Clutch simple sample is done!
almost 3 years ago – Tue, Jul 27, 2021 at 12:36:41 AM

The clutch simple sample is done, so they are finally going into production! To think we came from this for our binder addition concept:

To this:

I am so grateful with how great it looks!!! 

Much requested update, and IMPORANT EU news
almost 3 years ago – Tue, Jul 20, 2021 at 07:52:06 PM

Hello everyone, I have been sick this month but that has not stopped me from working with the manufacturer to get you thee best clutches/bags! 

Clutch

Last update I posted was about how the manufacturer finished the simple sample of the clutch. Normally manufacturers don't like to send the simple sample to us designers because they aren't perfect but I requested they send it to me so I could make sure everything fits well and isn't TOO bulky. After receiving the sample Kaths, and I agree it is a comfortable thickness. My spouse says it is a little too thick for their weak wrists, but they also said it is a good thing the wrist strap comes with it. I bought a "Happy planner skinny mini" and it fits great in the clutch, even when we shrink the clutch a bit. :

I am also so glad we shipped the simple sample to me because the planner insert does not fit like this happy planner does, so I was able to get those measurements more accurately!

After talking it over with my spouse a bit we agreed the pen loop felt a bit tacked on instead of a logical addition to the clutch so I have worked in a couple more pockets into the clutch:

The dark pink will be pu leather so they will be stiffer pockets for things like cards or paper. 

Because this is a significant change I want to make sure everything works right, we will be making another sample. I do believe with this third sample we are on track for October shipping.

The Crossbody purse and Backpack

The manufacturer has finished the bulk of the work on the crossbody purse and backpack. However there are a couple mistakes that need to be fixed before they ship to me. I am so glad I caught that before they shipped!! 

EU VAT

The EU has made a new VAT system, I will not be able to afford the new cost to sign up for the EU's VAT system. Unfortunately this means that you will be charged additional VAT when your bag arrives. This is a customs fee charged by your country, I will not receive any of that money.  Like it says under my Risks and Challenges section:

• International Shipping Challenges: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CUSTOMS OR TARIFFS INCURRED BY YOUR SHIPPING COUNTRY, WE COMPLY/REPORT PER THE LAW. We will NOT mark orders as a gift or mark down the value of your package.

We will not be providing refunds. However if you are unsure you can afford the VAT charges please let me know via email [email protected] , we will hold the package for up to 6 months. This will allow you to save up the money for the VAT charges (Please note I do not know how much that will cost). If after 6 months you are unresponsive, I will be forced to consider the package abandoned.

Backerkit charges

If you paid via Paypal you have already been charged. If you paid via card you I will let you know when the charges will go out before charging your cards!

Thank you for your patience!

Thank you all for your patience, I am so excited to get these out to all of you! 

Manufacturer photos and a video!! Also update about VAT for UK BACKERS!!
almost 3 years ago – Wed, Jun 09, 2021 at 01:58:50 PM

The Clutch Simple Sample

My manufacturer sent me photos of the simple sample. Quick definition of a simple sample, It is a sample made just for showing the shape often using whatever scraps they have on hand. Things like embroidery, and the custom metal pieces are not going to be on the simple sample. Please note there are changes to this sample I have already discussed with the manufacture.

Please note the inner zipper pocket (the one inside the zipper portion) will not be staying that inner zipper pocket will be an accordion pocket with a zipper element for coins.

New Back Plate

I have been wanting this rivet look from the beginning but there was a miscommunication. Now I can finally show how this looks!

VAT for UK backers

Thank you SO MUCH for your patience! Seriously I am so grateful! I have officially gotten a VAT number so I can now start legally selling to the UK. Please note any VAT charged is legally required of me to collect and sent to the UK, I will not be pocketing any of it! If you are a UK back you are now able to fill out your Backerkit survey! I will also be emailing all he UK backers directly to let you know. You have until August 27th to fill out your survey, please let me know if you need an extension I will try to work with you.

Production has started
almost 3 years ago – Fri, May 21, 2021 at 09:10:43 PM

I have officially started production on the  backpacks and the crossbody. Before starting the clutch we are getting a sample made to show the improvements previously discussed. I will definitely share that here when I have progress photos!

My favorite notes from the surveys

Kaths and I read through the notes left on the surveys. While each of them brought us such joy, these were our favorites in no particular order:

• I know you came out a while back ago as Asexual. Today just happens to be both my birthday and the first ever International Asexuality day, so for the survey to come out on this day too feels really special to me, so I just thought I'd share in my happiness for that with you and thank you for this project. I have so many bee things, so I'm just going to love getting these when they come. Thank you so much!
• I am internally crying so many happy tears! THE YELLOW. BACK. PACK. We made it Mei!!!! We made it TwT I will so very proudly carry this backpack as a badge of honor. So psyched and so thankful for your creative mind, and super business skills to make this campaign so successful!! THANK YOU!!!
• Your design is marvelously done and very clever ! Can't wait to see it in person. Also this will become my everyday purse and my most valued one ! Carry on with your art and projects wish you a successful arstist life and also a lovely life
• Love your work! The fruit bags were cool, so I bet these will be too!
• Thank you so much for creating this Kickstarter! It was so hard to choose just one color!
• I’m so excited! I swooped in last minute for a lemon bag pre-order, so being here for the actual Kickstarter is nice! It’s really a wonderful set of bags, I’m excited for them all. :)
• I just wanted to say think you for your hard work!!🌸🌸🌸😭😭😭
• THANK YOU!!!!! These bags are really pretty, thank you for sharing your creativity!!!!!
• Bees?
• I can't wait to get these!! You've been working really hard and these look absolutely gorgeous!! Have a happy and safe year and make sure to drink plenty of water 💖
• I'm so glad this kickstarter made it all the way to the end, thank yall so much for fulfilling all my pink bee related fashion needs. Hope your day is going well :-)
• I'm 1000% ready to battle someone when they are like OMFG WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR ITA BAG AND CLUTCH.
• Love the design work here!! Hoping to make this my new travel bag :D Good luck with prod. and thank you so much!!
• You're amazing!!! Thank you so much for all that you do!🙏 I backed your watermelon bags too and I was more than ready to support these beauties too! 🥰💕💖
• I just wanted to say that I think you're a pretty awesome artist :)
• You are awesome thank you for creating something so cute that I couldn’t resist!! 😊
• thank you for making these they're unBEElievably cute!!!
• I love this design! I fell in love right away, I especially appreciate the amount of time you've put into the videos to show just how much they can contain.
• I just wanted to let you know that I luckily found your campaign with 2 hours left and backed it as fast as I could! Then I bragged to my friend that I am going to be receiving this amazing bag and now she NEEDS one too! So now I am off the add ons page. Ta Ta!
• I first backed your Kiki pins in 2018 and I have been following you ever since. I love keeping up with your insta stories and looking at your projects! I've finally been able to back another kickstarter of yours and I'm so excited! You've come so far and I love it, keep it up 🎔
• Thank you so much! My witchy goth girlfriend will love this! <3 It's absolutely beautiful.

Some fun data

I made a fun pie graph showing the percentages of each bag that was selected. The Black Clutch and Yellow Crossbody definitely won this prom's King and Queen!

UK Backers

If you emailed me about waiting on the HMRC VAT situation you should have received an email back from me confirming I received your email.  I am still waiting on the HMRC support, and have already followed up with them to see the progress. I will let you know once I know the status of the VAT application. I am doing everything I can to get that ball rolling. 

Surveys are closed!
almost 3 years ago – Tue, May 04, 2021 at 08:37:29 PM

Hello my Sakura Bees! The surveys are now closed, only 4 backers (of the backers who pledged for rewards) did not fill out their survey. I consider this a huge win, it can be very hard to get 100% response on the surveys, and we got 99.98% completed!If you did not get a Kickstarter message from me then your survey was completed!!

Production

I have paid for the bag production, but my manufacturer is on a week holiday. After they get back we will be going over the improvements I mentioned in the Kickstarter video, before we go into production.

I will be working with my manufacturer on the redesigns to the clutch and I will share the pictures here as I get any! 

I hope you all have a great day.