love to have it. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

janet lee said...

being an aspiring crocheter, this book would be great inspiration.

Alex Smith said...

Fun stuff! I love the styling - some of my favorite amigurumi. This is my entry for the contest!

Anonymous said...

These are so cute. I love the bunnies. This would be a great book to have to learn to make animals. Thanks for a chance to win it.

Kimberly Pye said...

Oooh! Pick me, please! :) Such cute stuff!

Saria said...

I've always wanted a copy of this book! It's one of my first inspirations to do amigurumi! :)

Anonymous said...

the patterns are so unique and cute.I WANT that book!

Kristin said...

I just started crocheting 5 months ago and I'm always looking for cute little things to give to my kids and their friends! This looks so cute!