Mon, Feb 28 2011
Direct from China: a production report on Sling Back from Nikki and Jordan!
There’s nothing better than firing up the barbeque on a hot summer’s day. Actually, scratch that. We can think of one thing that’s better — firing up the barbeque on a hot summer’s day with some really sweet gear. That’s where you come in.
Let’s make an awesome BBQ accessory.
We’re looking for products that will improve the process of outdoor grilling. Since we’re currently developing a BBQ multi-tool, we’re going to ask you to refrain from submitting BBQ utensils and focus on the other parts of the process — preparing the food, lighting the fire, cooking the meat, serving up the finished goods, cleaning up, etc. There’s any number of things we can tackle with this project, and we’re excited to see where it goes.
So join us and our brief co-sponsors, HSN, by sending us your ideas between February 28 and March 4. Submissions are free!
Did you know that almost exactly three years ago, Quirky’s platform (then known as kluster) launched at TED2008? (Robin Williams LOVED us.)
Yup, we have history with good ol’ TED, and this week, Ben, Mike Lacy, and Jason Port(o-Dog) are back in Long Beach to “rediscover wonder” and listen to inspiring TED Talks with luminaries from around the world at TED2011.
One of our favorite TED Talks comes from author Elizabeth Gilbert, best known for inspiring divorcées around the world to purchase round-the-world airplane tickets. In the talk, she speaks about the agony of creating, and proposes that every person has a “genius” within us. It’s a talk that resonates with us at HQ, and it’s something we wanted to share with all of you.
What are your favorite TED Talks? Tweet them to us, or share them on the forum.
And the next three briefs are… (drumroll please)
Monday 2/28 — BBQ Accessories
Monday 3/7 — Bar Tools
Monday 3/14 — Photography
Okay, so yeah. We said we’d list the next five briefs. But we’ve still got some wrangling to do with some exciting new brief sponsors, so it’ll be a bit longer. Hold tight; we’ll be updating this list very soon.
Check out this evening’s no-holds-barred Q&A, featuring two Ben-style rants and a whole lotta sparkle.
Ben will be hopping on Quirky’s uStream channel tomorrow (Thursday) at 6pm ET for a live Q&A session with a special community guest. Now’s your chance to ask all the questions you’ve been dying to have answered… and if you know Ben, you know that everything’s fair game.
To recap:
What: Ben answering all your deepest, darkest questions
When: Tomorrow, 6pm ET
Where: Quirky’s uStream channel
See you then!
As MugStir gets ready to fly out of our warehouse and snuggle up to your mugs, we catch up with ideator Judi Sigler (also the brains behind Ember and our new “Super Bowl”). She totally can’t believe this is happening!
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a mom of one beautiful 13-year-old daughter, Lydia, as well as a school counselor. I live in a tiny little town in Nebraska and get to work with 4 to 18-year-olds every day. I’ve had more education than I care to recite and I’m also an entrepreneur. I started and ran my own printing business in the past (still going strong almost 15 years later), then decided to challenge myself with a career in education. I love kids, museums, art, and traveling.
2. When did you join Quirky?
Joined Quirky in January of 2010.
3. How did you find out about us?
Through an article in Engadget, I think it was about the PowerCurl. I was totally hooked from day one.
4. When and how did you think up the idea for this product?
The MugStir idea has been percolating in my head for quite some time. I think preparing coffee in the teacher’s lounge and using communal spoons was a part of my motivation to come up with the idea. I don’t have an exact date of the idea concept, but I do know discovering the Quirky site is what motivated me to actually put something on paper and share it.
5. Had you tried to make this thing on your own already?
Quirky is the first and only place I shared the idea.
6. What do you think of the final product?
I am very happy with the final product. I was nervous in the beginning of creating the product because I had no idea what it would actually look like in the end. However, I think Jordan Diatlo did a fantastic job with the final industrial design.
7. In your opinion, what is the most innovative product ever invented?
I think the printing press is an incredibly innovative product. Mass printing and the spread of new ideas through printed media had an unprecedented effect on our world. The tedious amount of labor that went into setting type, the perfection of full-color printing, automating a sheet fed press, and many other innovations that stem from the invention of the press still fascinate me. It’s like magic to watch a blank paper become something.
8. What inspires you?
Travel inspires me, through trying new foods and interacting with vastly different cultures. Kids inspire me as well, they are so enthusiastic and I love the way they think.
9. What are some of your quirks?
Good question. Of course, I don’t think I have any, but if you asked my family and friends… I suppose they would say that I only drink milk from plastic cups, I can pack a suitcase like it was done at a factory, and I can operate an inordinate amount of heavy equipment, like Mack trucks and Caterpillar loaders.
10. What’s your favorite cereal? Deli meat?
Oatmeal that’s flavored and drizzled with honey and nuts is my favorite cereal. As far as deli meat, well, I’m from Nebraska and live way too close to the source not to mention that I likely eat prime rib and steak as often as some people eat deli sandwiches. In fact, I’m practically a vegetarian here because I don’t stock a separate freezer with half a cow or pig! :)
11. Any parting words?
Thank you Quirky for bringing the MugStir to life! Nikki & Jordan for their extra work, and fellow Quirks Matthew Lanius, Kiwi, Jeff Jarosch, and Jerry Tirado. Thanks also to Matt Fleming for making a crazy video about my crazy idea too. I am so glad I found the site. I am so glad you have created a place to make invention accessible.
Great news: MugStir — “the spoon that hangs with you” — is real and ready to ship!
If you’ve already committed to this product, check your e-mail for a message from us to confirm your order and verify your shipping and billing information. And if you didn’t, well, what are you waiting for? Order a set of three for just $12.99.
Plus, if you ordered this product in Presale and confirm your order in the next two weeks, you’ll earn yourself a share of influence, which translates to royalties from every product sold. You can’t get that at the mall.
We couldn’t be more excited for ideator Judi Sigler and the 503 people who lent a hand in the development of this product. We did it!
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