Project Status: Birthstone Goddesses Wall Calendar & Art Book – Production Agenda & Challenges

After the year that was 2020, my husband’s very scary battle with COVID this year, a house move, and my general burnout from all of the above, it’s safe to say that the Birthstone Goddesses have been VERY de-railed from being completed when I wanted them to be.  I had hoped 2021 would be their grand finale!  Unfortunately, due to our current economic climate and supply shortages, it’s looking like this won’t be the case.

I’ve been watching many recent crowdfunding projects be upended by paper shortages and supply chain issues with COVID still surging around the world.  Paper shortages means a rising cost to things like shipping supplies and paper-based products.  (This thread has a simplified explanation of the situation happening right now).

Because of all of this, I’ve come to the decision that I won’t be running any Kickstarters for the calendar or art book this year.  The long of the short of it is that a small creator like me is in danger of being massively overwhelmed by the unpredictable costs involved.

Even if I can’t do these things this year, I’m still primed to share my journey as I prep these products for production!  Here’s a look at my current agenda for getting the calendar and art book ready for crowdfunding, with more in-depth sneak peeks of my production process to come that I’m saving to share exclusively with my Patrons.

Wall Calendar To Do List

  • Find/Create 2023 calendar templates
  • Create any extra art needed for layouts
  • Get quotes & proofs from the local printer who did the coloring books (This will have to wait until paper prices go down).
  • Create marketing images and plan for the Kickstarter

Art Book To Do List

  • Create the book’s flat plan layout
  • Create extra interior elements needed for each section
  • Finish additional paintings!  I want to make some special unpublished paintings just for the book.
  • Hire a book layout designer (if this task proves overwhelming for me alone)
  • Figure out which book printer to use and get quotes
  • Plan two different versions for regular and deluxe
  • Create marketing images and plan for the Kickstarter

Backup Plans?

Should the production issues continue, my backup plan for the interim is to work on a series of Birthstone-themed pendant necklaces based on each Goddess’ mandala window.

While there will still be paper-based products involved, I suspect this will be far easier to manage than anything that relies more heavily on paper pulp, like books or calendars.

(The Lady of December’s mandala window design.)

I have to shout out The Forager’s Daughter’s amazing pendants which made me realize that my designs might also make lovely pendants in the same cloisonné style.

I’ve been wanting to create jewelry items to include in gift sets for each Goddess for a long time now and I think a pendant necklace would be the perfect thing!

That’s all the  Birthstone Goddess news I have for now!  I’m going to keep chipping away at the to-do list and sharing what I can as we navigate these uncertain waters.

♥ Ang

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