Guys, I have to say, this was the BEST convention I have ever attended! Many of the conventions I've gone to, I've spent all of my time fretting about sales, and sitting behind the table working. I didn't allow myself to do that this year. And things started out wonderfully, because we sold our partial! His new owner has named him Baz, and he seems to be very happy with him. Because of that, I was able to relax a bit, and did not fret over leaving the table for 30 minutes to enjoy a lunch break. This is the reason why I will always value our customers and commissioners. You are the ones who allow me to relax at a convention.

I want to really thank my friends leolightmane and fur_elyse for helping me have fun at the convention. And it was very nice meeting LoboRoo and spending time with her as well! And thanks a million times to all of the people who came up to our table and praised our work. It felt absolutely wonderful, knowing that people out there like our fursuits and our business. I hope we can continue to please you all with our work. :)

I just found out that I was a top scorer in a category on the Major Field Test for biology (our departmental exit exam). You can't imagine how surprising that is. Up against my entire department, I'm one of only four to receive that award. It's a small amount of money, but the fact that I received it is the real award. I've spent much of my academic career struggling with my classes, so to find out that in the end I was able to score better than so much of my graduating class is... extremely gratifying. :)

That said, work has slowed a bit on my end. I am taking a full class load, and I have 4 separate presentations going on this semester. I'll be lucky to be even half as ready as I should for FWA. Those waiting on commissions: they're coming, I promise! :)

Come Monday morning, I'll be on a plane to Las Vegas. I'll be there until Saturday.

Obviously I won't be doing any work while I'm there, so please excuse the delay, commissioners.

Wish me luck at the blackjack tables! :D

So rlworks is holding a raffle for a free partial fursuit. Very awesome!

Be sure to head on over to their journal here and sign up.

If you're not yet watching our savageturtlestudios account, now's the time!


Check iiiiiiit:
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2964659/

Just thought I'd extend the invitation to the FA crowd as well, in case there are people here who would be interested.

I've created a group on DeviantART called Fursuit-Critiques. The goal is to basically offer constructive criticism on fursuit work during all stages of the process (meaning WIP and finished suits are accepted). It's for all skill levels, so even if you're just starting out, you're welcome to join and get some advice. :3

fursuit-critiques.deviantart.com/

Earlier today, I abruptly left a study partner and semi-friend after she told me that she has an issue wih homosexuality (or, the 'gay lifestyle'). The issue is a touchy subject for me, as I am very pro-LGBT, and very anti-intolerance. However, in general the girl is fairly nice, and I wonder if I overreacted. I told her that I respect her opinion, and her right to that opinion, but that her view is very personally offensive, and I do not like to associate with people who are close-minded in such ways. In particular, I do not feel that I should be a study partner/tutor for someone who is disrespectful in that way. But is having that opinion really disrespectful? Does her opinion do any real damage? Gay marriage isn't even debatable here in Georgia. The state is far from accepting in general, so it's not as if she could vote against allowing gay marriage or anything. So is being intolerant of the gay lifestyle enough of a reason to avoid a classmate/study partner/semi-friend?

Any input on the subject would be appreciated. Sorry for posting on FA about this, I just don't know of anywhere else to pose this question.

EDIT: Would it make a difference if you were a member of the group that she was talking about? That's the way I view it--if I would be offended as a member of the group, I should be offended as an ally for the group.

I didn't really want to open up until I finished off my current commission list, but a situation has arisen. My uncle just passed away due to congestive heart failure, and my mother has to fly out to Texas to be with his family and help take care of his affairs. Unfortunately, with my father recently losing his job due to the company closing, the cost of the plane ticket out there was a bit of a burden, and an unexpected expense that I would like to help out with. So I'm hoping to just raise a chunk of money just to help them out.

So if anyone's been interested in getting a commission, feel free to contact me through notes or email (savageturtlestudios@gmail.com) so that we can discuss the details!

Also, we do have some premades available in our store, so be sure to check that out, as well. :)

So, as much as I love art of animal people running around, I do still enjoy art of humans as well. Anyone out there got some favorite artists who draw humans that they'd like to recommend? If I get any commissions done of human characters, it'd be nice to find a furry artist to work with. :3

You know, there was a lot of crap going around about windows vista when it came out. I never had a single problem with it. But we just got a new computer with windows 7, and I'm getting error messages left and right. It's not any faster, and it's ugly. TBH, I'd probably switch back to Vista if I had the option.

On Monday I'll be heading out of town for a week and will not have internet access (as far as I know). If anyone has any questions or concerns, please be patient if you do not receive an immediate response. Thanks!

With AC fast approaching, I am working like mad to get everything done. Quaylak's bodysuit is about 75% complete (not including the spots, which will mostly be done at the con).

My pig suit has... not even been started yet. I'm freaking out about it. I don't think it will be done in time, and that makes me sad.

I've got two commissions that need to be completed by AC.

I've made pretty much no new inventory for the con, save a couple pairs of paws. If it weren't for the fact that Bubo sold already, I'd be really worried about breaking even at this convention. Plane ticket costs were ridiculous this year, and the hotel, shipping costs, registration and everything else also take a nice bite out of our wallets.

Anyway, time to get back to work. Wish me luck everyone! I need it. x3



P.S. I think it's awesome that there's a fish with legs named Darwin on Amazing World of Gumball. Truly awesome. x3

An acquaintance of mine is selling off her JillCostumes skunk partial. Be sure to take a look if you're interested.

No reserve. :)

Auction is here!

Sorry it has taken so long to get this done and uploaded. Any time I remembered about it, I had more pertinent things to do, and when I had time, I forgot about it. But the donations have now been made, and here is video and pictorial evidence of each donation. :)

Videos:
Donation 1
Donation 2
Donation 3

Screenshots
Donation 1
Donation 2
Donation 3

Okay, I have to say this: I don't understand why people have such an issue with murrsuits.

It's not enough to say, "I don't understand it, but to each their own." Oh no. People have to talk about how sick, gross, messed up, et cetera it is. I mean, really? It's something that people are engaging in behind closed doors, and it's got nothing to do with you. Why is it "gross" and "messed up?" Everyone's got something weird about them, some kind of kink or even a fetish that they enjoy. Just because you think putting on a fursuit and having sex is 'gross' doesn't mean that you're some pillar of sexual morality. It just means that it's not your cup of tea. Maybe you enjoy wearing diapers, or rape fantasies, or bondage, or some other kink that others find disgusting. Believe me... you've got one. And if you haven't discovered it yet, you just need to do some more exploring. It's there.

Now don't get me wrong, taking a sex suit in public is obviously not a good thing to do. I'm not denying that. And I certainly do worry about coming into contact with characters who wear 'shorts for no reason,' just in case. But I just don't understand all the hate people have for the simple fact that others do have sex in a fursuit. Do you think they get as bent out of shape by people who dress up like a sexy maid instead? Think about that. :| It's just a costume.

If one of my suits wound up being modified into a murrsuit by a commissioner, I personally wouldn't care all that much. Once it's in their hands, it belongs to them, and they can set it on fire for all I care. It's their loss if they do set it on fire. I would at least like to know ahead of time that they intend to modify it, though. It's just respectful to the maker to do that.

...it would also, of course, void the warranty (lol).

And for the record, no, I do not have sex in my fursuits. I don't personally find it appealing, but to each their own.

Seriously, this is the funniest comment I've ever gotten on any of my submissions:

Her: Was that hard to make?

Me: A little bit, but not too bad. :) Basic sewing/pattern knowledge helped.

Her: how did it help did u take a sewing needle and stick it in ur vagina and fuck it cuz no one else wants 2 fuck u cuz ur sooooooooooooooo ugly u dog fucker


L.O.L.

When did Cartoon Network become funny again? The new Looney Tunes. MAD. Some other shows that I forgot the names of. I haven't watched cartoons in years, save for Adult Swim stuff and Spongebob. Why are they suddenly entertaining? :o

Guys, this is a great opportunity!

 jill0r, a super awesome fursuit maker, is feeling generous. So guess what? She's holding a drawing for a free fursuit, or a free tail for the runner-up.

Yep, totally serious.

Only rules are that you have to be 18, live in the US, and not own a fursuit already. Be sure to read the rules so you don't miss out!

Here's the journal: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2304672/

I ran my first 5K race today with quaylak! :) Finished around the same time she did on her last one, at about 43 minutes. Surprising, since we were running on the beach. It was the Turtle Trot 5K (that's 3.1 miles), and the proceeds went to the Tybee Island Marine Science Center to help with their turtle rehabilitation program. We also got to see two loggerheads, one green sea, and one leatherback turtle get released back into the ocean after the run. It was a good day!

And I've decided to sign up for the same sort of training Quaylak was in. At the end of May, we'll be starting training for a half-marathon (13 miles) in November. And after that? Marathon (26 miles!!) training. Holy crap, guys. x) I never thought I'd do something like that. I used to hate running when I was a kid, and I had absolutely no endurance for it--I could run quick, but only for very short periods. This will be an intense undertaking for me, but it feels so good to get involved with it. All of the runs you do are for charity, and you feel so much more energized and healthy when you are active. I love it. :)

As far as school goes, I'm pretty much in my last week. I've got a final test on Monday, and then exams on Friday and the following Monday. Then I'm out for summer break! Hopefully I'll be getting into this super-awesome Tropical Field Biology class over the summer, where we'll be spending a week down in the Florida Keys studying marine life. :o Really, really hope I can get into that. Still waiting to hear back about it. Fingers crossed!

Oh, and the charity donations? They will be done Monday evening. I have been super swamped this past week, and I have to do a lot of studying this weekend for that test tomorrow, but I should finally have some free time on Monday to get everything done with them. Links to the screenshots and video will probably be posted in a new journal, rather than the old journal, since I've now bumped it down the list. :|

Congratulations to  bara_kawamori, our raffle winner! Thank you to everyone who reposted a link to my journal to try and get the word out about those charity auctions. I hope that in the future you're willing to do the same. These auctions went well enough that we are now thinking about doing at least one of these charity auctions every year (for various charities, of course). We'll probably be running them all through our  savageturtlestudios account, though, so keep an eye on our journals there in the future for announcements. We'll probably offer similar incentives for reposting, so don't be afraid to stalk me or that account just for the prizes. :)

As for the auctions themselves? We raised a total of $884.99! That's a significant amount! Now, I'm still waiting for some of the funds to be received, and once they're all in hand, I'll be doing the donations. Links to screenshots and video of each donation will be posted here, so be sure to check back on this journal if you're curious to see things or want to get verification.

Everyone, thank you again for helping us with this! Whether you participated, spread the word, did both, or just told one person about the auctions, you helped raise awareness. And not just for these auctions, but for disaster relief efforts in general. Thank you, everyone!

Auction 1

Auction 2

Auction 3

Auction 4

Auction 5



The auctions have all been posted. Please please please do all you can to help us spread the word about these auctions!!

Remember that sharing these auctions with others could get you a free tail or bust badge!(Details here!) Please comment on that journal to be entered to win. If you comment only here, you will not be added to the official list.




Donations are no longer being accepted at this point. Thank you all who have donated!!

Whoever posts a link to my journal here: (link) and leaves it up for 48 hours will be entered into a drawing to win a free custom tail OR a free bust badge (by quaylak) of their character.Please make sure that the journal or the title of the journal indicates that the readers can get a free tail or free art, as this seems to be the most effective way to spread the word. Leave a comment here (not on the other journal!) if you want to participate, telling me when your journal is posted. If a significant number of people participate, I may offer more than one prize.

Chance at a free tail or free art, just by spreading some information. Good deal, right??

I'm sure some of you had to have read my last journal. I was surprised and disheartened by the lack of response. I am not someone who asks for help or charity for my own personal gain. I am trying to organize a charity event for disaster relief, and as far as I can tell, not a single one of my nearly 400 watchers read or linked to that journal. I have seen the way this community can come together to help others. I've seen support for people who need surgery, or just need to pay their vet/medical/unexpected bills. I know that we as a community can accomplish a lot if we really get the word out and get things moving. This is to help hundreds of thousands of people all around the world. This is to help men, women, and children who have lost everything important in their lives, including their loved ones. If this community can get together to help just ONE person, we should certainly be willing to help thousands! :)



If you do not want to participate in the charity auction, remember that there are other ways to donate to help with the disaster relief efforts:

NetworkForGood.org
Save The Children
Mercy Corps
Singapore Red Cross (multiple charities linked on their site)
Artists Help Japan and Give2Asia.org
Google Crisis Response to benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society (link), International Medical Corps, Unicef, or Save The Children

Strictly Secular Donations:
foundationbeyondbelief.org/
SHARE
Doctors Without Borders
International Relief Teams
AmeriCares
Humanist Charities
Direct Relief International


Remember that in this situation, it is best to donate money rather than supplies, as the shipping cost of item donation makes things difficult. It is much easier to send money to the aid workers and organizations on location, so that items can be obtained abroad.

The auctions have begun, and we no longer need participants. Please remember to spread the word!!


http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2221757/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2221757/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2221757/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2221757/
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2221757/

Where are you staying?
Main Hotel.

Who will you be with?
quaylak ahkahna and undeadamnos

Do you do trades?
Nah.

What suits will you have?
None this year. Won't be complete in time. :[

What is your gender?
Male.

How old are you?
27-ish.

Can I talk to you?
Yup! Please do!

Can I buy you a drink?
Certainly!

What's your poison?
I'm not picky. :) Not a big fan of beer, though!

Can I commission you?
Take-home commissions only. If that's alright, then definitely!

What events will you be attending?
I don't know at this point.

Can I hug you?
Sure. :)

How tall are you?
Short. 5'5".

Are you nice? Or do you think so (no personal references needed)?
Yeah! I try to be! Sometimes I say dumb things that I don't realize are offensive until later, but there's pretty much never any malicious intent behind it. I like people. :)

Are you friendly?
Sadly, no. I'm pretty shy and often don't know what to say to people to keep a conversation going. Sometimes that gets read as me being antisocial/angry/stuck up. :(

How long are you going?
Arriving Thursday afternoon, leaving Sunday night.

Do you have an artist table? If yes, what will you be selling?
Dealer's Den table, yup! I'll have tons of tails and other furry bits and a partial to sell. quaylak will be selling a bunch of art, as well.

Do you like parties?
Never been to any at a con. :)

Can I give you a gift?
Sure?

If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Say hi, I guess? FYI, I'm terrible with faces and almost as bad with names, so don't be offended if it takes me a minute to figure out who you are. :P

Anything else?
Guess not! :D



Commission Status: OPEN
-Erika: Red Panda Feet and Tail (Deposit Paid, work begun)
-Saerak: Fox Feet (Paid, work begun)
-Morgan: Ears (Paid)
-Lindsay: Wolf Ears and Tail (Paid)



Premade Items!: Store!

Donate to our Cintiq Fund: Donate!

STS on Facebook: Facebook!

FWA is coming up in three weeks. I have SO MUCH to do before then. Two full suits, two partials, and inventory to sell. All while keeping up with school work. lol OMS, these next few weeks are going to be cuh-ray-zee! xD


Commission Status: OPEN
-Erika: Red Panda Feet and Tail (Deposit Paid, work begun)
-Saerak: Fox Feet (Paid, work begun)
-Lazer: Hyena Feet (Deposit Paid, work begun)
-Morgan: Ears (Paid)
-Lindsay: Wolf Ears and Tail (Paid)
-Damyon: Wolf Tail (Awaiting Payment)




Premade Items!: Store!

Donate to our Cintiq Fund: Donate!

STS on Facebook: Facebook!