Will you join me?

Jul 26

3 min read

I have been thinking about this for some time now and want to share my plan with you!

I am planning to start a channel on Patreon on 8 August and I am very much hoping that you will come and spend some time with me there! Patreon is a platform that is designed to help artists and creators connect with their community. I have been looking for ways of setting up a hub for my creative content that will help us grow together and I think this looks like a great option.

As you probably know, I currently create content on instagram, YouTube, Facebook and here. All of which are great ways to share short clips of inspiration, one off tutorials and occasional musings on my creative practice. They help me to connect with lots of people but that got me thinking about how we can build on that connection and grow a community around our shared love of mixed media.

I really hope that the Funky Fossil Studio on Patreon will be a space that we develop and shape together. I want it to be somewhere that we can work on projects that take a bit of time, fill our journals, explore themes and techniques in a way that isn’t easy to do elsewhere. My aim is that we can go on creative adventures together and that you will have a growing library of projects and resources that you can keep returning to.

I am still exploring Patreon and shaping my ideas about what will make this a great creative resource for you. I will definitely be asking for input as we move forward but these are the features that I am planning to start with:

· A monthly tutorial/project video exclusive to Patreon

· A monthly live/craft along

· Monthly downloads

· A monthly theme, colour palette and art journal prompts

· A 15% discount code for Funky Fossil – refreshed each month

· Sneak peeks and early access to new products

Is there anything specific that you would like to be able to access as a member? I would love to hear your comments below.

I have decided to have just one paid tier to keep things simple so the monthly rate for being a member will be just £8. There is a 7 day free trial so that you can have a look around (obviously there won't be a whole lot of content at this early stage). You aren't locked in and can leave at any time. However, everyone who joins before the end of September will be guaranteed not to receive any price increases as a 'founding member'.

I appreciate that not everyone will want to join up and I will still be sharing content on instagram, YouTube and Facebook so I am not planning to disappear :) However, I really want to be able to offer education, inspiration and meaningful connection alongside some modest income generation and hope that the Patreon format will enable that.

So....if you want to:

· Loosen up and make playful art

· Build your confidence

· Try mixed media techniques

· Develop your own art style

· Explore a range of materials and mediums

· Be part of a friendly and vibrant creative community

I hope that you will give membership of the Funky Fossil Studio a try :)

Let me know what you think. Is it something that you are interested in? Do you already follow anyone on Patreon? What would make it a great experience for you? I really appreciate your feedback :)

I cant wait for this next chapter of our creative adventure to unfold!

8 Comments

minmax40

Jul 29

I’m in! After your workshop in Wakefield a few months ago, I’ve decided I like your style 🤪

I’d love to be a part of this if I can work out the techy stuff xx

stevegray01

Replying to

Awww, thank you! That means a lot :) Honestly, its not techy....if I can work it, anyone can! I can't wait to see you there x

dmbrooks1975

Jul 27

Yes, absolutely, sign me up!! Never done it before but it all sounds exciting...fingers crossed its easy to set up payment 🫣 Xx

Thank you! I am so excited to go on this adventure with you :) It is easy to set up and stop payments on Patreon....I am hoping that it will be user friendly for us!

sueboswell2

I Think it's a fab idea i will definitely join. I do have one Patreon already. It has helped my creativity and learning move forward in a safe group environment with like minded people. I prefer the personal connection, the hroups banter and it's so much fun, we all learn and help each other. The only thing I would like to say is that 7pm appears to be a very busy time for tutorials and lives in the crafting space. I find I have to keep choosing who to watch live and who to catch up which is becoming an increasing weekly conundrum. So if you could avoid 7pm that would fab.

Thank you, Sue - that means so much! You have described what I would like to achieve...a safe, fun and friendly space where we learn as we go. I definitely agree with your point about the 7pm slot being congested :) I was thinking that we could do lives on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon so that everyone is able to relax and get involved. Its something that we can talk about in the group :)

janeyb_101

Where do I sign?? In all seriousness though, I think this is a fabulous idea. Plus I think the biggest win for me will be that it will limit my FOMO with not being on Insta or FB! 🤣 I don’t follow anyone else on Patreon because I simply haven’t found anyone that inspires me enough to do so, but you do. The only thing I’m not sure about is how to pay for it with not having done so before, but I’m sure that will all become clear.

With regards to what I would want to see on there, the ideas you’ve suggested already sound perfect but I suspect it will be a continual learning curve and it…

Thank you! I am really excited about it and so glad that you would want to be involved. I feel like my content is a bit scattered across social media at the moment so this is a great opportunity to create a hub for all of us. Honestly, I can't tell you how much it means to me to have your support x