For SCK’s 18 year anniversary, we’re sharing interviews with all the current SCK staff so you can find out a little more about the people behind the blog.
It’s always weird talking about myself in the third person so let’s not. As Founder/Editor I started Super Cute Kawaii in 2008 and much of what I wrote in my 10 year anniversary interview hasn’t changed so I’ve only answered the questions where I can add something new, plus some from readers and the rest of the team. You can read all of my SCK posts or I’m mostly on Instagram and my personal blog.
Introduce yourself!
Hello! I’m Marceline. I still live in Scotland in the same flat but now with a big Rilakkuma flatmate. As well as running Super Cute Kawaii, I create and sell cute stationery, accessories and gifts as Asking For Trouble and juggle freelance and remote work (please hire me!). In my spare time, I like doing crafts, playing Nintendo, riding my bike and reading.
Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t guess from your SCK posts
I’ve completed the Zelda games Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom each 5 times with various ridiculous challenges like not killing any Guardians (I love them), or prioritising taking photos for the Hyrule Compendium. The games are so beautiful and truly open world so there’s always something new to do – and you can fuse a plush seal to your shield for extra cuteness! I’m seriously thinking about starting ToTK again soon with a new challenge. (I have a blog for this too).
What cute products or characters can you never resist adding to your kawaii collection?
I still collect plushies but my most recent kawaii purchases have all been home decor. I love happy little practical things that I can use and enjoy every day. I have far too many cute little bowls and dishes, and a collection of tiny spoons and cake forks. As for characters, Rilakkuma is still my favourite, though Pusheen Box are doing a great job of making me look like even more of a superfan that I already was.
What are your favourite crafts or creative hobbies? What’s the cutest thing you’ve made?
If I had unlimited time and money, I would do all the crafts! In reality, I mostly do hand sewing like cross stitch, embroidery and tapestry/needlepoint. I also enjoy paper crafts, making stuff from felt – especially flowers – and accidentally fell into making miniature kits. My miniature SCK bedroom office is still one of my favourite makes as all the customisation was so fun to think about. I’m also very proud of my Zelda tapestry of the wind fish mural.
Questions from SCK Readers
What’s the oldest kawaii you own? (from Em)
I had a dig around my house but couldn’t find some of the earliest things I remember, and Nicolette has custody of our talking Pikachu plush! Here’s a few fun things out on display that mostly pre-date SCK. My Badtz-Maru alarm clock is probably the oldest, from 2001 – my work manager brought it back from Hong Kong because I had a Badtz-Maru lunch box. The Pikachu that turns into a Pokeball is from around the same time – another gift from a friend who went to Japan. I bought the onigiri pillow in Passport (now HAPiNS) during my first trip to Japan in 2006 and it still lives on my bed. And in another world, it wouldn’t be Pusheen becoming a superstar, but another of Claire Belton’s original characters, Pirate Bunny!
Do you have a least favorite kawaii item? (from Mikey)
I always aim for SCK to be positive so if there’s something I don’t like, I usually just ignore it. I used to dislike Cinnamoroll and Kiiroitori, but I have been completely won over during the past few years so anything’s possible. My biggest current dislike is baby themes. There’s just something about seeing baby versions of my favourite kawaii characters with a dummy and nappy/diaper that I can’t stand. I also don’t think monkeys are cute. You can blame Nintendo for both of these!
What do you do with all the things you review? (from Jackie)
I obviously love getting sent cute things for free but it’s also a lot of work so the novelty does wear off a little after 18 years, and finding room for everything is pretty much impossible. Because we’re quite picky about who we work with, much of what I’m sent is genuinely useful so my home is filled with Pusheen clothing, kitchenware, home decor etc. (as I’ve shared in the Pusheen Box Favourites posts), and Sakuraco are responsible for a large part of those towers of dishware in my kitchen cupboard. My Robotime miniatures are the biggest problem and are currently stacked up on my shelves. I guess the answer is that I keep most of it, share opportunities with the rest of the team and turn down a lot of offers. I also sell some things on Ebay but that’s also extra work.
Questions from the SCK Team
Where is on your kawaii travel bucket list? (from Emma)
Funnily enough, I have just been writing about this for an upcoming zine, but none of them are very kawaii. It would be amazing to go back to Japan to visit some newer places like Ghibli Park, PokePark and the Nintendo Museum. Closer to home, it feels very wrong that I’ve never visited the ARTBOX Cafe in Brighton – if they ever do a San-X theme, I’ll be there.
If one of your favourite kawaii characters could come to life, which one would it be and why? (from Arlandyia)
The obvious answer is Rilakkuma as I’ve never wanted to hug anything more after watching the Netflix shows. He could live in my spare room, it’s fine. Perhaps even better would be Obake (the ghost) from Sumikko Gurashi as he’d be the perfect housemate – quiet, likes cleaning and works in a coffee shop!
What’s your origin story? How did you get started working on all the things that you currently do? (from Allison)
I got into reading and making zines through the end of Riot Grrl. After art school, I started blogging online and created a community for independent bands, labels and zinesters at diskant. Those skills helped me get jobs in web design and it was during my last full time job that I started SCK with my workmate/friend. Crafts and Etsy were really taking off around that time and I was involved with the local Craft Mafia group doing markets and selling things I made (above is my stall in 2009). Eventually, I had to quit my desk job due to RSI but was able to earn enough from my shop and freelance/part-time work. Things are much harder for small businesses now so it’s a lot of juggling and hustling to keep things going, and there are never enough hours in the day.
How much has the kawaii scene changed since you started SCK, and what do you think of the differences? (from Gabriel)
Oh gosh, I could write a whole book about this but I will pick 2 big things briefly. One positive is availability/accessibility – now we can find kawaii in every high street/mall, order the latest Japanese releases online, get up to date Japan travel info in English, stream anime on Netflix etc. In 2008 I was bidding for dodgy Ghibli DVDs on Ebay, trying to decipher Japanese wholesale catalogues for info on new San-X releases and wandering around Tokyo with a paper map and some vague written directions to kawaii shops.
A negative one is how scattered and isolated the community has become since the early days of blogs, Twitter and Instagram. Social media’s focus on viral trends and videos, Etsy opening the doors to dropshippers and AI, and general search algorithm biases, have made it so much harder to discover real artists and makers doing their own original unique thing. And now tariffs and regulations are making it almost impossible for individuals to shop or sell outside their own country. All of that is why SCK still feels important, even if it’s harder for people to find us in the first place.
Which of your posts are you most proud of?
I have apparently written over 2,500 posts in the last 18 years so I’m not going to look back too far! I love trying new crafts and I wish I went more places so I could write more What’s in my Bag? posts. I also miss doing artist interviews and craft tutorials but I always hope to find the time again.
- Rolife Super Creator Miniature House Kit Review
- What’s in my Bag…for a Euro Train Adventure
- Kawaii Plush Display Ideas
- Animal Crossing Spooky Cookies Halloween Garland Tutorial
- Meet The Artist: Susie Ghahremani of Boygirlparty
Who are your favourite creators to follow?
- I follow soooo many Japanese origami channels and love seeing all their different takes on the same seasonal and holiday themes. Chisshy Origami is my current favourite as all the designs are adorable and I love how every video has multiple options and customisation ideas.
- I bought @yumi_hoops‘ embroidery book earlier this year and while I haven’t made anything yet, the way she combines illustration, collage and Japan travel memories into embroidered pieces inspires me so much.
- @heyheymomo always brightens up my Bluesky feed – their comics are so wholesome and silly, and a much-needed reminder to find joy in the little moments of daily life.
- My favourite social media is still Tumblr, which has managed to hold on to the weirdness of the early internet and has a hilariously ungovernable user base. Adding to the nostalgia, I was so delighted to see prguitarman back posting regularly. The creator of Nyan Cat is still making new art, including Halloween Nyan Cats!
Got any more questions for me? Ask them in the comments. This is the last SCK Team Q&A so I hope you enjoyed reading them all.
Leave a Reply