Dec pause and 2023 plans.

So as most of you are aware I have paused all patron work and payouts while dealing with a lot of stuff that happened at once. Things still aren't perfect, in fact there have been a few other snags since my aunt took her own life. Myself and a few other family members managed to afford sending my mom out to a place she'll be much happier, as the death of her sister has dealt a severe blow to her mental and emotional health. She needed to be somewhere safe and secure so people the family trusts can keep an eye on her. 

So far so good- except the whole venture was *very* expensive. It left me and an uncle with a huge debt to cover (A little over $4000). Patreon will not be enough to help me out here. 

So, unfortunate as it is, I'll be taking a full time job again while doing commissions on the side. With rent being cheaper where I'm at (thankfully) it's possible for me to actually work and pay off the debts I've accrued shipping my mom off, moving out here, and renovations to the house I'm currently in. (They still aren't done, and we've already had the basement flood once fairly recently.)

So here's the deal- and it isn't going to be pretty. 

Starting 2023 the following changes will take effect:

All tiers will be eliminated for *one* tier. 

This tier will only be $3.

𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙊𝙫𝙪𝙢 𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙗 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙗𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙥.

I really, really, need the income. To put it into some perspective the total payout of patrons currently only amounts to about 5.60/hr (Well below min. wage.) So it should make sense as to why I'll be picking up something else.

The perks will more or less be a mix of everything save for one big detail- I will be doing commissions exclusively for those in the server first, then for the public if required. (Especially with Twitter's current situation being the way it is. Note- If you're not in the server I will post openings via Patreon announcements!)

-There will be opportunities for free lineart. 5 individuals /mo (Similar to how I did gold.)

-15-25% discount on commissions. (Depending on current situation.)

-Credits in comics, character cameos, etc. 

-Early access to comics, animation, etc.

-Possibly more once I get my financial situation sorted out. Maybe even hire someone into the team. 

-Other possible perks as things develop. 

I'm still trying my best.

Not going to lie- I am not doing okay, but I'm hanging in the best I can. The shift from open commissions to patrons only will be a welcome one to me because my usual posting sites are hit-or-miss, and I won't get started on Twitter's current... management issue.

Some FAQ's:

What about current Ovum Rewards? - I'll still be doing those, after that I'll be sticking to the new rule. There are a few who aren't in the server that I'll be contacting personally on the matter. (You know who you are.)

Will Ovum return, or something like it? - Most likely not. Might include a higher tier later if required, but it will involve something comic related. This is a big IF, mind. 

What about current silver/gold requests? - They can remain for the new rule, and as always those who posted can change them as needed/wanted. 

Will this new price change at all? - No. My art manager and I both agree that 3 is a good number to work with, mostly because Patreon is now supplementing rather than being my only income source. (Also as I collect new members things will even out. I think.)

Will the Discord Server remain? - I'd like to keep it going if possible, yes. Not just because it makes communication easier, but it's been great spending time with people and getting to know everyone on a personal level. 

I'll be coming into the server more often in Dec. I'm really, REALLY, depressed and socializing is near impossible at the moment. 

Can I give more than the amount pledged? - I noticed a few of you are, in fact, pledging more than the tier asks for. I do appreciate this immensely, but I cannot give these any special treatment. I'm very stubborn on keeping things fair and even as some of you know. >:V

This new tier will go live sometime in the first couple weeks of December. I'll post another update here and in server so everyone's aware. I will not be removing tiers until the end of Dec, so there should be plenty of time for everyone who wants to stay to transfer to the new seating. 

Finally; Dec will also be paused. No one will be charged.

I'd like to note, however- I typically update here and post other important things in server announcements. No one can claim they have not been informed in one way or another- I am not responsible for lurkers missing out on things. 

Big thanks to those who are still sticking around and supporting me while I deal with all this mess.

 Especially big thanks to Imps, Bug, and Juui who continue to make sure I'm staying sane, TheBlackMarten for checking in occasionally, Cass for being an amazing friend in general, Limey for getting me out of a particularly dark place, Kiri for checking on me as well, and G-Man for taking up the role of Art manager. 

Also thanks to these in particular who have also helped me out during the worst of it;

Rose, Wispy, Bri, Thibby, Cal, Khari, Tox, Alex, Sky, Dew, Rem, Eurasia_M, Kilei, T.D., Stamper, Yan, Yuki, Nimbus, and many, many more who aren't patrons but support me all the same. 

...And Tater, who is sitting in my lap right now while pretending not to touch my keyboard. 

Please feel free to Dm me on Discord or email me at birdbuttb@gmail.com if you have any questions. 

Thank you all again <3

_B