Update for everyone:
The GB date has been moved to October 6th. The contact for quotes at GMK was sick last week and I also needed to create granular specification sheets to give to GMK that included all the rows, units, ect. (I didn't know this was needed so this happened last minute.) Our current goal is to start the GB on the 6th of October! Everything is already lined up to achieve this goal, it was really just the quotes that set us back. Rest assured, as soon as we get those quotes, we are going live!
As for some of the changes that have happened last minute...
Cables:
We are working with SwiftCables to bring you Rainy Day aviator cables! They have already provided me with some renders and product shots and they look fantastic! I have not added them to this IC yet as I want the information on here to be formal and vetted through everyone first. But you can check them out on the Discord!
Artisans:
Little bit of bitter sweet here. Artisans will not be made for the GB launch. We just couldn't get something together based on what me and the vendor discussed. HOWEVER, the good news is, Artisans WILL be coming in the future! We are planning to get them going a few months after the GB for the keycaps. And I think this is actually beneficial. For one, it will space out the financial commitment for my customers who want to get all the bells and whistles, giving you a few months to budget for those pricey artisans. It may also bring the artisan and keycap set shipping dates closer together since GMK is a couple months behind anyway. So I think this is a net positive for us and you guys!
Novelties:
As I said before, you all pointed out that there were some concerns with GMK manufacturing and my novelties. And you were right! I was convinced otherwise and that created more work and time constraints for the GB as well so I apologize for that. I have reworked the ones that needed to be reworked and vetted it with the lead vendor, Kono, and we are back on track. As I mentioned before, they only changed slightly.
I wanted to thank you all for your support and patience through this roller coaster ride. I know that some of these last minute updates and expectations were really jarring. A lot of this falls on me as I learn how to navigate a group-buy for the first time and all the details and work that go into it. I am absorbing a lot of experience and knowledge from all of this so that every design and customer experience is better than the last. I can't thank you enough for your unyielding support for this project and the kind and constructive feedback that you have all given me.