Post Kickstarter Project - So many packages!

I have spent the past week packaging and mailing everything. It felt like gift wrapping 200 packages. Doing it all alone took so long, but I think (hope) that everyone will be happy with the packages. I have this habit of overdoing the packages possibly because I actually really do love package designs. I always thought that if I didn't become an artist, I'd be a graphic designer specializing in packages. My professional graphic designer friend told me that no one would hire me though because my package designs would cost too much to make lol. Nice Package design does add so much to the product to me though! 

Anyways, before I go off on a tangent again, let's get back to the Kickstarter packages. Look! This is why it took me a week. I was staying up until 5 am for a few nights too @_@.  

Tada! Almost 200 boxes.

I must say that I usually love those tear by hand packaging tape that Scotch makes, but when you have to package so many, I started to feel like it was peeling off the top layer of my fingers so much that it left my finger tip feeling all raw. Note to self: Next time, buy the regular packaging tape that's not only cheaper, but will save the outer layer of the skin of your finger too...

 See, I hand cut all those strips of papers forgetting that everything I do is multiply by 200. I bought a pretty cork board display even if they are kind of pricy, but I really wanted these packages to feel much more special than what you'd normally get when you purchase pins.

And all the pins have a unique backing design and they have to be hand packaged as well. That's like a thousand pins. @_@;

Phew~ I wonder if it actually makes a difference to the receivers weather it comes in a nicely packaged box or just an envelope. I sure hope so :). 

My first Kickstarter Campaign is over! Thank you!

Well, that was very fun! I am so glad that I tried it. I learnt a lot from this campaign, and I felt like I was getting to know some of my followers a little more too. Overall, there were approx. 170 backers and I raised about $6000 for the project which was really nice. This means I can really make some amazing packages for everyone.

I think if I were to do this again, I need to do pre-launch posts, plan better stretch goals, and plan more updates. I now also know how the reward system works, so it will be more clear next time. Once someone pledge, I couldn't change the description. At first 5 pins were the original designs for the complete set, but I went and added on a few more pins, so eventually, 8 pins became a complete set. I ended up just giving the last extra pin to anyone that pledged for 7 pins or more, so they didn't have to go and change they pledge again.

Overall, Kickstarter was a lot more work than I thought. For someone who is not really involved much with Social Media, I really had to push myself to interact with everyone much more. Now that the campaign is all over, I feel so tired lol. I did do paintings for the few that pledged for "artist packs". I have some more left to do. Hopefully, everyone will get something they like. "Artist packs" are fun because I get to do something that feels really personal for the ones that like original art works. Overall, the campaign was still for Enamel pins, so I wanted to do these as very special tiers.

Thank you so much for all the people that supported me. I am going to try to be better at posting sketches and drawings from now on. (Now that I know that there are some people looking and following lol).  I am actually going to be going to more life-drawing sessions, so I will post some of those as well! 

Kickstarter - Floral Forest Critters Enamel Pins

I have launched my first Kickstarter campaign! It's been so fun. I did a campaign that's about 25 days long. I have already reached my goal and there are still 2 weeks left. If this works out, I can come up with more series of pins, and that would be so awesome because I have so many sketches and ideas~

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/patara/floral-forest-critter-spirits-enamel-pins-collecti

 My first Kickstarter Campaign! 

Available Choices

Since the campaign is going so well, I decided to add some stickers to give to all my Backers as well. I'm so grateful for all the support. I'm terrible at social media and marketing, so I was surprise that I got so many supporters. It's also very fun to be able to get feedback and suggestions from everyone.

Free Stickers for all my supporters <3

 This blog has been so dead. I should revive it. Need to post more lol.

Here Comes The Night WIP

Here Comes The Night WIP

Work In Progress, but I'm sleepy now and I have to go to work tomorrow Zzz.

Two Worlds: Yeti and Sasquatch

Two Worlds

I want to make a popup book of this so badly. Plush cost is already killing me, so I don't know if I will ever get to it, but if I make a children book, I really want a pop-up book! At least I can dream right? lol.

For now, I might use it as booth decoration for SDCC this year.

~Patara

Yeti and Sasquatch Plush dolls

Baby Yeti Sticker

Our Yeti and Sasquatch plush dolls are done! Yay! I have been reminded again how difficult it is to produce your own product.  It was such a crazy process. There were times when I think "why am I doing this to myself?!" When it's my own product, I really do want to make sure it is "perfect". Well, as perfect as I can possibly make it with whatever means I have at least. Other than making sure that the translation of the design has to be done well, the materials also has to be carefully chosen. The colors of the materials also have to be just right. There were so many prototype revisions down to crazy changes on embroidery colors (subtle hue changes even) to make sure that everything looks right. My sister is the quality control girl and I couldn't do this with out her. She's so good at the little details.

Good Job, Team!

Baby Yeti Embroidery Details

Baby Sasquatch Embroidery Details

Bonus Pic of my 3 year old Nephew. Aww~

By the way, I will be selling them at San Diego Comic Con this year. Please come by and support me!

Messing around - Quick Sketch

Quick sketch not based on anything. 

Inktober Part 1

A lot of my friends are doing the #Inktober Challenge. I thought it'd be good to do more ink practice, so I decided to try too. I used my phone to take the pictures, so the quality is not that great. If I get a chance, I will try to scan them :).

Unicorn Centaur

Here's a painting that I did of a Unicorn Centaur. It's from an old sketch. I cleaned it up a lot at first, but it looked too smooth. I think the roughness in my original sketch suits the mood more, so I went back and roughen up the brush strokes again lol.

One Last Hope

Sleeping Yeti & Maya

I don't think I've posted this one on the blog yet :). I had a lot of fun doing this. Baby Yeti and Maya playing and sleeping.

and below are the thumbnail sketches that I did. It was actually for a client that wanted something for their baby shower invitation that they could also make a large print for their baby's room.

WIP - jellyfish

Another Idea that I had, so I wanted to sketch it out before I forget.

WIP

Just another sketch.

The Little Mermaid WIP

The Little Mermaid WIP

Decided to go back and work on one of my old sketch. It's still a work in progress. I think I'm going to try to finish this one up this week. It's inspired by Ariel from Disney's The Little Mermaid :). I'm thinking of drawing a few other princesses too later on, so that they will make a nice set.

Hopeful

The Last Match...

I've always wanted to draw The Little Match Girl. That last match just breaks my heart. She was so hopeful. Why didn't anyone buy her matches!!! argggh~ I don't know if I really did her justice here. I think my original sketch was better. I might try again and draw a nicer picture of her one of these days.

So many things happened in the last 2 months that leaves me feeling a little strange. I went on a trip. In Japan, I met up with FSc whom I haven't seen in a few years. It was nice to catch up with her. I met Fujijun for the first time through FSc too. She's so awesome. I really love her artworks. Then I went to Thailand. I was quite busy with work while I was away, so it didn't really feel like a vacation. It felt more like working away from home. I ended up having to go to Denmark for work in the middle of my Thailand trip, then back to Thailand again. I found a stray kitten that I decided to bring back to the states. My dad passed away, but I'm glad I got to see him right before he passed away. I was busy with the funeral and also super busy with work. Then on the way back I caught a cold and was super sick on the plane ride home. I have to fly back for the kitten because he was sick and ended up getting his vaccines late. Lastly, I'm going to move to Denmark in 2 months for work. I've been freelancing for over 10 years. It will be strange to be working in an office, but it's a wonderful opportunity and I still get to draw and design.

Lion, Bear, Tiger

Inspired to draw the Lion, the Bear, and the Tiger.

Leo, Baloo, and Shere Khan
Here is the background story about trio if you guys are interested "Baloo, Leo, & Shere Khan Story"

They are always looking for donations because it costs $33,000 per month to take care of those animals. If you have a few dollars to spare, anything helps :).

Life Drawing sketches 2

More life drawing sketches. By the way, you can use the arrow keys on the keyboard to navigate the sketches. I think it's easier than clicking. Hmm... does anyone ever even check this blog? I wonder lol.