Thank you. Thank you friends, family and those we do not know for the wonderful support you have given this campaign during the past 35 days.
Thank you to my Facebook friends who put up with my constant updates but were so encouraging. We have so much gratitude for anyone who contributed, shared, tweeted and helped along the way.
This was quite an adventure and a learning process but to start with a goal of $1250 and crash through the 'third' goal of $3,000 is a superb achievement. Crowd Funding rocks.
All those who contributed will be hearing from us. We are not quite sure when the charm will be completed but we will keep you updated. The prints will be going out very soon and you will know when they ship.
And the Torch now has a new name and will be official known as "Bubba."
As soon as the money is received from Indiegogo, the retired jeweler will receive his funds. We are not sure at this point about where the workshop of tools will head as the potential workshop in Paris, Texas, suffered extensive damage in the ice storm. If this delays any of the Perks, we will keep you completely informed.
Thank you,
Robin (for Caroline and Justin)
Justin Cashion and I, Caroline Brady, are students at the
Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology in Paris. At TIJT we’re being taught
everything from basic fabrication skills to the many different styles of stone
setting as well as gemology and CAD design. We currently specialize in silver
but are also skilled in gold repair work.
Recently, we’ve come across the opportunity of a lifetime
when a retiring jeweler offered to sell us his equipment. We are talking an entire workshop and everything in it. Everything
we need to create and produce custom jewelry and do all types of repair.
Among the many items, too numerous to list, are: a
centrifugal force casting machine, a magnetic pin finisher, a Neycraft burnout oven, saw frames and
blades, stones, mold rubber, a mold vulcanizer, benches, exhaust fan, hand
tools, and so many more awesome items.
When I saw all of this equipment I began drooling.
Check out this video of all the equipment included:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUt8YHclFjQ
What
We Need & What You Get
Justin and I aim to acquire this equipment with the hopes of
creating beautiful jewelry that will last a lifetime, but we need your help.
The retiring jeweler has offered us the
entire workshop of equipment for $5,000. While that is an amazing price for all
these items, as poor college students, it is rather overwhelming to us. And we have a deadline of February 1, 2014.
My mother has offered to help us get
started by paying for part of the purchase price (and she’ll let us pay her
back later) but we hope to raise as much of this as possible. We are ready for
this responsibility.
Our Campaign Goal is $1250 but would
love to meet and exceed that with your help. My mother has already paid for her
half as a non-refundable down payment. All of the funds will go toward the
purchase of the workshop of tools but if we exceed our goal we could begin our
business debt free. We want to get started on a firm financial foundation.
Our perks are unique and
diverse. Please take a few minutes to browse them and find one or
more to help us reach our goal.
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Are you interested in some original
jewelry
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Need a coupon toward jewelry repair or
ring sizing?
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Ever considered having a special piece
of jewelry designed as a Family Heritage gift for your children and/or
grandchildren?
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How about a beautiful nature print on glass?
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Need some computer repair (in the
Bosque County, Texas area)?
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Want to sponsor one of the pieces of
equipment and name it after yourself or dedicate it to a loved one?
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Or do you want Justin to come to your
locations (within 100 miles of Paris, Texas) and entertain at your party – he is
also a musician.
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Maybe you just love us and believe in
us and want to make a donation – we would love that too. Just choose one of the Vouchers/Coupons and let us know you will not be redeeming it.
From a
Dream to a Reality – Launching a Business
I come from a long line of
entrepreneurs and have the advantage of the support and guidance of several
successful businesswomen in my family. They have owned all types of businesses
and have the experience to help us avoid the typical pitfalls and hold us
accountable to set this up right.These women have set an example I want to follow as a business owner myself.
Creative people need bean counters and
mentors and we have them ready to help us be successful.
I am very responsible and highly
organized. And very excited to find out what Perks are chosen so we can get
busy fulfilling our commitments to you.
Other
Ways You Can Help
We understand that not everyone can
contribute financially but help us get the word out about our campaign. Remember
to use the Indiegogo share tools and spread the word on Twitter, Facebook or
any place else where folks can find out about our campaign.
If you know some jewelers or graduates of the TIJT program, please share this campaign with them also. We would love to have support from our fellow jewelers.
Just in case you want more
information about the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology at Paris Junior
College. Students from 17 to 77 are welcome.
http://www.parisjc.edu/index.php/pjc2/main/tijt/