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Gods and Monsters of Chinese Folk Tales - a pin collection

Created by Natasja van Gestel

An enamel pin collection of mythical gods and creatures from Chinese folk tales.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

PREORDER store live + surveys rolling out
5 days ago – Wed, Mar 04, 2026 at 11:52:51 AM

Hi everyone,

Over the last weeks, my main focus has been setting up everything at the Backerkit backend, making sure shipping is as accurate as it can get together with my collab partner from Mini Mustang Madness, and adding some fun add-ons.

And a preorder store has been put together, for anyone who missed the original campaign. It went live just seconds ago <3

I've also been preparing the backer survey for you. As I'm writing this, I am getting ready to send out a smoke test to 5% of backers. Those who receive the survey can already fill it out. It will help me catch things that could be communicated or set up more clearly. Then, after the smoke test concludes, all other surveys go out. So if all goes well, that is only a few days from now.

For me, that means getting insights into how many of which designs I need to order with my manufacturing partner. But it is even more important for you! Because the survey collects your shipping address, I can only send people who have completed the survey their rewards. So keep your eyes on your inbox (and possibly spam folder) in the days to come <3

Of course, if you have any questions about any of this, don't hestitate to reach out! You can contact me here, through an Instagram DM, or through [email protected].

Cheers,
Natasja

Happy Chinese New Year!~ (+ sticker preview)
20 days ago – Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 02:36:34 AM

Hi everyone,

Happy Chinese New Year!

I've been hard at work to get the survey up and running. That includes finally making the sticker designs. I worked hard yesterday to turn 21 enamel pin designs (17 regular ones, 4 freebies) into pretty stickers and wanted to share the result with you <3




Early birds and pre-launch followers will be getting a selection free of charge, and the stickers are also included for those who backed the 10-pin tier. I will also make them available in the add-ons and in the preorder shop for late pledges, which is also on its way <3

This overview also shows exactly which pins will be made, including the Black and White Permanence. Thanks so much for appreciating these little guys, I am so happy I get to make them!

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Cheers,
Natasja

We did it!
25 days ago – Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 01:42:36 PM

Hi everyone!

We did it! Gods and Monsters is successfully funded, thanks so much! <333

Yes, this is a very unplanned update that I'm typing on the fly. My collab partner Lotta and I were following the last half an hour on Discord and I was personally really rooting to unlock that stretch goal of the Monkey King because several people expressed wanting that one in particular.

We ended up not making that goal by such a small margin that, you know what, this one is on me.

Monkey King unlocked.

And well, let me know if you'd be down for the Black Impermanence? It's my favorite design, and I'm currently high on end-of-campaign happiness. So if 15+ people like this post, I'll consider that enough support to also include him in the pool. I just really want to make him.

So what happens next?

First, I have to let it all sink in. Last few days have been pretty hectic and the campaign has been an ever-present constant in my life. But I'll be making the backer survey after the dust settles, including some new add-ons that were not part of the campaign, and there will also be a preorder shop for late pledges. I've done most of the vector art for manufacturing already, minus the Monkey King; I will pick him up soon too.

Of course, I will keep you in the loop whenever I have something new to share!

Thanks so much for your support, everyone! <3 We did it!

Cheers,
Natasja

For 10-pin backers!
26 days ago – Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 10:33:16 PM

Hi everyone,

I'm sure that at this point, you're being a bit spam-bombed by Backerkit, what with Pintopia ending shortly. I'll keep it short.

This is mostly interesting for you if you backed the 10-pin tier!

Someone just asked me if there was an option to get the full set of pins from Gods and Monsters of Chinese Folk Tales. And honestly, I never anticipated that. There isn't a tier for that. So I've made a new discounted add-on for backers of the 10-pin tier, with extra pins for the rate at that tier (€11.50, instead of the usual €14 from the original add-on).



Some of you backed the Ten Pin tier and added some extra pins as add-ons (ohmygod thank you!). This is for you <3 If you want, you can swap out the original "Extra enamel pin" add-on with the "Extra enamel pin (for 10-pin backers)" add-on before the campaign ends to get a better price, while maintaining the same rewards.

Cheers,
Natasja

New design added: Guanyin
27 days ago – Tue, Feb 10, 2026 at 01:49:41 AM

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for helping me pick Guanyin's design! I finalized her yesterday, and she has now been added to the available designs).

I'm happy to share her final design with you <3



Guanyin is a 6cm enamel pin. There are no special requirements to unlock her: she has been added to the starter set that opened up when the campaign was successfully funded.



That said, the final stretch of the campaign has kicked off, and I'm super happy with how my first Backerkit campaign has gone! I'll be working on the survey shortly, so you won't have to wait long.

With the Chinese New Year being around the corner, my manufacturer will be taking some time off to enjoy the holiday for two weeks. After they are back to work and I can make a good estimate from the survey on how much needs to be ordered, everything will move into manufacturing<3 Of course, if there's anything to share such as pictures of production samples, I'll keep you updated!

Have a lovely day, everyone <3

Cheers,
Natasja