Funding?

I'm thinking about expanding!

I have a number of friends who have used a fantastic website called Kickstarter, http://www.kickstarter.com/. The site is focused on creative project funding, with an all or nothing philosophy. You have a target goal, and either you reach it and get all the funding, or you don't, and no one who invested loses anything. It seems to work really well. I was immediately intrigued.

I was toying with the idea to use this site to raise some money for this project, but couldn't really justify setting something up just so I could buy more paper.

There is another project in town called Portland Pins, http://www.portlandpins.com/. "We ask local artists to submit their own hand-made designs for 1inch buttons, then we mix the end results all up in a gumball machine so people could buy great, unique artwork." I have always loved this idea, and in fact listening to them talk about starting up the project at a Pecha Kucha night at SPACE Gallery was the catalyst for me to set up my own blog and really get going on the project.
In recently talking to one of the creators of Portland Pins about my project he mentioned the idea of putting the stars in the little capsules he put his pins in.

Imagine a little clicking noise in your head of something dropping perfectly into place...

Now imagine a gumball machine full of little capsules, in turn full of mini origami stars and a slip of paper with The Collectives website on it. An interesting way to reach out to the public and get them involved in my project. I was immediately enchanted with the idea.

And now I am thinking about using Kickstarter to fund the purchase of these types of materials and setting up gumball machines full of awesome. I could also use the money for more business cards, more advertising, and purchasing my domain name - the .blogspot is so cumbersome. I could pay someone to take gorgeous pictures of the stars, get more interesting paper, and maybe even expand the idea outside of the state. The possibilities are endless!

The only thing I am worried about is that I feel like I am copying the idea of the gumball machines from Portland Pins, and I really wouldn't want to do that. I like and respect both the creators and the project. It's just such a GOOD plan. It would work SO well. But then again, maybe they'll share...

So I am still thinking about it.

I wish I could figure out a way to distribute this idea better.

I love all the wishes I have gotten! You guys are all amazing - remember to tell your friends, and continue visiting and adding your wishes to the pile! I have quite a number now - more pictures of the wishing stars specifically soon.

Wish Idea of the Day: give me wishes about project ideas you have and how you wish you could make them happen, or happen better or make them easier or more interesting! Go!