Confession time. Half term well and truly kicked my butt.
So, whist my original blog post talked about October, and how it was “the end of another month…”
I am fully aware that it is now in fact November…
…and the start of a brand new one.
Nevertheless.
It is time for me to introduce you to another one of our amazing Kent Mums in Business {and honestly, I don’t mind when I do it, as long as it happens!!!!}
We really do have sooooooooooooo many fantastic businesses in the County which are owned and run by incredible local Mums…
…and I LOVE to celebrate them and show them what a great job they are doing (because we don’t always see it for ourselves)
This month I am VERY excited to introduce you to the lovely (and super talented!!!!!) Siobhán McKiernan (Shiv) Kent Mum-of-one, artist, creator and proud owner of The Stoofy Store - Original & quirky artwork designed to make you laugh and smile.
I recently spent a lovely morning with Shiv (and her cheeky sidekick, because that is the reality of Mum/Biz life!!) We chatted about her amazing business and I got to see her working her magic on one of her beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces...
Tell us about your business and what services you offer?
Stoofy was born from a love of laughter and embracing the silly.
It all started with bespoke greeting cards when I couldn’t find anything in shops that captured the essence of the person I was gifting to.
I wanted my gifts to feel personal—whether they sparked nostalgia, humour, or sentiment.
As Stoofy grew, I expanded into illustrated portrait commissions and took on larger projects.
I’ve had the privilege of working with authors on book illustrations, museums to create characters for exhibitions, and musicians for album artwork and logos.
To further share my designs, I founded The Stoofy Store, offering art and apparel with a focus on fun and humour.
For instance, as a motorcycle rider, I struggled to find t-shirts that were both funny and functional without being tacky—so I designed my own!
My “fun in cheek” style resonates with like-minded lady bikers, but the designs appeal to anyone who appreciates playful and stylish clothing.
Today, Stoofy has evolved into something bigger, and my vision continues to shift.
While I still love digital art, my passion has brought me back to the original inspiration for Stoofy: creating one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted pieces.
Now, my favourite products include hand-painted signs, bags, jackets, and more, all made with care and a bit of perfectionism (as anyone who knows me would agree)!
There’s nothing like the joy I feel when a customer beams and says, “That’s so me!” or “Wow! These are amazing!”—just like the excitement I felt when I gave away that first bespoke card.
Is there a story behind the name you chose?
When I first started making those early cards and quirky, "punderful" art prints, I’d add a scribble character and the “Stoofy Illustration” logo on the back.
People often asked me what "Stoofy" meant, and the simplest answer was: “It’s all the silly, messy stuff from my little brain spilling onto the page… Stoofy!”
I wish there were a more fanciful origin story, but that’s the truth of it!
What do you offer to your clients that no-one else does?
What sets my work apart is the focus on fun, uniqueness, and vibrant colour.
I love injecting bold, maximalist energy into my designs—a nod to the dopamine décor and dressing trends.
Ironically, my personal style swings between all-black outfits and looking like a 90s children's TV presenter!
But when I create, my goal is always to bring joy to the person buying it, whether it’s for their home, wardrobe, or just a fun accessory.
I care deeply about the end result.
Mental health and well-being are incredibly important to me, and I hope my art promotes positivity, celebrates diversity, and embraces individuality.
I also strive to make my pieces affordable, from stickers to wall art, so that everyone can enjoy a little burst of happiness in their lives.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Now, I’m really focused on improving my hand-painting and sign-writing skills, and I’m excited about creating larger, more intricate pieces.
I draw a lot of inspiration from artists like Joby Carter, Mike Meyer, and Iain Hursey, whose work beautifully captures vintage eras and showcases exceptional craftsmanship.
One of the great things about Instagram is how it’s helping me discover even more artists to be inspired by.
A big goal of mine is to learn from Joby Carter next year. He teaches in a very traditional way, and I’m passionate about keeping those methods alive, so I’m looking into bursaries to make this happen.
What is your favourite part of your job?
My favourite part of the job is seeing one of my ideas come to life while I’m painting or designing.
That, or when I get a notification of an order on my website: www.thestoofystore.uk, and I get to do a silly little celebration dance!
I also love meeting and chatting with like-minded people who truly connect with and appreciate my designs and learn about them too.
But ultimately, it’s seeing people smile and enjoy the products I’ve created products that all started as the messy, silly stuff in my brain!
If you would like to know more about the wonderful work that Shiv does, please visit her website and give her a follow (and your support) on social media:
Claire xx