I just wanted to pop in and let everyone know that I still don't have any real updates from the manufacturer yet. It's just been little things that they've been asking. I think they're working on the second attempt at Nessie, based on their questions, so hopefully we'll have that update this week!
I've been a little more active on our new Discord, than I thought I would be. It's a great place to be, if you want to engage with the community, and just have fun! Consider joining us, if you haven't already! ^^
We've somehow reached 100k! How better to celebrate than with a look back at the original Hyrax in the Rocks game, as featured in Season 3?Β This playable digital re-release of the retro game is entering development with a planned end date around the time of physical reward shipments, and you can buy your spot in line for a Steam key right now! A while after campaign keys are released and backers can play, this game will be available for purchase to the public.Β
But what's this? Whispers of... loftier goals? We won't reveal anything yet, but let's see just how far we can go....
These sophisticated pins can now be yours in the add-ons section! Show off your angelic associates in style with these metal lapel pins. Gold Gabby, sad sapphire Cam, and silver Zag are all available NOW as one set!
Will there be more secret stretch goals? We're awfully close to 100k, but the campaign end is also near - let's find out!
This is my first check-in since the campaign ended! I took the weekend to celebrate and am back now with a good update!
First, I just want to thank you all so much for the support you showed during the campaign. Critterfolk received way more love than I ever imagined, and Iβm so grateful for every bit of it. Since youβve shared so much with me, I want to return the gesture and share a little about myself and this project with you.
If mental health topics are sensitive for you, please feel free to skip ahead to the mushroom emoji π below!
My nameβs Marlow, the creator behind Critterfolk. Long before Critterfolk , I was a full-time commission artist known as Critter Valley. I spent my days drawing other peopleβs characters and making works of art for them! It was honestly a dream job, and I absolutely loved doing it for many years, but eventually things started to shift.
Somewhere along the way, drawing got harder to enjoy, to feel inspired, to feel purposeful. Iβve always loved creating, but over time Iβd gone from creating for myself to creating solely for others. I pushed myself hard to grow and I did what Iβd learned to do to survive. I hosted raffles to boost engagement, tried to say the βrightβ things in posts, created ads, followed trends, and worked long hours. If something didnβt perform well, I took it really personally. I was extremely self-critical and self-depreciative. Repeatedly, I ended up burned out and battling recurring depressive episodes. Being so involved with how my art was perceived online took everything out of me.
After months of contemplation, I decided I had to step away. And while Iβd been through plenty of woes, this really was one of the darkest points in my life. I hit the bottom and let me tell you, that well went so deep. My art and career had become so tied to my identity that, without it, I felt completely lost. I realized I didnβt have other hobbies or interests, barely any friends, and no idea what to do next. I felt heartbroken and truly grieved for myself. Leaving was soul-crushing, but I wanted better for myself. And in truth, I got worse before I got better. I spent over six months in a deep depression.Β I was jobless, lacking any motivation, and full of self-loathing during that time. Looking back, I needed time to be sad, hurt, and broken.
I did my best to focus on rebuilding my sense of self. Slowly, I learned how to not push through everything so hard and learned to slow down. Eventually I started a new job, one where I learned so much. I started at a small (but big!) online shop as a fulfillment and shipping assistant. I learned how to pick and pack orders, process preorders (over 10,000 orders and 2,500 preorders!), and later moved into a purchasing role. It was scary at first, but it taught me confidence, and I stopped being so afraid. I stopped being afraid of failing, of losing, and so many things other things that held me back.Β Would you believe me if I told you I was too afraid to make simple, animal inspired products because I thought "that's been done too many times already"? Β Little by little, I started creating again, and somewhere along the way, the Critterfolk were created. At first, I kept them close, sharing them only with my inner circle. I didnβt want anyoneβs feedback or expectations to shape them for me. Once I finally felt grounded in their concept, I shared Critterfolk with you all for the first time this summer β and here we are, at the end of this wildly successful campaign! πΒ
Iβm sharing this story because I know some of you might be in a place like I was. Β Itβs amazing to look back now and see how that hard decision led to the extreme happiness, gratitude, and sense of fulfillment that I feel today. Had I not stopped, I would have never gotten here. Letting go let me show up for myself, tackle big fears that one froze me, and find myself again.
If thereβs one thing I hope you take from this, itβs this: healing takes time. It might get harder before it gets easier. It can feel like setting a broken bone β painful at first, but necessary to heal.Β Also, you may never feel βready,β but youβll know when itβs time.
π Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has been there for me. Thank you to my partner Arin for supporting me these last two years. By handling finances when I was down, to always trying to encourage me and lift me up, you have been just as much a part of my growth as I. Thank you to my friends, whoβve shown me unconditional love and given me the best support, feedback, and advice. Thank you to my online community, who saw Critterfolkβs potential even before I did and pushed me to launch this plush line. And of course, thank you to every one of you here now. Youβve been an huge integral part of this journey, and Iβm so grateful for each of you. Thank you. β€οΈ
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π± Now onto some Prototype WIPs!
First, here's a peek at Rowan and Honey's prototypes!
As a reminder, the first samples are rarely perfect, so they might look a little silly right now. No worries, though! Weβll make improvements and get them looking just right before theyβre finalized! I have not edited these images yet.
Rowan is looking so cute already! His cheeks and tail look so perfectly fluffy and squishable. We still need to tweak his colors and face, but overall he is looking really great!
Honey is almost perfect! While the pink fur makes her look like a cute cotton candy bunny, it just doesnβt quite fit the natural aesthetic. (Sorry to everyone rooting for her to stay pink! π) Sheβll be a soft cream color instead.
But honestly, Iβm so happy with her shape and pattern β itβs looking great! My manufacturer is really getting the feel for Critterfolkβs style, so Iβm hopeful weβll see even faster progress on samples from here!
My last show and tell is a sample of Frasier's Signature Outfit!
Frasier's Outfit contains the Autumn Striped Sweater and Hickory Pants
The lighting in these photos isnβt the best, but I couldnβt wait to share! Despite that, the colors are looking amazing, and the fit seems pretty good too. I might ask to try out a different fabric but overall Iβm really happy with this first look at the clothes!
That's all the prototype updates I have for now! Which clothes or plushie are you most excited to see next?
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Β π± Surveys are scheduled to go out by November 15th
I have almost completed setting up the survey! I only have a few steps left, so keep a look out for updates regarding it's launch.
Β π± The Backerkit preorder store will open after the survey launches
I know many creators typically open their preorder before the survey goes out, but I will be waiting until after. This is to avoid any unnecessary complications between backers and preorder store customers!
Β π±Β Weekly Update Schedule : Check in's every Wednesday
Just to keep everyone in the loop, Iβve decided to check in every Wednesday until all rewards are fulfilled! Even if thereβs nothing big to report, I think itβs important to keep communication open and updates flowing. I'd much rather send too many emails than not enough!
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Please let me know if you have any more questions! As always, you can reply to this update or email me at [email protected] for private inquiries!Β
Hello, everyone!! After a very busy past few weeks for me, I am back!! By end of day Saturday, I plan for the preorder store (for folks who didn't back the campaign) to be open and surveys (for backers) to go out! For the surveys, backers will be able to select designs (such as for pins), add items, and pay for shipping. Folks who didn't get a chance to back the campaign will be able to preorder items through the preorder store. I will post again when all surveys have gone out and the store is open.
Thank YOU so much!! Nicole/munespice PS I am hoping to have the Latt-ray sample soon!!
I just wanted to put out a reminder that if you haven't filled out your survey yet please do so soon! It helps a lot with inventory counts on my end!
Also, I wanted to update that cards will NOT be charged until Swirly's sample is done! In that case, cards will not be charged for add-ons and all for another approximately 3 weeks. I don't think charging until she's finished would be fair. I'll update here when she's finished of course!
Thank you everyone as always for your patience and support! (:
I'm sorry this took me so long, but... I finally got the Discord together! It's probably not perfect. I set up the bones myself, and Evan helped me with some of the more confusing bits, but... I think it'll work!
Here is an invite link that... shouldn't expire. I hope.:
Remember that the Discord is a casual place to hang out and have fun. Please be nice to each other! This will not be a place to argue/discuss heavy topics. I'm sure there are plenty of Discords geared towards that. We should just be chatting about cookies and light stuff, okay?
Hi friends! It's been a minute so wanted to update you on production. Baby Berry, Cherry, and Mochi will be finished by Nov 16th. (estimate). I will have them shipped to me immediately, which means those 3 should be in my hands hopefully by the very beginning of January!
Cinnabunny, Cherry, Lilac, Jellybean, Dango, Licorice, Pascal, and the extra aprons & bandanas are scheduled to be finished on Nov 29th. I will have those shipped to me seperate (Just so I can get the ball rolling on the first few!) And I will hopefully have those by mid January. As soon as I have some bulk photos from my manufacturer I will share them with you guys!
That sets fulfillment to begin in January, and go until the end of February! Please know that delays can happen, especially when shipping is occuring over the holidays. But I'm hopeful we'll be right on track, if not a little earlier!!
