The Pre-Order Store is now live!If you missed out on pledging in the original campaign, you can place your order here! Your order will follow the same production timeline as original backers. The Pre-Order store will close on 9:00pm ET December 19, 2024.
SURVEY UPDATE Surveys are in the process of being reviewed and will be sent out over the next few days.* If you backed this project, this is where you get to choose your Hurtsies and modify your pledge! You can also add on items. IMPORTANT: If your payment previously failed after the campaign ended you will not receive a survey. You MUST resubmit your payment to receive your survey.
*Full disclosure, I did not realize that a review was required for the surveys too, and mistook it for the smoke testing. I value honesty so I'm gonna take full accountability for my own blunder! I had everything set up and ready to go but neglected to submit for review because I thought that's what smoke testing was for. >< That ain't anyone's fault but my own, so I'll adjust timelines however I need to account for my mistake. We will be placing orders for bulk this week, so it's important we know how much of each design to order. <3
Thank you all for your patience! I delayed surveys because a lot of backers expressed concern with choosing a plush before they had a good idea of what it looked like. That’s a sentiment I can totally get behind. So I wanted to get a good sample image for each design before sending out the final surveys. It’s important to me that I provide a great product for all of you. These samples still need minor tweaks, but to stay on track with the original schedule as best as possible. I will continue to update y’all, and look forward to getting the samples in hand so I can provide more photos and videos!💖
I’m going to go through each of the Hurtsies, changes I made, and final revisions. Before starting, most of the samples will have color revisions! My manufacturer will be sending a color book with the samples so that we can change them to a more accurate color without all the guess work. (Factory lighting makes it hard to communicate the perfect shade!)
Please keep in mind! I will be able to provide better photos and videos once the samples are in hand. For now, please allow some wiggle room for photo angles and factory lighting. Let’s get into it! 😝
Grimsley (The OG!) Interactive Feature: Removable Guts
The original Hurtsie! Grimsley features a zipper on his tummy, with removable intestines (actually a cute pink scrunchie and headband!)
Nibbles Interactive Feature: Removable Brain! Nibbles has a zipper located at the top of his head, with a removable brain coin purse inside.
The location of the zipper was moved up so as not to distort the shape of the head. The original placement had the head looking a bit flat up top. The brain, rather than being a stress ball, will be made into a coin purse. Due to the scale, getting the shape and detail correct was difficult. The small coin purse allows more detail and also more functionality. This way a real stress ball could be inserted into it, or other small items.
Revisions for Final Sample
Slight adjustments to facial embroidery (see: blood spatter on face.)
Brain is in the process of being revamped entirely.
Padding in ears.
Mishmash Interactive Feature: Doubles as a backpack! Mishmash has two storage compartments: a large pouch in his head, and a smaller compartment in his body.
Mishmash’s base pattern differs slightly from the other Hurtsies so that he looks more squishy and floppy when he hangs around on your back! His legs are a bit longer so they can dangle, but can be posed to mimic the sitting pose of the other Hurtsies. In this photo, he is posed head-on.
Wiggles Interactive Feature: Brain Worms! Wiggles has a zipper located at the top of her head, with three plush worms inside. The worms double as little fidget toys, with a fun spiral design to whirl around your fingers.
Like Nibbles, we raised the zipper placement to keep the head shape from distorting. Not many other changes need to be made to Wiggles except for adjustments to her color!
Revisions for Final Sample:
Color revisions (belly fabric + embroidery fabric.)
Padding in ears.
Grave Robbert Interactive Feature: Removable Bones! Grave Robbert has a zipper located on his belly, with a set of removable bones, as well as a headband in the shape of a spinal cord!
NOTE: We have not yet received the latest sample image of Grave Robbert. Our biggest challenge has been his mask marking. Due to the position and size, there is a bit of puckering with the stitches due to close proximity with the seams.
Revisions for Final Sample:
Adjustments to face marking to reduce puckering around mask.
Head shape and size adjusted to match others.
Headband will be longer with less exposed elastic.
Riffraff
Interactive Feature: Removable Stomach Riffraff has a zipper located on his belly, with a removable stomach pouch inside.
Our little sugar fiend is basically good to go, aside from color revisions! We changed his facial embroidery to match his hyper attitude after many suggestions from backers! Revisions for Final Sample:
Color Revisions to body and embroidery thread.
Hair adjusted to match original character.
Mumble Interactive Feature: Removable Bandage Headwrap + A Bandage Ear!
Mumble’s zipper is located on his back, disguised as a claw mark. In his zipper pouch, he has an additional bandage head-wrap. His long ear can be wrapped around him (like a mummy!) We have been making slight adjustments to his bandage placements. I will be able to provide a better selection of photos when the samples arrive at the home office!
Revisions for Final Sample:
Color Revisions
Gruff
Interactive Feature: Zipper Mouth (with hidden teeth and tongue!) Gruff’s silly little mouth opens up to reveal a long tongue to roll up and tug on and four cute teeth!
Gruff has been one of the more difficult designs, but I love him in all his silly glory! Unfortunately, due to the size of the plush, we couldn't really do the removable teeth, so we leaned into the zipper mouth! He functions much like Mishmash for storage. To resolve the teeth issue, I designed a cute little toothy charm freebie to go with his design for backers. A pink design is available as an add-on, but a candy corn-themed design will be included with Gruff. <3
Gruff also has similar issues as Grave Robbert in regards to his marking, so we are working for a resolution to that!
Revisions for Final Sample:
Color Revisions
Revising Tongue & Mouth Shape
Here's a full view of the journey each sample went through (not including Grimsley!) Grave Robbert and Gruff are still in their ugly duckling phase, I fear! But they'll turn into beautiful swans here soon, or maybe more like, radioactive geese.
Here is our revised production timeline. Please note that this timeline may change pending any delays to shipping that are out of our control.
UPDATED PRODUCTION TIMELINE
Surveys Deadline: TBD (Ideally 12/15/2024)
Pre-Order Store Closes: 12/16/24
Order submitted to Manufacturer: No later than 12/27/24
Order Shipped from Overseas ETA: Approx February-March
Quality Testing: March-April
Hurtsies Fulfillment ETA: Mid-to-late May
GPSR LAW We have had inquiries regarding if GPSR will impact our backers in the EU. While it isn't clear yet, we are in the process of getting a representative established for us to avoid any potential issues with shipping Hurtsies to the EU.
What to Expect After Surveys:
Don't worry! I don't plan on disappearing on y'all. I plan to make monthly updates (at least!) from now until the plushies are shipped out. These updates will include photos of plushes, behind-the-scenes like designing packaging, etc. Y'all have put your trust (and hard-earned money) into this project, so I fully intend on being present and bringing you along with each step of this journey! If at any point, you're feeling nervous or kept in the dark, just send us an e-mail or hang out with us in the community tab!
And on a final note, I probably sound like a broken record right now, but thank you all sooooo much for your support! I have been avoiding crowdfunding projects for a long time now because, let's face it, as a single human, they're super scary. I really appreciate the grace and kindness and excitement that all of y'all have shown me as I figure out how to do all of this. I've been learning so much, making notes on what I can do to improve next time, and I hope I can continue to iron out my process so that I can continue making silly and unique projects to share with all of you!
I hope all of you are having an excellent holiday season, and that you're eating plenty of delicious sweets, wherever you are!!!
