Just sending a final reminder to check that your payment has successfully processed please! We have pay over time payments that have also failed, so were are currently going to be $1601 short from the Pledged Amount. Leaving us with a successful collection total of $7778.
Sadly, after getting into the Pledge Manager, it looks like many are repeat failed payment backers, most of whom do not end up paying during surveys.
We are currently $772 short of keeping our Bear and Pig pins goal. And $1,222 short of keeping our ZZZ Bubble and Skinny Crescent Moon Mini Pins.
We are going to keep the Seal and Raccoon goal because I know we can make that $222 up in the surveys. We will also keep the 200 backer Sticker Gift goal.
I know there will always be some failed payments, historically the average for my projects is $433. Generally, being short $500 or less can easily be made up during the surveys so I tend to keep those achievements regardless. In this case unfortunately, I think that gap is too large to risk it. This amount of failed payments so close to the end of the correction window is unlike anything I have ever seen for any of my projects, and with that, I apologize to anyone who is disappointed by any of the lost achievements.
I am planning on sending out surveys on March 2nd. I will send an update when they are sent in case I end up needing a few extra days to finish setting everything up.
Thank you so much for your help in bringing Celestial Snuggles Enamel Pins to life!
Due to fabric Limitations of plush this size, this was the "closest purples" to the concept I understand this is VERY VERY PURPLE haha
I understand this may not be as accurate to the concept photo
Should we change him to an black/grey wolf
Keep the lighter purple and change body to black/dark grey
Keep the lighter Purples but change to a darker blues ((if available)
Keep the Purples
Vote in the Poll below which will be available for the next 4 days!
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Backerkit surveys are coming very very soon! I'm about done fixing things, just wanted some feedback on the wolf ((may not be final colors)) before proceeding fully. I did get some of the newer pin designs done so I would like to show you!
Hope you enjoy! And thank you so much for the feedback!!
Hello hello!! It's been a hot minute since my last update and we have quite a bit to cover! I'm just after recovering from two conventions and an exhaustion sickness, and am back in action.
Without further ado, here's what's new in the world of Ancient Arthropods!
POSTCARD DESIGN
Enough dilly dallying, the freebie postcard design poll is now READY. Here are the contenders:
Two of these (1 and 3) have a possibility of using gold foil accents. There should be a poll at the end of the update, alternatively...
Thank you SO much to everyone who have shared their ideas and cravings in the last update! It seems like the overwhelming majority has voted for more trilobites. And I just can't say no to that!
Blue was the requested colour, so here is Trilobite Seas.
This one different to the other two, for those who prefer a simpler style of sock.
You will be able to choose this sock if you have purchased the add-on, and also pick it up during the survey.
SOCK SAMPLES REVIEW
That's right, the samples have arrived with me a couple days ago and I have made a review on them! This review is made in video format, so click whichever link you prefer:
They will fit multiple sizes, and so far we have tested them on sizes 39,41 and 43 (EU shoe size), and they have shown to still have enough stretch to go slightly bigger, and also comfortably accomodate smaller sizes. (They've got quite the stretch!)
I have had some family members try them on and feel em out, and the resounding opinion is that they are, indeed, incredibly soft to wear. The only difference is that because the arthropleura wraps around the sole, it may feel *slightly* tighter, but in a nice snug way.
I am still waiting for the other manufacturer to return from their holidays to get samples done with them, including the new design, and I will try to (one more time) darken the grey on the arthropleura and change the text to either bright green or yellow/orange.
WIPs
This week I am cracking down on pin artwork as I have finally caught up to the last outstanding custom winter orders. I should have all the pin artwork finalised very very soon, and will start making design documents for my manufacturer.
Here's the first 5 I have done today (along with the sock and postcard sketches)
I have found the Jaekelopterus looked very naked with just colours, so I added some extra 'shines' by the use of metal :]
FAILED PLEDGES & CARD CHARGING
There is still unfortunately 14 of ye that have had their cards fail during the mass processing. Which is totally fine! Because banks freak the hell out when Pintopia started to mass charge.
How do I fix my pledge? The way backerkit handles it, is that you need to go to your failed pledge, and click on 'change card'. If you want the same card charged again, you need to add it a second time. If your bank has flagged the transaction as suspicious, you'll have to contact them. Backerkit has a 'how to fix my card' section right here too!
Cards will be automatically recharged every 5 days I believe, and then I will be in charge of it during the Survey Stage. You can fix your payment at any point, so do not worry too much.
PRE-ORDER STORE WHEN?
Once the surveys launch, I prommy.
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That's all for today! I shall return to finishing the pin artwork now, and maybe eventually brave the pledge manager and setting up the surveys...soon *coughs*
Our survey got approved! 🎉 We have sent out an initial smoke test to 16 backers (please check your email inboxes)! Your survey email should look like this:
Why a smoke test? The smoke test helps us catch any errors and ensure the survey works as expected.If you notice any errors or mistakes, we would greatly appreciate your feedback.
You can message us on Backerkit or contact us via email: [email protected]. Once we receive the survey smoke test responses and everything looks great, we will send out the rest of the surveys.
🗳️ About The Surveys 🗳️
Survey responses help us collect important information about your pledge, including what specific items you have pledged for and your shipping addresses. We cannot fulfill your pledge without a survey response.
Pay Over Time backers will automatically receive their surveys once the 4th installment is paid or their pledge is paid in full, whichever comes first. We will order extra pins of each design to ensure we have enough pins to fulfill everyone's pledges.
Survey Add-Ons: Just a reminder that you can also add extra items to your pledge through the surveys. We also have pins and stickers from our online store available as add-ons in the add-ons page of the survey.
⏰ Timeline Adjustment ⏰
Since we are sending out surveys a bit later than expected, our project timeline will be adjusted as follows:
February 25, 2026: Backerkit surveys are sent out (please check your emails!)
February 26, 2026: Funds arrive from Backerkit
March 13, 2026: Backerkit survey responses are due!
March 16, 2026: Surveys are locked, and cards are charged
March 18, 2026: Pin production begins!
Mid - June: Pins arrive. We begin to package everyone's rewards!
Mid -July: Pins are shipped out to backers!
📅 Reminder of Payment Schedule 📅
Just a reminder that your payment will be split into two separate payments:
1st Payment (February 12, 2026): Includes pledge level and campaign add-ons
2nd Payment (March 16, 2026): Includes shipping fees, taxes (applicable in Canada only), survey add-ons, and any outstanding payments
IMPORTANT: Shipping fees were not collected in the 1st payment. It will be collected in the 2nd payment (March 16th, 2026). Our shipping fees are as follows:
Note: We understand shipping to the USA has gotten expensive. If we find cheaper shipping alternatives to the US by the time we fulfill orders, we will refund backers the difference. Listed shipping rates are in CAD (Canadian Currency).
💵 Please Double-Check Your Payment Method! 💵
By this time, Backerkit should have charged all backers for the 1st payment for their pledges. This charge may appear on your bank statement as either BACKERKIT - MOCHIVILLE or simply as MOCHIVILLE. We currently have a few backers whose payment method has failed. We kindly ask that backers double-check if their payment method has the correct card information on file.
🌻 Pre-Order Store Now Open 🌻
For a limited time, we will have a pre-order store open on Backerkit for those who missed out on the campaign! Please be advised that pre-order purchases are not eligible for early-bird perks or Backerkit campaign freebies. This will be the last chance to get the new pin collection at a discounted pre-order price! The pre-order store will close on March 18th at 11:59 PM EST.
Thank you all again for the incredible support for the project so far. We are so excited to start production soon!
This project has been such a whirlwind, I haven't had time to say until now, but THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!
This has been my most funded project so far, and I can't thank you all enough for the support of these little floral kitties I love drawing so much 💖
🌺 Some fun facts of the campaign:
⭐ Back Cat Botanicals reached 553 Backers with $29,663 in total funds raised!! ⭐ You all collectively ordered 2,483 enamel pins, including sets & mini pins!! ⭐ You smashed through every single stretch goal I had within the first few hours of going live!
I am truly humbled and overwhelmed by the response to this project. 😭💙
Now that we have the sappy stuff out of the way... let's talk next steps.
❗Check Your Payments! ❗
Most pledge payments have processed without issue (thank you!), but there are still a few thousand dollars of failed payments, so this is our first formal reminder to please double-check the cards you used for your pledge!
If your payment details need to be updated, no worries! Backerkit will remind everyone untilFebruary 26th to correct any payment issues you have. After that, the funding will be locked and you will no longer be able to pay for your pledge, so please get those corrections in as soon as possible!
🌻 Survey Phase & Next Steps 🌺
I am hard at work on setting up the surveys all backers will be receiving soon! For those unfamiliar with crowdfunding, a survey will be sent out, usually two weeks after the campaign ends, so that backers may select the designs that wanted for their pledges as well as add on any additional items.
📢 In addition, the surveys will also be where you will pay the fee for shipping the items in your pledge! 📢
Shipping is charged during the survey phase rather than the campaign phase in order to more accurately account for carrier costs frequently changing as well as allowing a smoother fulfillment process overall.
I am aiming for the surveys to be sent out around February 25th, with a smoke test being sent out to a select few backers ahead of time in order to test the survey and ensure everything is laid out properly. So please keep an eye on your emails!
As always, if you have any questions at all, please feel free to comment or reach out!
I'll be in touch again soon when payments close and surveys are able to be sent out.
Good evening, gang! If you're me, and you work the hours, I do, typing this 20 minutes to midnight is still 'evening.' Cool it.
That's all, folks - CHALLENGE COIN CRITTERS wrapped up on Thursday at 4 PM.
Overall, while we didn't unlock everything, we had a pretty successful run. It was a difficult year for Pintopia projects in general, but I'm satisfied with where we're at. I know we wanna get to the meat of things, so...
Here's some quick numbers.
C3 wrapped up at $14,441. We went, in our last 48 hours, from being KPH's second-worst performing crowdfund, to being the second best, behind last year's CRITTER CRIMES in the $15k ballbark.
C3's got 359 backers. This is second to BIRD CRIMES, at 469.
140 of you are returning backers. That's 140 of you who will be getting the silver Loyal Akita pin. Thank you for coming back and sticking with it through it all this year.
194 of you also backed Henrieke's THE HYENA FAMILY. That's a free 1.75" BIG hyena pin for you. Awesome!
We're finishing up with 79 total pin designs for backers to pick from. This is the highest, with GOLDEN AGE PARROTS our runner up.
We are 22 of 22 funded projects in the PIN SAFARI group! Thanks for supporting my animal artist buddies this year.
As mentioned, we have 79 total pin designs. Our two final 1.5" designs are the Duck Toller and the Werewolf!
The Duck Toller is our last-minute sponsor, from a very passionate breed enthusiast. These aren't the most common canines around, but they're an unmistakable working dog. Thank my buddy Fieldpup for this one, dog collectors!
Our Werewolf, ever popular (for better or... for, uh, rabid), will also be available.
You guys don't understand. I have already been paid unspeakable amounts of money to draw this character in compromising situations. Was the halal plate worth it? Who knows, man. But that fish fry got me through vectors, so, thanks, I guess.
We need to have a quick, downer, type of talk about the rest of the MONSTERS tier. I've tried to be pretty open about fraudulent, cancelled, or heavily downgraded pledges being an issue this Pintopia, and, lo and behold, it is going to bite us in the ass a bit here.
Our last-minute $600 pledge I was worried about did end up paying. However, we are out a startling amount due to failed charges right now. Cards just started charging today, so this is recoverable. But, due to an exceptionally high number of failed payments on my last campaign, and the extremely high rate of cancellations already, I am going to be erring on the side of caution.
Go make sure your card is up to date - mine wasn't! I was that guy, too. Sorry, everyone!
I may make the other MONSTERS pins available as cards successfully charge. However, it is a risky move to self-fund 4 more pins with the net amount we're looking at right now. I'm looking for total charges, plus after-campaign numbers, to reach about $16.5k to get here. I'll keep you posted. I'm sorry to disappoint, but, there are other options for now!
There are still preorders, too, to make up that number, so we'll see where we go.
As of right now, these 4 BIG pins, 75 1.5" pins, and all of their corresponding stickers are available to you!
So, what's next?
For me, it's custom pins. I have two of you, one with a good email rapport and references, and one who needs to send me some more information. I'm headed downstate for Chinese new year, so realistically, you're gonna be hearing from me the 20th or 21st. Not too late to send me additional refs or ideas, though!
We're on schedule for surveys, if not a little ahead of time. I've been getting pledge manager stuff set, getting giveaway and promotional backers smacked with some extra credits, and getting pin renders cleaned up. Late February, early March, is a good time to start expecting your survey.
Preorder store's probably coming then, or earlier! If you missed the campaign, you still have a chance to get pins at the $9 a head rate. While discount tiers are gone, and there won't be any more freebies, you can purchase most stuff at the campaign price, and you'll get it when our backers do in the spring.
I have some catch up work to do, too. There's still a few stragglers from CC who need custom work done. If this is you, please reach out to me.
If you purchased a CUSTOM CRIME for CRITTER CRIMES, you were subjected to unfair delays due to circumstances outside of your control. You are entitled to a $10 campaign credit on your C3 pledge. Contact me either in our work thread, or in a new email, to apply this to your campaign. This is even if you got your CUSTOM CRIME pledge already.
What's next next?
This is a hard one, and I will say, outright, I may lose a lot of you on my next project.
Let's stay vague: I am workshopping a mid-sized group event with several other creators for November. It's not golden age-styled animals, but it's something that became very dear to me this past year.
If this project is for you, it will really be for you. But, if it's not, there might be something else from another one of the wonderful, talented illustrators who have agreed to take the plunge with me.
That's all I can share for now, until we all have more done and we're given the green light by BackerKit. I'm hoping I have something to show you all soon.
As of right now, I'm OK with how C3 turned out. Things could have gone better, but in terms of everything I had in my reach, I did what I could. I turned out better than a lot of other Pintopia artists this year. Frankly, there's not really anything that made that difference except my audience. You turned out in droves for this, and for a project I was wary of taking a risk on.
Thank you for being here for these past couple weeks.
Great news -- the setup review for surveys passed all checks, and I was given the go ahead to send smoke tests.
A select few of you will recieve a link to complete your survey tonight. If you did, please fill it out ASAP! Additionally, if there are any issues, please let me know via a comment, dm, or email. I want to resolve any issues before it goes out to the masses, so it's vital you give me feedback if there is any to be had!
The main survey will launch on February 26th for all backers. You will have until March 12th to complete your survey. If you have not completed your survey at this point, I will not be able to guaranteethat the items you want will be avaliable to you, as I will be determining how many of each pin/keychain/etc I need to order thru the counts I get from the survey.
Last but not least, I've attatched a poll asking what you'd prefer for a sequel campaign to this one -- the options are Gamecube, Wii, or Handhelds (Gameboy + the DS family!)!
That's all from me for now. I hope you've all been well this week!
Hi guys! Thank you so much for supporting this project ^-^ the campaign has successfully ended.
Pledge Payment Processing Backerkit has already processed your pledges! There were 24 failed charges in total. If your pledge was among them, please fix it as soon as possible 💛 you can also fix it later during the survey phase.
Surveys In the survey you can tell me which pins you want, which add-ons you want (if you pre-selected them in your pledge), your address and if you want to add any extra add-ons or extra pins :) I'll soon start sending out the survey smoke test. Some of you will receive the survey a little earlier (in the next few days) to test it and check for any bugs or errors. Once this testing phase is complete, you will all receive your surveys to fill out. ^-^
Shipping Shipping costs will be charged once the pins are on their way to me. This means that I can account for any fluctuations in shipping prices and that you won't need to pay everything up front during the first survey phase. I didn't pledge for the campaign, is there a way for me to still grab the pins? Yes, there is! I have already set up a pre-order shop – you can access it here! The pre-order shop will stay open until the survey deadline. Pins and other add-ons purchased from the pre-order store will be sent out with all the other backers rewards, around July.
Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments!
Hello! The Pudding Party Collection campaign has successfully ended! Thank you so much to everyone who pledged, we were able to unlock a handful of things during the campaign including the Pudding Bag, 4th enamel pin, and 2 new colorways: Pink & Mint!
Backerkit has started processing payments and will continue to do so for the next week, please make sure to check if your pledge's payment processes successfully. Pledges that are not updated with unfortunately be considered abandoned and then cancelled.
Surveys have now been sent! Please fill it out, it will help me get an idea of how much inventory to order for each colorway and design. Backers who chose Pay Over Time during the campaign, you will not receive the survey until after your payment plan is completed. Once your installments are completed, Backerkit will automatically send the survey to you!
If you missed the crowdfund but are still interested in the products of this campaign, I've opened the Pre-Order Shop! Everything that was unlocked during the campaign is available to Pre-Order until June where all additional inventory counts should be locked by that point.
if you have any issues with your survey or any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out! Thank you!
Amazing job all of you to our loyal fans and new fans!
Thank you so much for getting us this far! We are in the home stretch! I’m setting up the surveys which will go out in a few days after campaign ends and will allow for further add-ons and the pre-order store.
But can we unlock coy ness before we end?? I think we can! If not you all are amazing and we are so grateful for how far we've gotten!
We need just a little more to unlock her so lets see if we can!
