Maker of Coffee Cup Holder Seeks Funding from Public

Tired of holding paper cups that are too fragile or hot? Now there is a nifty little accessory available that will dress up your throwaway cups of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Called the Sipper, this leather cup holder was created by a young man named Kevin Lee, a full-time web designer and part-time  inventor.

According to Lee, the Sipper encourages the slow art of sipping for maximum enjoyment, relaxation and conversation. "I really feel the simple act of enjoying a warm drink enhances contemplation and introspection, a valuable experience in a fast-moving world. My goal with the Sipper was to facilitate a part of that feeling. I am extremely excited to make this idea a reality."

Long Season Goods, the creative outlet for Mr. Lee as well as his corporate persona, has partnered with what his press release calls a "reputable" leather factory to produce the item for sale. The Sipper is constructed from 100 per cent tanned leather and is not dyed or oiled. In the press release, the producer promises that this absence of treatment will allow the leather to acquire a rich colour over time, with coffee and tea stains only adding to the effect.

In order to fund start-up costs, Long Season Goods has launched what is known as a "Kickstarter Campaign." In this start-up model, funds are raised by soliciting donations from interested members of the general public. An "all or nothing" funding model, the product will only be produced if monetary contributions reach a certain level in a certain amount of time, in this case $5,000 by December 29th, 2012. Individual pledges of $30 or more receive a complimentary Sipper, while contributions of $40 or more will receive a Sipper with the donor's initials stamped into the leather.

To learn more about the Sipper or to make a donation, go to www.kickstarter.com