I love the popularity of crowdfunding independent projects, especially since it’s helped to launch so many companies we love on platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. And now there are two new platforms I’m so happy to learn about, because they really are dedicated to artists and indie makers, and have yet to be taken over by companies that already have $4 million in VC funding: Fund on Etsy, and Seed & Spark.

FUND ON ETSY

Fund on Etsy is just as it sounds — a pilot program to help support makers who want to stretch beyond “mom who sews things on her own in her basement.” I think of little companies that have gotten bigger, like Freshly Picked and Mod Mom Furniture, both of which made it on Shark Tank. But not everyone has that kind of luck or opportunity.

Check out the current Fund on Etsy campaigns, and you’ll find everything from giclee prints to ceramics to beauty products to kids’ gifts.

One of the things I like is that the makers aren’t asking for huge sums –$1000 will help fund a pro printer for giclee art prints from Printable Wisdom. Lucite chandelier makers FAB Parlor are raising $1600 for a new machine to cut thick acrylics. Maryland woodworkers Gray Dog Woodworks need $2000 for safer routing equipment and a more efficient drill press to help expand their beautiful lines of handmade cutting boards (above) and kitchen accessories.

I also love this toddler tee from Sweetpea and Co — if they can raise $2000 it will help them get this along with the rest of their new toddler clothing line off the ground.

Another cool project for parents to check out: Children Inspire is raising funds to create a new Our Earth Customizable Map for kids. Just $45 gets you the awesome poster, or for $150 order the tapestry version to support their campaign.

Of course in exchange for donations you get perks too, as in, actual products from the makers you’re supporting. So you’re not just supporting them, you’re getting something cool in exchange. And when you show it off to friends and they buy one too? The support pays forward.

Plus, I kind of like the name: Fund on Etsy. It makes me want to shout, Fund on, Etsy makers!

SEED AND SPARK

If you know anything about the Hollywood machine, or have ever heard the phrase development hell, you already know just what independent filmmakers are up against. Let’s just say the original screenplay for 2013’s Oscar winner Dallas Buyers Club was written in 1992 (!) with ten more scripts written over 20 years and three directors attached before it got financial backing. Even so-called huge directors or movies with big names attached can get stuck with indie passion projects for years or decades.

So it was my cousin, LA writer and filmmaker Ryan Jaffe, who turned me onto Seed and Spark, which is entirely dedicated to funding independent films and making sure that smaller releases (i.e. those not made by Michael Bay or James Cameron) find an audience. You can also donate items or services needed like camera batteries or hotel rooms, kind of like a wedding registry for filmmakers. And funding films not only earns you great perks, it earns you “sparks” which are like points that can be traded in for free film screenings.

The site also happens to be where you’ll find the crowdfunding campaign for This is Happening, an upcoming movie starring Cloris Leachman and (cue shameless nepotism) written and directed by my cousin.

He happens to be awesome. I say that in a totally objective way. And I think the film looks awesome too. Because, Cloris Leachman. And comedy.

The movie — definitely a date-night, no kids film —  is about an estranged brother and sister who head out on a road trip to track down their fugitive grandma. Which is the point at which I say, that sounds way better than the plot of Fast and Furious Whatever Number They’re Up To. 

Also, it’s based on a short story that was inspired by Ryan and his brother Lane’s road trip to visit my own grandmother, which makes it really personal for me.

(Though to clarify, “inspired by” means that my grandmother was definitely not a fugitive pot smoker, nor did she keep the company of a dead pet. But she was incredibly funny and we all miss her a lot.)

I confess that I will support any movie with Cloris Leachman, with or without Ryan’s involvement, because heaven knows Hollywood could use more movies with awesome female leads — let alone awesome female leads who aren’t 18 years old and filming love scenes with 45 year old actors. But This is Happening also stars James Wolk  — who I totally loved in Mad Men, even if he didn’t marry Joan — along with Mickey Sumner, Judd Nelson, and Rene Auberjonois. So, yeah. Great cast. And it’s already screened at the Sarasota Film festival to terrific response. Now, they just need the funds to get it seen more widely. Not that there’s anything wrong with Sarasota.

Check out the very funny fundraising campaign video on Seed and Spark in which Cloris suggests she will loan out a spare pair of Gene Hackman’s underwear that she has lying around, as one of the contribution rewards for This is Happening.

Don’t worry, she says they’re clean.

And hey, click around the rest of the Seed & Sparks site too. You might find some other projects worth funding. After this one, of course.