Hey backers!
I hope this update finds you well and that your inboxes have recovered from Pintopia! XD
I want to thank all of your for your support of this project. It mean...
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Arledge Comics
about 1 month ago
Stretch Goal Updates
The polls are closed!
Taking your feedback into consideration, here's where our current stretch goals sit.
The Coral upgrade was the clear winner, so that was unlocke...
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Arledge Comics
about 1 month ago
New Stretch Goals
Hey backers!
By the time I got to see the results of the poll, we, uh, kinda unlocked all the designs I had planned. Haha!
So here's what I've got planned for the rest of t...
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Arledge Comics
about 1 month ago
FUNDED 🎉 + New Poll
Ahoy backers!!
Thank you, all of you, for the strong launch! We're funded and smashing through stretch goals~
I put a poll up to determine which pin should be unlocked nex...
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Arledge Comics
about 1 month ago
Polling results + ANOTHER reveal
Ahoy, friends!
We're officially one week away from Pintopia launch! I'm busy getting the last bits and bobs in order. But before I get into that, let's celebrate our latest ...
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Arledge Comics
about 2 months ago
Poll Results + Something Shiny
Hello friends!
The raccoon has prevailed!
There's a new poll for our next unlock, but before we get to that, there's one more design reveal I want to share! With this add...
I hope this update finds you well and that your inboxes have recovered from Pintopia! XD
I want to thank all of your for your support of this project. It means the world to me to be able to create art, my art, and have it so well received. <3 This update will outline next steps and a possible - but very loose - timeline for production and fulfillment. I'm also highlighting my next project that will be launching soon!
Project End
Stretch Goals: Funding ended over 13k! This means that the beaver pin will have pearlescent enamel added to his fur. These stretch goal upgrades will be the default in pins for retail, but backers will have the option to include these upgrades or not.
Failed pledges: Almost 1k of funds were unsuccessfully charged. If this includes your payment, please fix that as soon as you're able. If you cannot fix it now, please know there will be another opportunity to fix your payment in the pledge manager. (I'm not too worried about it. Banks hate events like Pintopia with all those charges coming out. Just fix things when you can. <3) Pledge Manager: If you're a returning backer, you know I like to take two weeks off after a crowdfunder. These campaigns are a lot of work! (It also takes a little time for things to port from the campaign to the pledge manager.) So we're going to vibe for two weeks while I recover from this sprint, and you should anticipate seeing your pledge manager in March.
Timeline
As I said, you should see your pledge manager go live in March. There's no rush with this since Chinese factories are closed for the Lunar New year anyway. Haha.
Once the pledge manager is live, it will be open for 30 days or until 80% completion - whichever is sooner. Once I have a solid accounting of how many pins I need, I'll place the order with my manu. Designs are complete and ready to go - the images on the campaign page are mock ups from my manu, so I just need funds in hand in order to pull the trigger on orders.
Production and shipping to me is usually another 30 days.
If you're following a long, I should have pins in-hand this May. Then we'll take some time to grade and pack and ship all the pins. I'm budgeting two months to have this done. It normally doesn't take that long, but this timeline puts us into Pride season, and we do a lot of in-person events for Pride. I ask for your patience as we take a little longer just to be kind to ourselves.
Current estimated fulfillment date ~July 2026
What's Next
As a fulltime artist, my work is never done, and there is always another project on the horizon. XD
Next month I'm launching Not a Phase | Lunar Pride Pins These pins are sold in sets and are completely customizable. They're available in solid colors, or the design can hold up to two pride flags distributed throughout the phases of the moon. I'm going to have an extremely limited supply available after the campaign, so if you're looking for some subtle pride options (or just really nifty moon pins), make sure you follow the prelaunch page below.
Taking your feedback into consideration, here's where our current stretch goals sit.
The Coral upgrade was the clear winner, so that was unlocked at 10k. At the time of my writing this, we've already passed 12k (crazy!), and the Owl and Salmon were tied. So I placed those at these already attained benchmarks. :) The Beaver upgrade will unlock at 13k.
I also added a note to this section: The upgraded designs will be optional selections for folks. Even if these are my intended design choices from the start, I do understand that there are backers who may not favor the upgraded designs. So the owl, for instance, will be available with and without glow in the dark enamel. Some important notes concerning this:
All-in backers - You will get an option of which variation of these pins you want included in your pledge. You will not receive one of each.
Existing pins with special effects - example: Glitter Raccoon - will be the only options for these pins. These are the base designs, and options without special effects will not be made available.
For ease, there will be no cost difference between base goal pins and the upgraded versions.
If 15k is reached, the glitter magpie will be the default option. As this is a free reward, I will not be making a 'base' version of this pin.
Phew! I think that's all the house keeping needed there. :D
Thank you for your continued support! There's still plenty of time to reach these goals, so please consider sharing the campaign with others. I was almost able to gift free pins last Pintopia, but we fell a little short. We're on track to do it this year, so let's keep the momentum going!
By the time I got to see the results of the poll, we, uh, kinda unlocked all the designs I had planned. Haha! So here's what I've got planned for the rest of the campaign!
I had plans for special effects on each of the designs, but opted not to include those in the base goals to try and keep the goals lower. Silly me. The options are listed in the poll attached to this update. We're, of course, hoping to unlock all the upgrades, but just in case, make sure to vote for your favorites to they take priority!
At 14k, I'll have another poll letting backers decide which special effects we want added to the ray pins. I've also decided that these pins will be available as add-ons in the pledge manager. So even if you don't qualify for a free set of rays, you can collect them post campaign.
For the very final goal - if we double Spirits in the Woods - I'll come up with an all-new pin design which will be added to everyone's pledge for free. Right now, I'm playing with ideas for kelp, a shark, or (possibly hermit) crab. If you missed Spirits in the Woods and want to help push those stretch goals, previous designs will be available in the pledge manager - and I just activated a new add-on for those designs to be added at a discount ($15, retails at $20).
Before you go!
I want to end this update by giving my sister a shoutout. This is her first Pintopia (her first pin campaign, really), and she funded on day one. I'm so proud of this kid (kid, she's like 30), and I'd love to see her stretch goals be met. Give her campaign a gander.
We'll be fulfilling our campaigns together, so we're also discounting shipping if you back both campaigns. :)
Thank you, all of you, for the strong launch! We're funded and smashing through stretch goals~
I put a poll up to determine which pin should be unlocked next. We're very close to unlocking that, so the poll ends tomorrow - allowing us to vote again over the weekend. Haha.
While you're out browsing Pintopia,
I want to make sure you check out my collab partner, Max! We designed some coordinating (full sized!) pins that are free if you back both projects.
