Colour changing toys with a subtle environmental education and ongoing stories for their owner's entertainment.
Like surprises? Stories? Sharing with friends? Fluffledum Toys (pat. pending) change colour in the sun. Any two may be the same… or different. It’s something to show friends but Fluffledums are for community as well as individual joy. They keep giving.
Owners receive twice weekly stories. It’s very personal. They can share them with friends or make up their own, put them on Fluffledum’s site and share them with the world.
Fluffledums have important interests. They used to be invisible till pollution got in their hair and, for them, being able to change colour to hide just isn’t the same. It’s never screamed but they care about the environment.
To keep it fun Fluffledums have cousins called Snafelus. They’ve the same abilities and powers but have attitude. They’re annoyed and express it. Both can only used sounds or language for effect but Snafelus will attempt to embarrass or annoy those that displease them.
Fluffledums and humans have a great and happy history. Fluffledums have been on Earth from the beginning. They love the young of all species and used to make themselves visible so they could play, chase and teach survival skills. Fluffledums have always had their own language but they desperately wanted to be able to communicate with their playmates properly.
They tried whales and a few other species but all they wanted to do was sing or squawk. Eventually they found a pair of young humans who were very fond of each other. Every time they were together they whispered, “souff”, a Fluffledum word that means love very much, and after a while they started saying “souff” to each other.
The rest was a little harder. Every time one of them pointed to themselves they whispered, “I” or, to the other, “you”. It all started with “I you souff.” but as they added more words other humans became interested and language began. Nothing has changed. We still say, “I love you”.
Fluffledums are like that. They’re the voice of your special friend, someone calling you, a conscience if needed for individuals and now the world. Problems are solved with words, not violence. They care passionately about the environment but realise a continual pounding and messages of doom and gloom don't help. They tell stories that entertain with subtle messages that feel right, not like an education.
It starts with these toys but people, mobilized, have the power to change the world. Check us out on Facebook (Fluffledum Snafelu@Facebook) Twitter (@fluffledums) or message us at fluffledums@gmail.com We’ll keep everyone informed as it develops.
The toys come in a handy size that's perfect to hide in your pocket or purse until you're ready to show your friends. We could deliver them within three months however a sophisticated and robust website is needed for the stories. This will take a little longer. The stories are an essential part of the experience so we’re aiming to deliver the toys in time for Christmas.
Great news. A Fluffledum whispered in the right ear and we’ve managed to do the deal we didn’t think we could. We can now offer free shipping to continental US and reduced international shipping. All who’ve, prior to this, pledged too much will be refunded the difference.
What Will We Do With The Money?
The toys are developed and ready for manufacture. They've been tested in a school (ages 5 - 13). Check out our Facebook site for further information. We're aiming for the minimal amount necessary to build the website, manufacture the ordered toys and create sufficient stories to be viable. Any money in excess will go into developing more stories, characters, additional website features and education programs.
FAQ
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Environmental solutions abound but progress is dangerously slow because all social forces are aligned against it. Politicians want to retain power, business doesn't want to spend money and people don't want too much pain. The positive, there's a great deal of goodwill and market forces dictate economic priorities. The dream of many (including greens and advertisers) is to make the environment/market share connection. The first rule is to win trust, another don't be boring. We're starting with a toy that changes colour (interesting gimmick) and we're going to maintain our independence. The toy will become a social phenomena via its stories which happen to have a little bit of environment, the best sort of education. More is planned and it'll enhance the concept and make for a great promotion (with environmental flavour) that'll appeal to the corporate world. One company (the best environmental performer) picks up market share due to environmental perception and the rest must follow. The economic system changes.
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The toys are comfortable friendly things that can be loved but more is needed. Next is a series of cards and posters with fun environmental sayings such as "Turn off unnecessary lights. Monsters are scared of the dark." They're collectable, amusing and ideal for promotional work. Complementing each card/poster will be an education program as we know teachers always look at what their pupils are looking at and we'd like to make their life easier. A special edition of the toys will make the perfect prize for card collectors. A website where people can contribute and be rewarded (by advertisers) rather than just talked at completes the picture. It's a scenario where all win including the environment. The mere expression of environmental goodwill costs nothing, switching to a comparable product is painless and redirecting advertising dollars to reward the public costs companies that are picking up market share nothing. Best of all the environment wins.
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We tested the toys in schools (ages 5 - 13). The students were merely told to take the toy outside and see what happens. Their enthusiasm was contagious and over the top. Grossly inflated values were placed on the toys and the "buzz" over the toys continued for months. Fluffledum drawings were spontaneously created and our website perused without prompting. All the female teachers wanted one too whilst the male teachers found them interesting and saw a lot of possibilities for them. The children's enthusiasm bubbled over to the parents and we had earnest entreatments to sell them as well as offers of investment. At no point were the pupils aware of the story behind the toys or the regular story that owners will receive. Once they became aware they spontaneously created Fluffledum stories. Subsequent less formal sampling has confirmed the toys appeal to women of all ages and younger males. Even teenage boys found them interesting. (The details of the trials are on our Facebook page Fluffledum Snafelu@Facebook)
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There's a lot happening and people are busy. People care but have little time for themselves, let alone issues such as the environment. A toy doesn't demand attention or research, you just know you like it. The stories are part of that experience. The toy is a comfortable way to enter the collective consciousness and open a door in the mind.
5
Backers
$93.00
pledged of $120,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on July 21, 2012.
Funding period
Jun 6, 2012 -
Jul 21, 2012
(45 days)
Pledge $9 or more
1 backer Limited (59 of 60 left)
EARLY BIRD PACK ONE EARLY BIRD PACK 1 Be one of the first to back us and you'll get your Fluffledum toy at a special price whilst still enjoying an exciting colour changing toy and the social fun of regular stories about your toy. The surprises start with the first time your toy changes colour and continues as you show your friends. …and the surprises keep coming. Every three days (after you’ve logged in) you’ll receive a delightful story about your toy. It’s yet another thing to be shared and enjoyed. (Free US domestic shipping. Please add $18 international for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $12 or more
1 backer All gone!
A pocket size Fluffledum toy that changes colour in the sun. None will know what colours their toy will go till it happens. When owners log in they'll receive a new story every three days that they can enjoy and share with their friends. (Please add $8 domestic and $20 international for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $12 or more
0 backers
A pocket size Fluffledum toy that changes colour in the sun. None will know what colours their toy will go till it happens. When owners log in they'll receive a new story every three days that they can enjoy and share with their friends. (Please add $8 domestic and $20 international for shipping.) A pocket size Fluffledum toy that changes colour in the sun. None will know what colours their toy will go till it happens. When owners log in they'll receive a new story every three days that they can enjoy and share with their friends. (Free US domestic shipping. Please add $18 international for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $23 or more
2 backers
2 pocket size Fluffledum toys to keep you and each other company. Double the pleasure and double the mystery when they transform in the sun. Log in for tales of their adventures. Each toy's swing tag has a unique code to insure the individuality of their stories. (Free US domestic shipping. Please add $18 international for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $25 or more
1 backer Limited (59 of 60 left)
EARLY BIRD PACK TWO 3 delightful Fluffledum toy to share and enjoy. Be one of our first backers and watch your identical toys diverge. Log in for tales of their adventures. Each toy's swing tag has a unique code to insure the individuality of their stories. (Free US domestic shipping. Please add $19 international for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $34 or more
0 backers
3 pocket size Fluffledum toys. Two is only company but you’ll have a crowd of Fluffledum toys to enjoy. Their colour change will be a continuing mystery unless you label then so you know which is which. Be sure to log in. Each toy's swing tag has a unique code to insure the individuality of their stories so you’ll have a lot to tell your friends. (Free US domestic shipping. Please add $19 international for shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $55 or more
0 backers
5 pocket size Fluffledum toys that change colour in the sun. None will know what colours their toy will go till it happens and similar toys become different. When owners log in they'll receive a new story every three days that they can enjoy and share with their friends. Each toy's swing tag has a unique code to insure the individuality of their stories. (Free US domestic shipping. Please add $23 for international shipping.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $100 or more
0 backers
GIFT PACK 10 pocket size Fluffledum toys that changes colour in the sun. Give them as gifts and then surprise each other with the colours the various toys go. All will receive regular stories every three days once logged in that'll become a social event to be discussed and enjoyed by all. Each toy's swing tag has a unique code to insure the individuality of owner's stories. (Free US domestic shipping. Please add $38 international.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $185 or more
0 backers
GIFT PACK 20 pocket size Fluffledum toys, enough for start a colony of owners. You’ll all have something to talk bout when your toy’s story arrives. Each toy's swing tag has a unique code to insure the individuality of owner's stories. (Free US domestic shipping. Please add $42 international)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $420 or more
0 backers
PARTY PACK 50 pocket size toys to delight all your friends. Get everyone together and see if anyone has the same toy after they change colour. Share your Fluffledum stories. Once you've logged in you'll receive one every three days so you can make it a regular event. Each toy's swing tag has a unique code to insure the individuality of owner's stories. (Free US domestic shipping. Please add $45 for international.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $780 or more
0 backers
SCHOOL PACK 100 fun toys to entertain your wider circle of friends. Take one to school, pull it out of your pocket and delight at the variety on display or swap as you see fit. The regular story will become part of your social fabric once you're logged in. Each toy's swing tag has a unique code to insure the individuality of owner's stories. (Free US domestic shipping. Please add $58 for international.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $1,440 or more
0 backers
WHOLE LOT OF FRIENDS PACK 200 pocket size Fluffledum toys. You’re going to make a lot of people very happy and they’ll always have something to talk about. Colours their toy goes, stories received, created and/or shared. Imaginations can run wild. Each toy’s swing tag has a unique code to insure the individuality of stories. (Free US domestic shipping. International shipping rates available upon request.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (80 of 80 left)
ENTREPRENEUR'S PACK You love Fluffledum toys and you can see the future. Here's your chance to profit from it. 900 pocket size Fluffledum toys as per the descriptions above. The individuality of owner's stories is assured by the unique code on every toy's swing tag. (Free US domestic shipping. International shipping available upon request.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers
DISTRIBUTOR'S PACK You know the future and you want a part of it. 2,000 pocket sized toys as per above. The individuality of owner's stories is assured by the unique code on every toy's swing tag. (Free US domestic shipping. International shipping by arrangement.)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
