Looking back at Kickstarter, what did we learn?
Just take the leap and go for it!
Last September we were luck enough to be selected as one of the projects for Creative Scotland’s Pilot Crowdfunding Creativity Project. Other projects included SÒLAS, Bòtann, Creative Inverness, Squirrel and Lillian. More about the other projects to follow!
We were the first project to launch and finish. Although our kickstarter was unsuccessful overall the collection had a great response and we learned so much from the project. Like we actually contacted the press and knew how to talk clearly about our collection. The support from Creative Scotland and Paved With Gold was great. Meeting the other participants also gave a wealth of experience, ideas and feedback.
When an opportunity presents itself go for it! Even if you don’t get selected it’s still a great chance to get feedback. If a project doesn’t reach the planned end goal just remember all the things you have done and learned along the way. There’s always things to learn and people to meet so if you can go for a project do it!
There will be a panel talk on 2nd May in Edinburgh about the Crowdfunding Creativity project you can get tickets here. Sadly I won’t make the panel discussion as I teach on Thursdays but I know it’s going to be a brilliant discussion about the project and all the individual projects. So if you are interested in crowdfunding or opportunities round it or the individual projects best grab your tickets now!
The other projects launched on 12th March and have been doing amazingly but there are still a few days left so go check them out! The below is taken from Creative Scotland –
“In Dumfries, Shoe Designer Robert McCaffery, Creative Entrepreneur David Smith and Creative Marketeer Michael Nicholson are crowdfunding to launch a new stylish and ethically-made welly boot brand, Botann.
Glasgow based Ruth Mitchell and Ciorstaidh Monk’s crowdfunding campaign is raising funds towards the debut international launch of their SÒLAS luxury silk sleepwear during Paris Fashion Week where they will be able to present the collection to buyers from international retailers and expand brand reach and influence.
Creative Inverness plan to establish CiRCUS ARTSPACE, an artist-run gallery space and graduate support programme in Inverness city centre. They are crowdfunding to cover rental overheads, materials required for setting up the gallery and exhibition costs.
Creative Inverness CiRCUS - crowdfunder
South Lanarkshire based artist and musician, Tom Sudall’s crowdfunding campaign will help towards the cost of manufacturing and distributing a hand-crafted pocket size board game called Squirrel marketed at young audiences and families.
In Edinburgh, music composer, arranger and sound designer, Terry Peng’s campaign will support the cost of bringing to market a new audio picture book project Lillian. Instead of written words, this picture book’s illustrations will each be accompanied by a piece of music created by different composers.
Book of Lillian - kickstarter ”
See the original blog post here from Creative Scotland.
So what’s happening with Paper Houses Design now? Well the pre-order closed, fabrics were ordered and we are just waiting on them arriving so we can get making! All items are on track to be posted out in May. If you ordered a special edition Signals Riso print then it’s already on its way to you. It would be ace to see photos of your Signals prints in their new homes too. We’ve also been developing some more workshops to bring textile techniques to you all! Want to be the first to know about our workshops then sign up to our newsletter and we’ll drop you an email now and then with info! Plus a selection from our Signals collection have landed in stores in Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh, more on this to follow soon!
Exciting times!