Highlights
Project Update: Thank you so much! New stickers and next steps
Thank you so, so much for all of your support! The campaign just ended after Beasts and Botanicals went into overtime for almost 4.5 hours, and Birdtober 2025 Stickers raised $1392!
Since we were so close to the last stretch goal, I decided to release 3 more sticker options: Varied Bunting, Great Gray Owl, and Pygmy Nuthatch, making the total number of options a nice round 20!
If you missed the campaign but still want stickers, the pre-order store is now live.
Here's what's next in terms of the project fulfillment and what I'll need from you:
Payments: Any backers whose pledges didn't go through right away will have about two weeks to correct their payment information or follow up with their banks to make sure that the payment goes through if it was flagged as unusual. Once these two weeks are over, BackerKit will release the funds collected to me (minus their platform fee and the payment processing fees, around 10% total).
Surveys: You will receive an email in the next few weeks with a survey for the pledge manager. In this survey, you will be able to upgrade your pledge or add more add-ons if you wish, as well as select which bird stickers you want and provide your shipping address. Without your survey being filled out I will not be able to ship you your rewards!
Production and Fulfillment: After the survey deadline (about a week after they're sent out), I will put in the print order for the stickers. My manufacturer estimates a lead time of 10-21 business days. Once I receive the stickers, I will pack the orders and mail them out! With this timeline, I'm anticipating that the stickers will be mailed to you in July.
Communication: I will send regular updates like this one throughout the process, including when surveys go out, when I receive the stickers, and when I ship them. If you need any help with your pledge, first contact BackerKit support, as they will be more prompt in helping you. If you have any other questions, you can contact me at [email protected].
If you qualified for the Beast and Botanicals e-Zine, that will go out around the end of May.
Thank you again for making this project a success!
-Annie
15+ projects backed in 2025
20+ projects backed in 2026
Project Update: Only one stretch goal left to unlock!
With a couple of recent pledges the owls, penguin and chicken have been unlocked and we're now just waiting on the more flashy of the mini pin pairings. Thank you all so much for such incredible support, your bird loving selves have been amazing!
Here's to a fab final 3 days for everyone taking part in Beast & Botanicals...if you haven't already you can check out all the other campaigns here:
Invested in BackerKit’s future during our Wefunder campaign
15+ projects backed in 2025
20+ projects backed in 2026
15+ projects backed in 2025
20+ projects backed in 2026
Project Update: Mini bird pins are flying in!
The question now is which order do you want them to unlock? I've grouped birds together that are similarly themed, so the Cassowary is paired with the Andean cock-of-the-rock because they both rock some impressive headgear and the Wyandotte Chicken and Magellanic Penguin are for their black and white styling etc.
You know what that means, yes I know, another poll! 😂 What can i say they're the quickest and easiest way to insure you're all getting a say in how this campaign progresses! So if you can spare a moment pop a vote in the poll below to choose your fave.... (this time the poll is open to backers only)
20+ projects backed in 2026
Project Update: New poll- help choose next stretch goal
20+ projects backed in 2026
Project Update: Next stretch goals
I went and included some fossils in the area to fill in the dirt in the underground scene.
Invested in BackerKit’s future during our Wefunder campaign
15+ projects backed in 2025
20+ projects backed in 2026
If all initial stretch goals are reached, what do you want to see more of after that? If there are any specific color combos you’d like to see feel free to comment them on the poll as well.
Invested in BackerKit’s future during our Wefunder campaign
15+ projects backed in 2025
20+ projects backed in 2026
Project Update: Shipping done + speed-paint video for the postcard art!
Once again, thank you all for believing in my project!
I have officially shipped out all Rewards!
The scarfs are so beautiful in person and I can't wait till you receive them- I have updated with tracking numbers!
Once you receive your package, let me know if I have forgotten anything- I will promptly send out to you.
A quick reminder as well that the pre-order store is still open for a limited time, if anyone needed to add an item or missed out when the project was live: https://lifecycles-bandanas.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
The postcard art: inspiration process and video!
To make this update even more fun, I have included a inspiration process overview and speed-paint video below for the freebie postcard art that my lovely backers voted upon!
Florida panther won by 25% of the votes- but votes for leopard frog, wandering glider, swamp goddess and faerie all tied at 17% so this made me start dreaming on how to incorporate these other themes....
I landed on just using the 'goddess' idea, that this panther is the physical embodiment of a swamp goddess. My first sketches where based on the Madonna and child imagery with a protective growl, now she appears to be laughing. I got pretty far with this first concept but last minute decided I did not like it (at least for this purpose) Because I also wanted to be able to include the other 17% votes of frog, glider & faerie- but also I felt it was missing the "wisdom" theme of this project.
The end painting evolved into an Aesop's fable vibe where the insects are coming from all corners of the swamp to whisper wisdom for the new mother and her baby. Butterflies provide a lot of color to the art and have always symbolized fairies for me, I had a great time putting them everywhere- you will also see bees, dragonflies and a frog!
The original sketches & artwork:
The title is "Wisdom to share" also relates to this panther teaching her cub everything it needs to know to survive the untamed wildness of the Everglades, in turn keeping the balance of the land which is a sacred duty. These big cats are endangered and much needed for the ecosystem.
Speedpaint Video: 1 minute long timelapse of the artwork being painted
https://youtube.com/shorts/aVZPj4o05B4?si=KXG_EOVXmN__JC01
Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts on the postcard art as well as the bandanas!
💛 Amber Rae
(NOTE: If you look at the poll the numbers have changed since unfortunately a backers pledge got canceled- the 1 person who broke the tie for panther- so now panther, frog, glider, faerie and goddess are 18%. But I did this painting and got the postcards printed before then...)
Project Update: Thank you! All Shipped!
I'm just dropping one last update as a final reminder for the few people who I'm missing surveys and/or shipping payments from to please check your pledges and update.
I'll be closing the project next weeks so this is your last warning to sort out missing info folks!
Thank you everyone for your support on this project. I'm excited to have everything delivered or in-the-post now! XD I hope you all love the pins, stickers, prints and patch1
All the best,
Abi