Hi, all!
I am popping in quickly to share photos of the finished Natural Color Orange Anxiety Fox plush!! I am still floored that this design is the most popular, considering i...
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Nao (HelloStrays)
about 1 month ago
Shipping Fixed + Tanuki + Natural Orange
Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for completing your surveys early! 76% of you finished your surveys so this is extremely helpful when I put the order in! <3
🌸 Shipping Price Is...
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Nao (HelloStrays)
about 1 month ago
READ ME: Surveys are live!
Hi, everyone!
I am super pleased to announce that the surveys are completed and LIVE! Thank you for your patience! Backerkit was a big help with making sure the surveys were cl...
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Nao (HelloStrays)
about 1 month ago
Corgi hood + Emotional Support Bandana DONE!
Hi, all!
I hope that you all are doing well and had a good week!
Corgi Hood
The corgi hood is FINISHED and came out so cute! I am really excited for you guys to get this one...
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Nao (HelloStrays)
about 2 months ago
WE DID IT! + What's Next? + Patreon Hood + MORE!
After being extended for about an hour, the campaign finished at $116,238, thanks to all 2,068 of you! I am still processing this all and it is hard for me to realized that over...
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Nao (HelloStrays)
about 2 months ago
New Hood revealed, New Freebie, Lanyard photos, AHHH!!!
Hi, all!
The campaign ends tonight at 11:00PM EST!! Backerkit has a new feature that allows the campain go be extended past 11PM if backers continue to come. Whether or not tha...
I am popping in quickly to share photos of the finished Natural Color Orange Anxiety Fox plush!! I am still floored that this design is the most popular, considering it was added in last minute. Here are the much anticipated photos! My manu was so sweet and took these photos during her own trip and I am forever thankful!
🌸 Tanukis and Raincoats are ALMOST There!
Since I am commited for each plush and accessory to be the best they can be, the rain coats and Tanuki plushes are going through one final revision! The revisions are small but I want to ensure that each item meets my stamp of approval.
Don't worry! In the even that the samples are not approved by May 15th then I will extend the Survey Completion deadline! This way, you don't have to feel rushed with your decision. I hope this helps!
I will be back home from a trip tomorrow but will immediately go sell in the dealers den at FWA this weekend! I will bring some of the Pocket Friends plush if you wanted to see them in person.
Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for completing your surveys early! 76% of you finished your surveys so this is extremely helpful when I put the order in! <3
🌸 Shipping Price Issue
With the amount of add-ons, pricing for shipping increased a bit, but I released that there was a mistake and the shipping was higher than usual! Thank you all so much for bringing this to my attention! I was able to adjust the shipping cost and it should have automatically reflected on your orders. Since no one is being charged until May 15th, you all should be set!
For PayPal users, it looks like everyone was already charged. I am going to look at each PayPal order over the week since half of the current orders didn't have the updated shipping applied. I will refund the difference for the shipping! <3
If you have any questions or concerns, please comment below!
🌸 Natural Orange Anxiety Fox Update
I am surprised how popular this design is! It is currently sitting at the number one spot as most ordered design, so thank you so much!!!
I was presented a prototype but felt the orange was too bright/ eye straining. I have asked the factory to select an orange that is softer on the eyes! I asked for more swatches in orange and was shown this swatchbook! The orange here looks perfect!
🌸 Tanuki Update
Here is an update on Tanuki! I was super picky about the muzzle and I am so happy with how it looks now! White Tanuki is being made now (I asked them to focus on getting the pattern 100% right first) but AHH Look at them!!
The embroidered marking between the arms WILL be darker as well!
🌸 Peorders Now Open!
If you missed the campaign, you can still adopt Pocket Friends here! You only have until May 15th! <3
I am super pleased to announce that the surveys are completed and LIVE! Thank you for your patience! Backerkit was a big help with making sure the surveys were clear and easy to understand. I hope it was worth the slight delay since there shouldn't be any issues regarding the survey!
You will be emailed your survey. You can also find it by logging into your Bacerkit account!
You can choose the exact color/ style for your items in your survey! Take your time and I hope you have fun selecting your new friend(s). I am really excited to see what colors are popular!
🌸 FREE keychain if you finish your survey by May 15th!
Completing surveys by this time will help me determine the right amount of each item to order! It is a huge help to me, so I hope that getting a free keychain will encourage you all to complete your survey by that time. That gives you about a month!
Isn't it cute?
🌸 Can I add on more items to my pledge?
YES! You will be able to add on additional items to your pledge, as well as pay, all in one spot! You will also be able to select the exact color, styles etc for each item!
🌸 Shipping is collecting during surveys
As the stated on the survey, all shipping will be collected through surveys. This makes sure that we have an accurate box weight! If you have any questions, comment below.
🌸 What if I move?
No worries! You can change your address up until November and/or when we begin shipping everything out. Don't worry, I will give updates to remind you all.
🌸 Patreon Hood
Please refer to the latest Patreon Update (you can also find it here) to find out how to claim your Patreon Hood! You can also find a mockup of the Hood on that update! :)
🌸 Tanuki Plush toys + Natural Orange Anxiety Fox?
These are getting their final (hopefully) pass on prototyping and should be completed by this week! If you want to wait until the prototypes are done before completing your survey, you are more than welcome to!
🌸 Be sure to refer back to this update for changes!
I may update this update in order to add in more information, especially for answers for frequent questions.
That should be everythign! Thank you all SO SO SO MUCH!!! If you have any questions, please comment below!
I hope that you all are doing well and had a good week!
Corgi Hood
The corgi hood is FINISHED and came out so cute! I am really excited for you guys to get this one, if you ordered it!
Emotional Support Bandana
The Emotional Support design bananda is finished! It looks so soft so I hope you all look forward to this one!
Survey Update
The surveys are nearly done! I just need to add new photos and get Backerkit to approve of them. I hope to have them out next week, actually, since we are ahead of schedule!
Once I get the other prototypes sent to me by the manufacturer, I will make another update!
What if I missed the campaign??
If you missed the campaign but would still like to order a Pocket Friend, then you're in luck! I will be opening the Pre-Order store through backerkit for a few weeks. This will be the only opportunity to secure goods from this campaign, if you haven't backed it already. Please stay tuned! I hope to have that up when backers receive their surveys.
The campaign ends tonight at 11:00PM EST!! Backerkit has a new feature that allows the campain go be extended past 11PM if backers continue to come. Whether or not that happens, I wanted to maybe throw a little party over at discord, as we all wait for 11PM together! You can join here:
After discuss fabric options with my manu, they said it was possible to print on waterproof fabric.. which means, you can protect your little friend with a custom Raincoat! This Raincoat is classified as a "Hood Accessory" so you can add this to your pledge for $10.
Lanyard samples are FINISHED and they look wonderful! I am so pleased with them and I'm looking forward to giving you all one free lanyard! If you want more, you can add on extra in the Add-On Shop! :)
🌸 Another Gift to You All
I wanted to thank you all again for helping this campaign reached as far as it did by offering a set of mini pins! Each backer will receive one set of these two mini pins for free! This was an awesome suggestion by someone on the Patreon server! <3
Let's enough the end of the campaign together! Thank you SO MUCH again for pledging, your kind words, and spreading the campaign around! I am soooo so so excited to get these all out to you and see all the Pocket Friends enjoying their new adventures with you!!
After being extended for about an hour, the campaign finished at $116,238, thanks to all 2,068 of you! I am still processing this all and it is hard for me to realized that over 2,000 people believed in this project that means the world to me. Sometimes I think I say too much or too little, but I hope I can make it clearly how extremely grateful I am for all of your support!! I am over the moon now!!!
Mental Health is something that I am extremely passionate about and I cannot thank you all enough to helping me out on this mission! I take all my Pocket Friends with me to many places, especially new and stressful situations. They prove me something to stim on and squeeze and has been very helpful. I hope they can be helpful to you all too, even if you just need a little companion to take photos with! Nothing is too small for these little guys.
I read every single comment and each one filled my heart with so much love. I am so honored that you all chose to back this project!!!
I am so so excited to see Pocket Friends having adventures all over the world!
🌸 What's Next???
I am currently hard at work drafting and reviewing the surveys to send out to all of you guys! In addition, I am working closely with my manufacturers to make sure prototypes are 100% approve, getting a head start on logistics.etc etc! By April 15th, funds will be released to me and then I will put all items into production in May.
You will have until April 15th to make sure your payment goes through. If you have any concerns, don't hesitate to contact me!
🌸Can I still add on additional items to my pledge?
Yes! You can add items through your Backerkit Survey once it goes live. You can add items up until November.
🌸 How do I pick out the exact Pocket Friend I want???
All Pocket Friends (besides jumbo Rainbow Friend) are selectable through any tier with at least one Pocket Friend! That includes all six original colors and these unlocked variants: Gray, Baby Blue, Clown, Tanuki, Natural T anuki, Natural YELLOW Anxiety Fox, and Natural ORANGE Anxiety fox.
By April 15th, I will be sending surveys out! All designs are unlocked so you can select the exact design/color you wish once surveys are out.
For more information, continue reading.
🌸 Surveys will go out by April 15th!
Once all prototypes are finished and Approved, I will send out the surveys! This way, backers know exactly what the finished plush toy will look like and there won't be any surprises.
Through the survey, you can..
Enter your address (you can change it until November 1st)
Pay for shipping
Select the exact pocket friend(s) design(s) you want
Add on additional items to your pledge!
If any of this is confusing for you then do not worry, I will make an update that will give clear instructions on how to complete the survey.
Of course, expect more updates before the surveys are released since I will be showing more finalized plush toys to you all!
🌸 Early Survey Completion Freebie
Surveys really help me out with knowing the rough quantity I should order for each design. If you finish your survey by April 26th, you will get a FREE KEYCHAIN! If you are unable to finish the survey by then, no worries! Don't feel rushed if you haven't made up your mind yet!
Stay tuned as we get closer to when surveys go live.. since I will be revealing the design then!
As reminder, backers who pledged for at least one pin will be getting a free lanyard and mini pin set!
🌸 Patreon Exclusive Design
There is a Patreon Exclusive Hood design! I posted it in the link below (you must be a Patreon to view it). Once I make the update announcing surveys are sent and live, please look for an additional update on Patreon in order to know how to claim your Exclusive Hood! I will make instructions more clear then. $1 Patrons are elligible to purchase the hood and $5+ Patrons can get the hood for free, as long as they remain a Patron until the end of April.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know! I am happy to answer them! <3 Be sure to look at the comments in this update first before posting questions, since it may already be answered in the comments below.
From the bottom of my heart, I am extremely gratiful for each and every one of you! I hope you all look forward to more updates!
I woke up in the middle of the night to the Discord server sending me a lot of excited and sweet messages and as I read them.. I realized that the last stretch goal was UNLOCKED! When launching this project, I was so nervous since I haven't done a plush crowdfunding project since 2020. It means SO much to me that you all believe in this project, show enthuiasm, and more! I am still processing this all, so I hope to calm down a bit so I can write a proper thank you update... HAHA! I am channeling all the jitteriness by updating the campaign story, Pledge descriptions etc etc!
BUT!
🌸 Tanuki Photos!
Thank you all for being so patient about Tanuki! Here are PHOTOS!! As you can see, the factory has to do one last set of revisions (nose should be an oval, change the rings on the tail etc) but overall, the shape is PERFECT!! What do you think? Here is the natural color as well!!!
🌸 Natural Color Anxiety Fox Colors
Orange is winning but I also love yellow.. so.. BOTH colors will be made! You can choose with one (or both) when you all get your survey. Here is a better image of the mockups, as well at the photos of the yellow plush again!
🌸 Clown Updated!
The manu updated the clown and now, it is perfect!! The clown nose is large and now, the tail is a softer fur and each tail will be "random" colors of soft pastel rainbows! Excuse the cruddy ph otos. I will ask the manu to retake them!
Any pledge with at least one Pocket Friend can select the clown plush design!
🌸 Tote Bags Add-Ons NOW Available!
Having a hard time keeping all your Pocket Friends together? I have now added a reusable totebag to the add-ons! These totebags are waterproof, strong, and even fold into itself in the inner pocket!
Tote-bags are $15 each!
🌸 New Hoods!
New hoods are in the works and will be revealed tomorrow! I am super excited about these designs! As a reminder, Patreon members will get access to an exclusive hood as well! I hope you all look forward to seeing the designs tomorrow!
🌸 THANK YOU!
Thank you all so much.. omg.. I am speechless and EXTREMELY GRATEFUL for your support and kind words on this project! As someone who suffers from severe anxiety and other disabilties, I have been taking the Pocket Friend prototypes with me to the doctor, new places etc in order to help comfort me and "stim" on them. They are so helpful for me so I hope they can be helpful for all of you too!
Can you believe we are less than three days left on the campaign? It felt like it both took forever but also went by so quick.. it is so hard to explain! I am forever grateful for all of your support, kind words, suggestions, and more!
Clown Prototype
Here is the clown prototype so far! Please nose that the nose was slightly digitally altered (I made it bigger for the revision) and that the tail will be changed to fluffier fabric!
The neck ruffle is removable! :)
Neck ruffle is removable!
Corgi Hood
The corgi hood is NEARLY done! Below is a small photo manipulation since the manufacturer needs to edit the ears slightly. I am so so excited for this one! Corgi hoods are now on the add-on shop for $10!
Which color do YOU want for Natural?
Here is progress on the natural guy! I think he came out really pretty!
So! I got great feedback on the Discord server about the natural color! The reason why I choose the gold is because I always loved the look of how Japan designs foxes that way.
Some asked for the color to be "regular fox" so I decided to toy with it. I like both! I have a poll below. If we are able to unlock the last tier then I will offer BOTH orange and yellow variants, if the poll is tied!
First of all, I am so happy you all are enjoying the "Where is Anxiety Fox?" daily challenges! Each photo was so much fun to plan and set up! As a reminder, you can play by checking out our Twitter or Instagram.
I am so excited to announce that Tanuki has been UNLOCKED! Thank you all so much for supporting this campaign, sharing it around, and being so amazing! I am so thrilled to introduce another character to the Anxiety Fox and Friends plush line and I cannot thank you all enough for making this happen!!!!
How do I add Tanuki to my pledge???
You can add/ select Tanuki by adding on a pPocket Friend/ pledging for any Pocket Friend tier! At the end of the campaign, you will receive a survey that will ask you which exact Pocket Friend (any unlocked Anxiety Fox color or Tanuki)!
🌸 Hoods Update!
The hoods are NEARLY finished and I am so excited for you all to check them out! I wanted to make sure they are 100% approved before listing them as an add on. This way, there are no suprises! In the mean time, here is a revision of what was sent to me. Don't worry.. the color will NOT be that awful yellow.. haha! I am confident the next revision will be final and will be finished before the campaign ends! :D
Also, I plan on adding more hood styles! Those will most likely be availalble as add-ons after the campaign (through Backerkit survey) BUT it is very likely that they will be available to add on during the campaign so we can push towards the final stretch goal!
🌸 Support me on Patreon!
Did you know that the entire development of Pocket Friends was revealed to Patron last year, before announcing to the world? It's true! If you enjoy my work and want to keep up with what I have in store (I am really excited since I have so much ideas for this year), then consider joining my Patreon! Patreon is like a fancy way to give me a tip each month but you will get behind the scenes access, Patron only channel on the discord, Pin Club, Sticker Club, and more!
Also.. between you and me.. Patreon members will have access to an exclusive hood pattern for Pocket Friends!
I hope you all had an awesome week! It is crazy to think that we have a week to go.. time flies! I am so thankful for all of you who backed the project, shared with friends, and being so so kind! I am extremely grateful for each and every one of you!
Onto some exciting stuff!
Gray variant sample is finished! A copy is being made now and will be sent to me. The bandanas are nearly done and the Corgi hoods just need one more revision. I expect those any day now! I am so excited to see this one next to the white and black versions! Printer toner gang... haha!! I like to think of this little one as a rain cloud.
🌸 Join us on Discord!
The Discord server is UP! Please take a look at the rules, roles.etc and once you got all that sorted, we welcome you to chat with us all! As always, if you have any suggestions, please let me know. I hope the server can be a safe space for all of you and I strive to keep it that way!
To make the final days fun and excited, I wanted to release a daily "Find Anxiety Fox" photo came! Each day, I will be releasing a photo where an Anxiety Fox plush is hiding. Try to find them!
Since I do not want to spam you all with updates, you can also play on 🔗Twitter or 🔗Instagram!
Here is the first photo! Hint.. find White Anxiety Fox!
I hope you all had a good week! Thank you all again for backing this project!
Exciting news.. Baby blue variant is done! I am hoping the manufacturer can send this over to me, along with the other samples, so I can take cute photos for you all!
What do you think? I think it came out so soft and cute!!
Remember, you can choose the color(s) for your Pocket Friends when you receive the questionnaire/ survery at the end of the campaign. Through the survey, you will be able to select the exact color(s) you want, add-on extra items if you desire, and enter your address! Don't worry, if you are going to move before delivery, you can change the address up until we are expected to ship in the Fall!
Clown and gray variant plush toys are still in the protoyping phase but once those are done, I am really excited to share them with you!!!
Bandana Design Number TWO
Here is a mock up for the "Emotional Support Plush" bandana!! Of course, the actual bandana will be much better and less flat looking.. haha!! To make things easier, you can just add this design through the Bandanan add-on listing on the Add-on page, and after the campaign, you can choose between this design or the paws!
Discord Soon!
I am in the process of making the discord group! I am not very good at the intial set up (yay, ADHD!!!) so if any of you wanted to volunteer your time to give me some tips and help, please let me know!
Thank you all SOOOOOOOO so so much for your amazing support, patience, and kindness with this campaign! You are all seriously so kind and a delight to speak with and I am so lucky that the backers of this project are all so chill and amazing!!!!
I hope you all have an awesome week! Thank you all again for supporting this campaign and being amazing!
I've got samples ordered for baby blue and clown Pocket Friends, as well as the bandanas and hoods. Once they are finished, I will share them here. I am so excited to have a little rainbow in my home once they all arrive and I am so eager to send them all to their new homes!
🌸 Bandanas
Looks like I got a sample photo of the bandana early! It is so cute! only have minor changes (make the ends longer so they can be tied with a double knot) but overall, I am so pleased! What do you think?
Bandanas are going to be $5 each ! They are now on the add-on store! Once the others are done, I will make them their own add-ons to make things easier.
🌸 Next Stretch Goal??
There were so many requests for natural colors for Anxiety Fox so, after some thought, I wanted to reveal the next stretch goal.. Natural color for Anxiety Fox and Tanuki! This is a first for Anxiety Fox so I hope you are all looking forward to them! They will be unlocked together at $95,000.
Thank you all SOOOOOOOOOO so so much again! ;0;
🌸 Where else to support me ?
🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️🛍️ I have a stop. two, actually! I have a lot of Anxiety Fox items there, as well as my other brands! :)
I wanted to ask if you were all interested in perhaps a Facebook Group and/or Discord Group? All of you are so so nice and I would like to create a safe space for everyone to chat and support each other! What do you think? I wanted to provide a safe place for other neurodivergent people!
I hope you are all doing well! I wanted to thank you all again for backing and supporting this project! You are all amazing!
For the 1st poll, BABY BLUE won and this plush is currently going into the prototyping phase! Once the ptototype is finished, I will share the photos here.
For the 2nd "Choose the Color" poll.. it is now up! You can vote below! It is likely that we will get a THIRD poll, so feel free to suggest other colors for the third below in the comments! :)
Next Stretch Goals
I always wanted to make a clown variant for Anxiety Fox so I decided to make it a stretch goal! If reached, then we will get a plush of this design! The nose will be a pompom and it will have a cute collar!
Also, if this goal is reached, then backers get to take this little one home at the same price as the other colors! After the campaign, I will need to raise the price due to the extra elements, so if you want this plush for a lower price, selecting them during the survey will be your chance!
For the next Pocket Friend.. I wanted to make a debut plush of Anxiety Fox's new friend that I have introduced a bit ago! Tanuki is a sweet one who loves to relax and help comfort their friends. I am really excited about this plush and the idea of the Pocket Friends Anxiety Fox plush toys being joined by their other animal friends!
Below is the first illustration I have shared of them in December 1st of last year. I have a lot of fun drawing them!
So Backerkit is insanely confusing and launched early at 10AM instead of 12PM so… haha. You guys can join now!! If the early bird tiers are done before noon then I’ll add more!
I’m insanely stressed and upset now so hopefully this doesn’t throw the entire campaign off 🥲🥲🥲🥲
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for the wonderful first day! I am thankful for each and every one of you, your kind words, sharing the campaign, everything. I am still trying to process this all, so I apologize if I am a bet of a mess with words.. I am truly thankful for all the support this project has gotten. I am touched that 1000+ of you believe in this campaign!
A special Thanks to the Sanderson Fans
I wanted to give a special thanks again to the Sanderson fans! You all have been nothing but kind and generous and I am so grateful by your support! I am amazed at how the Sanderson project is smashing so many goals and already raising millions of dollars, and even then, the backers and creators took the time to uplift my campaign. Thank you all SO SO much!! You are all incredible!
UNLOCKED: Free Lanyard
I am happy to announce that every backer will receive one (1) free lanyard with their order! These can easily attach to your Pocket Friend! A large mock-up can be found bellow. I may update it slightly! I
f you want more, no worries! You can now add additional lanyards via the add-on shop!
UNLOCKED: Vote for 2nd Pocket Friend Color
We got to this goal faster than expected, so again, thank you all so much! Once the 1st poll is finished tomorrow, I will make the 2nd poll for the 2nd color. If this campaign does well, I hope to unlock all the colors in the poll.. so let's try out best! I am dicussing with my manufacturer now on releasing more colors at a lower price, so I will keep you all updated!
UNLOCKED: Bandana Accessory Add-On
Bandana Accessory has been UNLOCKED! If you wanted to accessorize your little Pocket Friend, you can do so with this bandana, made for Pocket Friends! Here is a quick digital mock-up of the bandana. I am currently getting a sample made and discussing with the factory to bring the costs lower (they are already low to begin with but I want to see if I can get backers a special "backer only" price!), which is why I haven't listed them as an add-on yet! Expect that at the end of this week or next week.
I also wanted to get your opinion on the design! What do you think? Do you prefer multiple colors to choose from? I want to get THREE (3) designs to choose from!
I was thinking of these three designs:
Design below
"Do not pet" or "I am Anxious" design
Anxiety Fox Logos
NEXT GOAL: Hood Add-Ons
We are getting closer to our next stretch goal, thanks to all of you! If we reach this goal, then we will be able to unlock little hoods that you can accessorize your Pocket Pals with!
I hope to get more than one design made. The first one is one that I teased on Patreon awhile ago! It is based off of my other character, Bug the Corgi, so I hope you all enjoy!
What designs do you want the other two hoods to be? It can be any animal, based off of Little Red Riding Hooding, clothing etc! I am all ears!
Where to Find Me
As a reminder, Anxiety Fox was created by me, Nao Romero, and I am a one man team! If you would like to find out more about Anxiety Fox, the best way to do so is through Twitter/ X. You can follow me here!
If you want to support me as a creator and enjoy what I do, I also have a Patreon! I have an exclusive Pin Club and Sticker Club if you are/ became a fan of Anxiety Fox. I have lots of behind the scenes work on merchandise and art production, sales for only Patrons, and much more! No pressure, of course!
Thats it for now!!! Thank you guys SOOOOO SO SO much again!!!!! I am currently catching up on comments and questions and hope to reply to all of them by the end of the day. I am SO thankful for each and every one of you!!
