so here it is… the full(er) line of Lump Buttons.
i’m working on a beaver and a few other little animals as well as some ’special buttons’ that i will reveal later.
the ‘ordering process’ is still in the works but i’d still love to get some e-mails telling me that you’re interested in picking some up. for the record. these are some damn cool buttons. i’ve actually been complimented three times while wearing mine on my messenger bag. a friend of mine was complimented three times at the drug store (in one day). they’re fun. i like ‘em. you should too.
the orders have sorta stopped for two days (which means my friends and close online pals have finished e-mailing me) heh. i need to figure out the very best way to ‘get the word out’ on this stuff. i fear that it may not happen.
anyhow. i’m off to Maryland in a few hours. i loaded a u-haul truck until about 3:30am this morning and didn’t go to bed till about 4:45 (i was making buttons). woke up at 8 and now we have to finish loading it… then i’ve got a 12hr drive. woohoo.
for those that don’t know what i’m talking about. i’m bringing my sisters stuff up to her in Maryland where she is stationed in the AF.
so. keep attempting to spread the word. i promise i’ll at least have a splash page up on Lumpstuff.com when i get back.
…more to come (as always)
so here’s what i THINK i’m going to do. it’s been suggested by more than one person that a) the cost of 3 buttons (at $6) when i’m taking into consideration my ‘target audience’ which… is a bunch of poor 20-something yr olds like me… is a bit too much.
b) i should take ‘custom orders’ (ie. provide a variety of different buttons… and let people choose which three they want packaged)
so. what i think the plan is… to put up all of the different Lump buttons that i’ve got and allow you (the buyer) to choose which three you want. the cost of the set will be $5 and not $6. i realize it’s still not $1 per button but it’s going to be a PAIN in my *ss to fill a ton of individual orders because i’m not going to be able to put them together all in one sitting… it’ll be on an order basis (i’m also taking into consideration the cost/time for packaging etc)
i’m sure people would say “just send me the damn button in an envelope. save on packaging” but. as an artist (and a businessman)… i can’t let myself do that
i’ll be selling individual buttons for $1.50.
and yes. i’ve done the math. three buttons for $5 vs. individual buttons for $1.50 … it’s cheaper to buy them individually. and maybe this is horrible/bad business tactics but… i won’t be selling the same buttons individually that you can choose from for a set.
this is the tentative plan.
to all those that have already placed advanced orders… just be happy that you’re saving money… and you’re still getting your hands on a little something extra.
so. thoughts?
p.s. i think once everyone sees the buttons i’ve designed, they’ll really enjoy them. i know -i- do. i’ve been sporting them around town.
i’m curious what people think…
i wasn’t expecting to receive 100 orders for buttons right away. i’ve received 15 or so in the last few days (which is good).. thanks to everyone that ordered.
but i’m curious. who thinks $6 is too much for a set of three packaged buttons?
i ask because my plan is to sell a FEW individual buttons on the site once i get everything up and running (in addition to the button sets).
but. i’ve never been very good at pricing. and i have no idea what the ‘market value’ is for stuff like this.
my first thought is “in a store this is what you would expect to pay so that’s close to what i should charge” but… the more i look around, the more i realize… in stores like Spencers Gifts… this stuff sells for a lot less (because it’s made in Asia by the billions).
so. just give me some opinions. REAL opinions. be honest.
thanks again for everyones support and help. keep spreading the word.
to be honest, my HARDEST problem right now is… HOW to market this stuff. WHAT the next step should be. i’m trying to keep working on small illustrations as WELL as work on ‘merchandise stuff’ but i just don’t know what the ‘proper steps’ are for this sorta thing.
i remember way back when… when my friend was starting his illustration work etc.. he made buttons and cards and the response HE got was unbelievable. his entire friends list seemed like they wanted to spend money on buttons and cards. THAT is the audience that i need… i just don’t know how to go about getting it.
anyhow. there’s my speech for now. it’s 1:30am and i’m at Kinkos. it’s time to go home and get some sleep.
i just registered www.lumpstuff.com
i’m going to start work on (at least) a splash page tonight so i can have SOMETHING up to start sending people to.
i did some looking into… and it appears that www.lumpworld.com expired on the 24th of October. whoever had that URL registered has until December 4th to renew it. if they don’t, it goes back on the market. i’m going to keep my eyes on it and if it doesn’t get renewed, i’ll register THAT url and switch the site over…
i like lumpworld.com a whole lot better.
anyhow. gotta run. stuff to do. things to create.
thanks everyone for all of the help and support with getting the word out. keep it up!!
okay. so what do you think… i’m registering a URL tomorrow for Lump.
here are the two options.
lumpstuff.com
worldoflump.com
i like the LOOK of ‘lumpstuff.com’ but i don’t know if that will make people believe that it’s ONLY a merchandising site.
but. that’s MY vote.
although i LIKE ‘worldoflump.com’ it just doesn’t LOOK right… and it’s kinda hard to type (if that makes any sense)
whaddya think?!
here’s a quick ‘web banner’ that i made for ALL OF YOU!!
now they link to a “LUMP” profile on MySpace but will soon link to a website.
here’s the banner:
to use the banner, just copy and paste the html text below.
<center><a href=http://profiles.myspace.com/users/9486577″><img src=”http://www.travelinghead.com/images/Lump/Lump_Banner.jpg”border=”1″></a></center>
thanks for the support!!
“Do you like it?” said Mouse.
“Ummm. i do.” said Lump.
Although Lump had no real use for a bright red and white striped tie, he understood that sometimes it’s the thought that counts.
so. there’s another option. i’ll probably redraw it with santa clause hats involved.
(on another note)
it’s odd (annoying). i showed my mother and she said.. “what is it with him always looking sad?” i tried to explain to her that he wasn’t SAD all of the time.. just slightly confused. and she went into this whole “people aren’t going to like him looking sad. you need to make him look happy” speech.
your thoughts?
-i- understand why he’s so often drawn sad or confused… because that’s who he is. my mother on the other hand assumes that because i’m drawing HIM sad or confused all of the time… -i- must be sad and confused all of the time. i think for her it’s a personal thing.
but i’m curious. should he be happy more often? i feel as though… if i drew him happy in all of the illustrations, it would only be because i was afraid “confused Lump” wouldn’t sell. and i don’t know how i feel about that.
what do you think (about the card illustration. about what i wrote. anything)
p.s. someones MOTHER actually gave me the best compliment today. she said… “Lump is cute… because it isn’t gender specific and it’s new and not the same old, same old. Eat your heart out Winnie the Pooh.”
here it is folks…
the revealing of the Series 1 Lump Buttons.
the plastic packaging will look a WHOLE lot nicer once my stuff comes in but i couldn’t wait… i wanted to show you what i’ve been working on.
i’m taking advance orders right now for the first set of buttons. if you’re interested, send me an e-mail to LumpStuff @ hotmail.com
the cost is $6 + shipping (which should be next to nothing)
in your e-mail i’ll need your full name, address, e-mail address and the quantity you would like.
keep in mind that it’s going to be a few weeks until i can start processing these orders (i only have ten sets made up at the moment and am waiting on my packaging equipment). but if you place an advance order… i’ll be throwing in a little something special for the first 25 orders. i have NO idea what it is yet (hehe) but it’ll be f*ckin’ cool. i know it. you’ll like it. and i’m not going to make anymore… ever.
so… mostly by ‘advance order’ i mean… send me an e-mail with all applicable information so i’ll know that you’re interested in a set (or 10) when i start processing orders. i’ll contact you with payment methods (i’m going to TRY to get away with NOT using paypal since they take a percentage of the money) but we’ll see. if that becomes a problem, i’ll have to look into it.
below is the card back for the ‘Friends of Lump’ set. i don’t have any full sets made yet but those will be coming soon.
enjoy.
so i haven’t posted any new Lump stuff for a few days now… this is bad.
… but not really.
what have i been doing these last few days?
well. i’ve finished designing two individual card backs for the button set packaging. there will be two sets as of right now. the FIRST set will be the ’standard’ Lump set, consisting of three buttons. a Lump button, a Mouse button and a heart in a speech bubble button. the SECOND set will be the “friends of Lump” with a Squirrel button, a Bird button and most likely a different Mouse button. each set will be mounted on a heavy stock cardback and sealed in cellophane. these are the ‘real deal.’ i don’t think i’ll be selling buttons individually unless i do a few limited edition buttons (which i DO have in mind).
so. i’ve ordered 1,000 poly bags, a poly-bag heat sealer, i’ve gotten 120 cardbacks printed, cut and drilled, ordered another 250 button sets and convinced my parents to help me out when it all comes in.
i’ve also done a few illustrations for possible x-mas cards and valentines day.
as far as the x-mas cards are concerned… i’m going to post the four final illustrations all together soon. i need opinions. i’m CONSIDERING getting two runs of 500 printed for ONLY TWO of the final illustrations. i will be packaging them (with envelopes) in Kraft boxes with the Lump logo stamped on top. this will all be near professionally done (by me) and look kick-ass. there will be 10 cards (5 of each design) and ten envelopes per box and i’ll be selling them for around $20 (which i think is acceptable). though. i’m curious what your opinions are. i need to order the boxes and the stamp made ASAP.
so. there is a LOT of stuff in the works. i’ve also gotten my hands on a few large pieces of plywood for some painting stuffs. i purchased a silk screening kit over the weekend and i’m talking to a friend of mine about having her make a few ‘first-run’ bags (messenger bags, shoulder bags, coin purses) that i’m going to print on.
below is one of the new x-mas card designs and a two other quick doodles that i did.
so. thoughts. ideas?
i will REALLY be in need of peoples help to spread the word about Lump and the cards etc. i know that livejournal has the ABILITY to provide a lot of ‘interest’ due to its spider-web design so… please. tell everyone you know about Lump. when i get the final x-mas card designs up… spread the word. … please?! heh. i’m putting some money into this with the hope that i’ll at least make that back (and i BELIEVE it’s possible) but… i need help marketing 
thanks for the continued support with everything!!
Lump.com is taken. well. not REALLY taken. it’s being squatted on which really pisses me off. so i have to come up with something else.
lumpworld.com is also taken.
any ideas???
