My last string of updates was made ONLY A DAY OR SO AGO at the 13k mark and I mentioned that I didn’t think we were going to get much further with incoming cancellations and such at the 48 hour reminder. Well you sure proved me wrong, WOW. So thanks so much for 17k and knowing my timing it’ll be 18k by the time this update actually gets published. WOWEE!
No April Fools jokes here today - I’m autistic and can’t detect sarcasm online! Unfortunate considering how sarcastic I am irl. Regardless, got some housecleaning to do:
1: Community Vote Pin You voted, and here is the result! We have quite the cryptid with a jay head, deer body, scorpion legs and claws, fox tail, wings, flora, and fungus! This is now available as a regular pin! This means that you will be able to select it as an add-on right now, or you can select it in the pledge survey as long as you back a tier with regular pins (excluding the complete cycle pledge - that tier is for only the zodiac year pins). Just like the rest of the pins, the metal is copper plating and there will be two backing posts. This will be around 2.5” big.
2. Let’s Talk About That Plushie… So to start - I really want to make this. I already have a manufacturer set up, already have seen and held samples of a similar product to what I would be making, and have a mock up I made back in November - I drew it out before I designed any of the pins in this collection actually. They would be about 12” long and there would be a wire in the neck so it’s pose-able ! The wings would be fun and floppy. I was going to inquire to see if I could get a deal on minimum order quantity for all four colour types since the template would be the same for all of them. It’s going to be so so cute!
So we need to talk about tariffs. Gross, I know. There is a very real possibility that the tariff on Chinese goods (pins and plushies for this campaign) will increase to 30% before I will be able to order and fulfill this campaign.
For perspective, I first planned this campaign before the US presidential election. I finalized the campaign planning around a 10% tariff, then had to quickly pivot and modify some things when the tariffs rose to 20% shortly before we went live. Unfortunately I am not prepared for a 30% tariff as things stand now. If you take 30% of what we have raised and add that on top of everything…. It’s a lot. A whole pin set and then some to be honest.
So we have a bit of a choice to make concerning the plushies. Yes it would break my heart to not make them, but also I need to make sure the pins get here without hassle since that’s the reason you’re all here! Here are some options:
Option 1: We don’t make the plushie at all Yep, this would be breaking a campaign promise and that SUCKS. But it would also ensure I can have some wiggle room for the upcoming customs nightmare.
Option 2: We continue as is I can just add the plush as an add on right away and we carry on. The problem with this is that with the tariff increase I will have to pay for the plushie and taxes out of pocket. It will take me time to scrounge up the extra funds so this will definitely delay the plushie by a lot.
Option 3: I charge more for shipping to prepare I HATE this option. This would be an extra $5-$10 added on to your shipping fee depending on package size. I really don’t want to charge you extra for this. That’s bad. Don’t pick this. I’d feel bad.
Option 4: Make the plushie an unlockable add on in the pre order store This one feels a little weird because we did unlock the plushie already by passing 15k, but I would feel more confident in going forward with the plushie if I knew people were actually going to order it! I would set the unlock point at 30 orders so if we could get to that point I certainly wouldn’t be as worried!
Option 5: Wait and see what happens I, like many folks in Oddities and Obscura, am based in the US. It’s certainly an experience at the moment. Policy has been aggressive for sure, but it’s also been fickle. Maybe all we need to do is wait. But that’s putting the fate of my merch in volatile hands and I don’t really like that either. But it is an option.
I’m attaching a poll to this update so you all can vote on this issue. I definitely want your input! And if the answer is “naw, we don’t like the plush actually” I will not be offended. But best we figure out what we want to do now before the campaign ends!
3. Please check out the other Oddities and Obscura projects if you haven’t yet! Everyone worked so hard on their projects and I’m so honoured to be part of it! Here’s my favorite pins from everyone else’s campaigns - click on the images to go to their campaigns or check out the Oddities and Obscura story section on my campaign page!
AND PLEASE DOUPLE MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT PANGOLIN KNIGHT’S CAMPAIGN! She’s my cross collab partner and her pins are absolutely amazing!!!!
I’ll be back one more time with some design updates but other than that, have a great rest of your night/day and cheers! Happy final 48 hours~
