Bitcoin is a swarm of cyber hornets serving the goddess of wisdom, feeding on the fire of truth, exponentially growing ever smarter, faster, and stronger behind a wall of encrypted energy, (…)
The animal theme in Bitcoin culture might not be the most popular, but it’s not entirely off the beaten path either. It’s not just cyber hornets. There are also lions, dragons, and (in my opinion), trading-related terms like whales, sharks, dolphins—the entire Bitcoin ZOO to explore.
Another examples would be: Alby with its cool logo, Bitcoin FilmFest and Mr. Rabbit, cute frog from Maxis Club, or the very unique conference in Riga (Latvia, Europe) that this year brings one extra animal to their flagship honey badger—which I’ll mention again a bit later…
One way or the other, we’ve clearly built a range of Bitcoin animal patterns, and the only thing limiting us is our imagination.
But there’s one animal that doesn’t get enough attention.
A cute and cuddly creature that played an important role in Bitcoin’s history by “helping” to prove its value as money. Can you guess which one? The alpaca.
Not many people know that one of the first products you could buy with Bitcoin back in 2011 was warm socks made from alpaca wool. The company Grass Hill Alpacas had the guts to accept Bitcoin for their products despite warnings, criticism, and even mockery. (YouTube, 2011: “The Bitcoin Show – Episode 046 – The Alpaca Socks).
I’ll get back to the animals in a minute, so bear with me 😉
But before that, I have to mention that the initial price for those socks was a whopping 75 BTC! It later dropped to around 5 BTC due to Bitcoin’s market value. But still imagine buying socks with that amount! Wooooo!!!
It’s a shame that Grass Hill Alpacas no longer accepts bitcoin. As for the alpaca, it may not be as common as other animal-themed mascots, but you might still spot it here and there in the Bitcoin world. Though, it’s rare even for Maxis to know where this reference comes from.
This gap actually inspired me to create my own Bitcoin-themed socks.
I’m not directly referring to alpacas, as I don’t use their wool, nor will you find their image frequently used in my designs. I just wanted to bring back the idea of socks that can be purchased in sats. Affordable, high-quality and eye-catching products that will be appealing for Bitcoiners and no-coiners alike.
During the initial market research, while looking for small local manufacturers and examining existing similar products, I was both pleased and disappointed to find that most Bitcoin-themed socks are boring, predictable, and, unfortunately, often very low quality.
I’m a creative person who not only enjoys playing with words but also images. So, I decided to design my stuff with personality and humor. It turned out to be a great choice!
Happy Feet … Or Actually Feet That Makes You Happy.
Many Bitcoiners still work in the fiat world, which can be mentally draining—not just because it’s often too hard to talk to your colleagues, but also due to the strict dress codes that feel like a uniform of servitude. That’s where funny socks come in: you’re sitting in a meeting, feeling stressed, your mood start to drop. Then you look down at your feet and see your cool socks.
Suddenly, your mood lifts and your motivation returns because you remember that, despite the challenges, you do have a community that shares your values.
Even for those who have escaped the fiat grind, wearing unique Bitcoin-themed socks can spark energy and bring a bit of otter-like cheer.
A few people who own my designs have mentioned that the socks sparked interesting conversations or helped gauge someone’s awareness of Bitcoin. Since you’re not spotting the usual orange color or the widely recognized (but still misunderstood) ‘₿,’ you might find yourself in some truly engaging discussions.
Another way my socks have done their job is by introducing Bitcoin to ‘normies.’
Many pairs have ended up with people I’ve met on the streets of various European cities. Long story-short:
- As a nomad, I’m (or actually we are) travelling a lot. Wherever we go with my husby, we like to poke random folks by asking them about nearest BTMs. If the conversation allows, we’d switch the focus to financial freedom. When we notice more interest, we’d mention that I actually make socks and happen to have a few pairs with me. The reaction is often ‘WOW! This is cool!‘—people are surprised by the unconventional designs, which don’t feature the usual orange shades and Bitcoin logos but instead show creative stuff and even familiar themes from outside the Bitcoin world (like hippie vibes, Pac-Man, or characters from South Park, etc.).
- To those who are genuinely interested and friendly, I’d sometimes give them a pair or two. More often, though, I’d ask them to buy a pair using a Lightning Network wallet. I’d send them some sats first and then ask for a return payment. Proof-of-Work—they have to learn how to make transactions in both directions.
Result: They see Bitcoin in action and walk away with awesome socks. I generally also them to a few online resources to help them dive deeper into the topics of sound- money and freedom.
But why am I even telling you all this?
#01: My socks aren’t mass-produced; they’re crafted with passion and care, and I want to highlight their uniqueness.
#02: Also, a bit further down, I’ll mention one more animal from the Bitcoin world that, in a way, helps me as well.
Do you remember the Nostr logo?
A running ‘bird’, as fast as lightning. Speaking of which, I’d like to thank projects like Plebeian Market and Shopstr—Bitcoin LN marketplaces where I sell some of my stuff. If you’re not familiar with them yet, here’s your chance!
I can’t finish this text without mentioning the last animal—ostrich, or should rather I say NOSTRich—which often appears in my designs.
START WEARING PURPLE…
START WEARING PURPLE FOR ME NOW…
To celebrate this year’s conference in Riga, bringing together two animals from this read (the honey badger and the ostrich), I’ve created a fun collection of wearables featuring Nostr and Bitcoin motifs.
It’s not just socks but also t-shirts that I hope will encourage people to ‘start wearing purple’ while promoting personal freedom, decentralization, and sound-money.
Note: This collection will be available at both Baltic Honeybadger (#bh2024) + NostRiga + a few site-events planned for the entire Bitcoin / Nostr Week this year (dates: August 21-25, 2024), for which this collection was specially created. But if you can’t get there in person, no worries—you can still place your order online. At least, while supplies last.
Questions? Just DM on Nostr (npub134d6jtyveg74cuuj7qun4v2m6r7x7c6ryk69z4q7pa7f43kran2sl2yggk) :))) or X if you prefer.
BTC Your Mind. Let It Beat…
Hope to meet you in person someday. In Riga or any other corner of this world.
Şela
