
The Center for Otherworld Science studies and identifies all sorts of monsters and critters. We also drink lots of coffee.
Hi! I'm Shing Yin Khor, and I'm a sculptor and writer living in Los Angeles.
Since 2009, I have been working on building a universe called the Center for Otherworld Science, which is an organization devoted to finding, identifying and researching all sorts of otherworld critters usually unseen by human eyes. All my sculptures, which can be found on my website at sawdustbear.com, generally fit into this world, and I am working on a book that details the adventures of these ragtag(and mostly discredited), scientists.
I have always envisioned the story as an interactive, epistolary story, so part of the process involves building the items and the environment that the Center for Otherworld Science lives in.
The Mugs!
To that extent, I am building a membership package for "patrons" of the Center for Otherworld Science, starting with these coffee mugs. By producing a bulk order of these mugs, I'll be able to have a lower cost item to sell at conventions and local stores, promote the goals of the Center for Otherworld Science, and start laying the real-life groundwork and building the other relevant props for the Center for Otherworld Science universe.

The Center for Otherworld Science mugs, with our new logo, features a pre-distressed look, so you don't actually have to go out into the field yourself to get it all scraped up. They are regular sized, ceramic, dishwasher safe, mugs.
Stretch Goals!
At $1000, all rewards at the $25 level and above will also receive a limited edition postcard set of four watercolour field studies. I will also unlock the backer level that will receive one of the original watercolours! (UNLOCKED!)
Here's some progress I've been making on the thank you postcard; the limited edition postcard set will feature similar art!

At $3000, all backers at the $15 level and above will receive a nice big "MEMBER" button that says you're an awesome member of the Center for Otherworld Science...as member buttons tend to do. (UNLOCKED!)
At $5000, I print Center for Otherworld Science brochures for all backers at the $15 level and above, which completes the first part of the Center's introductory story - the "member welcome package!" (UNLOCKED!)
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
The mug shown in the project image is an actual, existing, prototype from the manufacturer I am working with - the bulk order is already ready to be placed.
The major likely setback is shipping, and I have budgeted an additional month of shipping work to deal with any shipping-related fiascos.
FAQ
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Yes! If you're pledging at the higher levels, and would like another mug, please just add an additional $10 to your pledge amount. I will automatically add the extra mug for $10, so you only have to contact me if you somehow want to give me $10 for no reason at all. :)
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Dr. Snuggles, I have run experiments on this mug with the following teas:
Earl Grey(with milk and sugar)
Green Tea(teabag)
Green Tea(loose leaf)
English Breakfast(loose leaf, milk and sugar)
Decaf Lipton(milk and sugar)Out of all the following, only the Decaf Lipton performed poorly, but I do not think it was the mug's fault. The other teas are supported.
253
Backers
$7,170
pledged of $500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Jan 22, 2013 -
Feb 6, 2013
(15 days)
- First created · 65 backed
- Shing Yin Khor 898 friends
- Website: sawdustbear.com
Pledge $5 or more
4 backers
STUDENT MEMBER - A limited edition postcard from the Center for Otherworld Science thanking you for your patronage, featuring one of our recent watercolour field studies.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $15 or more
92 backers All gone!
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP - A limited edition thank you postcard, and our new Center for Otherworld Science mug.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Add $5 to ship outside the USPledge $20 or more
26 backers
The OOPS I SCREWED UP SHIPPING CALCULATIONS reward. You receive a limited edition thank you postcard, our postcard set, a MEMBER button, a super dorky brochure and of course - our new Center for Otherworld Science mug.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Add $15 to ship outside the USPledge $25 or more
95 backers All gone!
HOUSEHOLD MEMBERSHIP - A pair of new Center for Otherworld Science mugs! Your household will also receive a thank you postcard.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Add $5 to ship outside the USPledge $30 or more
19 backers
SECOND CHANCE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERSHIP - A pair of new Center for Otherworld Science mugs! You also receive a thank you postcard, MEMBER button, super dorky brochure and a postcard set. (The $25 level is identical, but this one has a more correct shipping estimate)
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Add $15 to ship outside the USPledge $100 or more
4 backers All gone!
SUPPORTER - An original 4x6 watercolour painting used for the limited edition postcard set(framed and ready to hang). The exact painting will be a surprise, but rest assured that I plan on painting four awesome paintings. You'll also receive a mug, a thank you postcard, and a limited edition postcard print set!
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Add $5 to ship outside the USPledge $150 or more
8 backers All gone!
PATRON - A small, one of a kind sculpture, featuring a recent discovery from the Center for Otherworld Science. The exact sculpture will be a surprise, but we'll reach out to you to chat about what fits best into your collection of oddities. The sculpture will be approximately 3"-4", and mounted on a labelled wooden base. You'll also receive a mug and postcard!
Estimated delivery: Jun 2013Add $5 to ship outside the US