IN 2017 I WAS INVITED TO A “MEET YOUR MAKER” SPEAKER SERIES HOSTED AT LUCKY DUCK BIKE SHOP IN OAKLAND. I HAD TRIED TO PREPARE SOMETHING TO SAY, AND INSTEAD RAMBLED ENDLESSLY ABOUT COMMUNITY, DROPPING THE WORD NO LESS THAN 20 TIMES.

COMMUNITY AND CRAFT ARE INEXTRICABLE. CRAFT SERVES A COLLECTIVE PURPOSE TO MEET MATERIAL NEEDS. AND THE COLLECTIVE FILLS IN WHERE CRAFT CANNOT. IT IS A VIRTUOUS CYCLE THAT IS RIGHTEOUS AND RADICAL IN AN EVER GROWING, MORALLY BANKRUPT, COMMODIFIED ECONOMY. PURSUING CRAFT WITH UTILITY, AND CARE FEELS MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT, AND GETTING IT INTO THE HANDS OF FOLKS THAT WILL ENJOY IT IS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE.

RATKING IS BY THE PEOPLE. RATKING IS FOR THE PEOPLE.

IF CRAFT SERVES A COLLECTIVE PURPOSE, THEN PRICING MUST AS WELL. IF YOU WANT SOMETHING RATKING MAKES AND THE PRICE IS WHAT’S KEEPING IT OUT OF REACH, SEND ME AN EMAIL. TELL ME WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AND WHAT WOULD MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU AND I WILL DO MY DARNDEST TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

SOLIDARITY PRICING EXISTS TO KEEP THE WORK ALIVE, TO HONOR THE CARE AND INTENTION IN MAKING, AND TO ENSURE IT IS SHARED WITH OUR FELLOW HUMANS. THIS MODEL IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME PERSONALLY. HOWEVER, THE UNLIMITED TIERED PRICING PROVED TO BE UNSUSTAINABLE, SO WE'RE TRYING OUT SOMETHING NEW.