Hi All..

After much thought, I've come to the decision to relaunch this project in a couple of months - with a more attainable goal in mind and a more viable business plan under my belt. After some tweaking and revamping of the original idea, I hope to come up with something more sustainable long term.

It also seems that w/kickstarter it's better to aim low with your goal if you want to have a better chance at realizing it. In my haste to launch the project, I think I aimed a little too high. I also feel the need to really take a step back and evaluate how I can start this project on a much SMALLER scale than originally planned and figure out how to develop and grow from there. It's become painfully clear just how hard it is to establish need for a project like this - convincing rural, small town America that this is a good idea (especially in a down turned economy) has not been easy... no matter how much the arts are embraced here.

I think that kickstarter is an amazing platform for creative people.. but I am also thinking about other more traditional forms of funding a business.. Trying to decide whether or not the structure of a nonprofit is the best path to follow. I need to figure out how kickstarter can most benefit me given all of those factors..
I think coming back to it all more solid - stronger and smarter - I'll have a better chance at actually succeeding - and I REALLY want this project to be a success!

So.. having said all of that - I want to thank all of you who believed enough in the project and in me to pledge.. No one has been charged - as you all know - no one would have been charged anyway until Dec. IF and only IF I'd met my goal..

I'll leave this post up for a few days.. when you've all had the chance to read it, I'll be taking the project page down. If any of you want to speak w/me directly because you have an idea or words of wisdom - I'm always open - my email address for those of you who don't have it is kas0397@gmail.com .. and many of you I'll see in the land of facebook!! :)

While tweaking this idea, I've been very conscious about how I can involve the community - a key factor and something very important to me. I'm looking at things from a slightly different but equally as exciting angle.. so in the months to come I will keep all of you posted about the 'new' and hopefully improved plan!!

Thanks again for your support- it means so much to me :)

xoxo
Kelly

I shortened up the project description in the hopes of making it a little more reader-friendly.. but without losing the overall gist of the project's mission..

Thanks to all who have supported this project so far.. hopefully we can keep spreading the word and bring it to fruition!

I am working on a story board for a little animated video... that I hope to have posted within the next two weeks... so pleeeease stay tuned!

I have a small number of very cool gig posters generously donated by Patent Pending Industries http://www.patentpendingindustries.com and artist Ben Wilson http://www.benwilsonart.com - one of which could be yours with a $15 pledge. Each one is a signed and numbered limited edition screen print. Up for grabs are Mudhoney, Fleet Foxes, Silversun Pickups, The Shins and Iron and Wine. If you have a specific request, please post a comment and I will do my best to fulfill it...

New pledge incentives are posted! Phew! That was hard but fun coming up with some ideas for all of you who are kind enough to pledge...

Since some of you have already generously pledged $50 - my original post for that bracket level can't be taken down. I hope it's not too confusing... but artists and art lovers are smart people - I'm sure you'll figure it out!

Many thanks :)

So... while the donations were rolling in yesterday from kind friends, I got word from the owner of the proposed space for the Incubator that he'd pretty much become cold to the idea and is not interested in discussing lease options. Wha?? He recently resumed construction on the site and it's - yep... slated for office use. EWE!!

BUT - everything happens for a reason right? And I also got wind of another space in town that's available for lease/sale. In many ways this space is even more perfect - I'm attaching a photo.
The building is 18,000 sq. ft and boasts 4 glass store fronts on the lower level. It's right on Main St. in Chatham and right next door to the movie theater! I plan to go see the space later today...

The only hurdle here is that the building is currently about 75% occupied - at least on the top floors. Certainly the idea is not to displace others to get this project off the ground! But....with 18, 000 sq. ft to work with...there might be room for all of us to coexist - or perhaps the Incubator starts smaller and expands down the road.

Anyway....when has it ever been easy for artists? That's par for the course right? So I'm not going to let this little bump in the road deter me.. For every 3rd person who says no there is bound to be someone with the same vision who is willing to take a chance and says yes!!

Thanks for your support - and stay tuned!!

xo.

Note to self - cookies work! Thanks all!! $600 and it's only 10:40! I'm turning in....it's been an excellent first day!

<3 !!!

Cookies for pledges, Cookies for pledges!! Now that I have your attention... I launched my project today & have already raised $525! Wha??? Now that the initial shock has warn off, I'm motivated to reach $600 by the end of the nite.. & that is why I'm going to personally bake & send 2 choc. chip cookies each to the next 15 people who pledge $5! Are my cookies worth $5?? I don't hear my kid complaining...

Can you send cookies in the mail?? I'm going to...

Thanks to at least one of you who took the time to read about this project!! This is a very exciting day! We're gonna get a better image up soon so don't despair... Special thank to Chris Williams who submitted his idea for a logo design - now if I can just figure out how to crop it so you can see the whole image! Perhaps we'll work on turning the image into a sticker soon - a gift for all of you pledgers in the $5 - $10 range :)

In addition to making gig posters for http://postercabaret.com Chris runs his own small design and screenprinting empire in Raleigh, NC called Plastic Flame Press. I don't know too much more about him other than he's quite kind and has an adorable little boy named Seamus!

DO check out his website http://www.plasticflame.com

Thanks Chris!

We're considering an interactive 'public poll' of sorts with regard to future logo submissions in the weeks and months to come so stay tuned!! And if you've got an idea yourself please do not hesitate to contact me!!! kas0397@gmail.com

Cheers! And Best of Luck to my fellow kickstarters :)