Hi all, Ricardo here.
I shared a little about how this project began on the About page, but I wanted to go deeper into why I make charms, why I started selling them, and what it all means to me.
For the longest time, selling charms wasn’t even on my mind. I just loved making something by hand and seeing the smile it put on someone else’s face. There’s something special about trading kandi and creating a memory that can bring you right back to a rave through a single bracelet.
When I gave my charms out, people would sometimes ask where I had bought them. Being able to say, “I made it!” was always such a great feeling. That question was one of the biggest compliments I could receive.
Eventually, I started thinking about selling them online as a way for the community to help fund the project. I can’t be at every rave across the United States, but my charms can reach places I haven’t been and become part of memories I wasn’t there to see.
Online sales help cover the supplies, shipping, listing fees, and packaging that go into each order. I also include a small markup that helps fund the free charms I give away at festivals. That’s why I think of this as a community-funded endeavor. Every purchase helps me keep creating and sharing.
I’m not expecting to get rich from making charms. I do this because I love the scene, the people, and the creative process.
If you ever meet me at a Texas festival, usually Ubbi Dubbi, Freaky Deaky, ILLfest, or Lights All Night, I won’t charge you for any charm I’ve brought to give away. Inside the festival, money is unknown to me. I’m there to enjoy the music, meet people, and trade.
That’s something I want to hold onto as this project grows. It started with a love of EDM and 3D printing, and online purchases help me keep bringing that love back to the scene.
Thank you to everyone who has bought a charm, traded with me, or encouraged me along the way. You’ve all helped make this happen.
I hope we get to trade kandi sometime.
Ricardo
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