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FUN CULT is currently most known for its original Glittering Fringe Banners, introduced in late 2010. There's no denying their possibilities of fun- they're like an instant shrine to the good times! Caitlin Holcomb, founder, currently operates FUN CULT outside of Chicago.

A Fun Cult is a Nice Cult

Nice ( nice.etsy.com ) began on Etsy in 2005 selling handmade and vintage pieces.  After a sudden health challenge (more on that at the bottom), I realized it was a good time to create a new life for my handmade work.  In May of 2013 I did so by relaunching my brand as FUN CULT. The name is inspired by an inside joke from the very early 2000s, when hang outs with friends somehow started to be labeled as part of the fictional C.F.C.. This, of course, stands for "Caitlin's Fun Cult".  Activities included things like impromptu road trips, college parties we left early from, taco nights, record shopping, lots of movie watching, endless thrift stores, searching for a perfect diner, lots of concerts, and lots of laughing- FUN fact, when I really start laughing, tears are inevitable!

 

Every Cult Has a Mission

It may sound obvious, but all products from FUN CULT / Nice have been and are my own original product.  I am intuitive to and inspired by trends, but I do not create my pieces identical to trendy or commonly seen crafts.  A lot of daydreaming, designing, and hard work go into creating each idea and FUN CULT piece!  Certainly this contributes to the uniqueness and success of this handmade brand so far.  I want my customers to be able to spot a FUN CULT piece when they see one- and you know what? It's worked!

My ideas seem to come in spurts.  I have a list and sketchbook that I keep on my tablet and phone, as well as a couple notebooks here and there.  The list and sketches are endless!  I’m very much inspired by the random things in life that become home decor.  You know, things like a souvenir party favor you keep on your desk, a movie ticket that sits in your ring dish, or a favorite scarf that you prefer to keep in view rather than tuck away.  It's these things that really make a space your home and I like to think I create pieces that reflect, and easily fit into, such an effortlessly cool aesthetic.

What Makes FUN CULT So Fun

FUN CULT likes to celebrate the silly inside jokes of best friends, random family traditions, super custom party themes, favorite lyrics and quotes..you know, all of the special things that bond you with your people. All of us are part of a fun cult of some sort!  Represent with FUN CULT’s original handmade home decor + party pieces.

 

The Word Has Been Spread

Handmade and vintage items by Nice have been featured on many blogs and magazines including ROOKIE, Decor8, Martha Stewart Weddings, Refinery29, Nylon, Mollie Makes, Poppy Talk, Craft Zine, and New York Magazine's The Cut.  In the spring of 2016, FUN CULT's signature Fringe Banner served as the tittle text for Sophia Rossi's book, A Tale of Two Besties.  In 2007 the Mini Deer Plaques were sold at Fred Flare and a part of their annual Next Big Thing. Hooray banners by Nice are included in Kayte Terry's book, Applique Your Way, from Chronicle Books (fall 2009) and Penguin Australia's Handmade Christmas (2012).  Recently I have had the joy of catching Lena Dunham's eye! This has lead to great opportunities for FUN CULT such as the honor of making custom Fringe Banners to be gifted by the Lenny crew for holiday 2015, and collaborating on special fringe banners for the official Lenny Letter shop!

More About My Big Life Change

To keep a very long and trying story short (sure it was a very tough time, but it's my story and I'm allowed to sum it up), on Valentine's Day 2012 I went to the ER thinking I had a bad flu.  Instead I found out, quite randomly, that I had kidney failure. It was a huge shock and a huge life change.  After running Nice for 7 years, I had to put the shop on hold and concentrate on my health. There is no known cause for my kidney failure and because of it I was required to have 4 hour dialysis treatments 3 days a week at a local facility. Life has been very unplanned since then. I have had a ton of support from family and friends and in April 2014 a childhood best friend was accepted to be my kidney donor! I am doing well (so is she! har har). I was very fortunate that the ordeal only lasted about 2 years, and I am so grateful to my friend for giving me the ability to get back to a healthy life.

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