Hello fans, friends and design connoisseurs! I have an exciting new initiative called Sponsor a Design, which I hope you’re going to love!
As you may be aware, Danielle Kathleen is a small design studio run by myself, Danielle Day. I make by using computer aided design processes to model pieces, which I then have 3D printed, cast, laser cut, digitally printed or otherwise conjured up from mysterious bits of data. The pieces get posted to me and assembled or finished in my studio here in Canberra, Australia. This means that I can keep costs relatively low for my customers, who are still able to buy bespoke, designer jewellery, but who also avoid paying for the hours of work that handcrafting a piece might demand. It also means that every design is made-to-order for the buyer, so my business can run without debt or significant environmental impact!
It does also mean that 99% of my designs never make it to market, however - simply because I can't afford to make everything! That’s sometimes a good thing (not every design is amazing) but it also means that pieces you might love are never seen outside my computer screen. I’m also aware that, even as low cost as I try to be, sometimes my biggest fans are still unable to afford pieces. SO! I’ve launched a new product type for my buyers. The Sponsor a Design section of my website shows digital renderings of my newest and/or unlaunched designs for my fans to sponsor by buying them at a lower cost, launching them into reality!
Sponsor a Design is similar in practice to a crowd-funding project, but with some key differences:
Rather than running a time-specific campaign for a dollar amount that I will spend on designs only if I succeed at raising enough, like with Gofundme or Kickstarter, Sponsor a Design will run for as long as I make new designs (read: forever, hopefully). Pieces are sponsored individually by backers, to be made for them immediately upon their purchase, but for a lower cost than they will be once launched.
The pieces in the Sponsor a Design section can only be purchased once at this price. It's exclusive to you, the first buyer, as a reward for being a great fan, as well as being discounted for helping Danielle Kathleen launch new pieces!
SPONSOR A DESIGN TERMS
How much will the Sponsor a Design pieces be?
The pieces are advertised at an extremely discounted price + postage within Australia. The price is essentially cost price. I'm making very little or no profit from these purchases- but that's okay, because you'll be helping me out!
What if I still can't afford a Sponsor a Design piece?
All the Sponsor a Design pieces are quoted as if they were made in my preferred material. These are the materials that are usually the most affordable, or they have the best finishes for the design, or they wear well once with the customer compared to other options. It is possible for pieces to be made in other materials, however, which are both more and less expensive. If you want a different material, contact me and we can talk about options and prices. I can make in silver, brass, bronze, steels and gold plate (for jewellery), ceramic and sandstone (for homewares) and silk habotai or a synthetic blend (for textiles).
How does Sponsor a Design help Danielle Kathleen?
You'll be helping me by purchasing the first iteration of this piece, which I can use to photograph and launch it from there!
When a customer buys a Sponsor a Design piece, this piece will be custom made and sent to the Danielle Kathleen studio. It will be finished, modelled and photographed in studio- which means it will be worn and handled by me and whoever models it. This means there might be a small amount of wear, but not anything that damages it unreasonably. This also means that it may take longer to receive your piece than usual, and that that time frame is not able to be predicted. Photography can take a short while to arrange and get perfect, unfortunately!
What happens after the piece is photographed?
Once the photography is done, the piece will be packaged and sent to you as the final customer. You receive a beautiful Danielle Kathleen design - the first in a line! - and I get beautiful product photographs of that design. I also get to test if it suits the purpose intended for it, will work in practice, etc.
What if, when you receive a Sponsor a Design piece, you don't think it will work as a finished item?
A piece will only be sent to you if I feel confident that it passes its product tests- is it wearable, suitable for its purpose, does the design actually work? If it doesn't pass, I'll issue you a full refund. If a piece passes and is sent on to you, it cannot be returned. All sales are final after this point.
What if a piece doesn't fit me?
If a piece requires sizing I will contact you after ordering to ensure I'm making it in the correct size. This includes rings, bangles/bracelets and some clothing items.
What will happen to the photographs?
I'll use these to launch the piece on the website, on Facebook or Etsy, for anyone who doesn't have access to the Sponsor a Design feature and the people who missed out on buying it before you!
What if I don't like the finished piece?
Unfortunately, all sales are final with this feature, so a change of mind can't be accommodated. I recognise that you're a loyal fan, though, so contact me if there are concerns. Maybe we can work something out?
What if the piece is unreasonably damaged when I receive it?
I will inspect every piece closely before it is sent to you, so that this won't happen. If it does please contact me directly at danielle.kathleen@live.com with photographs of the damage. I'm happy to talk about a replacement or refund where damage is unreasonable.
How long will it take to receive my item?
A little bit longer than usual, but I can't predict time frames, unfortunately. Making time usually looks like: Two-three weeks from your order for parts to be made, two weeks postage to Danielle Kathleen, two weeks for finishing and product photos, one-two weeks for items to arrive by post at your location. If there are any delays at any point in this process, items may take ten+ weeks to arrive. This is part of why the price will be lowered, as your patience and willingness to wait for a completely fresh, first-in-line design is rewarded with savings!
What if I would prefer a different material?
All the Sponsor a Design pieces are quoted as if they were made in my preferred material. These are the materials that are usually the most affordable, or they have the best finishes for the design, or they wear well once with the customer compared to other options. It is possible for pieces to be made in other materials, however. I can make in silver, brass, bronze, steels and gold plate (for jewellery), ceramic and sandstone (for homewares) and silk habotai or a synthetic blend (for textiles). If you want a different material, contact me and we can talk about options and prices!
Can I show off my piece online before you launch it yourself?
Of course! I encourage you to show off your exclusive Danielle Kathleen purchase. Just make sure you tag me, because I love seeing you all wearing my pieces!
It's great having such an amazing fan base, and I want to enjoy you enjoying my work! ^_^
If you have any questions about Sponsor a Design pieces, the ordering process or just want to get in touch, please email me at danielle.kathleen@live.com.
Otherwise, browse the Sponsor a Design products now!