4/1 Update!
Hi, hello!! Wanted to do an update to the website and let y'all know what's going on. Took a lot of time off from socials last month to really focus on in shop stuff. Went through all our fabrics, got a sense of what we have, what we need, what I can use for future collections, what won't work, and so on. When sourcing most of our fabrics second hand there is limited amount to work with and often times it can take a while before finding something similar or better to replace it with. Stack that on top work with our studio, mentally prepping for taxes, and trying to get our largest heart bag order complete while there was a shipping shut down. yeah! owning a business! fun never stops!
no honestly, I love everything about working for myself. There are many challenges and lots of different hats to wear, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Taking a step back from socials really helped me get some stuff in order going forward, which! Also! Takes me to the next announcement!! Our Patreon is LIVE!!! Yes I've been wanting to make a Patreon FOREVER now and really go much more in depth with some of the BTS stuff, but!! I also hate the idea of these apps data mining my customers and using their engagement to continue living in a dystopian hellscape that we all suffer for!! Now I know I can't totally LEAVE social media and not everyone is interested in getting another platform to keep up with us, but it does make me feel a lot better sharing my stuff there for those who really want to keep up with what we're doing. I am making sure there is PLENTY of free content as well as some more exclusive things for paying tiers. I don't expect to live off it, but it is a comfort to know that people can show up in supportive ways at different times. Plus! I'm trying to switch my own online engagement to smaller creators, platforms, subscriptions, shops, and media services all the time. My small drop of the pools of huge cooperations isn't going to be super impactful, but it makes me feel more reassured and more aligned with how I want to approach the world we live in. For instance! Last year I canceled two of my mostly unused media platform subscriptions and in place donated $25 monthly on a reoccurring payment to Planned Parenthood, and by the end of the year that was like almost $600 to them!
Also! Super happy to say that we donated $50 to the trevor project last month for the sales of our "I'm glad you're still here" wall pillows. We earned $35 in profit from the sales, and I typically round up to the nearest 'suggested' donation if able to. I always forget to share what we're doing with these extra funds here and there. That's something I want to share more of in Patreon/Website updates.
This month we're focusing on bringing back some classics! Our iconic clowns from Stacia Collins from Ice 9 tattoos and Rotting Bodies Totes for spring!! Meanwhile for our first oddities show in Columbus, Ohio we'll be making a whole lot of different stuff. Heart bags, wall pillows, photo albums, zines, horn bows, banners, bag charms, and so on. All the goodies people know and love in one place! And whatever we have left over and can spare before the next show will be going up on the website for a leftovers sale!!
Okay, there's a little update from HQ for now. I won't lie, these will be more frequent and in depth over at Patreon, but I'll be sure to put all update info and everything needed to know to get the goodies y'all are looking for in the free tier over there. Thanks so much as always!!!
xoxo ally