And no, I'm not dead, nor have I been mobilized. I want to let you know that I am currently finishing up the production of the hares right here at home. And I can definitively say that they will be shipped out to you. Now, here is a brief rundown of what actually happened and why this took as long as it did.
At first, I planned to run this campaign like everyone else. You draw a design, send it off to a factory, they stamp them out, and everything is great. But... then a crazy idea hit me: what if I made them myself? I started looking into options (let me remind you, I am a historian after all). That’s how I came across fiber lasers.
I decided to figure out how they work. There was absolutely zero information out there about making pins with one, but in theory, I knew it was possible.
I ordered the laser. And... the initial attempts were a failure. On top of that came power outages, along with missile and drone strikes. So, I shelved that dream. Trying to create anything while living through the harsh reality of war and constant infrastructure collapse is absolute hell for a creative person—trust me.
At the beginning of the year, I was diagnosed with two things: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and ADHD. So yeah, greetings from someone who made it to this age without knowing they had ADHD.
Then my city was bombed again, resulting in near-total blackouts. I fell into despair, but literally just a month ago, I found the courage to dive back in and figure out every stage of the production process. I tested a ton of different methods. And finally, I nailed it.
You might have originally expected a standard factory-made item, but what I’ve created for you is something far more unique and personal. Just imagine: brass enamel pins made entirely at home. I cut, engrave, and clean each pin myself; I fill them with cold enamel, sand them down to a "hard enamel" finish, apply a UV-protective coating, attach the posts using cold welding (the attachments are a massive pain), and polish them. Every bit of this is done by hand. I am incredibly proud to say this is not mass production. Below are a few photos from the process. I'll also attach some of my other work, and in my next campaign (assuming I manage to patch all my current holes), I will break down exactly how I do this in great detail.
I am asking for your patience one last time. I truly am finishing them up. And moving forward, I will make any future pins faster than any factory (whether through etching or stamping in Kyiv or Asia). This has been an incredibly challenging path, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who is walking it with me.
Friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Wishing you all the very best.
​Regarding the project: please forgive the schedule slippage. However, I have great news. I’ve upgraded the production process from standard stamping to custom laser engraving. This allows me to personally handle every step: engraving, cleaning, enameling, and polishing. The result is a unique, 100% handmade item.
​As a 'thank you' for your patience, everyone will receive bonus pins from my personal collection. Shipping is set for January.
​I hope for your understanding regarding the delays. Working conditions are tough—I often face 18-20 hours of blackouts daily and operate during air raids—but I am committed to getting these to you.
​My apologies once again, and thank you for your support. In future campaigns, I aim to be perfectly on time. Respectfully yours,
Time for some important news and an exciting announcement.
I am radically changing my approach to pin production. I've decided to abandon standard mass manufacturing (stamping and molds from third-party companies) because it limits my creative control and the final uniqueness of the product.
1. Creating My Own Workshop: I am establishing a completely autonomous studio to oversee the entire production process myself.
2. New Technology: I have invested in a high-precision Fiber Laser. This powerful tool, which is arriving soon, will allow me to cut and deeply engrave the brass bases with exceptional precision. This guarantees a perfect foundation for my hand-applied enamel work. I am taking full ownership, from the raw metal to the final polish.
3. Deadlines Shift: Because of the necessary time for equipment setup and due to the difficult situation with energy supply in Ukraine after the latest attacks, the shipping deadline will shift to the end of January.
You will receive a truly unique, high-quality product hand-finished by me personally. As an apology for this delay, every backer will receive an additional, exclusive bonus (or more?) item created using this new laser technology.
I hope for your understanding. For those who are ordering from me for the first time: please rest assured, I fulfill my obligations (previous successful campaigns are proof of that).
Thank you for being the amazing community that makes this possible!
I'm so glad this project has finally concluded. It's a shame we didn't raise quite as much as we'd hoped for a smooth production run, but oh well! I'll do the best I can.
Here's the plan:
Surveys will be going out soon.
The Rabbit with a Harp / A Rabbit on a Lion will also be a bonus will be a free gift for everyone (it won the poll!).
All my other pins will be available as add-ons. Feel free to purchase them if you like.
You will also get a third bonus pin from me personally (you already have two now!). Let's see what happens!
