Christmas has come early for Crooked Monkey. Nine days early. Today we shipped a record number of online orders, making sure that you guys will be able to give your t-shirts on time this holiday season. The most fun part of holiday shipping, is the gift-messages we get to write on behalf of our customers.

Its a fun exercise, as we hand write each letter, but are not allowed to correct or even question the messages posted. Most of the stuff is composed of indecipherable inside jokes, replete with LOLs and OMGs. And usually its just wishing someone a happy Kwanza or Ramadan.

But today we got an interesting one. The t-shirt purchased was Dead Man Walking, and the gift card read: "Will U plz marry me, ring 2 follow."

A bit impersonal, but we're happy to help in anyway we can. Sometimes, a t-shirt making fun of marriage is the best way to get someone to marry you. Playing hard to get--even up until the last second. I admire that.

Labels: Customer stories, History, holiday gifts, Office Stories, Records

We finally launched the Crooked Monkey RSS feed. Now you can stalk Crooked Monkey all day every day. Instead of coming to the blog to read about our funny t-shirts, or office stories, you can just subscribe to the RSS Feed.

I know how difficult and time consuming it can be to type in the whole address, www.crookedmonkey.com. Now you don't have to. Once you subscribe to our feed, you just go to your regular homepage, or wherever you read your feeds, and you can see what we're up to.

We'll try and keep the headlines real interesting like: Barney and Big Bird finally meet.

So subscribe to it. And while you're at it, pick up a couple of tees. Our 20% storewide sale is still going strong and our Buy 2 shirts get free shipping just sweetens the pot.

Labels: About us, blogging about blogging, History

Breaking News: Facebook has officially recognized Crooked Monkey as a network on Facebook. This is huge. This is bigger than when we made the Forbes 500 list last year. Crooked Monkey has joined the ranks of other companies found officially on Facebook like Nike, Under Armour, and Google.

Now when I tell people I work for Crooked Monkey, I know that I have the credibility of Facebook's Network system to back up my claims. If you'd like to join our network, email us a compelling reason (or post it here) and if we like it, we'll let you join it.

Check out our Girls Facebook Stalker t-shirt, Girls Facebook it's my day job t-shirt and Guys version of the Facebook it's my day Job t-shirt

Labels: About us, Facebook, History, Office Stories

Since those early days a lot has changed, but a lot has also remained the same. We still produce awesome t-shirts--just now they're refined and legal. We still sell t-shirts--just now we sell to retail locations with business licenses and permits. We still run from the cops--just now its cause these guns are illegal in 48 states.

So yesterday we joined the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at their annual marketplace. We even made the front page of the Diamondback, the University of Maryland school newspaper.

Check out our Guys Maryland t-shirts: University of Maryland Guys T-shirt - Mckeldin, University of Maryland Guys T-shirt - Newspaper, University of Maryland Guys T-shirt - Terrapins

Girls Maryland T-shirts: University of Maryland Girls T-shirt - Newspaper, University of Maryland Girls T-shirt - Mckeldin

Labels: About us, events, Fuck Duke, History, Office Stories, promotions, UMD, University of Maryland, University T-shirts

Labels: About us, go green or go home, History, licensed t-shirts, Political Science, Press, UMD, University of Maryland, University T-shirts

Courtney from ShopFlick interviewed us for their blog, shopflick.com. Enjoy!

SF: What does your brand stand for?

MW: Crooked Monkey is about fun. We strive to put smiles on people’s faces by providing them with funny t-shirts. At the end of the day, the goal of Crooked Monkey is to remind people how awesome College and bring people back to their glory days.

SF: What is the inspiration?

MW: College students, the college lifestyle. We try and take the best four years of a person’s life and express it through soft, vintage style tees. Its college-inspired humor, and college kids are who we aim to please.

SF: Who are your customers?

MW: The college student, obviously. But we also recognize that guys and gals who are just about to enter college, and who just left college, have a strong bond with Crooked Monkey as well.

SF: What’s new this season?

MW: We’re introducing a line of hoodies, flannels, and sweat pants. We also just secured collegiate licenses so look out for Crooked Monkey’s irreverence to hit the college mascot scene in a big way. And like always, count on us for hilarious, humor graphic tees.

SF: What items are people responding to most?

MW: For girls our environmental and political screens have been doing really well for us. For the guys our classic humor t-shirts have been very strong this season.

SF: Are any celebs wearing your pieces?

MW: Yup. Miley Cyrus wore our “Waking Up is Hard to Do” shirt on her video blog, The Miley and Mandy Show. We wrote it on our blog: http://www.crookedmonkey.com/2008/03/miley-cyrus-wears-crooked-monkeys.html

Also, Silas on “Weeds” wore our “I’m not a Gardener, I Just like Hoes”.We wrote about this on our blog as well: http://www.crookedmonkey.com/2007/10/tv-show-weeds-features-crooked-monkey.html

SF: How did you get started in the industry?

MW: We started at a bar in College Park on May 5, 2005. That was our launch party and the rest is history. Our first big account was National Jean Company in Long Island, and we’ve never looked back.

SF: What is your must-have item?

MW: Scarves. They’re functional when it gets cold outside and they can dress up a t-shirt or dress down a cute dress. They’re the absolute best day-to-night staple.

SF: What are you wearing right now?

MW: Plaid. I can’t get enough of it for fall. And Crooked Monkey tees, of course. They’re perfect for day time - comfortable, effortless, and chic. Not to mention the wearer of a funny t-shirt always gets a ton of attention.

SF: Is there anything else you would like to share with the Shopflick community?

MW: Keep checking www.crookedmonkey.com for our newest t-shirts. We produce t-shirts like its our job, so we’re always coming out with new hilarious stuff for you guys. And if you have any questions or comments, post them or email me.

Labels: History, Interviews, Press

Our warehouse, while effective and functional, was in desperate need of a little TLC. Despite being the home to dozens of funny t-shirts, and the place where ideas for funny t-shirts are born, it is also the sacred home to the Crooked Monkey staff, and recently, it has been a little neglected.

Thats why, the other day, we decided to put a little love, and elbow grease, into the C. Monkey office. We did a major clean up/throw away,rearranged the shelves, and redecorated a bit.

Most importantly, we put up the 10 feet wide by 10 feet long poster that intern Emily Kahn drew for a trade show last year. It was exactly what the Crooked Monkey Warehouse needed!!

These videos will give you a little taste of life at Crooked Monkey. Enjoy Chloe whining, Amy giggling, Ben chilling, Micha supervising and Erik sighing sadly. Also, enjoy the in-depth discussion on the nuances of duct tape.

Labels: History, Interns, Office Stories, Videos