So, I've been quiet for a bit. I haven't been ignoring all of your commission inquiries, I'm sorry! I've read all of them and just haven't had time to reply to everyone. I know who's sent me notes and emails, and when I open back up officially, I will send notes out ahead before making a public journal, letting those who've already asked have a first pick at the slots. I'm sorry for not having enough time for everyone, I would've liked to get some more pony hoodies or something done for FC, but I need to work through the projects I've already got on my plate.

I am officially closed until after FC for all custom work. My main business, Con*Tact Caffeine has been booming lately, which is a blessing and a curse! I've been staying up until about 7am every day, plowing through dozens of bars of soap a day. On top of that, I recently released Scent Markings, which are solid perfumes, and Den Warmers, which are soy wax warming tarts, used in place of candles. Both of these new things will be available at Further Confusion. Speaking of FC, Con*Tact is confirmed for Further Confusion's Dealer's Den.

If you'd like a peek at what my to-do list is looking for over December/January, through FC, here's a glimpse:

-Finish  oddball23's Twilight Sparkle hoodie
-Make a giant plush ham for  manda-panda in time for con
-Finish plush gryphon for  likeshine
-Draw, color, and finish 3 insets for travel mugs (for  brighton,  klickitat, and  omekin)
-Draw, color, and laminate 4 convention badges (for the three above, plus  yoshinomi)
-Finish painting personal mask project
-Design, print, and affix labels for all outstanding projects (solid perfumes, wax tarts, unicorn soap when  ladyfoxglove finishes art for it)
-Design, print, and affix hang tags for gift bags (32 different labels)
-Draw, color, and finish character sheets for 3 different characters (and update a fourth)
-Release at least 6 new soaps (our My Little Pony themed ones with artwork by  anuvia), print all labels for those. Then release them in perfumes and wax tarts. And do all of the labeling/artwork for that. Then make a gift bag of all of them, or something.
-Work with  tugrik to get the design of our soap bars finalized, learn how to vacuum form things, and set up a vacuum table somewhere.
-Place another massive order for scent oils from at least one of our suppliers.
-Design, print, and cut out two different sets of <secret project> to be sold at the upcoming convention. And make sure the artwork and labeling is done for that, too. Also, choose packaging for it. And then order that.
-Somehow take the 22-28th off to do various family things in Utah. It's almost like vacation!
-Get started on con prep for FC. This includes no less than 700 bars of soap, 700 Den Warmers, and around 600 Scent Markings.
-Decide packaging for Den Warmers/candle/ceramic warmer sets. Boxes? Probably.
-Nyan Cat schoolgirl skirt. Fabric's already purchased for it.
-Get all Scent Marking/Soap/Den Warmer gift sets created (it's a bar of soap, two Den Warmers, and one Scent Marking in a nice little organza gift bag, perfect for a take home present from con!)
-Christmas?!
-Find a few minutes to sleep
-Consider developing a crippling addiction to stimulants.


***********************CRAFT SWAP***********************


And the most exciting, I want to bring back the FC Craft Swap again this year! We did it last year and it was so much fun.  northsound will once again be hosting. Here's how it works:

1) You sign up in this journal. By signing up, you're telling us that you're willing to make/bring a craft for everyone attending the swap. You will be given one craft from every person attending! (10 other people go, you bring 10 of your craft, and they each give you one of theirs, so you leave with 10 new prizes.)
2) On 12/28 I will CLOSE this to further signups. At that time, you'll have a final number of how many crafts you need to make. I will send out an email for everyone so we're all on the same page.
3) At FC (probably on Saturday), we all meet up in a public space and trade our goodies! Last year we had patches, chainmail, soaps, beaded bracelets, beaded character con badges, all sorts of neat things.
4) Effort, please! I'm aiming for the ballpark value on crafted items to be between $2-5. Something that you'd be proud to give to others. On that same note, please don't just pick up a bunch of pre-made friendship bracelets off of eBay. We want to see YOUR crafts!
5) Not a crafter? Artist Trading Cards/postcards are excellent swap-sized trades, you could even go to the dollar store and get some cute little frames for them.

Last year this was an excellent way to make new friends and meet new people to "talk shop" with on crafting. So join us!

Post your signup here, in this journal. Easier for me to keep track of. What I need:

Your furry name:
Your craft:
Email:
Twitter: