This will be final update during the campaign since it ends tonight!! It will end at 9pm Pacific Time - about 11 hours from now.
What's next? In the 24 hours after the campaign ends, Backerkit will charge payment methods for pledge totals. If payment does not go through for whatever reason, Backerkit will automatically retry over the next couple weeks. It takes about 2 weeks for everything to go through on my end - and all this needs to happen before surveys can be sent - so I estimate surveys (to select pin/lanyards designs, add things, pay for shipping) will go out the week of November 11th. I also hope I will have the Latt-ray sample before then!
Thank you all so so much!! I'm beyond happy about how this campaign turned out! Nicole
As we near the end of the 'Day n Night' plushie project, I wanted to answer some questions I've been asked about many times! Please read thru it 🩷 If your question was not addressed below already, feel free to reply/comment on this post with any questions you have! 💭
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Q: When will Swirly's sample be done? A: I'll share the detailed construction soon and get feedback here for the process! However because of a mishap with my Apple Pencil during the campaign, the blue-print construction process for Swirly was slightly delayed. I'm working hard on her now, but I am deeply sorry for the delay with her sample due to my old Apple Pencil breaking. I have since gotten my replacement stylus though so she's finally back in the works!
Q: Will the plushies from the project be available via your shop for preorder? A: Only SOME of the UNLOCKED plushies will be available for preorder on my shop after the campaign is over (specifically Yue will most likely not be available afterwards and if he is, it'll be extremely limited like, 10 or less extras kind of limited). I'm not entirely sure of the quantities yet of the others, but they will be very limited too! If you have your heart set on a certain plush I'd recommend getting them through the campaign to guaranteed, secure yours.
Q: How much will the plushies be on your shop? A: They will rise in price via my shop to $45 + shipping instead of $42 + shipping.
Q: Will we be able to add extra plushies to our pledge after the campaign ends via Backerkit surveys/add-ons? A: Yes! Backers of the project will have the ability to add extra plush friends to their pledges/orders afterwards as add-ons! In this case the plushies for existing backers' add-ons will remain $42.
Q: If we don't unlock Valentine the large, pink floppy cat through this current 'Day n Night' plush campaign, would you consider bringing them back in the future for a separate Backerkit project/campaign? A: While I don't plan to bring all locked plushies back for possible future projects, I do plan to bring Valentine the cat specifically (the big pink floppy cat plush) back in the future for their own dedicated separate campaign, with maybe some extra floppy similarly-styled stretch goal friends, if we don't unlock them in time for this current project. Stuffing and the mini plushies will not be making a comeback if we don't unlock them during this project.
Q: When do we pay for shipping costs? A: You will get an address survey and subsequently pay for shipping costs around when the plushies are almost ready to ship out, after the campaign ends.
Q: When are we going to be charged for our pledges? A: Right after the campaign ENDS (ends October 29th) you will be promptly charged for your pledge.
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Thank you all sooo much, endlessly with all of my heart, for helping me acheive my most successful campaign ever by far! i'm humbled, flattered, and beyond grateful to everyone who made it possible and to Sugary Carousel/Moon for the collab and support! 🩷 I feel very blessed to have your support everyone ;; THANK YOU! 🩷 Let's end this campaign in the last week of it on a strong note!
We have just over a week left of the campaign, and thanks to all of you, all of our stretch goals have been unlocked, hooray! In review, all of the original bags/pouches, pins, the 2 lanyards, sticker sheet, and magnet have been unlocked. We also unlocked the free Breb wrist lanyard for all Brebs and the Latt-ray bag! These bags can be added as add-ons to pledges, and the sample will be coming soon (though, as I have mentioned before, I don't think the sample will be completed before the campaign ends).
I didn't have too much else planned for the campaign because if there are additional funds, I am hoping to invest those to make cute touches to the packaging! So what's next? Over the next week, I will be sharing more posts on social media showing the creatures. Reminder that the campaign ends on October 22nd and that funds from the pledges will be collected by Backerkit at that time.
Thank you so so much for all of your support! I am excited to keep updating y'all about these guys <3
I am so excited about her and I want her to have the perfect name, but I also want everyone to be happy with it too, and the poll is so divided and I've been thinking of even more names hahah fhfhfhf
I was thinking Seasi (Like Cici) Starpop the Sea Serpent which is really weird, probably. Or just Sea Starpop the Sea Serpent.
I really backed us into a corner with the alliterations.
I may do another poll with the two top winning names and just... see how some of you would vote again with only two options.
I don't knowwww.
Did any of you have plans to rename your nessie?? What are they!?
I will be back shortly with an official update soon, too!! We have unlocked so much, and I have to share it with you guys.
Thank you again for being here, helping me make this dreamy idea flourish. Even if we're a little stuck on Nessie right now. hehfhfahfjg
Thank you all so much for voting in the poll for the type of bag we will have for Latt-Ray! The plush crossbody bag won with 53% of the votes! So today, I am sharing the design for the bag that I am working on getting the sample for - she will be the same soft plush material as the other plush in the campaign. We are currently less than $400 away from unlocking this new back (yay!!) so I have gone ahead and made her available as an add-on for any current or future backers of other pledge tiers. Once we unlock her, I will add the bag as a tier on its own. (Note that this bag can be added onto the souvenir tier, but does not come with that tier automatically.)
Thank you all so so so much for supporting this campaign!! I am so happy that the little creatures can connect with folks and come to the real world. <3
<3Nicole
P.S. It is unlikely the sample will be complete during the campaign period but the final bag should be pretty close to this mockup - I will convey all updates as we go!
P.S.S. If anyone is affected by the hurricane today, hope you and yours are safe!
I'm coming to you today with a new stretch goal for a new bag, but I need your help deciding which form our Latt-Ray should take!! We passed our first stretch goal of the freebie Breb wrist lanyard with all Breb pledges/add-ons (YAY), so we get to decide on the final new item of the campaign.
Over the next couple days, we just need to decide which *kind* of bag our friend will become. Please note that due to my manufacturer being on holiday right now and them being quite busy when they return, it is unlikeable we will have a sample ready during the campaign. But after we decide which types of bags and if we reach our funding goal, I will share with you the designs and add them to the campaign to add onto your pledges :D
If you are a backer, you can vote in our poll attached to this update. Our three options are: 1) Plush crossbody bag (estimated to cost $40+) 2) Plush zipper pencil pouch (estimate to cost $20+) 3) Plush fanny pack (estimated to cost $30+) Thank you so so much for supporting the campaign! I will continue to keep you updated. <3Nicole
Hi everyone! Since we're super close to Swirly and I am too excited to wait any longer, I wanted to share most likely the last stretch goal for the campaign!
pls meet...Valentine!! 🩷☁️ the floppy plush pink maine coon!! 🎀🐾
A preliminary plushie design of a pink maine coon inspired plushie
Valentine will very probably be the last stretch goal of the project! this kitty cat will unlock after Stuffing the bear if we can reach $28k in total funding!
She'll be a bit more pricey because she will be very large! Her main body will measure approximately 20" inches long, not including her fluffy tail. She will also be a bit floppy for easy snuggling and hugging~
Thank you SOOO much as always for the incredible and generous support everyone! 🩷
I will begin working on editing the graphics to include her as the last stretch goal, so please stay tuned for that!
WE DID IT!! Funded within the first hour oh my goodness thank you so much everyone! We unlocked these amazing three friends, and have already sold some prints for the wildlife donation! :)
I couldn't done it without each and every one of you amazing people! Thank you so so much! Please keep sharing and spreading the campaign so we can unlock all of our other friends!!
Sorry it took me so long to get to this big, important update! I am always busy on Saturday, but I have some time now and we have a lot to cover don't we!?
I just want to thank everyone again for being here. Do you all know how honored I am yet?? I hope you do! It's a super lot. I'm walking on clouds right now!
Yesterday was so amazing. I didn't expect, or even know that people could continue to back after 7pm. I was so confused at first, and then super excited. It lasted so much longer than I could have anticipated. It was very exciting!
Discord?
It's over now, but... not really! I know some of you would like a Discord, which I'm considering deeply-- though I am kind of bad at Discord. I know I need to get better at it, and now might be the perfect time to work on it, given that I might not be working on commissions 24/7. It was really all I could think about for a long time! So, we'll see. I'll post another update with Discord information, if/when I have it set up!
Roadmap for November!
2nd-14thish - Pledges will be processing. Any failed payments are being retried automatically by Backerkit. Now is the time to make sure your payment went through or update your card info if it didn't.
3rd - Preorder store opens! (Backers DO NOT place an order in the preorder store or you'll be charged twice for shipping. Orders DO NOT automatically combine.)
15th - Backers are imported into the pledge manager, survey smoke test goes out to 5% of backers to make sure everything is working correctly.
16th - All surveys go out (unless you're on a payment plan). These will remain open until all prototypes are finalized so you can edit/add/remove items at any time!
16th and onward - Funds are released to me so prototyping can start in earnest!
Additional preorder store and survey note: you won't be charged right away. The preorder store funds and any added survey charges will be collected when surveys lock/the preorder store closes.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave them below, or message me on Twitter (This is a great way to reach me quickly), or email me: [email protected]!
Batty and Lupin!
Believe it or not, they are mostly complete! There were some changes that needed to be made with their face embroidery, but it is very minor. The manufacturer is working on that now, and then they will be shipped to me, so hopefully in the next few weeks we will have tons of mischievous photos and footage. I MEAN, it IS Batty and Lupin. I can only imagine the trouble they will get up to as soon as they arrive. Good thing Catsie and Bella are relaxing while they can!
In fact, I have some fun news about those two! They actually fit in BAB clothes!
Lookit how darn cute they are! I especially liked Bella in her iridescent pants, not gonna lie! She was rocking it. So... do with this news as you will. I'm not saying you should stock up on some outfits, if you don't already have some, but... I mean.
Come on.
Remi Razzles
I don't even know how to start this one ahaha. There is such a divide. I need just a couple days, if that is okay? I was going to do some doodles, look over peoples comments/emails (I have seen them!!) and maybe talk to the manufacturer before I make any decisions, just to be sure it's feasible!
I really appreciate the patience in advance. I really want to make everyone happy on this one. When I first designed them, I never imagined the brains would be an issue for some.
As of now, brains are in the lead, but if we could find a middle ground where both sides would be happy, that'd be really cool for Remi, don't you think? I'd hate for 50+ folks to pass up on our cute little rockstar if there was a way around that.
Sticker Sheet
I am steadily working on the sticker sheet for the add-ons! Here is a cute rough Zoey and Elliot to hopefully help tide everyone over!
Elliot needs a darn bubble, but hopefully the safety gear will suffice! If not, Ellie will take care of her I'm sure hehe.
Okay! I think that is it for this update! I realize there are other things I'm probably missing, and I haven't even looked at my email today, but I am about to! ^^ I appreciate the patience again!
Who else can't look away from the counter right now? 😭😭😭 I'm actually sweating-- this is so intense omg. Can't believe we're going on hour three in 15 minutes!
I really thought I would have all the writing contest winners picked last night before bed, but I was falling asleep at my desk-- so I was like... no. Go lay down. You'll get it done before the campaign ends.
Which I am currently working on for sure! We have a little over 3 hours left, and there are about two stories left that i haven't read, but we're getting there! I thought I'd take a break though, because... I woke up in the middle of the night and looked at my phone, which I don't usually do, and was surprised to see our manufacturer had sent me Nessie videos! I wish I could upload them here, but here is a little gif:
Isn't she cute so far!? We definitely need to work on the floppiness, among other things, but overall it is a great start!
Here are some of my notes to the manufacturer. I'm super excited to see the next sample. They should be wrapping up Lupin and Batty for real this time. We're making progress!! I can't wait to pay for the rest of the prototypes.
Thank you again!! This couldn't be possible with out all of you. I feel like I'm in a dream hehe. I really love these cookies, and I'm so happy other people do too!
Anyway! Break time over. Back to reading all these seriously amazing stories. I must enjoy pain, because it is going to be pain to pick winners. If you haven't read the stories, and you like to read, you need to go check them out. I want to draw so many scenes to go with the stories. fhfhfhf
We are officially 45 MINUTES away from the end of the campaign!
I wanted to sneak in one last update to share a video of me handling the plushies!
I meant to do this much earlier, but I was a little self-conscious about my hands. For years I’ve struggled with chronic nail-biting, so I’ve spent this whole month working on healing my hands just to make this video! 🥺❤️
Here’s a short video of me wiggling them around and showing off more details! (You will have to open the update on Backerkit to watch the video!)
Look at their cute little faces! Frasier's little paws! Clover's little dew claws! They are so soft and fun to stim with!
Alright, now this is the final reminder! Now’s your LAST CHANCE to submit or update your pledge before we wrap things up!
Thank you all SO much for your amazing support this past month. I've teared up a few times today because I'm so happy and grateful to have had the chance to share my love with you, and to have you all give back so much more. Thanks for believing in me and my critters! I'll chat with you all again soon ❤️
(By the way, even though the campaign is set to end in 45 minutes, overtime mode is on! Every pledge adds an extra 10 minutes, so let’s keep it going as long as we can! 🎉)
The campaign is over, and now the real work begins! Thank you all so much for supporting me for my very first Backerkit campaign. Since this is my first project here on Backerkit, I'm taking things slow so the process goes as smoothly as possible. My assistant, Riot, will be helping me answer questions and e-mails. However, I ask that you please give us a bit of patience as we get to everyone. I will continue providing updates and photos as each step of production commences!
Here's what we're working on right now!
As of November 1st, we have begun processing pledges. Surveys will be sent out shortly so you can choose your Hurtsies and add-ons, as well as setting up shipping. We are delaying surveys a bit until we get the completed samples in. Due to popular demand, we will also be setting up a preorder shop for those who were unable to pledge during the campaign.
Samples are still in production! The first round of photos I shared was graciously sent by my manufacturers so we could speed along the process by getting everything placed roughly where it ought to be. I know the paper faces threw some people off, but it's nothing more than a matter of saving time. I'm about to send off the color edits and adjustments for the finalized samples!
RE: Mishmash's design! I had a lot of comments mentioning that they liked the first sample shown better. However, I need to clarify that this is the same sample. It's just complete with embroidery and updated straps. Due to Mishmash being a backpack, his shape is a little bit different compared to the stiffer base of the other Hurtsies. This is so you can store more goodies inside of him. His legs are a bit longer so that he can be placed in a seated position like the other Hurtsies. That being said, he does still need a few tweaks, but he's getting there!
I'll be making little adjustments to the plushes here and there, but I'll share each step of the way with yall!
My current priorities are getting these samples finished and surveys sent out after! So next update, I'll have even more goodies to share with you. (OH! and did I mention we're getting a cool official logo soon?)
Thanks as always, everybunny! I hope you'll continue to hang out with me as we all watch this project come to life (or back to life?)
I apologize that this took me so long. I was determined to have it figured out today, and I think I managed with Evan's help hehe.
It was a really tough decision. These stories will live rent free in my head for awhile. I just loved 'em all! I can't believe how long some of them were, too! Like wow, some of y'all can really write!!
It was a good time, though! It was so cool to see everyone's take on our cookie friends! Some of them were exactly what I imagined, and others were different and exciting for it. It was just so cool and I think I'm even more attached to everyone after reading everything ehehe.
Okay, enough rambling! Top 3 Winners for the Plushie Prize!
Una's Magic
Echobrook (I dont think your story had a title!)
Haunted Mansion
5 Runnerups!
London and Marla Haiku
There Once Was a Limerick 'bout Nessie
What Lurks Below
Dotty's (and Millie's) Halloween Eve Day Mission
Circus Sweeties Surprise Party
To everyone else, thank you so much for participating too! Please please know I didn't make this decision easily. It was so dififcult.
But I am so glad we had a writing contest, and we are DEFINITELY doing it for Series 2, and I hope all of you return and dazzle me with more tales!
I was writing down thoughts as I finished each story, so if you wrote a story and want to read what I was thinking in the moment, please check out this document!
I also think I need everyone's email associated with Backerkit, so feel free to email that to me!
I will make another update tomorrow after a little rest regarding our campaign being over and how wonderful we did and more!! All I can manage right now is a BIG big thank you to everyone. This has been so exciting and I am so happy to have each and every one of you here!
I've been so wrapped up in trying to judge the writing contest, I've found myself not updating today and advertising as much as I planned to! I definitely learned a valuable lesson for Series 2! I will plan around contests better in the future haha.
I apologize to everyone who participated in the contest for the delays. I might not be done by 7 like I initially thought, but we're getting there!
Rewards wont be distributed until the pledge manager opens, so about two weeks after the end of the campaign. If you entered the writing contest, and you want to hold off on buying a plush before then, you can pledge to a lower tier like keychains and add a plush post-campaign!
I am doing my best to get all the winners chosen today, but it really isn't easy. Please forgive me LOL.
We only have an hour left. I can't believe it's that time already!!
Just a friendly reminder that if you back Circus Sweeties and Critterfolk, you'll get free stickers we made!
It's my favorite day of the year!! HALLOWEEEEENNNUH!!!! Yay! I have been out all day with my kiddo, but I'm working on the writing contest right now!! I think I can have all the winners figured out before I pass out. The next update will be winners! Yep, yep, yep!
I've also been sending out emails to remind people that the campaign is almost over! I don't know how many of you have seen it, but in case you haven't, just know I'm working on this pin freebie!
It's really rough, but I'm so excited to clean it up. I mean, y'all are the Cookie Crew. You need a Cookie Crew pin so everyone knows >:0
I've had so many ideas this last week about it too. I want to do T-shirts for Series 2, since it is kinda too late for it this time, but man-- I'd wear a Cookie Crew shirt. I really would. I hope I'm not alone on that.
I was also working on THIS:
Sorry to smack you in the face with my rough rough art, but... I cannot stop cackling over the timeout wagon. Batty doesn't even look sorry. She'll do it again. Absolutely ROTTEN and I love it.
We can make this into a sticker, put it on a pencil case, on a shirt, pillow cases, prints, postcards, like... anything. Maybe I need to add on a couple more wagons with like... our Mystic babies, and more!! We have unlocked so many cool cookies, guys. I'm so happy for us.
Sticker sheets won by a landslide too, so I'll be wrapping that up tomorrow and get it up on the add-on page!!
So much to do. I'm so happy I get to do it though. I can't believe we're at 91k!! I mean, we might unlock Remi after all, despite how divided everyone is about the brain/no brain issue. Someone recommended curly pink hair, which I thought was a cute idea. Another idea was giving them a zipper on their head.
I'm not sure what to do, but I made a new poll to help me figure out the opinion of those who are 100% plan to purchase Remi if they unlock! So if you are one of those folks, please please check out the poll!!
In the meantime, here is a really fast doodle of Remi doing one of the things Remi does best!! I can't finish it until we know what we're doing haha.
ANYWHOOZLES!! I will be back with the winners of the writing contest. Thank you for all of the support and patience!! Please be kind to each other (and me sob) about the brain situation!!
As mentioned and the end of the last update, I have more to share! I couldn't fit it all comfortably into one update, so you're getting spoiled with 2 check-ins tonight ❤️
🌱 Juniper & Willow Prototype WIPs
Photos of some plush prototypes have started to arrive! Let’s take a look at them! 👀
As a reminder, the first samples are rarely perfect, so they might look a little silly right now. No worries, though! We’ll make improvements and get them looking just right before they’re finalized!
First up is one of our most popular critters, Juniper!
Juniper’s color choices turned out perfect on the first try! That’s pretty rare in plush making, so it’s definitely worth celebrating! Their overall body shape looks fantastic too. All the fixes will be super easy, so I’m hopeful we’ll have Juniper completed soon!
Next is our kitty, Willow!
Willow is coming along nicely as well! The grey color isn’t quite right, so we’ll switch it to a dark cream/light tan instead. But the brown on her face, arms, and legs is spot on! Her shapes are nearly perfect too, so I’m really happy with how her prototype is looking so far. Just a few tweaks and she’ll be perfect!
And here’s a little update on Frasier! We decided to change his longer fur to a higher-quality fabric. It’s a small change, but one we really wanted to make! The new fur is much fluffier and looks more realistic, plus it should have a better feel than the old fur. This new type of fabric will also be used for the rest of the plushies! This change doesn’t affect the short fur used on most of the plush bodies.
Below is a little video from our manufacturer!
That's all the plush updates we have for now! We will check back in again soon when we have more to share ❤️
