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Hurtsies: Interactive Zombie Plushies!

Created by Loppy Rae

Meet the Hurtsies! These cute zombie bunnies are not only cuddly, but also uniquely interactive. Each design features plush guts that are not only fun to remove, but also fully functional as accessories for both you and your plush pal!

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Surveys Sent, A New Logo, and a New Sample!
5 days ago – Fri, Dec 13, 2024 at 03:04:03 PM




Hello everybunny! All surveys have officially been sent! Please fill them out when you can & we can get this show on the road! I understand we're cutting it close to the established deadline, but I'll extend as necessary if y'all need more time! During these surveys, you can choose the exact designs you want, as well as add-on any additional items. $5 Backers will also receive surveys as an opportunity to shop from the add-on store, but it's not required! If you don't want to purchase any add-ons, just skip until the end. Your card won't be charged again, don't worry! 



Grave Robbert's latest sample came in, and he is looking much better!  The puckered stitches around the face have been resolved. (Headband not pictured, but all samples are on transit to me to get a proper photo shoot and a last round of testing!)


Lastly, thanks to nice_breakfast for the official Hurtsies logo! It's everything I had hoped for and I'm so excited to use it for all of our official branding! What do you think? 

PRE-ORDER STORE IS LIVE + SURVEY UPDATE + Sample Recap!
8 days ago – Mon, Dec 09, 2024 at 06:11:26 PM

Hi everybunny!

The Pre-Order Store is now live! If you missed out on pledging in the original campaign, you can place your order here! Your order will follow the same production timeline as original backers. The Pre-Order store will close on 12:00pm ET December 16, 2024. 

SURVEY UPDATE
Surveys are in the process of being reviewed and will be sent out over the next few days.* If you backed this project, this is where you get to choose your Hurtsies and modify your pledge! You can also add on items. IMPORTANT: If your payment previously failed after the campaign ended you will not receive a survey. You MUST resubmit your payment to receive your survey.

*Full disclosure, I did not realize that a review was required for the surveys too, and mistook it for the smoke testing. I value honesty so I'm gonna take full accountability for my own blunder! I had everything set up and ready to go but neglected to submit for review because I thought that's what smoke testing was for. >< That ain't anyone's fault but my own, so I'll adjust timelines however I need to account for my mistake. We will be placing orders for bulk this week, so it's important we know how much of each design to order. <3

Thank you all for your patience! I delayed surveys because a lot of backers expressed concern with choosing a plush before they had a good idea of what it looked like. That’s a sentiment I can totally get behind. So I wanted to get a good sample image for each design before sending out the final surveys. It’s important to me that I provide a great product for all of you. These samples still need minor tweaks, but to stay on track with the original schedule as best as possible. I will continue to update y’all, and look forward to getting the samples in hand so I can provide more photos and videos!💖

I’m going to go through each of the Hurtsies, changes I made, and final revisions. Before starting, most of the samples will have color revisions! My manufacturer will be sending a color book with the samples so that we can change them to a more accurate color without all the guess work. (Factory lighting makes it hard to communicate the perfect shade!)

Please keep in mind! I will be able to provide better photos and videos once the samples are in hand. For now, please allow some wiggle room for photo angles and factory lighting. Let’s get into it! 😝


Grimsley (The OG!)
Interactive Feature: Removable Guts
The original Hurtsie! Grimsley features a zipper on his tummy, with removable intestines (actually a cute pink scrunchie and headband!)










Nibbles
Interactive Feature: Removable Brain! Nibbles has a zipper located at the top of his head, with a removable brain coin purse inside.

The location of the zipper was moved up so as not to distort the shape of the head. The original placement had the head looking a bit flat up top. The brain, rather than being a stress ball, will be made into a coin purse. Due to the scale, getting the shape and detail correct was difficult. The small coin purse allows more detail and also more functionality. This way a real stress ball could be inserted into it, or other small items.

Revisions for Final Sample
  • Slight adjustments to facial embroidery (see: blood spatter on face.)
  • Brain is in the process of being revamped entirely. 
  • Padding in ears.

Mishmash
Interactive Feature: Doubles as a backpack! Mishmash has two storage compartments: a large pouch in his head, and a smaller compartment in his body. 

Mishmash’s base pattern differs slightly from the other Hurtsies so that he looks more squishy and floppy when he hangs around on your back! His legs are a bit longer so they can dangle, but can be posed to mimic the sitting pose of the other Hurtsies. In this photo, he is posed head-on.

Wiggles
Interactive Feature: Brain Worms! Wiggles has a zipper located at the top of her head, with three plush worms inside. The worms double as little fidget toys, with a fun spiral design to whirl around your fingers.

Like Nibbles, we raised the zipper placement to keep the head shape from distorting. Not many other changes need to be made to Wiggles except for adjustments to her color!

Revisions for Final Sample:
  • Color revisions (belly fabric + embroidery fabric.)
  •  Padding in ears. 


Grave Robbert
Interactive Feature: Removable Bones! Grave Robbert has a zipper located on his belly, with a set of removable bones, as well as a headband in the shape of a spinal cord!

NOTE: We have not yet received the latest sample image of Grave Robbert. Our biggest challenge has been his mask marking. Due to the position and size, there is a bit of puckering with the stitches due to close proximity with the seams. 

Revisions for Final Sample:
  • Adjustments to face marking to reduce puckering around mask.
  • Head shape and size adjusted to match others.
  • Headband will be longer with less exposed elastic.











Riffraff
Interactive Feature: Removable Stomach Riffraff has a zipper located on his belly, with a removable stomach pouch inside.
Our little sugar fiend is basically good to go, aside from color revisions! We changed his facial embroidery to match his hyper attitude after many suggestions from backers!

Revisions for Final Sample:
  • Color Revisions to body and embroidery thread.
  • Hair adjusted to match original character.

Mumble
Interactive Feature: Removable Bandage Headwrap + A Bandage Ear!


Mumble’s zipper is located on his back, disguised as a claw mark. In his zipper pouch, he has an additional bandage head-wrap. His long ear can be wrapped around him (like a mummy!) We have been making slight adjustments to his bandage placements. I will be able to provide a better selection of photos when the samples arrive at the home office!

Revisions for Final Sample:
  • Color Revisions













Gruff
Interactive Feature: Zipper Mouth (with hidden teeth and tongue!) Gruff’s silly little mouth opens up to reveal a long tongue to roll up and tug on and four cute teeth! 











Gruff has been one of the more difficult designs, but I love him in all his silly glory! Unfortunately, due to the size of the plush, we couldn't really do the removable teeth, so we leaned into the zipper mouth! He functions much like Mishmash for storage. To resolve the teeth issue, I designed a cute little toothy charm freebie to go with his design for backers. A pink design is available as an add-on, but a candy corn-themed design will be included with Gruff. <3

Gruff also has similar issues as Grave Robbert in regards to his marking, so we are working for a resolution to that!



Revisions for Final Sample:
  • Color Revisions
  • Revising Tongue & Mouth Shape

Here's a full view of the journey each sample went through (not including Grimsley!) Grave Robbert and Gruff are still in their ugly duckling phase, I fear! But they'll turn into beautiful swans here soon, or maybe more like, radioactive geese.


Here is our revised production timeline. Please note that this timeline may change pending any delays to shipping that are out of our control. 
 
UPDATED PRODUCTION TIMELINE
  • Surveys Deadline: TBD (Ideally 12/15/2024)
  • Pre-Order Store Closes: 12/16/24 
  • Order submitted to Manufacturer: No later than 12/27/24 
  • Order Shipped from Overseas ETA: Approx February-March
  • Quality Testing: March-April
  • Hurtsies Fulfillment ETA: Mid-to-late May

GPSR LAW
We have had inquiries regarding if GPSR will impact our backers in the EU. While it isn't clear yet, we are in the process of getting a representative established for us to avoid any potential issues with shipping Hurtsies to the EU.

What to Expect After Surveys:

Don't worry! I don't plan on disappearing on y'all. I plan to make monthly updates (at least!) from now until the plushies are shipped out. These updates will include photos of plushes, behind-the-scenes like designing packaging, etc. Y'all have put your trust (and hard-earned money) into this project, so I fully intend on being present and bringing you along with each step of this journey! If at any point, you're feeling nervous or kept in the dark, just send us an e-mail or hang out with us in the community tab!

And on a final note,
I probably sound like a broken record right now, but thank you all sooooo much for your support! I have been avoiding crowdfunding projects for a long time now because, let's face it, as a single human, they're super scary. I really appreciate the grace and kindness and excitement that all of y'all have shown me as I figure out how to do all of this. I've been learning so much, making notes on what I can do to improve next time, and I hope I can continue to iron out my process so that I can continue making silly and unique projects to share with all of you!

I hope all of you are having an excellent holiday season, and that you're eating plenty of delicious sweets, wherever you are!!!

Lops of love,
Loppy Rae & Riot! <3

SURVEY & PRE-ORDER STORE OPENING: DECEMBER 9 - DECEMBER 13
13 days ago – Thu, Dec 05, 2024 at 02:48:37 PM

Hi everybunny!

I have some great news: We will be sending out surveys and launching the pre-order store December 9, 2024.  Surveys and the Pre-Order Store will be open until 11:59pm ET December 13, 2024! We are planning to place the bulk order of Hurtsies with our manufacturer by December 20, 2024.

We'll be posting a longer update with more sample previews, and an updated production & shipping timeline no later than December 8.

What is a Survey?
All backers will be receiving a survey to fill out where you can choose your Hurtsies and add additional add-ons! If your initial payment for your pledge failed you will be able to update your credit card so your initial pledge can be processed and then receive your survey. 

What is the Pre-Order Store?
If you missed out on your chance to pledge you will be able to order directly from the pre-order store. 

A final note, there have been several specific Hurtsies questions left in the last updates. I will be chatting with Loppy in the next or so to get those answered before December 8, 2024! 

Have a great night~ 

Sample Update - Mumble + Gruff + Mishmash!
20 days ago – Thu, Nov 28, 2024 at 11:29:33 AM

Hello everybunny!

Today's update features sample updates with revision notes sent to our manufacturer on Mumble, Gruff, and Mishmash! 

Minor adjustments are being made to Mumble as shown above such as adding the missing notch in Mumble's ear, adjusting placements, and extending embroidery.


We're unfortunately unable to have removable teeth with Gruff so he is going to have a silly zipper mouth with a roll-up tongue instead!  You will be able to store small items in his mouth (yippie!). 


Mishmash's initial sample was made before our manufacturer Grimsley got there. His cute little head will be adjusted to match the other plushies. As a reminder, Mishmash is poseable so he can be both cute and floppy when he's traveling with you but can also be posed to sit like the other Hurtsies.

A final note: Our manufacturer (who has been so supportive and in constant communication with us) will be sending Loppy a swatch book with the samples so Loppy can make color adjustments before bulk plushies are made to eliminate any worry about factory lighting discrepancies.

A Note on Critiques:
We to take another moment to remind folks if providing feedback please provide constructive feedback (theoretical examples of what not to do: this plushie looks awful, can you go back to your old manufacturer, it's ugly, etc, etc).

Survey and Pre-Order Store Reminder:
Thank you for your patience on the survey and pre-order store! If you missed our last update, we have not sent out surveys yet because we want to make sure the samples are perfected so you, our backers, have the most informed design when selecting which Hurtsie you want.

Loppy still feels confident we are very close to have final samples soon which means we will then be able to announce when surveys will be sent out and when the pre-order store will open! 

Stay tuned for further updates! Have a great rest of your week! 

Sample Update -11/25/24
23 days ago – Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 03:54:02 PM

Hi everybunny! 

We're back with a brief update. Unfortunately, Loppy has been bedridden this last week due to illness. It is the beginning of cold and flu season in the United States.  

We received another round of samples from our manufacturer Loppy will review once they are feeling a little bit better.  Loppy did go to the doctor today and was prescribed treatment so hopefully they will be feeling better very soon! Once the samples are reviewed, we will share them with you all like what we did last time. 

Thank you for your continued patience, support, and understanding.  

Have a good evening.