Pins are Done + Survey Update
almost 5 years ago – Fri, Jun 18, 2021 at 10:59:22 AM

Happy Friday! I heard back from my pin manufacturer today, the Eredin pins are finished and will be shipped off later today. Factory lighting is awful but I have attached some images my rep sent me of the pins. 

I will be sure to take better photos once they are in my hands but I think all things considered they turned out pretty nice. They will be sent to me and should get here hopefully next week, I will then spend some time grading and checking them over and getting things all set for easy shipping once surveys go out and are filled out.

Speaking of surveys...they are currently in review and should be up and ready to go next week, you will have the option to chose between Eredin and Caranthir for pins, as I am in the process of finding a manu to produce a limited 50 pin run of Caranthir since we were so close to unlocking him. For keychains and acrylic standees you can chose from any four designs in the project. Once surveys have been approved a "smoke test" will be sent to 5% of backers to make sure that everything is running smoothly, after that they will be sent to everyone else. 

I will post an update with more specific info about how to use Backerkit to fill out your survey but if you are curious in the meantime here is an overview of how to use it from my last kickstarter campaign:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/msillustration/galaxy-drinks-emanel-pin-collection/posts/3116627 

Enjoy your weekend and this beautiful weather!

-M.S.

We did it! What's next?
almost 5 years ago – Sat, Jun 05, 2021 at 08:09:28 AM

Happy Saturday, we did it!

The campaign is now over and while we only unlocked our first goal I still consider it to be a great success, so thank you all for helping me bring this project to life. Here's what happens next:

1. Kickstarter takes 2 weeks to release the funds of this project to me, once they are released to me I can send out surveys and you can pick the rewards you pledged for and any add on options you want

2. Pin's have already been ordered to get a head start on production so they should be ready in a few weeks, stickers I already have on hand and ready to go. Once the pins arrive I will grade them, ship out rewards, and add the remainder to my Etsy shop. 

3. After grading is finished on the pins I will get everything together, run to the post office down the street, ship off everything and then this project will be done! I do have plans for another pin collection kickstarter in the fall which I will be posting sneak peaks of and announce when the prelaunch page is up, it's fantasy themed again :)

Thanks again for all the support! Also, I'm having an etsy shop update tonight with a number of brand new things, if you want to check it out here:  Etsy shop 

Best,

M.S.

30 Hours Left!
almost 5 years ago – Thu, Jun 03, 2021 at 11:14:23 AM

Due to Kickstarter being down for maintenance on the day we end the campaign has been extended by an additional 3 hours and will end at 9:00 PM EST on June 4th. Tell your friends, last day and a bit to pledge!!

I've been in talks with my pin factory and they got back to me again saying that okay...now it looks like we WILL be doing only hard enamel. Why the change? Long term integrity of the pins mostly, making a completely screen printed pin won't hold up as long. 

Other than that change, no real updates on making and production of things. Freebie stickers have arrived and look fantastic and I have been setting up the backerkit survery for once the campaign ends.

Thanks again for all the support!

Best,

M.S.

One Week Left!
almost 5 years ago – Fri, May 28, 2021 at 09:05:00 AM

One week left in the project as of today! There's a lot of information to cover but I'll try and keep it brief:

General updates:

First and foremost, it seems like we will only be unlocking Eredin for pins this time around unless we can get an additional $43 at least before the project ends to unlock Caranthir. That being said, I'm super happy we have gotten over 150% funded and all your support means the world to me. I will almost definitely be doing a part 2 for the goals we don't unlock at a later date, so be sure to connect with my on social media to keep up to date! Acrylic standees and keychains will have all the wild hunt options due to my ability to order small amounts, unlike with pins. 

(Small) Change of pin plans:

During talks with my pin manufacturer it was found that hard enamel alone wouldn't cut it due to the complexity of the pin design, so the pins will be a metal pin like usual, but also have screen-printed details and an epoxy coating, this option is also less expensive than hard enamel alone, so if there is enough interest I might be able to order the Caranthir pins if there are extra funds from the kickstarter that don't go toward production and shipping of the eredin pins and associated freebies.  The Eredin pins are currently in production!

Freebies:

Freebie stickers ended up being glossy rather than glitter due to my manufacturer running out of material that would not be restocked for awhile, but the freebie sticker turned out great and I'll be throwing in a few extra stickers as a way of making up for the lack of glitter. 

Surveys:

I will be using backerkit for my surveys this time around like I did with my last kickstarter, backerkit allows you to add additional items such as things from the campaign or things from my store if you missed out on them during the project itself, it also allows for preorders for people who might have followed the project but forgot to pledge. Currently the surveys are being set up and then will need to be sent for review during the 2 week period it takes Kickstarter to release funds to me. 

Extras:

As always, I have to order more than required when placing bulk orders for pins so any extras will be added to my etsy shop where I stock a number of fantasy and gaming themed goodies including The Witcher (obviously) The Elder Scrolls, Dragon Age, and more, as well as some other things (that I am trying to clear out, if you'd like to help me, use any of these codes at checkout for 20% off your order DIVISHA20 NIKKI20 SOPHIE20 and SARAH20 they are the codes for my lovely shop reps!) you can find me on Etsy here:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Thedisc0panda as soon as I am done grading the pins and shipping out rewards I will add the extras to etsy. Currently I am planning for a small shop update in early-mid june with some new 4x6 and 8x6 Elder Scrolls and general Fantasy themed art prints, my first elder scrolls themed lanyard (it's very nice, very happy with it) and a couple of Witcher mini art prints!

Thank you!

Once again, I just want to thank everyone who has pledged so far, and everyone who has saved, shared, or even just checked out this project. I'm so glad we were able to surpass our initial funding goal and hopefully we get a boost in these last 7 days but even if not I am still extremely grateful for the support I have had and am excited for the eventual part 2 of this project!

Hi everyone & first goal met!
almost 5 years ago – Sun, May 09, 2021 at 10:51:29 AM

Good afternoon and happy Sunday,

First of all, thank you for all of your support- it means the world to me!

We have met our first goal! With 26 days left I'm really hopeful we can get through at least one other goal, currently we are about $120 away from unlocking The Navigator.  I'm hopeful that since we have exceeded the first goal and the funding goal that more backers will join. 

Be sure to share the project, the more sharing there is the faster we can unlock more of the remaining main goals- there is a useful share button located directly under Back This Project. Or, you can copy and share this link with friends/family and/or anyone who you think would enjoy the project: http://kck.st/3umZWgV 

Early bird pin tiers are still available for interested backers, and add on options can now be directly added via Kickstarter- more in depth info coming in a future update. 

Since the first goal has been unlocked every backer gets a free sticker, currently it is being made by my manufacturer and I should have updates on it and the pin mock-ups soon.