A woodworker who crafts whimsical furniture in Paris, Me., has recently
sought support through www.kickstarter.com, the world's largest funding platform for creative projects, according
to AdvertiserDemocrat.com. His goal is to raise $4,200 in pledges to help his
shop, Dead Apple Farm, thrive, and to showcase his work statewide and sell items
locally.
Jay
Lester, the designer and builder behind his creative, colorful furniture, makes
everything from solid wood, mostly from reclaimed lumber. He uses scraps,
including hardwood flooring, old wood, and old furniture. For color he uses
milk paint, and finishes everything with all-natural oils, such as linseed oil
or beeswax.
Lester has been woodworking for about five years. "I do traditional
techniques, but with a bit of my own design," he says. But only recently did
Lester decide that he wanted it to become a thriving business. Kickstarter, he
says, is just "the jumping off point for that."
"Backers," as they are called on Kickstarter, will receive a reward if
the project reaches the funding goals by its deadline: 10 p.m. on June 7.
Otherwise, "no money exchanges hands whatsoever," says Lester.
Backers can pledge anywhere from $1-$1,000 or more if they so
choose.
As of the latest report, Lester had a total of 52 backers. Two of them
pledged $205 or more, twelve pledged $100 or more, one pledged $68, 18 pledged
$35, 10 pledged $12 and one pledged $7 or more.
Lester says he's confident he will reach his goal of $4,200. "It seems
to be on track," he says. "I've got a tremendous amount of a response through
messages, and people supporting along the way, by helping to share on
Facebook."
Pledges can be made at www.kickstarter.com by searching for Dead Apple Farm Furniture.