Knotty Thing
Building a brand for plant hangers with personality
Knotty Thing is an online store with a playful twist, specialising in stylish and cheeky plant accessories. Born during the COVID lockdown, Knotty Thing offers macramé plant hangers, crochet plant pot covers, braided coasters, and more. Knotty Thing embraces minimalist design with splashes of colour and a generous dose of tongue-in-cheek humour, aiming to brighten up your home decor and your day. Join the movement and #RockOutWithYourKnotOut.
The Challenge
Knotty Thing emerged as a personal project, sparked by the need to find creative solutions for displaying an ever-growing plant collection in a small apartment. The traditional plant pot options available online felt uninspired, so I decided to create my own range of unique plant hangers and crochet pot covers. This personal endeavour quickly garnered interest from friends, who wanted similar items for their homes, prompting me to transform Knotty Thing into a full-fledged brand.
The project entailed developing a custom logo, designing an Etsy storefront, creating social media post templates, and establishing a simple website to enhance SEO and drive traffic to the store. One of the primary challenges I set myself was to differentiate Knotty Thing from other brands that often leaned towards a “cute” or “bohemian” aesthetic. I saw an opportunity to carve out a niche for a plant accessory brand with a cheeky, spicy personality.
The Process
To address the challenges, I began by developing a distinctive brand identity. The name “Knotty Thing,” a playful twist on “Naughty Thing,” reflects the macramé knotting technique central to the products. Coupled with the tagline #RockOutWithYourKnotOut, the brand identity was designed to be memorable and fun. The new logo, social media templates, and packaging all embodied this vibrant, cheeky personality, ensuring a cohesive and engaging brand image.
Creating a strong online presence was crucial. I developed an Etsy storefront and a straightforward, effective website. The site was designed to be user-friendly, with easy navigation and clear calls to action, boosting both SEO and user engagement. Styled product photos taken in my apartment highlighted the beauty and functionality of the products, while humorous product descriptions added a playful touch that resonated with customers.
The Outcome
Knotty Thing launched with three plant hangers named “Uno,” “Mini,” and “Flash,” each with its unique, spirited description. The positive reception, filled with both laughs and sales, allowed for the expansion of the product line. Within a few months, the range grew to include five plant hangers, three sizes of crochet plant pot covers, hanging decorations, and braided coasters. The crochet plant pot covers quickly became best-sellers, with over 200 units sold in the lead-up to Christmas 2022.
The Knotty Thing project was a remarkable success. It allowed me to extend my creative skills beyond graphic design and provided a sense of joy and humour to customers during a challenging time. This project not only revitalised my passion for design but also established Knotty Thing as a standout brand in the market, known for its unique products and playful personality.
Really happy with both of my plant hangers from Knotty Thing Studio! I ordered two in the sage colour and the quality of material is excellent; both are sturdy and well made. Initially, I was worried that I had left it too late for my order to arrive in time for my friend’s birthday, but I sent a message to Emily who got back to me quickly, reassuring me that she would pop it in the post first class and that it would arrive on time. Of course, it did, and the plant hangers were beautifully wrapped which was perfect for the gift. I would definitely recommend this product and I’m glad I spent a little more for a high-quality gift with a nice home-made feeling, rather than shopping on eBay or Amazon.