Arfabet is an alphabet book for dog lovers and foodies, giving a handmade insight to the 26 letters we all know and love.
Hello Beautiful People! I'm thrilled that my project has achieved its funding goal! If you missed out on this Kickstarter campaign, I suggest you join my email list to find out when the book is available in fall 2012! (Please note that the rewards shown here are special Kickstarter prices and not available when this campaign ends. I'm still up for custom pet projects anytime - click here to learn more!)
Last year I realized a long-time dream of creating an alphabet book using my original artwork to illustrate the pages.
Oregon Public Broadcasting produced a little video that shows some behind-the-scenes views on this project. Click here to see it!
Here's the final stop-action animation that Kickstarter backers got on DVD: (everyone else can watch it for free on the web.)
Now I'm ready to create my all-important sophomore publication Arfabet - a dog alphabet book featuring 26 breeds who love to eat! The original pieces from this show will be in an exhibition at Velvet da Vinci Gallery in San Francisco this fall, so I'll be creating the entire book during the month of July in order to get it to the printer in time!
Kickstarter funds will help me cover the costs of having the work professionally photographed by the amazing Dan Kvitka, print Arfabet in hard and soft covers, a run of exclusive DVD copies of the Arfabet animation for Kickstarter backers, and a limited edition 1" arfabet button.
Like Elephabet, Arfabet will not only be a light-hearted romp through crazy kingdom--it's an opportunity for young and old to learn a few new words, dog breeds, or foods from around the world. There will be a glossary in the back few pages to make sure you understand the nuances behind everything in this book.
I have created a bunch of original dog-themed designs at amazing prices to help me fund this dream. You can choose to receive books, of course, but pledging at the higher levels will really help me fund this project. Here are some of the highlights of my pledge offerings:
At the starter level, you get one of four 4" dog figures (pink poodle, black lab, brown dachshund, chihuahua, or jack russell plus the book, DVD and button!
Want your own pet created the Bunny with a Toolbelt way? You can choose to receive a custom 4" or 12" figure of your very own pet with all the right markings in all the right places and their favorite toy, collar, or other object! Here's an example of how it works--you send me a photo of your dog, I do a drawing for you of the proposed piece, and then in late November/early December, I send it to you with your books! (please note there are two different pledge levels for this option, depending on how detailed you want your custom piece to be!)
Here's just a few of the custom dogs I've made over the years!
You could also choose to receive one of these cuties, which would make a great birthday cake topper or everyday sculpture for your home, nursery or office. Comes with your choice of the five dog breeds, your custom breed, and any letter or one digit number AND a bluebird! Woo! Hoo!
Or a super long weiner dog that spells your favorite name or other word!
For the duration of the Kickstarter campaign, Weegee and I will update you a few times a week to let our backers know how the book's going, and we'll continue to keep you apprised through the summer and early fall with updates as needed about the creation of the animation, installing the show, through the shipping of the work to Kickstarter backers in early December. To whet your appetite for the fun we'll have this month, here's my very first stop action animation featuring some very sweet dogs.
Thank you so much for supporting this project.
take care,
Hilary and Weegee
FAQ
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Sorry--any alterations to the five figures shown here are considered a custom dog and have their own pledge levels.
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YES! I plan to ship it all in late November, and will put priority on shipping out the international orders first so that everyone will get their pieces in time to maintain your reputation as the best gift giver on the planet.
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Well.....I'm not saying no, but I honestly can't think of a title that works as well as Elephabet or Arfabet. Purrabet? Catabet? If someone comes up with an idea I can live with, I'll definitely entertain the notion for all you cat people out there.
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He was adopted from the Oregon Humane Society four years ago and, to the best of my knowledge, is a dachshund + German Shorthair mix.
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All of the original dog figures will be in a show at Velvet da Vinci Gallery that opens on October 26th, 2012. I will post all images with prices on October 24th on a private online photo gallery that will be shared with all Kickstarter backers. You will need to contact Velvet da Vinci Gallery directly in order to purchase the work.
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Most likely, but I need to focus on making the print book first. The best way to find out about any other incarnations of Arfabet is to join my email list at www.bunnywithatoolbelt.com and you'll be the first to find out!
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I have information about what I'll need from you, including all of the four photos that show your dog's body shape and markings on a special page on my website http://www.bunnywithatoolbelt.com/custom-pets
I will contact you after the Kickstarter campaign has ended with instructions on how to submit your photos and other information.
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Here are the most common reasons this might be happening:
1. You haven't pledged to the project or your pledge did not go through.
2. Your Kickstarter email settings are turned off
3. Your email program is detecting Kickstarter emails as spam and putting them in the junk mail folder.Don't forget--there's no way I can send your your reward if you have email notifications turned off! (Well, unless you check back in the fall when I send out the survey asking for your address....but why hazard losing out on the cool reward you picked? Plus, methinks half the fun of pledging is watching me make the book, and you'll feel like a VIP getting the updates sent directly to your e-mailbox.)
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If I raise enough during this Kickstarter campaign, there's a good chance that I'll be able to lower the prices on my books to $7 for paperbacks and $10 for hardcover books. And if I go above and beyond, my dream is to do a second printing of Elephabet so it can be offered at the same price!
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Hellooooooooo BEAUTIFUL PERSON! Of course you can have whatever your heart desires from my splendorporium of amazing rewards. I suggest you add up the total dollar amount of all of your items and pledge that dollar amount towards one of the rewards. Then when it's time for me to send out the questionnaire asking for your address and other details, I'll also ask you if your pledge dollars were for more than one item and you can let me know exactly what's on your mind. Thank you sooooo much for your support of my work!
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Funding period
Jul 5, 2012 -
Aug 3, 2012
- 4 created · 22 backed
- Hilary Pfeifer 1059 friends
- Website: bunnywithatoolbelt.com
Pledge $5 or more
1 backer
Thanks for showing your support for this project with this small gesture! Now you’re signed up to receive weekly updates as I create the book and animation, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October!
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $5 or more
12 backers
Are you a creator who wants to learn some of my tips for your Kickstarter campaign? If you pledge at this level or above, I'll send you a little pdf booklet I wrote up with the best advice I can give about being a self-employed artist from my two decades of experience in the trenches. A special section focuses on Kickstarter tips on how I integrate grass-roots marketing techniques and how you can take an active role while your campaign is live to increase excitement for your own project.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $15 or more
16 backers
You get one signed softbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the animation, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $5 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $22 or more
19 backers
You get one signed hardbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the animation, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $5 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $30 or more
4 backers
Just found out about my books? This pledge level gets you a signed softcover first edition copy of Elephabet along with one signed softbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the Arfabet animation, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the new project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $5 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $40 or more
14 backers
Just found out about my books? This pledge level gets you a signed hardcover first edition copy of Elephabet along with one signed hardbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the Arfabet animation, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the new project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $5 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $55 or more
7 backers
You get one dog figure (poodle, black lab, jack russell, chihuahua or dachshund) -- valued at $45, a signed hardbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the animation, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $5 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $70 or more
20 backers
You get one 4" custom dog figure of your very own pooch, valued at $55, a signed hardbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the animation, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $5 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $70 or more
0 backers
Want a bunch of books to give away? This pledge level gets you five signed softbound copies of Arfabet with the DVD, plus five official 1” arfabet pins, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $15 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $85 or more
3 backers
You get one cute little cake topper with a letter dog (poodle, black lab, jack russell, chihuahua or dachshund) as seen in the video-- with your choice of letter or one digit number--valued at $75, a signed hardbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the animation, five official 1” arfabet buttons, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $10 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $95 or more
1 backer
You get the cute little cake topper dog with your very own custom pet and your choice of letter or one digit number-- valued at $75, a signed hardbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the animation, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $5 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $100 or more
2 backers
Want a bunch of books to give away? This pledge level gets you five signed hardbound copies of Arfabet with the DVD, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $10 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $125 or more
4 backers
Design your own custom dog sculpture! I will make you a large-scale dog (10-12 inches) from your imagination! (Food pairing or other props optional!) Either send me a drawing you made, or tell me what you've got in your head and I will work with you to make it come to life. This package comes with a signed hardbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the animation, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $10 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $125 or more
17 backers
Do you have two (*or more) dogs you'd love to see immortalized? This pledge level will get you two custom 4" sculptures your very own pooches, each valued at $55, one signed hardbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the animation, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $10 to this pledge for shipping.) *If you have more than two dogs, you can add $45 per dog to this pledge amount and I'll make as many custom pieces as you want!
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $125 or more
3 backers
Build-a-weiner! This level allows you to design your own personalized name weiner dog as seen in the video! $125 gets you three letters on a 12" pup - add $10 for each additional letter and the dog will magically grow longer to accomodate your unwieldy name! This pledge level also includes one signed hardbound copy of Arfabet, a dvd of the animation, an official 1” arfabet button, weekly updates as I work on the project, plus early access to purchase the original work from the Velvet da Vinci exhibition this October! (Non U.S. Residents, please add $10 to this pledge for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
