Crowdfunding: Connecting Creators and Patrons

When you first join this community, please make an introductory post telling folks who you are and what you do.

Alrighty. :)

Are you a creative person, a donor, or both?

I'd like to be both, but for now I'm here as a creative person. And a seeker of advice.

What kind of goods or services do you offer?

Right now all I have are the things at my Etsy shop. Crocheted scrunchies, hats, and drawstring bags, and inside-decorated Moleskines, for people who dig places like paperjournals and jr__nal but either that sort of decorating isn't their thing, or they don't want to stop to decorate each page. With my Moleskines you can just keep writing and have some kind of decor on every page--though you might want to switch writing instruments here and there.

Two things I'm gathering materials for but don't have the space for right now (and I'm getting ready to move from Fort Wainwright to Fort Drum so even the the zillion crocheted things I've made lately haven't gone up because they'll be shipped with my household goods and I don't know when I'll get them. The things at my Etsy shop will be brought with me in my luggage, though, so those are available for purchase any time) are Large Bead Tapestries, which will be beads made from halved toilet paper rolls that've been covered in cloth or sprayed with metallic spray paint (or both, there are lots of things I can cover them with), and string them together like part of a beaded bracelet, and those will be wall hangings. (I would appreciate if no one else grabbed onto this, 'cause I'm rather proud of it.)

Another thing I'm gathering is Frappucino bottles to make jar candles with, and I'll be experimenting with scents and colors--they won't all be coffee-colored and I took all the stickers off anyway. (This one has been done by all sorts of people in all sorts of ways so I don't mind if anyone uses this idea. I may have come up with it in a vacuum but surely others have too.)

Also, paper beads, though I'm not sure whether to sell them in packs as beads or as already-made jewelry items. Suggestions?

What I'd like to do is have a booth at the Fort Drum post exchange during the holidays, and I'll be looking up prices as soon as we arrive (hopefully this month!), so I'd ask for help setting that up once I had the info, but here's where I ask for advice--how do you think I should go about soliciting donations? Donate $5, get a scrunchie, donate 10, get a coin purse, donate $20, get a hat? 'Cause I can do that, and even take custom orders regarding color. Once I start the other projects I can give out those, too. (And if you want to go ahead and donate now, the PayPal email address is [email protected].)

What kind do you like to read or view?

I like the creative people that have increasingly cool gifts to go with increased donations. It's always more fun to get not just the warm fuzzy feeling of helping a struggling artist (or in my case, a broke-but-not-poor junior enlisted army wife :P) but something that struggling artist made. For example, I want to donate to this lady because the stuff she's offering is cool and useful. :)

Why do you like crowdfunded creativity?

Because the first world totally needs micro-lending too! And it's nice to give the big banks the big finger (or two fingers, depending on your region). ;)

Apologies for my rambling. Nice to meet y'all!