Kickstarter

Having been obsessive patch collectors, traders and dealers for nearly ten years now, our quest for rare and unusual examples has taken us across the world, as far as Thailand, Australia and China.

Throughout our travels, we have been disappointed to see the constant demand for what can only be considered, inappropriate material. We have discovered factories that routinely produce sew-on insignia for neo-nazis, KKK bigots and Blackwater mercenaries, and it is sad that these items still command such a strong market. To move away from this trend, we are planning to commission a design that goes beyond the usual militaristic emphasis that is prevalent in this fascinating hobby.

At the same time we hope to elevate the art of machine embroidery By commissioning more elegant and intricate designs, we will be exploring the limits of the latest and best computer controlled embroidery technology. The commemorative 2012 Mayan calendar patch will be produced on the most advanced equipment of its kind.

These machines are used to produce the work of the top designers in the world today. These include Wess Wessling, designer for the US Coastguard Service, and retired FBI Agent, Wayne Alexander, who now designs for the Secret Service, the CIA and the EPA. These guys produce some of the highest quality embroidered insignia on the planet, and we are very pleased to be using the same skilled manufacturers.

As you can see, the boldly colored detail on this 4 3/4" diameter patch is incredible. The original Sun Stone was commissioned by the sixth Aztec King, Axayacatl in 1479 AD, who had his royal craftsmen carve this iconic design onto an enormous basalt monolith, weighing well over twenty-five tons. This embroidered version is considerably less than that, but still manages to convey the beauty and mysticism of the original design. The exquisite gold adornments of the Sun God Tonatiuh in the very centre, bring his weathered, ancient portrait to life. Surrounding him, the four cosmogenic epochs are clearly visible in the highly accurate stitch work, as are the laterally placed claws, each clutching a beating, human heart. Directly below Tonatiuh, one either side of the chalchihuite amulet, the date reads 1 rain, 7 monkey. The encircling glyphs of the border represent the twenty days of the Tzolk'in (the actual calendar in this complex design), some of which, such as the dog and the rabbit, are surprising clear, despite the intriguingly abstract nature of the others.

Although many people are under the misconception that the completion of this calendar represents the end of the world, it is actually more a depiction of a change in cycles. With all the emerging conflicts, devastating climate change, and an antiquated financial system that seems bent on forcing ninety-nine percent of us into serfdom, it is easy to imagine that the end is nigh. Even so, it is important to understand that the Maya calender represents a new beginning, as well as an end. It is much easier to view the glass as half-full, when you consider the rapid rise of environmentalism, sustainability and permaculture.

As you can probably tell, we are really excited about the samples that we have received so far, being very pleased with the workmanship and detail. Computerized stitching machines have come a long way since the peace signs and smiley faces of the seventies. The calendar has an easy to use iron-on reverse, and looks great on jackets, jeans, schoolbags and rucksacks. I am looking forward to using mine to decorate my rather boring 'bag-for-life'. For the last month, the patch has been adorning my hiking coat.

While I was trekking through the Tibetan foothills, I was amazed at how many monks approached me, and asked me about what they thought to be a sacred mandala patch. I was pleased to explain that it was actually an ancient Mesoamerican time-keeping device. Still, this was the slopes of the high Himalayas, and I trust that the patch will be instantly recognizable on a continent much closer to home.

Needless to say, this is going to be a really hot item next year, and we have therefore arranged the rewards so that you can obtain multiple copies, just in case you want to get in on the Christmas and new year rush for these very special patches. At the same time, we are hoping that this will promote the fun hobby of patch collecting, and so, on the multiple rewards, we are including a free patch with every calendar, randomly selected from our trade bag. It might be a fire department insignia, or maybe national park emblem, but whatever it is, you can be 100% sure that it will not be a death's head or a burning cross.

Most of all, we want to be clear that this is not just a ploy for a couple of patch guys to increase their profits by leveraging the latest popular website. We already make good money out of this obscure hobby and want Kickstarter to add a whole new dimension to the project. For this reason, we would like to show our appreciation for your pledges, by making a pledge of our own. Our promise is to sink the profits of this project right back into Kickstarter. The Mayan calendar represents a new start in 2012, and so we pledge to support at least one Kickstarter project every week over the next year. Therefore you can be secure in the knowledge that by pre ordering a 2012 Maya calendar patch, that you will actually be supporting more than fifty Kickstarter ideas.