Most of the products in the Calamityware store start as Kickstarter projects. Here are some things I’m working on that might become Kickstarter projects in the new year.
As always, my predictions are likely to be wildly inaccurate. The freedom to start new projects, procrastinate, change my priorities, and put work on the shelf are some of the reasons I love my self-inflicted projects.
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BADbandana 6: Pizza Dragons. I’ve been working on a red bandana design decorated with pizza-loving dragons. I hope this can be a Kickstarter project in January 2020. A great way to get the new year off to a hot start. (Became an active Kickstarter project on January 5.)
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Big TCBW Mug. Been working on a prototype of a really big version of the Things-Could-Be-Worse mug. Finally think the handle is right and all the production difficulties are solved. This could be an ideal project for people who prefer a BIG beverage. Also been investigating the notion of a porcelain travel mug.
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New Jigsaw Puzzle. Now that all the original puzzles are gone, it might be time to create a new jigsaw puzzle design. My previous manufacturer closed down but I think we’ve finally found a good workshop to make them. So, I’ve been auditioning characters.
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Bug-Out Bag. Been sketching some ideas for a zippered tote bag for overnight get-aways or other escape plans.
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Beastly Bowls. How about a set of porcelain bowls especially for your favorite pets—cats, dogs, bunnies, capybaras, pythons? Still a lot of work to do, but this could become a project before the year ends.
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Letterpress print. I like the idea of doing another letterpress print to pep up someone’s art collection. Several different themes are competing for my attention right now—traffic, dinosaurs, space travelers, megaphones, robots, maps, and troglodytes. If one of them floats to the top, that could make a fun Kickstarter project in 2020.
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Textiles? I’ve been exploring some new ideas for patterns that could make unusual scarves, ties, or other textiles. Might make some colorful additions to 2020.
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Another book? I’ve noticed that bad guys don’t seem to be as good as they once were. So, to help, I’m working on an illustrated career guide for villains. It’s going very slowly because other projects keep eating up my time. Some good news? Readers will be delighted to know that this book will not include any poetry. Yeah!
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Other potential projects include more tea cups, a blanket, cloak of invisibility, and anti-gravity boots. Watch for email updates as the year advances.
I’m still exploring the zone where products are beautiful, utilitarian, and funny. I hope you’ll find something I’m doing worthy of your support. But I plan to keep up the effort, whether anyone is behind me or not.
Don—Pittsburgh, December 27, 2019
Pat Oles
April 01, 2020
I am looking forward to the mugs!! And hope that the bug out bags and beastly bags make it to the top of your 2020 project list!!