Thoughts regarding merch on Patreon as an experience for 2 years. (Patreon)

I figured I might as well make a thread of thoughts here as well on twitter, but this one more so formatted for here.

2 Years Ago, I bought a large format Canon Pixma-10, big chonker, spent alot on it and still do with its copious ink supply lol, but that thing has been a big significance in how I do my business with these things. I loved the idea of doing physical merch, it excited me seeing a friend do it I thought why not I try this venture as well?

Unfortunately over time, quickly does the costs of equipment such as stamps, paper, paper that got cut wrong because the silhouette decided to fuck it up again, ink costs in general and photo paper had settled onto me in distraught. I know you might be saying, Strat why didn't you just use stickerapp or such to do these? The main reason I strayed from this and did it myself, I know these services make minimum orders of like 100+ stickers, and I'm not exactly one to want to have 100 of my OC I know nobody will really want to buy.

That said, I honestly even if I do get rid of rewards, I'm going to be a little sad. I feel like I failed. I know my patreon upkeep is not good at all, compared to some folks I know who do it on the regular, and I know it sounds like I'm always making excuses, but when you're a person who focuses on multiple accounts, as well on different sites, and you have to keep making content + doing commissions + promoting yourself, you can see why I have some trouble quite often managing on here. I know that doesn't excuse my lack of updates at times, but I know some of y'all understand and while I feel I do not deserve that it really blesses my heart y'all still are here to support me. Like seriously, 6 years ago fresh outta college never thought this woudl've been possible, but I'm really thankful for that. It means so much to me-

That said, I do not think I will stop making merch on the side. I think if I stop offering it on here, I will at the least find a way to supplement somehow. I know my goal in the future is to make a proper etsy shop with more so fanart merch since thats what sells and I don't mind doing it, but more so in moderation. Perhaps sometime next year, I will get around to doing that. Maybe as a compromise here, offer sales for purchases from there? Perhaps, still aways to think about but I think I will like this idea later on, if my dram of vending at more cons ever becomes a reality someday.

Anyways, thanks yall if you managed to read this entire thing. It's my honest thoughts and I apprecaite y'all for sticking with me through thick and thin. I  hope y'all have a good rest of the year and happy holidays, can't wait to see what 2023 brings, hopefully good things!