Hello hello!!

I was going to make this update as part of the survey coming out- but the survey is not out. The few days that had me sick have certainly delayed my progress on defeating pledge manager. I have to descend into the trenches once I'm back from Dublin Comicon this weekend. This entire next week will be dedicated into the surveys, the pre-order store, and sweating.

Once the survey is out, you will get 10 days to fill it out.

The second sock samples are on their way to be produced, along with the new design now too that the manufacturer is back from holiday. They will take about 2 weeks from writing this update.

If you haven't watched my review yet for the previous samples, here it is again: INSTAGRAM  |  TIKTOK

You guys have voted for the anomalocaris foil print for the postcard! That's great because I highkey wanted to do that one too. So here it is!

All the gold will be foil!
This postcard comes as a freebie with every order, but you can get extras during the survey.

Here they are~

I definitely did not put the wrong text on the trilobite fossils.

Here's the actual Opabinia sticker for backers who pledged within the first 48 hours:

I might put sparkles on it too (it will be homemade!)

You'll see these graphics during the survey too.

This charm will probably not be shown for confirmation during the survey- That is because I will count your extra survey add-ons (excluding shipping) as part of the pool. So if you only spend €39 during the main campaign with add-ons, you can add extra things during the survey to make it to the €45 mark. Or add the roach itself for a fee (rubs my little roach arms together menacingly.)

I'll add the roach after the surveys are over to everyone's orders. So don't sweat if you don't immediately see it as part of your pledge.

My post office is a [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED], and I'm sure I sounded like a deranged conspiracy clown from the Live Chat transcript from early this week. Thanks to my collab partner I think I have found another fullfillment partner that would be a dream to work with for tracked mail provided it's not a scam. I will be testing it out with my Etsy and custom orders for the next while.

It could potentially lower the tracked shipping price if we're lucky. This does give me that headache that I may not be able to charge for shipping until I am 100% sure that the service is legit. However, it if does end up being trustworthy, I'll be able to charge €13 for international tracked orders instead of €17-21. Europe is cheaper too.
This is mainly for TRACKED things (so if you have 3+ standard pins.)

I think this may be a necessary thing to do in the end, because I want to strangle some CEO throats right now.

Okay I shall see you all next week to continue the project making good headway!! Have a lovely thrusday and friday and weekend ya'll!

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!

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...

> Click here to vote on the poll

Voting ends on friday.

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.

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:

INSTAGRAM  |  TIKTOK

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.

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 :] 

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.

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*

See you all soon! And don't forget to vote!

WOW!!!! What a turnout in the last 48 hours of the campaign!
I truly wasn't expecting such a last minute push, where did you all come from?! We were hovering around the XL Arthropleura pin goal for a VERY long time (even dipped back under it at one point!) and then suddenly we skyrocket past 200 backers that we've been trying to get for so long!!!

You know what that means!

The Hallucigenia mini pin is now unlocked! It will be an add-on in the survey :]

But... that's not the only goal we unlocked... We had a very big special last goal too and that was.... oh dear.......

The extra sock design was actually quite the ambitious goal- but it was part of your community voted stretch goal so I can't give up on it!! No siree.

However....

I NEED YOUR HELP.... I need ideas! What would YOU like to see for the sock?? Please please please let me know omg. I will compile some ideas and sketches in the next few days for everyone and have a mockup before the survey is ready. But I seriously need your input!

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EITHER WAY.....

This has been an unprecedented outcome from the campaign. I seriously didn't expect much, especially with so many campaigns as part of Pintopia- I would have been completely happy just unlocking the main 8! But ya'll..... Ya'll will make my CRY. Seriously. THANK YOU everyone. This has been an incredible three weeks, seeing your excitement, your feedback, your comments, it keeps me going even through how tiring making campaigns can be. And in the middle of con season no less! You should all be proud of yourselves for the collective effort of making these real!

You all get a cookie and a beetle in amber from me! Ye deserve it. A little party is well earned! 🎊🍾

Oh dear, it seems like we are in the last 24 hours of the campaign now. That's both scary and exciting!!

If you're worried about Backerkit blocking your card for charging multiple times in one day once all campaigns are over- do not worry. You will be able to add extra items during the survey stage once it is released at the end of February!

So let's do a quick Q&A!

Jay where is the postacard!!!??!
I hear you crying out. I'm also crying out. I will do my best to get it done before the survey is released! The design of it will be polled from the first few thumbnail sketches.

I want the Rubber Charm freebie but I'm strapped for cash right now!
No worries, your survey additions count towards that total too! So even if you spend under the €45 treshold during the main campaign to stay in budget, once the survey rolls around (in three weeks time for new payday rollover) you can add more items to reach the freebie and it will count!

I don't want any of the pins but I still want socks/stickers/charms. What do?
Well my dear friend, that is what the Tip Jar pledge is for! You get the €1 tier, you get access to the add-on store. While the Tip Jar pledge doesn't usually qualify you for freebies, if you're spending an equal or over the amount a pin costs through add-ons, you can still earn them for yourself. Because I appreciate you! But also the freebies do cost me money so the minimum to qualify is to spend over €12!

Have the new shipping prices been implemented yet?
Yes! The online calculator for my post office was finally updated, and I was able to edit the shipping section for you to review.
As much as I usually trust my post office to deliver most mail fine without tracking, since this is an investment for everyone, anything over 2 pins will be tracked. And if you're getting over 10 pins it will also be insured, which is a slightly higher price, but it's a safer option.

If you are from the USA, I really really really urge you to read about the tariff situation in the shipping section.
I understand that a lot of backers will be put off by that, hence all the group order options. I will reiterate on that during the survey too, and collect valid email addresses in case you prefer a different one to be contacted by for the tariffs.

I want a lot of extra pins but would like a discount.
I hear you! Other creators have given me the idea to include the x4 pin pledge to be an add on as well that includes the discount per pins. So instead of getting 4 extra pins for €12 each, you can get the x4 pins add-on for €47. The same goes for the whole set.

When will the final artworks be done for all the pins?
Before the end of the survey, I would hope. If I don't manage in time, I may extend the survey.

What even IS the survey???
It's where I will collect your address, details on which pins you'd like, and where you'll be able to select extra add-ons. What the main campaign charges is your initial pledge, during the survey you're charged a second time for shipping, extra add-ons, etc. It's less straining on your wallet that way.

Do you ever take breaks?
Absolutely not, bury me with the bugs when I perish from this mortal coil.

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We can't forget about our lovely collab partner now can we?
38% of ye have pledged to both me and Extrashvaganza! Which will earn ye one freebie pin from each of us. Isn't that just exciting! That's quite a high number of ye. I'm really happy you all vibe with the both of us :D

Can I get them separately without backing both campaigns?
Oh aren't you cheeky. Not for a long time you will not! Left overs of my little trash bug will only be available at in-person conventions. So you better get to it!

And, as you know, if you back any 3 projects in the Animal Akademia banner, you'll aslo get this wee little ancient moth pin (I don't feel like writing out it's name again.)

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Now let's get this show on the road! Let me know what you're most excited for :]

Well! I am back from Scotiacon just in time for the last 48 hour countdown to the campaigns end after my 5 day work-day holiday (where I both worked the weekend as a vendor and was a furry the other days)

Unfortunately, my overworked ass got destroyed by the AC in the hotel, and I crave to rip my sinuses out (do crows have sinuses?) I suppose that's what I get for non stop con crunch since November!

Anyway! Let's celebrate omg! Only 2 days left now, and I get to go right back into finalising things just before the end.

First off, thank you SO MUCH to everyone that has so far made this happen. Ya'll are genuinely the coolest and sexiest prehistoric lovers out there, did ye know that? I hope ye that!

Secondly, remember the poll for extra stretch goals? Well, there was one answer that was also in the top 3, and that was a rubber charm!

Welcome the Manipulator (what a name huh?), a cockroach from ye olden times. This guy will be around 2.5in as per usual, and will come free with pledges over €45, this counts if you have any add-ons! So if you pledged for only 1 or 2 pins, but have extra add-ons, you will qualify for it so long it reaches the treshold!

Alternatively, it is also available as an add-on for just €10 :)

Rubber charms actually use the same techniques as enamel pins do, and usually come in the same price range, but I am offering it for a cheaper price during the campaign because I love ye a lot and the Manipulator was originally meant to be part of this from the beginning! (It just got outshined by cooler bugs.)

I'm sure some of you have already spotted this, but you are now able to also grab the big arthtropleura pin, all the mini pins as either individuall or as a set (the set has a discount on each pin!) As well as you know who~

If you were apprehensive about backing the campaign until now too, then this is going to be the whole range of pins/items now! You get to see them all in full coloured glory. All the photos on the campaign page have been edited and should be correct (if they're not, kick me in the ass.)

We're getting close to the 200 backer amount too, which is the last stretch goal left to unlock the Hallucigenia mini pin!

I was REALLY hoping that one of the four packages that arrived when I was gone were the sock samples. My manu seriously pulled out all the stops to get revisions of both socks done before their holiday- which means they didn't manage to get photos made of one of them. This is the only revision I have received so far in photo form:

NEW ---- OLD

It's like playing spot the difference, I admit, but it is the grey on the arthropleura that has been changed to a darker shade, I think it pops a little better. I also tried changing my username to the same grey on the cuff, but it didn't work out. I wonder if I should stick with the black or... maybe use the light green? I NEED YOUR INPUT....

Now the package IS in my country's sorting center. But I don't think it has cleared customs. So my hope of it arriving before the end of the campaign is.... low. BUT, if you were still thinking of wanting the SOCKS ONLY from this project, there are two options for you:
1- Use the Tip Jar pledge worth €1 where you will then be able to add the socks during the survey stage.
2- Wait until the pre-order store opens with the final pictures.

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That's all for now! If you'd like to help and get more people to pledge to unlock the Hallucigenia, feel free to share the project with a friend or two! I have plenty of posts about the campaign on my socials too. Every like, comment and share seriously helps out in the algorhythm.

Let's get this party going these last two days B))

And in the meantime, let me know what YOUR favourite pin is so far. Which one are you looking forward to the most? 👀