About Us

A Spark of Mischief

Hi, I'm Oliver. 

I live in eastern Pennsylvania with my wife, Jennifer, and our clowder of cats. 

Wild Mischief started when, one evening, I walked into the kitchen to tell Jennifer I'd had an idea, mostly joking around. I'm often walking into the kitchen or living room with an idea I have that cracks me up or impresses me. She's used to it. But this time was different. When I said I wanted to make a t-shirt that said "Nessie from the Loch" (like Jenny from the Block), and Jennifer encouraged me to do it, I actually sat down and...did it.

From there, everything else unfolded. Suddenly I was creating an Etsy store, registering a business, building a website, designing new items nearly daily, and selling at vendor markets. If you would have told me even a few months before starting Wild Mischief that I'd soon be attending Bigfoot events or cryptids conferences, I most certainly would not have believed you. But here I am.

I wasn't making art before Wild Mischief, at least not since high school. I had no plans to make art or to start a business. But for some reason, that one idea, of many ideas, is the one that bloomed. It's the one I put time and care into to see that it bloomed. While I'm learning everyday, I'm so invested in continuing to create, to connect with people, and to say "yes" to many ideas that are yet to come.

Currently, all of our products are designed by us and printed/shipped by a third-party production and shipping company, but we're hoping to make some changes as we grow. 

We often donate to and volunteer with animal and wildlife shelters, LGBTQ+ and anti-racist organizations, and music empowerment programs. If you are seeking a donation for a fundraiser or raffle, please contact us at wildmischiefapparel@gmail.com.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

If you're wondering where the name Wild Mischief came from, it originally made its way into the world as the name of the poetry reading series I'd started and stopped more than a decade ago. At the time, I made a list of words I liked and tried them on like clothing to see what worked. The combination "Wild Mischief" reminded me of a phrase from a poem that I'd always loved: "violent wonder." It just felt right, and it felt like me in that moment. Because, similar to this second iteration of Wild Mischief, it was just an idea I'd had. It was, perhaps, the first big-to-me idea I'd had that I saw through. I was a shy introvert with severe imposter syndrome and had no idea what I was doing, so it felt "wild "and unknown.

I liked the word "mischief" because, though mischief often has a negative connotation, not all mischief is bad. Sometimes it's acting on an idea on a whim, without a roadmap or plan. Sometimes it shakes things up. Sometimes it is what thrusts us into a new chapter. And sometimes it changes the course of our lives entirely. To put it simply: there's magic in mischief, and it can be exhilarating. Wild.

Thanks for reading and for your support.