Swan lake Kickstarter
My Swan Lake Kickstarter campaign was inspired by two key passions: the anime Princess Tutu and hard enamel pins.
I’ve been an avid fan of Princess Tutu since 2010. Originally released in 2002, the series resonated deeply with its audience and left a lasting impact on me—none more evident than in this project.
Since 2022, I’ve also been collecting hard enamel pins: small, highly collectible pieces of art that exist within a vibrant and niche market.
This project marked the beginning of the Aarspiverse. It was the spark that brought everything to life. In this section, I’ll share the journey, from inspiration to execution, and the creative process behind designing and producing these pins.
Concept Sketches
As my interest in pin collecting grew, I became obsessed with the idea of designing my own. Drawn to beautiful, expressive pieces, I knew immediately that I wanted to create a pin inspired by the lead heroine from Princess Tutu.
Choosing to depict her with her back facing the viewer was a deliberate design decision. It allowed the piece to appeal to a broader audience—even those unfamiliar with the character—while still capturing the elegance and emotion of the original series.
Discovery
TL;DR: Princess Tutu isn’t as niche as I once thought—a lesson I’d quickly learn once the final product launched. Before that would happen, however, I needed to make the pins.
I dove into research, watched videos by creators like The Pink Samurai, and asked other pin makers for advice. I ended up on Alibaba, where most start out. Though I intended to order from a recommended company, I accidentally placed my order with someone else who replied to my RFQ.
Thankfully, it was a happy mistake—the rep I worked with was fantastic, the quality was excellent, and their lesser-known status meant a fast turnaround and greater communication.
After the mental gymnastics of finding and working with a manufacturer (which, luckily, turned out to be the right one by accident), I received the first pin sample—and I loved it. All the stress had been worth it.
I shared a short Instagram reel, and to my surprise, it went viral. People immediately began asking where they could buy the pins and urging me to start a Kickstarter.
That moment sparked the launch of my campaign—and marked the beginning of my journey into manufacturing my own designs.
Viral Video
This was my very first Kickstarter, and launching with the Swan Lake pin designs was the best decision I could’ve made. The strong demand helped me reach my funding goal, all while learning how to navigate the Kickstarter platform for the first time.
campaign
My initial goal was modest—just $400 CAD—and it was fully funded within an hour, eventually reaching well into the thousands. Following the lead of other creatives, I introduced stretch goals, adding two new pin designs along with prints, stickers, and postcards as bonus rewards for supporters.
goal
The experience taught me how to effectively use Kickstarter, work with third-party manufacturers, and manage shipping and fulfillment. I walked away with a solid profit, and the surplus stock—thanks to the overwhelming support—helped me launch my first official Etsy store, Aarspiverse.
outcome
Art nuveau
If it isn’t already clear from my portfolio, I have a deep love for the Art Nouveau movement.
These pieces were originally created in 2018 using the same characters featured in the Kickstarter. I later repurposed them as prints for the campaign.
However, I no longer sell them at conventions or online, as I hadn’t used proper measurements or design fundamentals for the backgrounds—making trimming and production a headache. In the end, they weren’t worth the hassle, so I’ve decided to create new, improved versions for the following Kickstarter.
Stickers
These stickers were exclusive add-ons for the Kickstarter—simple designs that left me with extra stock to sell at conventions. They've since sold out, and I don’t plan on reordering them.
Of knights and princes kickstarter
Following the success of the Swan Lake Kickstarter, supporters encouraged me to create pins of the anime’s male leads. As a fan of those characters as well, I was excited to bring them to life.
I also introduced filler pins—small designs meant to complement and fill space on pin boards. Staying true to the Art Nouveau theme, I created new prints with updated designs based on the previous Kickstarter’s artwork.
The campaign surpassed its initial goal, providing me with ample stock to continue selling through my Etsy store.
Concept Sketches
One of the main challenges in designing the male leads was figuring out how to make them visually compelling. The female characters were easier to work with, thanks to their flowing skirts and distinctive hairstyles.
In contrast, the male characters had more simplified designs, so I needed to find creative ways to add detail and personality—making them both interesting and instantly recognizable.
Final design
For The Knight, I included a sword, a book satchel, and a quill to reflect his thoughtful, grounded nature. The Prince was given his iconic sword, emphasizing his storybook origins. Both designs were adorned with flowers, and their color palettes were carefully chosen to reflect their personalities: earthy and muted tones for The Knight, and bright, hopeful hues for The Prince.
campaign
The previous campaign gained viral success partly due to a factor I hadn’t anticipated—2022 marked Princess Tutu’s 20th anniversary. While this follow-up campaign was still popular and exceeded its funding goal, it didn’t generate as much profit. Most of the funds went toward covering production and fulfillment costs. Still, the experience was incredibly rewarding and valuable.
Redesign
Finally, I set out to redesign my original 2018 Art Nouveau prints of the female leads. This time, I aimed to make the characters more ambiguous, allowing the prints to stand on their own as original works.
I gave them wings to symbolize the White Swan/Black Swan theme and used color palettes that subtly reflected their personalities. I also gave them earthy, natural tones to enhance the organic feel. These pieces were complex to create, but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the process.
