I’ve seen the feedback (and concerns) about colored electroplating / chrome-style finishes, especially in situations where there’s metal-on-metal friction (loops, clasps, hanging hardware). Thank you for being so candid. I’m taking it seriously, and durability is the priority.
❓ What I’m Doing About It (Before we Commit to Full Production)
I’m actively testing multiple approaches with my manufacturer so we can choose the best path without changing the overall look/feel you pledged for:
Hard enamel remains my goal (it’s also the best base for clean screen-prints).
I’m having multiple samples created and exploring protective finish options.
If the colored plating can’t hold up, I’m going to pivot to more proven platings like gold, rose gold, silver, and black nickel rather than switch the pin style!
I’ll share photos/video as soon as I have them in-hand, and I’ll be transparent about the final decision and why. ☺️
🕜 Survey + Pre-Order Timing (And When Cards are Charged)
A quick logistical note so nobody gets surprised:
The surveys and Pre-order Shop will lock/close on Friday, April 10 (end of day CT).
Any remaining balances for add-ons/upgrades will be charged on Monday, April 13. (If you aren’t adding anything new, you won’t be charged again.)
Shipping will be collected later, closer to fulfillment, once I have final package weights, and I’ll post an update before any shipping charges run!
Pay Over Time Backers: you won’t be locked out. Your survey is released after your final payment clears, and I’ll keep a window open so you can submit your choices even if I’ve locked the main batch of orders.
Thank you again for your patience and for helping me make the most durable, high-quality version of these little guardians possible~ I’ll post again as soon as I have some sample media and a clear finish decision. 💛
~ Qesque 🎨 Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and Bluesky: @Qesque
Hi friends! 💛 I know it’s been a minute since my last update, and I promise I haven’t been avoiding you (or Choir Critters)! 🙏
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of con-booth redesign and travel, taxes/behind-the-scenes admin, and staying in close contact with my manufacturer as we move into production.
🌈 Chrome / Colored Electroplating: What my Manufacturer Warned Me About
A quick manufacturing note: My manufacturer cautioned that colored electroplating is not as durable as standard plating, and it can wear or chip faster if it experiences repeated friction or “collision.” In Choir Critters' case, that matters a bit more than usual because some designs include metal loops + lobster claw clasps / hanging components, which means there’s a higher chance of tiny parts rubbing against the plating over time.
I asked whether a protective epoxy coating could be applied to hard enamel to help with this, but they’ve tested it and haven’t had success with epoxy over hard enamel in a way they’re confident in.
🪽 What We’re Doing About It: Two Angel Opossum Samples
To make the best call before we mass-produce anything, I’m having two Angel Opossum samples made:
Hard enamel + colored electroplating (original plan)
Soft enamel + epoxy over electroplating (more tolerant of friction from attachments)
According to my manufacturer, the pins are receiving plating now, so I’m hoping to have photos/videos soon! 📸 I’ve also requested that both samples be shipped to me so I can physically test scratch resistance, see the finish in person, and then share results with you all. Once I’ve got them in-hand (and gotten your feedback), I’ll be able to move forward with the next round of samples with much more confidence! 💪
In the meantime, here’s a peek at the finished mold for our little Angel Opossum:
🛍️ Survey + Pre-order Shop: Locking Date
Because convention prep took longer than expected (and I promised you an announcement before I lock things), I’m setting:
📌 Next Friday, April 10 as the day I’ll be locking orders and closing the pre-order shop!
If you haven’t completed your survey yet, please try to get it in before then so I can lock counts and keep production moving~
🗓️ Pay Over Time Backers
No stress! You won’t be left behind. Your surveys are released after your final payment clears, and I’ll keep a window open so you can submit your choices even if I’ve already locked the main order counts. (BackerKit sends the survey link within ~72 hours after the final installment processes, so no fear if you don't get it right away!)
🐾🎪 A Little Look at the Con
As mentioned, I redesigned my whole booth and got to show off Choir Critters a bit at C2E2! Huge thank you to everyone who stopped by and/or placed pre-orders at the con. It was an amazing weekend, and I’d love to attend again next year. 💛
That’s all for now!
I’m hoping to share photos/videos of the Angel Opossum samples soon. Until then, have a wonderful weekend, and thank you again for your patience while I do my best to make these little guardians as durable (and delightful) as possible. 😇✨
~ Qesque 🎨 Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and Bluesky: @Qesque
Surveys have officially been sent! If you haven’t seen yours yet, please check your Spam / Promotions folder (and search your inbox for BackerKit). Thank you so much to everyone who’s already been filling them out promptly, it helps a ton with final counts~ 💛
🐾 New Add-Ons: Sticker Packs (Bundle Deals!)
A couple of folks have asked about sticker packs, so I went ahead and added two bundle options to the survey / Pre-order Shop:
10 Purrincipalities Sticker Pack (one of each Purrincipality)
7 Large Stickers Pack (all Deluxe Critter designs) (priced the same as the original 6-pack, plus one additional Large Sticker)
A couple notes for clarity:
These bundles are the only packs I’m offering for now.
The Large Sticker Pack is not mix-and-match (it’s the full set) - this is as a little thank-you to the early backers who jumped in during the campaign.
If you want duplicates, you can still add individual stickers alongside the bundles!
If you already added stickers individually before the bundles were listed, no worries, you can edit your survey and swap your Add-ons around.
🧪 Production Progress: First Samples Ordered!
Fun news: I’ve already sent two vectors to my manufacturer! 🎉
The Angel Opossum pin and the hanging Mouse Charm are now having samples made, so hopefully I’ll have photos to share soon~
🌌🐉 Freebie Sticker Winner: Aurora Seraphim!
The final votes are in, and our community-chosen freebie sticker winner is the Aurora Seraphim!!
That means:
All campaign backers receiving physical rewards will get one Aurora Seraphim sticker for free, and
Pre-order Shop orders of $18+ will also receive one for free~
Thank you again for voting! I can’t wait to get these printed with a fancy finish. 👀✨
More Field Reports to come. 😇🐭💫
~ Qesque 🎨 Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and Bluesky: @Qesque
Hello, my little research patrons!! 💛 I’m in the final stages of survey setup for Choir Critters, which means we’re very close to the next big step.
Survey Status (What’s Happening Next)
I’m about to submit the survey to BackerKit for review, and then I’ll run a smoke test: about 5% of backers from each pledge level will receive surveys first so we can catch any weirdness (missing items, wrong questions, etc.). Once I’ve fixed anything that pops up, I’ll send surveys to everyone.
With any luck, you’ll be seeing your surveys sometime this week! 🤞
(If you already know how surveys work, feel free to scroll down to the Freebie Sticker Poll!)
📝 What is the Survey?
The survey is where you’ll:
Choose your designs for the items included in your pledge level (you can pick duplicates by selecting the same design multiple times if you want!)
Confirm your address (you’ll be able to update it later! I'll email before addresses are locked closer to fulfillment)
Add extra add-ons if you’d like (including anything that was added late or wasn’t available during the campaign)
💳 Add-ons + Payments (Quick & Important)
If you purchased Add-ons during the campaign, you’ll confirm or choose designs in the Add-ons section.
You can also add more during the survey if you want!
You are only charged again if you add additional items.
You may be prompted to review/update your payment info so any added items can be charged properly.
Please Check Your Campaign Payment
BackerKit has been processing charges and retrying any failed payments since the campaign ended. So if you get an email about a payment issue, please update your card as soon as you can so your pledge doesn’t get delayed!
📔 Later items + the Critter Deliveries Sticker Sheet
Anything I added late (or that wasn't available during the campaign) will be available in surveys and the Pre-order Shop. So if you missed something like the Cherubim or The Furbidden One, you’ll still be able to snag them.
Also: for everyone who's interested in Cryptic Omen designs as stickers, here's the 5×7" “Critter Deliveries” Sticker Sheet featuring the remaining designs that aren’t available as individual stickers! Angel • Archangel • Perfectly Normal Pigeon • All 8 Cryptic Omens (Including the Mouse) (Art may change slightly, but the goal is to include everything in this “delivery crew” category.)
🛍️ Pre-order Shop is OPEN (Quick Clarification!)
The Pre-order Shop is live for folks who missed the campaign and still want goodies!
If you already backed the campaign: you don't need to buy anything through the Pre-order Shop. Your survey is where you’ll make your selections and add anything extra!
Shipping note: I’m using Charge Shipping Later. Shipping will be collected closer to fulfillment once I have final package weights and can charge the correct amount. I’ll post an Update before any shipping charges run, so nobody is surprised!
🎉 Fun News + Small Scheduling Note
I made it into C2E2!! If you’ll be in the Chicago area March 27th-29th, come say hi! I’d love to meet you. 👋😄 This also means I’ll be a bit out-of-pocket in late March while I prep/travel, but I’ll still answer messages as I’m able (just possibly a little slower 🙏).
🗳️ Freebie Sticker Final Vote!
The upvotes have been tallied (to the best of my ability), and four designs have risen to contend for our community-chosen freebie sticker. Now it’s time for the final poll!
Important Note: No matter which design wins, the sticker will have a special effect (glitter, holo, etc.)! After we pick the design, I’ll research a few sticker manufacturers and share effects samples/options in a later update so we can vote on the final effect together~
Okay friends… we have our Cherubim sighting at last!!! 👀✨ Thank you for your patience as I conducted the necessary research on these fine feathered friends. 🙏
Cherubim are guardians of thresholds, sacred spaces, and the kind of “do not touch” knowledge best left out of our hands. They are full-spectrum beings of color and light, like stained glass given wings. Their feathers and panes reflect and refract so intensely that witnesses report getting blinded… but not before glimpsing fractal patterns stretching endlessly through those translucent, impossible wings.
Eyes bloom across the stained-glass feathers, while delicate filigree trace along the arms of each wing. Gemstone eyes stud their skin, watchful, cataloging every movement. They remain statuesque, as if to say "I won't attack you, but I will calmly deny you access." Because prolonged observation is… not recommended, some details remain unconfirmed. Reports vary wildly: four heads,human hands, and other impossible features. And honestly? If a being can manipulate light itself, every description could simply be an illusion.
Important Note: this artwork isn’t final. That said, I’ll be staying as close and as true to the current design as humanly possible.This design may need small adjustments to suit the stained glass enamel. The “stained glass” shown in the mockup won’t match the final product exactly, but I’ll keep everyone updated as samples come in! 😇
LAST CALL: Freebie Sticker Votes! 🗳️
Today is the last day to get your freebie sticker comments in! ✨ You can suggest the Cherubim as a design, as well!
If you haven’t yet, please drop your suggestion / upvote your favorites on the original voting Update so everything stays in one place:
📅 Voting closes today, Friday the 20th, at 11:59 PM CST, when I’ll tally the upvotes. And to keep things clean, I’ll take the top 4 contenders and run a final poll to crown our sticker champion! 🏆🐾
Thanks again, guys! And please remember: do not stare directly at the Cherubim. 😵🪽
~ Qesque 🎨 Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and Bluesky: @Qesque
