At last, the pin samples have arrived! I've got lots to show you!
Here are three of the Crenelated Mutants in all their glory! I'm so pleased with how they've turned out. These pins are made from recycled stainless steel, and each has a solvent-free resin dome. I've chosen green rubber clasps for these 40mm (1.6") pins. As I mentioned in my last update, all of the pins have the origami scorpion back print.
Here's Tetracycline, one of the Antibiotic mini-pins. These are the smaller 20mm (0.8") size. I think they look almost like polished stone! These are stainless steel with black rubber clasps. (The Erratic mini-pins will be the same.)
Another look at the Animal Akademia pin, now that I have it in my hands. I'm still keen to make this in brass rather than stainless steel to make it really special! In this case, it will have a gold rubber clasp.
And lastly, the Key-to-the-Castle Keychains have arrived! These are 65mm (2.6") size and are a Thank You for Returning Backers.
I will set orders to lock with 48 hours notice now. You'll still be able to change your shipping address, and I won't charge cards for shipping fees until I'm ready to ship the orders, around the end of April - fingers crossed!
The pre-order store will be open for another couple of days in case you weren't able to back the project during Pintopia.
My next job is to place the final order for the stickers and pins with the manufacturer, and to design the backing cards! Exciting!
Apologies for the silence! I've been patiently waiting for the pin samples I ordered to arrive. I had an email from the manufacturer on Friday to say they had been marked for despatch that day, only there was a problem, which was why they were getting in contact.
Essentially, I'd ordered all of the samples to be made in stainless steel except the Animal Akademia pin - to make this one more special I ordered it in brass. Unfortunately, this hadn't been noticed and instead all of the pin samples have been made in steel. They asked if I wanted to wait while it is remade - I said no, please send it as-is - I'm so eager to see them - but still, we lost a few days and I'm hoping the samples will be despatched tomorrow.
In the meantime, I thought I'd share some pictures of the Animal Akademia pin in progress. I had previously had a sample made in January. You can see it here on the left alongside a wooden sample on the right, on top of the original watercolour drawing.
The eco-metal version came out quite faint, but the manufacturer gave me some advice and I decided to persevere.
Here's the photos they've sent me of the new Animal Akademia pin sample, which looks much better! I needed to put a layer of white behind the illustration, and the manufacturer recommended a dark border, so I made the shape of the whole pin into an oval. I decided to take this approach with all of the pin designs. I've also added my origami scorpion drawing as a stamp to all of the pins!
Hopefully, I'll receive the samples soon and share pictures with you on about Wednesday this week. I'll be locking orders shortly after so that I can place the final pin and stickers order, so please make sure you've made any changes you need to before then. I'm waiting for *just 1* survey to be completed, which is fantastic - thank you all for getting your surveys completed so quickly! I'll lock the orders (with 48 hours warning), but won't be charging cards until I'm ready to send orders out - we're probably looking at the end of April for this.
As well as the pin samples, I'm waiting for a keychain sample for my next project, Deadly Tangle Clothing and Accessories, which is part of the Beasts and Botanicals group-collab I'm running with Jess aka Loadofolbobbins. If you're a creator, do consider joining us - we're accepting applications until this Thursday 2nd April. Also make sure you check out the other fabulous projects on offer, and of course follow for a pre-launch freebie when you back the project!
It's been a busy day of checking and checking again, but I'm pleased to say I've sent the first of the surveys - the Smoke Test. This means that surveys have been sent to 5% of you, and if everything looks ok, then I will send out the rest of the surveys early next week. The survey is your chance to choose the pin designs you'd like, pay shipping fees, and add further items to your order if you'd like to. I've had a few requests from new backers for items from previous campaigns, so you'll find these in the Add-on section!
I've had positive feedback from my pin manufacturer about the pin designs, giving me hope that I'll be sending out orders much quicker than expected! I'll keep you posted on that one! I've ordered the keychains for returning backers today, which is super exciting!
Let me know if there are any issues, otherwise I'll send the rest of the surveys as intended. I look forward to sharing photos of the pin samples and finished items as they arrive!
What a wild ride! Thanks to every single one of you for pledging your support!! We couldn't have done this without you!!
It is so warming to see the names of returning backers popping up! Thank you to new backers too who've come on board to help me make this crazy project a reality! Thanks also to the creator-backers who've given me a boost in the last few days. And all the lovely messages of support. For those of you who've liked and reposted my social media posts, and checked in to see how I was doing! Your support helped me keep going even when I thought the project might not make it to it's funding goal.
It's been a rollercoaster, from "OMG I'm never doing this again!" to excitedly planning a big group-collab with Jess aka Loadofolbobbins!!! (More on that later...) I know that when I put the last box of rewards from this project in the postbox in a few months' time, I'll be shouting "More! More!"
So what's next? Backerkit will now be charging your cards for the amount pledged during the campaign. You'll have two weeks to correct any failed charges, during which time I will be preparing the surveys and polishing up the designs to send to the manufacturer!
Thank you all again and I'll be back in touch soon with the surveys :)
Thanks for all your feedback! I've now added the Engulfed Castle Sticker Set as a pledge level and as an Add-on. This set includes 1 X glossy vinyl 7.7 cm (3") sticker of each of the conquered Engulfed Castle designs. Currently, this is 4 designs = 4 stickers, but if we reach stretch goals and conquer new Engulfed Castle designs, then these will be added to the sticker pack. It's a reward that grows! I've also added the sticker set to the ALL-IN, one of everything pledge level :)
It's easy to switch to this pledge level by finding your email confirming your pledge and clicking 'Update your pledge' or navigating to the campaign and clicking 'Manage your pledge'.
