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Changes for 2016/How to get a Fursuit from Beetlecat
10 years ago
General
Please check out my PATREON at https://www.patreon.com/Beetlecat if you are interested in seeing more of my art including regular videos and behind the scenes content.
I’m sure some of you have noticed that my queue is getting shorter and shorter and I have not been opening to take on new commissions like I normally would at this time to refill my depleted bank account.
So rather than continue to explain my future practices one-on-one, I am going to try and write up a more comprehensive account so everyone knows what to expect in 2016.
First off, I am NOT closing down my commissions! The main change for 2016: I will no longer maintain a ‘waiting list’ or queue. This means I can be available to take on new interesting projects without a long wait or a “sorry I’m closed” sign.
Here is my current customer queue: https://trello.com/b/rx9Hh7jB/beetl.....customer-queue
My current commissions plus making ear/tail stock for Halloween/Christmas and my FC dealer’s table will keep me busy until late January 2016 (when my FC obligations end).
Then, I am changing how I pick up new fursuit projects. I will not ‘open’ for commissions but instead will take the fun projects that cross my desk as they appear to me and as I want to do them. I will be ‘always available’.
In addition to commissions, I will do more artist-designed premade suits and more auctions of artist-designed projects custom made for the buyer. If I feel like I want to make a certain thing, then I will just go ahead and make it.
In short, not much will really change from how I’ve been doing business over the past year or two, except that you will never receive an automatic ‘closed’ sign.
WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN TO YOU AS A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER?
Well it sort of means a lot of word of mouth. If you are a cool person with a cool concept that I want to do, and you can convince me that I should; then we can talk. My email is open always.
One thing I do want to emphasis is that this ‘no queue’ change means a lot of client-artist open communication will be desirable and needed. I WANT to have a close (professional) relationship with my clients and to keep them in the loop of their project always (as they should keep me in the loop).
Rather than saying “yes” or “no” based upon a drawing and a single email, I’d like to build a repertoire and discuss the project in sufficient depth to make sure it is a good fit for BOTH of us before any money exchanges hands. And after the project is over, I want to know where my fursuit babies go and what they are doing :D
How to get into the queue? How many projects will you take on?
Well, going into 2016 there is no queue (Yes, in practice there will likely be 2-3 people lined up, but I will not be ‘maintaining’ a queue). So this means that I do not have a simple answer for this question. You will need to email me and we will need to talk about it. If I want to do the idea and don’t have room to take it on right now then I will keep you in mind for later. If it’s been a few months, it will not hurt to remind me you are still interested. If I really don’t want to do it, I’ll let you know.
I also cannot simple answer the second question because it ‘depends’. If there are no current projects I want to make then I’ll make artist-designed premades to be sold/auctioned or work on something else like tails and ears (or non-fursuit-related art). If there are a lot at one time that I want to do then I may need to make some decisions and pick only those I really really REALLY want to make right now. If I pick one very complicated costume, I may want to then pick more simple costumes to balance out my brainload before trying another complicated one. These are all the things that can only be worked out through client-artist communication during the year.
**My supporters via PATREON will get first dibs on having their project accepted. This does NOT mean that you NEED to be a patron of mine or that I will accept EVERY patron’s project. But if I have to choose between two equally impressive projects, I believe that the person who is supporting my art, in return for basically zero physical or monetary profit for themselves, has earned some extra consideration from me.**
Deadlines, In general, will not be accepted. I will keep open the ‘rush’ options for guaranteed deadlines but otherwise you may be pushed forwards or back depending on where I need you to be at that moment. Since there is no queue, this will be within reason – I’m not going to push you years ahead (One year from payment is my max “needs to be done by” deadline) but if a company is willing to pay for rush service (and I want to take on the project) then that deadline will have to come first since being agile enough to take on new requests is the whole point of no queue.
I’ve never done commissions this way before so, honestly, it’s going to just take some practice and experience to see how it all pans out. I am going to be very VERY shy about taking on ‘too many’ projects though because every fursuit maker’s default is to just accept everything because everything is so darn cool and awesome and I want to do them all! But I just can’t do everything and so I need to limit myself until I know my new groove. I may only take 4-6 commissions for all of 2016. If no one has a good idea then I may take on zero (highly unlikely) and only work on my own ideas. Or maybe this will work out so amazingly that my production will skyrocket. We will see!
TL;DR: I am not opening for ‘general commissions’ in 2016 (or beyond). I will still take commissions on a one-on-one basis if approached with an interesting idea (and if I currently have the time to work on it).
----
---
--
EXTRA TIPS FOR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS/HOW TO GET YOUR PROJECT MADE:
PLUSES:
Articulate emails (you don’t have to be a master at the English language but full paragraphs and talking to me like how you’d talk to me in person is always nice)
Indicate how you know my work. (you don’t need to be buddy buddy with a previous customer but I want to know you are familiar with my style of work and why you need *it* VS any other fursuit maker you can go to)
Clear reference sheet. (not always needed but a nice bonus. This can come after I take the commission)
A cool idea (I’ll break this down later).
Ability to pay in full (since I will not be working with a long queue, I cannot take a long payment plan).
CONS:
Pretty much anything not stated above. Form letters. Chat speak. An impossible or very specific character design in a style I do not offer. Offering to pay me $100/month until it is paid off.
WHAT I PREFER TO MAKE
I highly prefer artistic liberty commissions. This does NOT mean I will not do character commissions though so read on.
What is artistic liberty and what is not?
If you have a very specific idea of what your character is and does and looks and want it to be EXACTLY like that down to expression and personality then we are probably not a good fit for each other. My costumes are an interpretation of your character seen through my eyes and hands, not a duplicating machine.
However, If I can look at the reference and eliminate everything but the marking pattern (and maybe change that around slightly to fit the areas and available furs) and you’ll be happy with the result because you like my style and just want a cool fursuit.. then welcome aboard and please read the below for my further definitions of art lib.
Full artistic liberty: I make anything I want to within a certain price point. I need to know that you will honestly be happy with ANYTHING or it can be a bit stressful trying to decide what the customer really wants out of the infinity things I can make lol. I prefer to only do these as heads right now so the customer can decide if they just like it or if they REALLY like it (it can always be finished as a fullsuit later).
Guided artistic liberty: This means that you give me *something* to start from (usually it is a species) and then I go from there. I do all of the animal research and decisions of what colour morphs etc. to use. These take more time since I have to make my own reference sheet, but they can be really fun too.
Reference artistic liberty: Artistic lib with a ref sheet. This means you have a reference for me to follow but that it is OKAY if I deviate from it in places. This can be my favorite type of commission if I like the character design.
--
Preferred costume types:
Fullsuits preferred. With padding or without it doesn’t matter.
I may take head-only commissions but it depends. I love making heads but they can also be one of the most stressful parts of the commission process so I’ll need to know we are on the same page with the look you want and what you will be using it for.
Partials with heads are unlikely but I prefer to just make a body so that I can complete the look. If you are familiar with partials and how to dress them and accessorize them (and prefer them to fullsuits for those and/or other reasons), then I will take that into consideration.
I will NOT take any ‘parts only’ commissions (paws or feet only. Etc) unless you are a previous customer who needs an upgrade or replacement.
I MAY take digitigrade legs+feet commissions for fawns, saytrs, etc. I do enjoy these quite a bit.
I’m open to make another quadsuit. It would have to be one of a very select number of species (boar, hyena, mammoth, etc. Something than can be interpreted with the correct proportions of a short/deep body & long thick legs) and I need to know it will be well utilized (worn a lot and loved) since it would take the place of several ‘normal’ fursuit slots (when I won’t be making very many total).
---
Preferred Species:
This is a more difficult section to write as it varies greatly on what I want to do at the moment (or can think up off the top of my head at the moment) so do NOT take this as the end all be all of what I will make.
--
Please note: brighter colours (the rainbow) in a more realistic fur style (what I use) can be few and far between so some ‘non-realistic’ coloured characters may not be possible for me. I have no issues using bright colours but having some wiggle room on the exact colour and/or where it is located can be useful.
--
Canines are always welcome. More unusual species or markings the better but I have no issues with run of the mill wolves and coyotes.
I am interested in making 1 or 2 more birds. Parrots. Raptors.
Big cats. I want to work on my small cats a bit before offering them as customs but I’d totally do a large lion or tiger with all that beastly protective neck fur.
Any North American mammal. A badger is an almost automatic yes.
It’s been a while since I made a horse. A donkey would also be a near automatic yes. I’d love a gang of tiny ponies :p
A bear. I have never made a full bear suit (panda bear doesn’t count) and it would be a great opportunity to try a full body padding.
A fully padded bull.
Fanciful made up species or hybrids.
Mammoth
Porcupine
Deer or unicorns
And lots more so please just ask.
So rather than continue to explain my future practices one-on-one, I am going to try and write up a more comprehensive account so everyone knows what to expect in 2016.
First off, I am NOT closing down my commissions! The main change for 2016: I will no longer maintain a ‘waiting list’ or queue. This means I can be available to take on new interesting projects without a long wait or a “sorry I’m closed” sign.
Here is my current customer queue: https://trello.com/b/rx9Hh7jB/beetl.....customer-queue
My current commissions plus making ear/tail stock for Halloween/Christmas and my FC dealer’s table will keep me busy until late January 2016 (when my FC obligations end).
Then, I am changing how I pick up new fursuit projects. I will not ‘open’ for commissions but instead will take the fun projects that cross my desk as they appear to me and as I want to do them. I will be ‘always available’.
In addition to commissions, I will do more artist-designed premade suits and more auctions of artist-designed projects custom made for the buyer. If I feel like I want to make a certain thing, then I will just go ahead and make it.
In short, not much will really change from how I’ve been doing business over the past year or two, except that you will never receive an automatic ‘closed’ sign.
WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN TO YOU AS A POTENTIAL CUSTOMER?
Well it sort of means a lot of word of mouth. If you are a cool person with a cool concept that I want to do, and you can convince me that I should; then we can talk. My email is open always.
One thing I do want to emphasis is that this ‘no queue’ change means a lot of client-artist open communication will be desirable and needed. I WANT to have a close (professional) relationship with my clients and to keep them in the loop of their project always (as they should keep me in the loop).
Rather than saying “yes” or “no” based upon a drawing and a single email, I’d like to build a repertoire and discuss the project in sufficient depth to make sure it is a good fit for BOTH of us before any money exchanges hands. And after the project is over, I want to know where my fursuit babies go and what they are doing :D
How to get into the queue? How many projects will you take on?
Well, going into 2016 there is no queue (Yes, in practice there will likely be 2-3 people lined up, but I will not be ‘maintaining’ a queue). So this means that I do not have a simple answer for this question. You will need to email me and we will need to talk about it. If I want to do the idea and don’t have room to take it on right now then I will keep you in mind for later. If it’s been a few months, it will not hurt to remind me you are still interested. If I really don’t want to do it, I’ll let you know.
I also cannot simple answer the second question because it ‘depends’. If there are no current projects I want to make then I’ll make artist-designed premades to be sold/auctioned or work on something else like tails and ears (or non-fursuit-related art). If there are a lot at one time that I want to do then I may need to make some decisions and pick only those I really really REALLY want to make right now. If I pick one very complicated costume, I may want to then pick more simple costumes to balance out my brainload before trying another complicated one. These are all the things that can only be worked out through client-artist communication during the year.
**My supporters via PATREON will get first dibs on having their project accepted. This does NOT mean that you NEED to be a patron of mine or that I will accept EVERY patron’s project. But if I have to choose between two equally impressive projects, I believe that the person who is supporting my art, in return for basically zero physical or monetary profit for themselves, has earned some extra consideration from me.**
Deadlines, In general, will not be accepted. I will keep open the ‘rush’ options for guaranteed deadlines but otherwise you may be pushed forwards or back depending on where I need you to be at that moment. Since there is no queue, this will be within reason – I’m not going to push you years ahead (One year from payment is my max “needs to be done by” deadline) but if a company is willing to pay for rush service (and I want to take on the project) then that deadline will have to come first since being agile enough to take on new requests is the whole point of no queue.
I’ve never done commissions this way before so, honestly, it’s going to just take some practice and experience to see how it all pans out. I am going to be very VERY shy about taking on ‘too many’ projects though because every fursuit maker’s default is to just accept everything because everything is so darn cool and awesome and I want to do them all! But I just can’t do everything and so I need to limit myself until I know my new groove. I may only take 4-6 commissions for all of 2016. If no one has a good idea then I may take on zero (highly unlikely) and only work on my own ideas. Or maybe this will work out so amazingly that my production will skyrocket. We will see!
TL;DR: I am not opening for ‘general commissions’ in 2016 (or beyond). I will still take commissions on a one-on-one basis if approached with an interesting idea (and if I currently have the time to work on it).
----
---
--
EXTRA TIPS FOR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS/HOW TO GET YOUR PROJECT MADE:
PLUSES:
Articulate emails (you don’t have to be a master at the English language but full paragraphs and talking to me like how you’d talk to me in person is always nice)
Indicate how you know my work. (you don’t need to be buddy buddy with a previous customer but I want to know you are familiar with my style of work and why you need *it* VS any other fursuit maker you can go to)
Clear reference sheet. (not always needed but a nice bonus. This can come after I take the commission)
A cool idea (I’ll break this down later).
Ability to pay in full (since I will not be working with a long queue, I cannot take a long payment plan).
CONS:
Pretty much anything not stated above. Form letters. Chat speak. An impossible or very specific character design in a style I do not offer. Offering to pay me $100/month until it is paid off.
WHAT I PREFER TO MAKE
I highly prefer artistic liberty commissions. This does NOT mean I will not do character commissions though so read on.
What is artistic liberty and what is not?
If you have a very specific idea of what your character is and does and looks and want it to be EXACTLY like that down to expression and personality then we are probably not a good fit for each other. My costumes are an interpretation of your character seen through my eyes and hands, not a duplicating machine.
However, If I can look at the reference and eliminate everything but the marking pattern (and maybe change that around slightly to fit the areas and available furs) and you’ll be happy with the result because you like my style and just want a cool fursuit.. then welcome aboard and please read the below for my further definitions of art lib.
Full artistic liberty: I make anything I want to within a certain price point. I need to know that you will honestly be happy with ANYTHING or it can be a bit stressful trying to decide what the customer really wants out of the infinity things I can make lol. I prefer to only do these as heads right now so the customer can decide if they just like it or if they REALLY like it (it can always be finished as a fullsuit later).
Guided artistic liberty: This means that you give me *something* to start from (usually it is a species) and then I go from there. I do all of the animal research and decisions of what colour morphs etc. to use. These take more time since I have to make my own reference sheet, but they can be really fun too.
Reference artistic liberty: Artistic lib with a ref sheet. This means you have a reference for me to follow but that it is OKAY if I deviate from it in places. This can be my favorite type of commission if I like the character design.
--
Preferred costume types:
Fullsuits preferred. With padding or without it doesn’t matter.
I may take head-only commissions but it depends. I love making heads but they can also be one of the most stressful parts of the commission process so I’ll need to know we are on the same page with the look you want and what you will be using it for.
Partials with heads are unlikely but I prefer to just make a body so that I can complete the look. If you are familiar with partials and how to dress them and accessorize them (and prefer them to fullsuits for those and/or other reasons), then I will take that into consideration.
I will NOT take any ‘parts only’ commissions (paws or feet only. Etc) unless you are a previous customer who needs an upgrade or replacement.
I MAY take digitigrade legs+feet commissions for fawns, saytrs, etc. I do enjoy these quite a bit.
I’m open to make another quadsuit. It would have to be one of a very select number of species (boar, hyena, mammoth, etc. Something than can be interpreted with the correct proportions of a short/deep body & long thick legs) and I need to know it will be well utilized (worn a lot and loved) since it would take the place of several ‘normal’ fursuit slots (when I won’t be making very many total).
---
Preferred Species:
This is a more difficult section to write as it varies greatly on what I want to do at the moment (or can think up off the top of my head at the moment) so do NOT take this as the end all be all of what I will make.
--
Please note: brighter colours (the rainbow) in a more realistic fur style (what I use) can be few and far between so some ‘non-realistic’ coloured characters may not be possible for me. I have no issues using bright colours but having some wiggle room on the exact colour and/or where it is located can be useful.
--
Canines are always welcome. More unusual species or markings the better but I have no issues with run of the mill wolves and coyotes.
I am interested in making 1 or 2 more birds. Parrots. Raptors.
Big cats. I want to work on my small cats a bit before offering them as customs but I’d totally do a large lion or tiger with all that beastly protective neck fur.
Any North American mammal. A badger is an almost automatic yes.
It’s been a while since I made a horse. A donkey would also be a near automatic yes. I’d love a gang of tiny ponies :p
A bear. I have never made a full bear suit (panda bear doesn’t count) and it would be a great opportunity to try a full body padding.
A fully padded bull.
Fanciful made up species or hybrids.
Mammoth
Porcupine
Deer or unicorns
And lots more so please just ask.
Thank you for taking the time to write this out and share it here. I've always loved your suits but I am definitely a head/partial sort -- (I love the costuming that can be combined with partials.) I'll look forward to when you are starting to implement this and most definitely send in a query!
Seriously, this made my morning.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/12997395/ http://www.furaffinity.net/view/14263669/