In their first funding campaign on wadiz, Ailetsol raised 50 million won. Here are 3 successful strategies from Ailetsol.
Originally uploaded: March 9, 2023
Last updated: June 4, 2026
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- Creator Ailet Sol raisedapproximately 50 million won andgathered 545 supporterswith her first funding campaign.
- The secret to her success lay in the know-how she’d built up over two years and the feedback from her supporters.
- Here are the three key strategies that ledthis artist’s first funding campaign to success.
3 Success Strategies from Ailet Sol, Who Raised 50 Million Won in Her First Wadiz Funding Campaign
Raised approximately 50 million won and gathered 545 supporters in her first funding campaign Ailet Sol was her unique know-how accumulated over two years and feedback from her supporters.
As a maker of oil pastel art, Ailet Sol introduced a drawing kit that supporters could complete themselves.
This was a choice made because she wanted to create a collaborative process with people from the very beginning.
We heard the story of Ailet Sol, a maker who found joy in connecting with her supporters and gained strong confidence to take on new challenges through that communication.
After reading this article today, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to take on your first challenge.
Key Results Summary
| Metrics | Results |
| Final Funding Amount | 49,222,000 won |
| Funding Achievement Rate | 4,922% |
| Number of Supporters | 545 |
| Key Strategy | Focus on our own expertise rather than trends + Product development based on supporter feedback |
01. Two years of consistent creative work laid the foundation for the funding campaign
Q. Hello, artist! Could you introduce yourself and tell us the meaning behind your artist name?
I’m “Ailetsol,” an oil pastel artist—my own little island where I draw.
My artist name, “Ailetsol,” combines the English word “Ailet”—meaning a small, nameless island—with “Sol” from my real name, Jeon Eun-sol.
It embodies the meaning of “my own little island where I draw.”
Q. Your oil pastel works have garnered a lot of attention on Instagram. I’m curious about how you got started.
After majoring in painting in college, I started my career by drawing pet portraits.
But as time went on, I found myself wanting to paint my own pictures more and more.
While thinking about which medium to use, I realized that since I love going outside to paint, oil pastels—which are easy to carry and have color saturation rivaling most paints—caught my eye.
That’s how I began creating my own artwork with oil pastels.
For nearly two years, I shared two or three pieces a day on Instagram (@isletsol).
Coinciding with the period when many people were staying home due to the pandemic, my drawings started appearing in people’s feeds, and I received an overwhelming amount of attention and love.
02. Why I Chose a “Collaborative Challenge” Over “Selling” on My Own
Q. Wadiz is another challenge for you as an artist.
You chose a drawing kit—a new approach to funding—rather than merchandise based on your artwork, which many artists typically do. I’m curious about your reasoning.
After all, I could have produced and sold postcards or original art on my own.
I planned this wadiz funding campaign around an “oil pastel drawing kit”—rather than postcards or original art featuring my drawings—because I wanted to do something I could share with others.
But this time, I wanted to create a product while communicating with supporters on wadiz, where the “pre-order, then production” model is possible.
What do people who like my art need?
I didn’t want to figure that out on my own; I wanted to fill in the answers through conversations with my supporters. That’s why I chose wadiz over other e-commerce platforms for this new challenge.
In fact, when conceptualizing the kit, I focused on the questions I’m frequently asked during my drawing classes or on Instagram.
Thinking of them as my future supporters, I actively incorporated their comments and wove them into the funding story.
For example, I selected the 21-color oil pastel set based on the colors that fans of my artwork frequently praised for their rich hues.
Thanks to that, I was able to create a kit that’s packed with my own unique style and know-how.
Q. It sounds like you put a lot of thought into eliminating the frustrations experienced by people who enjoy oil pastel drawing.
Yes, when I first conceived the kit, I focused on the questions that many people frequently asked me during my drawing classes or on Instagram.
Since I viewed them as my future supporters, I actively incorporated their comments and wove them into the funding story.
As a result, I was able to launch a funding campaign that incorporated my own experiences and know-how, and I believe this increased the likelihood of a positive response.
Q. Even though it was your first funding campaign, you ranked 20th in real-time for launch notifications and 5th in the real-time rankings,
and ultimately raised nearly 50 million won for funding. How did you feel when you reached over 500 supporters?
I remember . It was a result I hadn’t anticipated at all—in fact, I had only aimed to reach 100% of my funding goal.
I was also very grateful that the project manager shared in my joy. Personally, more than the funding results themselves, succeeding in this funding campaign—which I took on as a learning experience—gave me confidence to take on new challenges.
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Q. Do you have any memorable comments from supporters?
The most memorable review was a direct message I received from a supporter who was full-term at the time.
She told me that even though it was difficult for her to go out while full-term, drawing at home with my kit provided her with emotional healing—which made me feel truly proud.
It seems like it made for a great gift even for those who find it difficult to go outside.
03. Rather than waiting for the perfect timing, start by trusting your own experience and the people who believe in you.
Q. What does “challenge” mean to you, Ailetsol?
When I first started creating my own style of pet portraits, the results weren’t great at first.
Even while I was struggling, I never stopped experimenting with different materials. And I posted my work on social media every day.
I believe that because I never gave up on working consistently and sharing my work, a great opportunity came my way.
And since that opportunity led to positive results, I realized that “taking on new challenges is always a good thing,” which gave me a lot of confidence.
My hope is that anyone considering funding will not hesitate, but will embrace it as a new challenge and gain something from the experience.
Q. What advice would you give to creators or artists who are taking on funding for the first time?
If you’re an artist or creator trying funding for the first time,
I’d advise them to plan a project related to a field they know best and excel at, rather than blindly following current trends.
For example, just because calendars sell well around the end of the year doesn’t mean you should automatically make one—you’ll inevitably fall behind well-known artists.
Also, instead of creating something you can make entirely on your own, I recommend launching a funding campaign where you can incorporate supporters’ ideas and feedback to refine your project.
That’s something you can only experience on wadiz.
Q. Finally, do you have any words of advice for aspiring creators?
It’s easy to get swayed when you see other creators around you trying all sorts of things.
But if you keep chasing trends like that, you’ll eventually lose your own unique style and fall behind.
I hope you’ll trust your hard-earned experience and know-how and try creating something together with others.
You’ll gain far more cheers and confidence than you would if you were struggling alone in the corner of your room.
Summary of the 3 Key Factors Behind Ailet Sol’s Success on wadiz
1) I focused on my own experience and know-how, not on trends.
Instead of making calendars just because they sell well at the end of the year or chasing after trendy merchandise,
she planned her project by incorporating her expertise in oil pastel drawing—something she knows best and does well.
Your unique know-how and experience set your project apart from others and serve as assets that build trust with supporters.
2) She actively incorporated supporter feedbackinto the product.
The questions frequently asked by my class students and Instagram followers served as the starting point for designing the kit,
and I actively incorporated supporters’ comments throughout the funding process to finalize the kit.
This process naturally fostered a close bond with our supporters, building a dedicated fanbase and serving as an opportunity to further enhance the product’s quality.
3) Two years of persistent effortlaid the foundation for our successful funding campaign.
Two years of never giving up and sharing our work every day created a new opportunity: the wadiz funding campaign.
Furthermore, the confidence gained through that challenge ultimately led to 545 supporters and a campaign total of nearly 50 million won.
FAQ for Artists Preparing for Their First Funding Campaign
Q1. Can I start a funding campaign even if I don’t have a product yet?
Yes, you can. wadiz a “pre-order, then production” model, so you can start at the idea or prototype stage even without a finished product.
You can also refine your product by incorporating supporters’ comments during funding. In fact, artist Ailet Sol completed her 21-color oil pastel kit by incorporating comments and suggestions from supporters.
Q2. Can a new artist with few social media followers still succeed in funding?
On wadiz, communication with supporters is the key to successful funding.
That’s why even new creators without a large social media following can build a fan base during the funding process.
In fact, News feature to consistently share updates on the production process and behind-the-scenes content have shown higher success rates for the project.
Projects that posted 10 or more News items on wadiz had a funding success rate of 99%.
Q3. Can I only run a funding campaign on wadiz for creative works or merchandise?
No. As long as a project embodies a maker’s experience and expertise, it’s possible regardless of its form.
In fact, wadiz hosts a wide variety of projects, including merchandise and artworks, as well as commissions, educational programs, and lectures.
Anyone with an idea and a Story can get started.
Reflecting on the story of artist Ailet Sol, who showed us that any journey is worth taking as long as there are people to share it with,
I realized that “starting” isn’t a word you can only use once you’re fully prepared.
A beginning that you build together with people who cheer on your challenge becomes a joyful journey like this.
Do you have an idea floating around in your head right now? If so, instead of mulling it over alone, why not share it with the world first?
Supporters ready to join you on that journey are waiting for you on wadiz. Start your first challenge right now.
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