By now, most of you guys (about 73%) have filled out the survey that was e-mailed to you. Thank you for getting it done so quickly. If you did not receive an e-mail (likely went to spam), feel free to use this link to find your curated survey: https://yakudoshi.backerkit.com/

I've had some issues that were addressed to me, post smoke test, unfortunately. This is probably due to my time constraints when traveling for conventions and editing in my free time + absolute e x h a u s t i o n. But it was brought to my attention that I had made some errors, so I'm here to address it:

1. Sifter of Dredge was missing from the add-on enamel pins section, but it has since been fixed. If you were looking to get him added onto your pledge and weren't able to, you should be able to now!

2. The cost of enamel pins (via pledge levels not preorder store) were priced incorrectly and was accidentally priced at a lower point ($12) than when the campaign was live ($13), so it was adjusted accordingly to match the campaign pricing. I do apologize for any inconvenience that might have caused you guys. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to message me! 
That being said - I do have some sample photos for you:

These are a small handful of pics I've received. Every single design has received a greenlight except for one which will have some minor edits. The patches are finished and soon everything else will  go into production! The longest wait will be the notebooks since getting them made is a timely ordeal in itself. Once I get a timeline for when those will be finished, I'll be sure to update you. 

Good morning - 

A very quick update to let you know that the smoke tests have been sent out. Smoke test surveys are randomly sent out to 5% of backers from each category to make sure that everything runs smoothly and there are no errors (on my part), and if there are, it'll be an easy adjustment/fix without having to notify everyone and cause more confusion. 

I'll give the smoke testers some time to fill out their survey; it may take a day or two for that information to come in and if there are no hiccups, everything will go out afterwards!

Another reminder is that your survey will NOT have shipping included, due to the constant fluctuation of shipping prices. 

Anyway, that's it for now! Thank you guys for your patience and we'll be in touch soon ❤️

A very quick update to let you guys know that if you missed out on pledging towards the campaign while it's live, that it's not the end! The pre-order shop is now open~

I don't have a timeline for how long I'll keep it open, but when it comes time for the shop to close, I'll make another announcement.

For Backerkit, the backend is pretty streamlined, though there are still some confusing aspects when it comes to creating the surveys and fulfillment. For example: creating a format that auto-sorts individuals who've qualified for the enamel pin freebie when having pledged towards 2 or more pins.

I won't try to explain it 'cause it's confusing to write out (just as it is confusing to try and create an auto-sort for it), so I'll just let it be known that those who pledged towards 2 or more pins via the pledge level (not add-on) will see a freebie pin listed in their order. Those who pledged towards 2 or more pins via add-ons will not see a freebie pin listed in their order until after surveys are sent out, and they are completed.

Rest assured that I'll be checking (and double checking) with the help of Backerkit staff to ensure everyone gets what they're owed~

Counting down the days until I'm able to send out the surveys to you all. I'm excited!

A sketch of me chibify-ing the Calamities during slow hours (it was like the entire time) of a con this last weekend:

Between traveling to Germany, working at three conventions, and losing an iPad, we've successfully funded the campaign. Thank you to each and every single one of you for your support and enthusiasm in this project.

I was an absolute bundle of nerves when it came to launching this project. I haven't ever done a campaign where the critters and creatures were entirely original with lore. And it seems that I've created a world much bigger than I intended as I do have future projects lined up for the Calamity. Such as extending the patches to accommodate each Calamity and more prints and perhaps omamori charms down the like as well! I really wish I had more time to design more prints, but it takes up so much time. I don't want to give away too much and ruin the fun for you guys, so I'll continue releasing teasers overtime.

Anyway, now that the campaign is over, a lot of you guys might be wondering: 

Right now, we're in the "waiting" period. It takes about 2 weeks for Backerkit to wrap up things on their end. Once the 14 days are up, I'll be releasing the surveys. They're already partially completed, but I'll have to get it approved by Backerkit, and then I'll send it over to you guys. It'll ask you what designs you want, how many of each designs, and if you want anymore add-ons to package with your pre-existing order! 

For those who wanted to pledge and forgot - worry not for I'll have a pre-order shop open later today or tomorrow.

That's it for now! 

Here's a complication of some of the Calamity in sketch form:

Once again, thank you to each and every single one of you guys - from the bottom of my heart.

I can't wait to see these designs come to life!!

❤️ -

In our last update, I mentioned Dissonance would be the last of the Calamity I would design - however, while I was going through a drawing file, I happened across a sketched piece that ended up being forgotten until yesterday.

For funsies, here is the step by step process of creating Dredge:

I don't remember what my thought was in the initial sketch. I was partly distracted in Germany, while trying to generate ideas to work with. I didn't pursue it any further at the time since I couldn't develop any ideas or inspiration beyond what I had sketched until I discovered him again. From the first sketch, which resembled more of a moray eel, I changed him to look more in tune with a snake: the horned viper was the inspiration for this piece.

I think the serpent concept finally resonated with me because I was watching youtube shorts of burrowing snakes and thought they were the cutest things - so Dredge became his name.

Why?

Most of the Calamity work independently of each other. They're often seen on their own, as they work best alone. However, Dirge and Dredge had teamed up over the course of countless years, working in tandem. This also gives reason to why I gave Dredge a pair of horns, so he could resemble more like Dirge! It's like their siblings, but Dredge is so much smaller than his counterpart.

___

Iron On Patches - something a few of you guys had asked about and I thought what I ended up designing was a pretty cool concept:

To further go into detail with the patches: they will be best adhered onto apparel such as shirts, jeans, and hats. They'll be woven patches, instead of the traditional embroidered, to give a smoother and more detailed finish. They'll also have a locked edge, which means the red border will wrap around the edge to help maintain the integrity of the piece. It also just gives it a more polished look, too.