Hi, I’m Beyonce “Buba” Armstrong, the creator of ABC’s HOOD BABIES. I’m excited to announce the official launch of the HOOD BABIES Campaign! We’re aiming to raise $25,000 to convert a studio into a toy factory. Your support will help to secure a studio space, buy equipment, hire workers, and cover the cost of preorder materials.
Every step of the journey will be documented, from finding a studio to showing how the toys are produced. Our goal is to kickstart the production process and get HOOD BABIES into the hands of as many fans as possible.
Edit: Unfortunately, preorders cannot be accepted here as it goes against Gofundme's Terms of service. No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe.
WHAT ARE HOOD BABIES?
The art toys that help heal one’s inner child.
HOOD BABIES are 30in. designer dolls that serve as symbols of Black consciousness with values rooted in community and evolution. It pushes the message that aspirations of freedom, gratitude, and health can be attainable by unlearning generational patterns to reprogram one’s mind.
HOOD BABIES present as high quality collectibles that are handcrafted with the best materials. These realistic dolls operate through mechanically engineered cable systems while accompanied by detailed articulation and electrical components. All dolls are manually produced at a New York based studio with a small team of fabricators and designers producing a limited number of editions. HOOD BABIES retail at $500 with its packaging diorama and accessories sold separately.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONS:
- 30in. tall, 10lbs. doll
- Exterior hand-sculpted clay head
- 2 retractable head parts with magnetic closures
- Interior mechanical head system with 4 mechanisms including left and right eye directions, blinking, and mouth movement
- 4ft elongated wire-controlled system to animate the dolls
- Articulation of hip, knee, shoulder, neck, elbow, and knuckles
- 20 sec. voice box with a designated song
- Battery powered third-eye nightlight (Batteries not included)
COST BREAKDOWN:
$6,000 Studio space:
- Secure a commercial studio with 300-500 sq/ft. Rent the space for at most $2,000 a month. Covers first month, last month, and security deposit
$3,000 Equipment:
- Buy necessary equipment to set up the studio as a factory. Acquire machinery to easily reproduce each doll. Covers the cost of a bandsaw, drill press, disc/belt sander, shop vacuum, etc.
$5,000 Materials:
- Buy all materials needed to produce 50 HOOD BABIES dolls. Covers the cost of lumber, hardware, fabric, silicone, etc.
$6,000 Workers:
- Hire 3 contractors to help build 50 dolls. Workers include a builder, painter, and seamstress.
$2,000 Marketing:
- Funding covers the cost of the website, videographers, and materials for promotional print
$3,000 Contingency Plan:
- Ensures funds for unexpected expenses and miscellaneous purchases
$25,000 TOTAL
FAQ:
Just why? What got you into this?
I started this idea in college during my last year at RISD. I wanted to study consumerist products in the art world because I was gonna graduate soon and didn't know how to make money with a painting degree. I didn’t wanna be a teacher and I didn’t care about showing work in galleries. I always loved the Chucky movies and wanted a Chucky doll so I made one. The Desmond doll, aka Black Chucky, was my senior thesis. I studied the art toy market, learned how to write business plans, documented inventory cost and designed reproduction blueprints. I continued making more dolls after I graduated and began to study my target audience while developing a message behind the brand. Strongly influenced by the social events of the time, the aftermath of Covid served as a catalyst for consciousness. Conversations about healing one’s inner child and breaking generational cycles ran rampant. HOOD BABIES were created to personify these thoughts.