The Super Punch - Coming Soon!

October 20, 2021

I hesitate to share this information today. I'm not quite over the news myself and I typically like to have some plans for the next step (to boost optimism, more so for myself probably than for you). But you, my followers, always make me feel better so here we go.

My manufacturer contacted us yesterday morning saying they are unable to make the handles for The Super Punch. They cited some issues with the wood and the locking mechanism and then basically said they cannot make it and to try somewhere else. My heart sank. I thought we were so close, days from launching, and now here we are needing a new manufacturer for the handle. Spiritually, I know to trust the timing and allow this to unfold. But man it's hard to be patient sometimes. I feel as if I'm disappointing you yet again and I'm sorry for that. I ask for your grace and patience, as well as your trust.

I did hop on a video meeting with my design team yesterday afternoon and it made me SO grateful to have them! Their experience and knowledge are a guiding light for me. They assured me this might be a hiccup but it's a small hiccup and it's definitely something we can work with. We still have an amazing needle molded and ready to go, so we are not starting at square one. And while I continue to hope we can make a wood handle, there is always the option to go with recyclable plastic in the handle. A plastic handle would ease production, lower costs, and possibly make it a heartier tool.

On a positive note, they got me some estimates for the packaging options they have designed and they are in alignment with our goals. Later this week, I plan to send out the 2 options I love and let you vote on your favorite!! 

May you feel hope.

May you feel loved.

May you feel joy.

xx, Shawna 

August 10, 2021

The third and final prototype has been received!! A divot has been added to the eyehole to prevent plucking of the fabric as it passes through. And it works!!! No plucking, nice and smooth! It's a dream!! 

The last prototype had some unrelated issues that had already been fixed (overall, the wood was made smaller and the locking mechanism wasn't moving as smooth as we want). We've switched to a stainless steel locking mechanism to prevent the rigidity part. And the manufacturer is aware of their error in the mis-size.

Next, my amazing design team is combining two of our prototypes to make one fantastic working prototype so I can start prepping for the pre-sales. I'm also making a deposit for an initial order so that 5 fully working samples can be made. This will allow us to test for mass production. And allow me to get the tool into the hands of some big influencers in the Punch Needle world of art. I hope to use their inspiration to boost sales and make this campaign a success. 

Pre-sales will be held on Kickstarter. The next couple of weeks will be all about getting a successful Kickstarter campaign up and running. Taping videos, prepping emails, reaching out to my tribe, reaching out to artists in the Punch Needle world. Working to get as many eyes on the campaign as possible. More sales = lower pricing = more women becoming artists = more women feeling alive and fulfilled. That is my mission. 

If you would like to help in anyway, I would love to hear from you. Are you a video editor that has some extra time to edit a video? Or have a connection in the fibre art world of PR? Are you friends with someone with a large following that loves to make art? Do you have 2 or 3 friends that love to create art that you can pass along this message? Any and all help can moves mountains, no matter how great or small. I appreciate you, I love you, I'm honored to be here with you. 

xx, Shawna 

 PS. If you have a way to help spread the word or assist me in my Kickstarter campaign, email me at shawna (at) northshorecrafts (dot) com. 

May 4, 2021

I have received the second prototype and it's fantastic!!! We have one last tweak that needs to be made and we will be set for go launch. I cannot tell you how excited I was after trying this round of the prototype! It works, it's SO pretty (I mean look at that logo?!?! 🤩) and it is nearly ready. I was jumping little leaps of joy in my office. After 2 1/2 long years, it felt like I was finally in sight of the finish line. 

What's next? The eyehole needs to be adjusting just a tad. The back of the eyehole is catching the fabric causing a plucking sound and we just can't have that. My design team is working on a solution and then we'll go back to the manufacturer for their go ahead. I will have more information after this process. I will also have a better feel for dates and timeline.

And that's it! One small adjustment away from a final product! I'm feeling so good about it all this time around. Like all of this was meant to be. 

3/9/2021

I received the prototypes!! Late January as expected. Overall, they are fantastic! The Olive wood looks amazing. The sleek design of the handle is spot on! The flow of adjustment is working great. And the locking of the needle is tight! 

I did have a few adjustments to our needle. I want this to be damn near perfect so a few tweaks needed to be made. What tweaks, you might be wondering??? The eye needle hole needed to be bigger. The bottom back slot to hold yarns in was hindering the thicker yarns so we’re removing it from the Regular thickness needle and holding it for the Fine thickness when we get there. 

And that’s it! Small changes...sooooo close now! 

However, with changes come new molds which take time to make. 2-3 weeks to be specific. A spring launch!!! I’m diggin’ it! I’m going to hold off on any exact-ish timeline updates at this time, because let’s be honest, I’m not the best at them. I will know more after I get the next prototype and get more specific timelines. 

PROTOTYPE

TIMELINE

COLOR/FINISH

11/5/2020

I’m so excited for this update! And I think you will be, too! 

A lot has happened since my last update. I have a lot to tell you. And things will be moving quickly! 

Where to start?! Seriously, so much to tell you! 

8/27/2020

Long story short, January through July 2020, I had an engineer, he helped me learn things about my handle and a locking mechanism that fell short. 

August 2020, I find and love a new product design company and we start working on The Super Punch AND The Simple Punch. They are currently in the idea design phase. 

This new design firm is The Bomb! They appreciate design, think about art when designing our tool and they have some great initial locking mechanism ideas. This is going to be fun!! 

Design phase will last 8 weeks, then we move onto the manufacturing phase which will take another 8 weeks. 

Look to pre-order your Super Punch early October!!! Hoping for early 2021 to ship tools to you! 

Don't forget to sign up below to get updates on The Super Punch!

1/16/20

Friends, The Super Punch is coming soon!! I'm so excited to be near the end of this journey. To get my very own tool into your hands. Think of an adjustable tool combined with the Oxford tool ergonomic handle + the open slot for easy threading. It's cool and I'm bursting at the seams to release all the details. Soon, so soon. 

North Shore Crafts opened September 21, 2018. When I first opened my shop, I had difficulty finding Punch Needle tools to sell. And I felt like there should be more options. I loved the open slot for easy threading on the Oxford, but I wanted to be able to have different loop lengths. 

From Day 1, I've been brainstorming ideas and concepts for my own Punch Needle tool. Many months of masterminding, brainstorming, trouble shooting, dead ends, hopeful beginnings followed. 

I'm finally close to the end and many more details will be coming out soon. 

If you'd like all the juicy details on the new Super Punch tool + get first dibs on purchasing your very own, sign up below.