My name is Harry Smith and I’m a glass artist and artifact/history hunter from York, PA. I have 2 dogs, Lily and Hutchinson, that I trained to work, dig, and travel with me for business. I also have a cat, Nuisance, who “helps” around the home and shop. As a kid, I loved finding glass bottles and other glass objects, which eventually led to me becoming a glass artist in 2001 at the age of 25. Just over 3 years ago, I began to make a part time business of digging for bottles and other artifacts (see video below). Fast forward to today, where my tested part time business combined with old dreams and bucket list wishes has begun to serve as a solution for a greater problem.

What’s the problem you ask? For almost 2 years now I haven’t been saving money, and falling shorter and shorter of my budget every month as the cost of living increases and sales for my glass business decrease. My rent has been going up significantly (and truly was the final straw) so I knew there had to be a solution. First, I got my income stabilized by digging, selling artifacts, repurposing materials into products, and holding group digging events full time the last 5 weeks. Glass blowing and cremation memorials are still offered and made part time to still contribute.

Stabilizing my income was only half the solution, and the other half requires that I lower my living expenses to once again save money. To do this, the dogs, cat, and I are hitting the road for the next 3 years to dig both locally and far away and we could use your help! I’m currently shopping for a travel trailer, selling my Ford F-150 pick up, and I’ve also bought a stronger F-250 to do the job last week. I’ve had dozens of offers from Maine to California to come dig for clients as well as with fellow diggers. I also have properties I can stay on while I dig, or even close by to sites I’m digging to save on camping and travel expenses.

I have the contacts and places to pull it all off, but needed to raise 8k over the last 5 weeks to purchase the vehicle and trailer. The good news is I’ve secured 6k so far from selling collections I had, combined with 3 “angel investors” aka a colleague and 2 friends. I’m now 2k away with about 7 days left till I’m forced to surrender the property back to the rental company, so I’m gunning even harder to get the last bit secured!

What your donation makes possible...

- First and foremost, your contributions help me to fulfill a dream, save money again vs “sinking”, and keep my pets happy and safe- while having the best version of this type of business/life I could ask for.

- Helps to create a more sustainable life and living for myself by lowering the bills each month while earning and saving more.

- Experiences, history, and travel we can all enjoy together for the next 3 years that will certainly be my pleasure to share via social media, YouTube, and soon Patreon. Dogs and cat included as usual!

- Gives me the ability to “shine” and stand out in my field and possibly gain more revenue. I have public classes, products, and concepts that are all my own unique creations. Coupled with the fact I’ve never seen anyone travel the US while hunting history while also offering public classes in this manner. All combined this should create “good media”, and thus, Patreon and YouTube revenue in time. Think “American Pickers” meets “Antiques Roadshow”, plus a shovel and 3 trained pets lol!

- Takes me from feeling stuck in the mud and sinking, and puts me instead digging and thriving in a life I’m passionate about, can succeed at, and enjoy.

- The eventual purchase of my own home due to the fact I can again save money and do it for at least the next 3 years while I travel. One dream may hopefully lead to another- or I may buy a bigger traveling set up- I’ll make that decision in 3 years.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to consider contributing to my campaign. It would mean the world to me if I can achieve this and fulfill a lifelong dream I’ve put together slowly over time- now motivated by both happiness, and necessity. Thanks again, and take care,

Harry Smith III