Hi everyone! Thank you all for your patience between updates here. This would have been out a bit sooner but I have had alot going on recently. In any case, I am here with a big update on several aspects of the project!
Locking Orders and Charging Cards
I will begin by saying that I made a mistake in terms of order processing. While I mentioned charges to your cards for shipping and add-ons would have been at the start of last month, the charges never actually went through. I contacted support about this and it seems I needed to lock orders before proceeding to charge cards. So I am planning on locking orders with a 48 hour window for changes soon after this update, then, early next week, after another 48 hour notification window, charging cards on file properly.
During the first window you should still be able to adjust any final add-ons and during the second window, you'll need to make sure the card on file is valid and can be charged for the shipping and add-on amounts. I apologize for the mix-up but this is my first time doing manual charges on Backerkit so it has been a bit of a learning experience for me!
Main Plush Update
Since the last update, I have received the final revision of the Haruki plush in hand and given the ok for my manu to begin purchasing fabric for production.
Changes to the plush include a stuffed piece for cheek fluffs instead of the previously fused material (prone to fraying and separation), a rounder tail with more prominent fluff, rounder thighs, 33% more weight with an even distribution throughout the whole belly area, and larger flowers on the head that have been moved forward some to reflect the original design. The final production plush will also have a larger flower on the collar like the new ones on the head.
We are about on schedule in terms of production. Once my manu has the materials they have quoted a lead time of about 60 days to completion. That would put their shipping to me by early-mid August. So I should be able to stay on schedule for fulfillment throughout September!
Flower & cheek fluff comparison
Tail comparison
Weight Comparison
Plush Keychain Update
There's not alot to say about the plush keychain. It is the same as the one pictured in the campaign. The only change made was on the sakura flower detailing of the plush. The rigid felt flowers have been replaced with a softer material that still looks the same but should feel softer.
Resin Figure Update
My figure manu has completed a revised version of the figure with updated colors. It is looking good, though they still missed the cheek fluffs off-white coloring. I have mentioned to them that that will need to be adjusted for final production. Once they get back to me with the corrected version I will be sending over graphics for the box design. The figure will be packaged in a printed cardboard box with a styrofoam protective enclosure.
Accessories Update
The turnaround on accessories is relatively quick production-wise. Usually about a month. I wanted to put the focus on the plush and figure first. The files are technically ready for all the products, but I wanted to take a day or two to give all the designs a look over to be sure they look exactly as intended and are properly prepared for each of the product mediums. I will be contacting my accessories manu in the coming weeks after I get some time to review the designs closely.
Plush Tag & Additional Free Stickers
I have been in contact with an artist who I have worked with in the past to build the character brand image for my studio. Their handle is heychikinan on bsky and various other socials. I commissioned them for a tag design for Haruki that will double as a sticker to be included with each plush looped through the silk tush tag. They are featured on 3 of my other original character plushies as the tag artist so I wanted to keep the trend going. Their artwork is lovely and really pops when paired with each plush! Production of tags will be started in the coming weeks around the time when I contact my accessory manu.
That about sums it up for everything thats been going on since the last update! I hope this helps to keep everyone up to date. Time between updates will still be a few weeks in length as production gets underway. The next update will likely be to touch base on accessories and tags beginning production. If there are any hiccups or just noteable matters about production until then, I will let you all know. If anybody has any questions or concerns, I'm always available via email at [email protected]
