Final sample
over 5 years ago
– Wed, Oct 31, 2018 at 11:34:17 PM
*deep breath*
Ok, I've officially signed off on the final sample. I'm just praying I've got it all correct. The deposit has been sent, the tag designs have been confirmed. Here he is:
In terms of safety testing, it's looking like the best thing to do at this stage is to test to US standards. The age bracket Bagthulhu is intended for really doesn't have many regulations (besides the obvious stuff that applies for every age), but I'll feel better if we test anyway.
Once the deposit clears (hopefully soon), the manufacturer will purchase materials, send the label designs to the printer, and (depending on their preferred methods) either commission press clicker blades (for cutting the fabric) or have the fabric cut with a band knife (or other precision industrial cutter).
...I'm going to go cuddle our new eldritch overlord.
Final sample
over 5 years ago
– Wed, Oct 24, 2018 at 12:56:41 AM
The final bagthulhu sample has arrived. He's looking pretty good, I'll give him a thorough check before I sign off. Fingers crossed there's nothing amiss, and then I can put through the deposit for the manufactured run.
We're still sorting out the importing costs and safety testing, but I feel like we're making real progress ^_^. I'll put up photos of the final sample once I can kidnap the photographer.
Money is pretty tight, the delays have been costly, the biggest ones were all the handcutting we had to do to fix the bulk cutting issues with the custom colour run, and getting new samples made up after the first manufacturer fell through. I built contingencies into the original budget but they weren't enough (I've learned for the future: However much you think you need, quadruple it) so I've been putting my own money in as much as I can to make up the difference, and I'm hoping to reopen a few custom commission slots to help bring in some more (so if you see me taking orders, please please please don't think I've forgotten about you). I have a few things slowly ticking along in the background that I'm hoping will help too. Whatever happens, I'm committed to seeing this through to the best of my ability, because you folks are awesome and deserve to have your souls devoured by only the finest of cuddly abominations.
Once fulfillment is underway I want to see if I can find a friendly company that does the con circuit who wouldn't mind taking a horror show of Bathulhus along for the ride, see if we can spread some good old fashioned tentacular discord and chaos.
This journey isn't over, and I have to admit, I'm so nervous I'm shaking a bit while I type this. The sign off means that it's final, no more last minute changes, what if it's not perfect? What if I miss something huge and obvious? What if it turns out they hate the colour? What if a shipment gets lost in transit? There's still a ways to go yet, but I'm so grateful to have you wonderful folks along for the ride.
Progress and hitches
over 5 years ago
– Wed, Oct 17, 2018 at 02:20:52 AM
Hello folks,
So I finished up the sewn label and hang tag designs. I went for super simple, hopefully that will look ok. I had to go digging through old files to find the original high res photos because the copies I had easy access to weren't good enough for print.
I also got the quote back to courier the bagthulhus to the fulfillment centres. And... ouch. It's way, way out of the budget. I was really hoping I could make it work because it would mean getting it to you a couple of weeks faster, but it will cost almost as much as the run itself and the money just isn't there. I built a contingency into the budget, but that got eaten up by the fiasco with the cutters (for the custom rewards) that we had to redo, and getting new samples after the first manufacturer fell through. I've been funding the extra costs out of my own money as much as I can but I think this is beyond what I can do :(. I've asked for some lower cost options, the likelihood is seafreight, which takes a few weeks, but I'll explore some other possibilities too.
In other news, I got this photo a few days ago, they've fixed the minor issues we had. So barring any unforseen stuff (fingers, toes, knees, elbows, and hearts crossed), I think I can sign off on this sample.
I'm still waiting on info about the safety testing, that and the importing are our biggest hurdles to clear before the rise of R'lyeh.
Another step closer
over 5 years ago
– Wed, Oct 10, 2018 at 06:21:48 AM
I got a photo tonight of the revisions the manufacturers have made to the sample, it's looking pretty good so far. They've also found cord in an acceptable colour.
We've finalised the numbers going to each fulfillment centre, and we're waiting on shipping quotes for that now.
I've sent off the hang tag and sewn tag artwork (though it's mostly text). They're very simple, but that's ok.
We're still waiting to hear back about the safety testing, but we're making progress nonetheless.
State of the nation
over 5 years ago
– Mon, Sep 24, 2018 at 11:39:59 PM
This isn't a full update so much as an in between so you folks know I haven't forgotten you.
The final sample had a few mistakes in it, which the manufacturers say can be fixed in production. The main one is that they widened the entire head rather than just the point I specified.
The fabric they found isn't as soft as what I normally use, but it's the best colour we've found so far so I think we need to go with it.
They haven't found the draw cord in green yet, but they have a backup option if they can't which will do.
I've been working on the labels that will go on the Bagthulhus.
I'm still waiting to hear back about the safety testing. I'll keep pushing for that to get sorted asap. Once that's sorted we can go into production ^_^.
In terms of packaging, I decided to go with the polybags after researching the footprint of paper packaging (it was one of you folks who pointed it out). It was pretty surprising seeing the impact paper has. It's not ideal, but I think in the future I want to keep looking for better alternatives. I already send my handmade pieces in recycled packing and as many in recycled shipping bags and boxes as possible.
The next step is confirming how we're going to ship the Bagthulhus from the factory to the fulfillment centres. I'm inclined to go with a faster option if I can afford it. It's not a bulky or heavy load. I can't predict what customs will do but hopefully there won't be any problems (fingers crossed). I'll be paying the VAT for the EU, if the US and Canada decide to charge duties I will be paying those as well.
I can't say how grateful I am for all your patience, you folks have been so wonderful.
