It's been 20 days since I came and disgraced your inbox, and I don't feel comfortable leaving you on radio silent for that long.
Unfortunately, there's not too much to report. Pin production is always going to be the slowest, most boring part of the process.
Vectors have been sent off to the factory, the first half of payment's gone with them, and we are rolling on production. I mentioned this on bluesky, but, our pin production costs are actually substantially lower than I expected.
I calculated my campaign funding based on a different factory's quotes, and was losing my shit that I'd need a line of credit to pay for everything. Turns out, we're within budget. Like... about $200 less, than our full funding amount. I'm not going to treat this like it's a huge victory, since it's still not great with everything happening, but, a break even is far, far better than a loss.
I don't know if we are within schedule estimates yet. It's a lot of files for my rep to finalize, and admittedly, I am using a new factory which is more known for above-average quality than their speed of fulfillment. You know how it goes, you can pick fast, cheap, or good. I picked good and cheap.
I'll give more updates on the pins as they come. Expect sample photos at some point!
Our vinyl sticker order is also placed and paid, and expected within a month or two. My manufacturer is still just five guys in a garage in Maryland and they are still so, so brave for taking on my 1,000 sticker orders. These clowns usually just make ten anime stickers at a time on an average order. Please clap for them.
Just like BIRD CRIMES, I'll probably pre-pack all freebies and order stickers long before pins arrive at my office.
As for personal stuff: my truck is home, and after a graciously-low bill, is up and running again. For a complete electrical FUBAR, $3k in work out of pocket ain't bad. Sentimental shit aside, this is good news for a lot of reasons.
The store stock and mailing supplies that were inside during the theft will probably be salvageable with some ionizer treatment. That's a few hundred bucks I can save, and spend on finally seeing why I can't stand up for more than twenty minutes without getting lightheaded!
Jokes aside, unfortunately, I am dealing with some health shit. It's nothing I didn't know about before, but it's something I thought I nipped with a good diet and better schedule. I don't want to go into a lot of detail, but, I have been lethargic and unfocused since November. There's a few nights I've had to debate going to the ER from work, and let coworkers know to call an ambulance if I didn't come out of the bathroom after feeling "off." It's clear this is affecting my art and business.
You guys have already been unbelievably patient with me thru all of this. I'm not asking for anything else, I just want to disclose why things have been even slower than usual. I just want you to know there is a cause other than "damn, Ken is fucked up this year," and that cause may have a solution.
I have abused the magical power of nepotism to finally get this dealt with, and I'm hoping 2025 is what gets rid of it for real.
Thank you for your patience thus far, and I hope we can finish GAP off with a good final inning.
That being said... I am moving on, and I am aiming to launch a smaller-scale project in February.
You guys gave me ample, fair feedback on GAP and its failures, and based on that, we're going to be doing CRITTER CRIMES.
CRITTER CRIMES launches February 25th, only on BackerKit.
CRITTER CRIMES is a sequel series to the jesus-christ-why-was-this-so-successful BIRD CRIMES. Instead of our avian offenders, this time, we're taking aim at some of America's most scorned wildlife - whether they're rightfully reviled, or not reviled enough.
We're launching with the raccoon, whitetail deer, and domestic cat. But you're special, so, I can show you a few sneak peeks of our other criminals...
Who do you think's responsible for these crimes?
"Ken, this is stupid! Why should I back another CRIMES project? I'm here for the birds!" Well, my friend, I'm glad you asked! I'm offering a FREE BIRD to all returning backers.
Any backer from either BIRD CRIMES or GOLDEN AGE PARROTS will get a free barn owl pin.
He's a little rough, but, he got the spirit.
I'm also opening up some first-ever orders for our exclusive blue jay pin thru this campaign. Plus, considering our fulfillment timeline, there'll be some proud, bright-colored parrots available for preorder...
Give CRITTER CRIMES a follow, and join the email list for updates.
