Localism is our weekly-ish blog series highlighting some interesting crowdfunding projects based in our around Pittsburgh. Here's what we've got this week:

"DropKicker" has a name that's kind of similar to an idea I once had (for an anti-crowdfunding site called Kickstopper, in which you paid to have someone not record an album/have an event/etc.). But it's a lot nicer than that. DropKicker is an app/system for kicking bad habits. Brought to you by some of the folks behind Obscure Games, Dropkicker is kind of like a high-tech string around your finger. If your bad habit is forgetting to contribute to useful Kickstarter projects, break it for this one.

Maybe it's because I'm a drummer, or maybe it's because I like the Steelers, but this one appeals to me: Help outfit a Steelers drumline! Now, yes, I do think the NFL should probably have enough cash money to outfit a drumline. But since that doesn't seem to be something that's happening, it's a worthy cause. There's 22 days left on this $7500 campaign.

The local band Una de Luna is working on something big for its album release: a 360-degree video webcast. They need your dollars to make it happen, natch!

And sculptor Richard Michaux, who recently successfully funded some Santa sculptures, is going to the next obvious artistic quarry: presidential candidates! If you get an Obama, it'll likely be a little nicer than that Chia Obama you got for Christmas last year. I dunno if I'd want Mittens staring at me in my kitchen ("That macaroni and cheese came from the local Sheetz, didn't it? You didn't make that yourself, did you?"), but someone might.

Texture Ballet is trying to raise funds to go to NYC for a dance festival there; that Indie Go Go campaign has only a few hours left, so act fast if you want to help out a new and innovative ballet group.

And here's a weird but cool idea: an Online Food Swap. I may or may not be cool with eating someone else's food that I saw was available via the Internet; I guess I have to think about that! But we'll never know if it doesn't get funded, eh?

It's Localism time again: Let's look at a few locally-based crowdfunding projects that are currently underway.

Launched today, and of interest to comic-art types: Toonseum found Joe Wos is going for a Guinness world record drawing the world's largest maze. Where do you come in? Wos is looking to take the (30-foot-long) maze on tour, and also publish a book of mazes. He's raising funds on Indie Go Go; contribute and be part of a record! It's easier than running faster than Usain Bolt!

For fans of Braddock, and of access to health facilities, you can help legendary Braddock filmmaker Tony Buba finish We Are Alive! The Fight to Save Braddock Hospital, a documentary chronicling protests against the closing of the hospital there. With 27 days to go, that project is about a third of the way there, on Kickstarter.

The Second Annual Pittsburgh Zine Fair is scheduled to go off next weekend either way, but is currently funding in hopes of making the event sustainable and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

And these people want to raise $25,000 to get a bunch of scientists together right before the end of the Mayan calendar, I guess in order to try to save the world, then they want to have a Rusted Root concert.

Time for Localism again: This time, we're back to looking at local sellers on Etsy.

Something I never really envisioned myself saying is, "These melted bottle cheese plates look pretty great!" But hey. They do! (Note that the sellers say they may cancel an order if you're close to one of their retail shops — so I'd message them before ordering; maybe you can pick them up in person!)

These old maps and prints? Super cool.

• OMG the cute

This is THE Thanksgiving turkey onesie that EVERY child needs to have.

Then there's ... this ... beard hat.

Welcome back to Localism, our blog feature on local contributions to online commerce and crowd-funding sites. Today we're looking at a few projects currently funding on Kickstarter and Indie Go Go.

• Scale model of "A Room for 3"

This first one comes naturally to me, as one of three people in the county who has read at least parts of Gaston Bachelard's The Poetics of Space. (Hold your applause, folks; I didn't say I understood it.) That tome and some others inspire "A Room for 3," a site-specific installation that Adam Criscuolo has planned for the Brew House. Looks cool; funding for another week and a half.

On Indie Go Go: this house near Kittanning was SERIOUSLY DEMOLISHED BY A RUNAWAY PEPSI TRUCK. That is insane, and these folks need help getting it back together.

And here's your big chance: We've long suspected it was high time for a documentary about furries. Some Point Park-associated folks are working on just that, and are funding it through Indie Go Go; pledge at the "rabbit" level to receive a DVD of the finished product.

Today's installment of Localism looks at more stuff available on Pittsburgh-based Etsy shops, and our first entry appears to be a piece of PITTSBURGH SECRET-SOCIETY HISTORY!

— This "vintage Pittsburgh collectible plate" bears the emblem of the Order of the Eastern Star — a Masonic organization — and apparently stems from a chapter of the Order that existed in Carnegie in the 1950s.

This Christmas stocking, while nothing all that special in and of itself, made me laugh because of its milieu.

This highly allegorical print that shows a dragon thing in Boston Harbor is pretty badass.

Aaaaaand for the reasonable fee of $4, you can own a set of seven blocks of soap in the shape (and color) of Tetris blocks! The true Tetris fan plays so much, s/he sees Tetris blocks involuntarily in the shower anyway, so why not?

In today's installment of Localism, we look at some currently funding crowd-funding projects based out of Pittsburgh.

• Photo from Kickstarter campaign page, by Lauren Boback
• Reflective clothing, part of teh FLKS Kickstarter campaign

For starts, there's only a day left to put some cash into what seems to be a great idea: stylish reflective clothing for maximum night-time visibility. Every little bit counts if you're a cyclist, pedestrian or runner who goes out after dark! Some of the most popular backer levels are already sold out, and the project is already funded, but you can still get cool premiums at a few levels, and also contribute to starting a good business idea.

Also fully funded, but still more funda-ble: A new LP from local slowcore/dream-pop types Sleep Experiments.

Not yet funded is a project in which some theater-tech types from Pitt put on a horror show to raise money to go to a national conference.

Over on Indie Go Go, members of the band Prometheus Burning are putting together a compilation of local electronic music artists to benefit organizations fighting lung cancer.

I can't comment on the past work of the folks behind Yinzers in Cars Getting Iced Tea because, while the campaign page says "you may be familiar with our work," it doesn't say who the hell they are. But it looks like a good idea! And it's gonna need a lot of contributions to meet its $4,500 goal by Sept. 15. Also, I'm hoping that by posting this, I'm getting a prime seat as one of the yinzers who get the iced tea.

And last but absolutely not least: These guys want to make "the best portable draft system on the market." The PortaKeg. That's right. A portable keg system so you can enjoy draft beer wherever the hell you are. Go forth and pour, friends.

Allo allo, it's time for another installment of Localism, our new Blogh feature on local contributions to e-commerce and crowdfunding sites. Today, we look at some products from locally based sellers on everyone's favorite hand-crafted site, Etsy:

• Our friend, the pawpaw

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep you apprised of local things you can throw your money at, we present Localism, a Blogh series that looks at local offerings on crowd-funding and e-commerce sites. Today we look at projects currently funding on Kickstarter and Indie Go Go, including a book about pawpaws and a shirt that mashes up Che Guevara and John Galt. Read on after the break!