Homegrown Linen: transforming flaxseed into fibre - KICKSTARTER

It's been exciting talking with shops and businesses about my book these last few days.

I suspect they were doubtful cautiously optimistic as to whether or not we would make funding.  I don't blame them, I was too.  All I can do is create the best work I can and put it out there for the world.

But this is more than a Kickstarter, it's a proof of concept test.  As the numbers climb up, we show the world that not only is their interest in growing textiles, that people - amazing people - believe in this project enough to pledge money to make it happen.  This is powerful stuff.  

When I decided on a business strategy, my main focus was on how to promote local stores.  Not just local to me, but local everywhere.  Small, owner-run shops that are the heart of communities.  These are the gathering places where people can see and touch products and gather ideas into their shopping basket along with the latest whatsit.   Today I began negotiations on a deal that will help my book reach even more stores than I had hoped.  That's thanks to the backers of this project.  Without your show of support, I couldn't dream of this kind of a deal.  This is going to be epic but it does mean that once the book is printed, I can never put it on sale again.  This pre-sale price is gone as soon as the kickstarter ends.  

So if you're on the fence, just a heads up, in 16 days the book goes up to full price.



Homegrown Linen Kickstarter Link

This is such a cool adventure. I'm so excited to see this book in print. Judging by the fact that we've already exceeded our monetary goal, I think that this book is going to be a hit. And the books to follow will help fill the information gap that seems to exist around this topic.

I'm so grateful to have been chosen to illustrate these books. It's a dream come true for me. And I'm going to be learning to spin! Can't wait to get my drop spindle and try my hand at it. I'll be sure to post my experience here. Should be fun.

Thank you for your support and kind words. As you know, this couldn't happen without you all. So please keep sharing the link and spreading the word! We want to get up to $16,000 CAD so we can add more words and drawings to make this book even better!

Cheers
Tracy

Only eight BOOK AND THANKS AND SEEDS! rewards left

Don't forget gift giving season coming up

I think this book would be an excellent and inspiring one for young minds (maybe twelve and up?) as well as adults.

There are fun and interesting possibilities for school projects and 4-H, etc. and homeschooling.

 

Finally!



Next on the loom, the Kickstarter towels for the HITCHHIKER! reward level.

This was definitely the most popular reward.  I wish there were five of me so I could weave a towel for everyone.  

The yarn was dyed in my garden using an indigo kit from Maiwa.  

Here's a picture of me rinsing out the yarn



And here's a photo of the yarn drying on the garden fence.



Linen loves indigo and takes up the colour faster and easier than wool or cotton.  I definitely want to play more with linen and indigo in the future.  

ray Bunbury wrote:Only eight BOOK AND THANKS AND SEEDS! rewards left

Looks like it's down to three now

That's a gorgeous blue!!!

Books and thanks and seeds are all gone.  Sorry guys.

But lots of books left for everyone!  

raven ranson wrote:Books and thanks and seeds are all gone.  Sorry guys.

But lots of books left for everyone!  

Do you know if kickstarter will let us pledge for a second reward along with our first one?  I think I tried to do this on Paul's and it wouldn't let me....I would be interested in getting another book but don't want to screw up my original pledge.

It lets you change your pledge level, but I don't think you can pledge two rewards for one account.

But I can add more rewards.  

I think you would need to make the pledge using a different name and email address. So maybe a family member could lend you their email address?

Tracy Wandling wrote:I think you would need to make the pledge using a different name and email address. So maybe a family member could lend you their email address?

Raven and Tracy, thanks! I'll see if I can figure it out.  I do have another email address and could use my husband's name, but then there's the mailing address and debit card we share? maybe one of our son's would be willing.

It's wonderful that you're this close to the stretch goal.......more book!

One week left.

There was quite a lull in the middle and I had begun to think we wouldn't make the stretch goal.  But now I wonder.  Things are getting exciting again.

Is it just me, or does most of the funding for an average kicsktarter come in the first two days and the last two days? First two days are the people who already knew about it and were ready to commit. Last two days were the last-minute-deciders as to whether they had the funds or how high they wanted to pledge, etc.

Question from someone who just ordered the book: "Just ordered today. Do you happen to know the eta for when they will be printed? I couldn't seem to find that bit of information in the description" Maybe this would be a good question for the Q & A?

Nevermind, you don't need that question on your Q&A. I found this quote on your kickstarter:

The goal is to have the editing finished before this Kickstarter ends; the remaining illustrations and layout finished in October; final proof ready in November; and off to the printer in late November early December, with a pre-release date of January, and everything ready to sell in the shops by my birthday in February.

And, on the different rewards one can select, they specify January or February, depending on the reward.

This makes me super happy, because it looks like I might be lucky enough to my book and towel in time for my birthday in mid-January!

Some other uses of flax...here is a flaxseed sourdough bread I baked. Nutella is best on this bread. I was very proud of how damn pretty these loaves turned out.

oh wow!  That looks delicious!

Only four days remain!

Less than three days to go!

raven ranson wrote:Less than three days to go!

and so close to the stretch goal!  You've done well!

wish I could contribute more but I've reached my limit.

Here's a nudge to the finish line. I'm looking forward to a copy of the book! Good luck Raven!

Oh, we're getting so close! I'm excited, and have been working feverishly on the drawings for the book, as well as the Learn to Spin booklet, and the Flaxen Calendar. I might take a break today, and go do some manual labor, as I have been sitting on my butt for too long. Need to get the blood moving, and the muscles working!

But everything is coming together beautifully, and I'm excited to share this book with the world.

Thanks, gang!

Cheers
Tracy

Wow!  LIKE!!  1/4 of carbon footprint??  That's incredible.  I guess I had mostly ignored this aspect of everyday needs, thanks for educating me about it!  I feel more empowered just knowing this is doable at home.

Here's an article by the BBC - https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45745242
Not the one I read the other day, but it has the same quote in it and some numbers

Who washes their jeans that much?  I think mine get a wash every month or so.  I wear them daily and they quickly get a bit grubby.  They last about a year.  So 12 washes (along with a full load of other laundry) doesn't seem like all that much water.  But maybe that's just me

I think the kind of people who are interested in permaculture are already aware of the financial and ecological damage unnecessary laundry can cause.  That said, if I'm spending time in town, I do launder my cloths to make sure I don't stink of farm.  

Whoop Whoop!!

We're over $14,000! I'm giddy with excitement. Can we reach our Stretch Goal?

Oh wow.  It's no longer talking about my campaign in days.  It now says 71 hours to go!  

Today I met with the printer again to look at some samples of coverstock.  It's exciting to see all the different options.  I got to take the samples home and try to decide which one to go with.  hmmm...

Getting so close! Will the last few hours bring you two over the stretch goal? I hope so! It's been great to see the total jump over the last days.

There's something magical about the last couple days. Suddenly people who hummed and hawed earlier are ready to plunk down their money.

I would really like to see Raven blow past her stretch goal. I just shared her campaign with my channels again (small as they may be) and will hopefully get a pledge or two out of it. If 100 of us would do that, it could make a huge difference! So I encourage you to take 5 seconds and get the word out again before the campaign ends!

I just shared her campaign with my channels again (small as they may be) and will hopefully get a pledge or two out of it. If 100 of us would do that, it could make a huge difference! So I encourage you to take 5 seconds and get the word out again before the campaign ends!

Now mentioned:

 - in the monthlyish email.

 - my kickstarter update - to all my rocket ovens supporters

 - on facebook

Found the promotions thread on Ravelry's Needlework on the Net so posted there. Should reach lots of people today!

Less than $740 US to make the stretch goal! 53 hours to go. Woohoo!

We're so close!!! This is very exciting.

$8 away from the stretch goal!

Shawn Klassen-Koop wrote:$8 away from the stretch goal!

The monthlyish isn't even done being sent.

You did it! Stretch goal achieved! Congratulations. I'm really looking forward to this book... and it looks like a lot of other people are too.