I wish I knew how to talk to you all

My journals never seem to attract much attention or feedback, and I'm not sure why.

Is it because of my lack of activity submission-wise?

Is it because of how impersonal my journals seem to be?

I am very grateful for the comments I do recieve, and am incredibably grateful for all the faves and comments on my work.

But I'd really like something more, I'd really like to have more interaction with watchers and people that I watch; I'd love to share with you all what's happening in my life right now aswell as learn what's happening in yours, and also get your thoughts and input on ideas for projects I've had.

But I just don't know how to ask.

Has anyone heard of the Bronyville podcast?

I know it's to do with mlp fim, but thats it, is it any good?

It's just Chuck Tester

http://www.thepoke.co.uk/2011/09/16.....y-advert-ever/

I am emptying my Uni Laptop of AAALLLLLLLL image files and putting them onto my big compy to sort out properly, as after 2 years of little to no clearance it has gotten quite full, dumpy and slow :( so I am giving it a detox of sorts.

For the last couple of weeks me and my folks have been having a clearout of old belongings no longer wanted and throwing out junk. I even unstuffed some of my less popular and unsellable plushies:

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1342074/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1342085/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1341958/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4002652/

I doubt I will be taking sewing equipment to uni as this is my 3rd and final year. In my previous year, I spread myself too thin as I was in several societies and a couple of part time courses in self employment and entrepeneurship, as well as my actual course! so my grades were not great.

This year I just want to focus on passing my degree to the best of my abilities... and then comes the torturous task of finding full time employment...in Norwich D:

Anyway, one day I will upload stuff! in the mean time, I will lurk around as usual and watch people and comment here and there.
But I would like to chat more with people. Do any of you use googlechat (I'm struggling to get msn messenger to work on my lappy) and would you be up for a chin wag with me?

regards

lou

I just checked my mail and I got this email from someone called Daniel Brueckner, and having just checked my DAportfolio, I highly doubt he did look at it, as all that's there are low quality pictures of my old plush work (the watermarks having been done in MS Paint )

Here's the email:

Hi,

I had a look at your DAportfolio site and would like to get in touch regarding a print on demand cooperation for our second premium art print site ARTFLAKES .com.
We market and produce high quality art prints to customers Europe-wide now for 4 years, always in cooperation with artists and other visual content partners, who get for every reproduction sale a royalty.

In contrast to deviantart, which does also prints as a side activity, we focus 100% on the sales side. Additionally we will
soon not only feature open editions, but also limited editions.

We search for illustrators, photographers, painters, but also visual artwork from other artists.

Could this be interesting for you? Then I would send you some further information.

I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Best from Berlin,
Daniel Brueckner



Daniel Brueckner
Head of Marketing

I'm woundering whether I should send an email saying 'no thankyou' or just ignore the email altogether

What do you think?

lou

Heya!

I just wanted to say a big thankyou for all the faves and new watches :)

I've been thinking about this for a while, and I've decided I'm going to start uploading my 2D artwork to this account

I was initially worried that uploading 2D art to this gallery would put people off, because I initially set up this account just to get new customers, but now I want more than that, I'd really like to get to know the people on here a bit more and engage in community activities.

So I'll be uploading some of the sketch and design work I have been doing, trying to make a online persona for myself :) expect A LOT of pictures of Axolotls :)

This is such an amazing documentary!

it's about 'chaos', in the scientific sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxPR0pjGuYw&feature=share

I was never really fussed about science and theory and stuff when I was younger but omg I LOVE all this stuff now!

OM NOM NOM MY BRAIN NEEDS MORE INPUT

NOM NOM NOM FEED ME KNOWLEDGE

Well, the quick answer is 'no', that is to say, not right now

I am currently in the last term of the second year of my degree in Product Design (specializing in toy design), My final project is to be handed in by the end of this month, so this is a busy time for me.

However, After this submission, as far as I know, all I will be doing is revamping my Portfolio and CV and Applying for placements for my sandwich year.

So long answer is 'Yes, around june I can start work on commissions'

But in the mean time if you have any questions for me now, I'd be happy to answer them.

I know it may not seem like I'm on here often, but actually I pop on quite alot (I just lurk and check messages) so I should be able to give you a quick response.

Or if you have any general questions you'd like me to answer (that you think others may like to know) I'd be happy to answer a few in a journal post, or put it under my page description.

let me know what you think

Hope you had a great easter

Lou

p.s. What I said in my last journal is still valid http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2283868/

G'argh! yes I do want to write another survey for you all, but first I have some thoughts to share:

I was browsing through an artist I admires gallery - they do plushwork aswell - actually Plush AND SCULPEY (I want to learn how to do this)

And Someone commented 'I wish you would do your plushies as trades'
Unfortunately said plush artist requires the fees from their work to help pay for rent and such, so quite rightly, they would need full payment in money, not art.

Me however, I do not pay rent atm (well, it comes out of my maintenance loan for university, and I'll pay it back when I'm in a full time 'job'), I have no real urgent NEED to make money other than for my hobbies, self esteem, and to pay for my supplies.

I have been thinking of asking you all this for about a year now

Would you be interested in part trades for a plush?

I would still require a paid (in money) deposit, at least 50%of the quoted price, but the rest could be paid for in a commission you do for me (my payment being your plush) to the value of the leftover price. P&P not included

What do you think?

Lou

Hello all!

I'm back from my holiday, I had a relaxing time-though the island was lacking activity, the hotel was very swish :)

I actually got back on monday, but have been hesitant to update:

When I logged onto Survey Monkey, I found that my survey no longer existed :( I didn't realise it had an expiry date, and did not think to collect the results before I went on holiday.

Nevermind! this is an opportunity improve on my first survey, and at least now I know how often I need to update and maintain my questionnaires - meaning I won't be able to lurk as much! and will be encouraged to engage with you lovely people a bit more! :)

The results of the last survey Really were very helpful to me, and a good insight into what you look for in an artist when commissioning

Also, Likeshines Recent journal has helped me understand the difficulties many commissioners have been going through

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/2272135/

I now know not to take it so personally when I don't get as many commissions as I had anticipated :) and how to keep customers happy and reassured whilst feeling protected myself.

I would like to submit a new survey by the end of this week, it may even be a tweeked updated version of the survey I last uploaded - would those of you kind enough to fill out my last survey mind filling out the new one please? I'd be ever so grateful.

Also, I was wondering; before making new plushies (not custom ones) I usually do some preliminary sketches. These are quite rough, but eligible, and they capture the essence of the plush and..
erm..well I'm waffeling now, basically, would you be interested in seeing some of my plush concept sketches? It would be great to get your input on some concepts I'm currently working on, especially the seasonal ones.

I look forward to hearing what you think

Louise

Hey there!

Just wanted to say a big thankyou to those of you who filled out my survery on Survey Monkey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GPC3NLH

Your responses mean alot to me, And are really helping me to improve my bespoke Plushie service :D

I still have lots of questions to ask you all and will be posting another survey in two weeks orso, as tomorrow I will be on holiday with my family and boyfriend :D

Have a great easter you guys

See you in two weeks!

Louise

Hello!

I have just made my very first survey on Survey Monkey, and I would be very grateful if you could fill it in for me

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GPC3NLH

The first couple of questions are about Commissioning Artists; your experiences. And the last couple are about me, and what you think of my approach.

I appreciate any input you can give, and should hopefully put the results intopractise once My 2nd year of Uni has finished :)

Hey there guys,

Not yet, but in the next week orso, I will be submitting a survey to Survey Monkey about my plush work,

I'd really appreciate your input on how I can improve and better my work, speed up the process, and sell at a price that is fair on both of us.
Also, extras! I'd like to get a better feel of what you want from you experience of purchasing from me

I would try and set it up people taking the survey would be anonymous, and I will try to make the questions as concise but meaningful as possible.

I'm writing up a list of questions now, and will be spell and grammar checking with my study support tomorrow, so hopefully it should be up by monday.

:)

Have a good week

Lou

Hey there Guys,

Long time no speak, I know, I've been lurking around here, faving and commenting here and there.

But I haven't submitted anything, not because I have nothing to submit, but quite the opposite. I have a couple of class projects that have brought fourth some great pieces I want to show you, but the photos are of a poor quality. Though this hasn't stopped me in the past, I want to have a more 'proffessional' appearance online.

Aswell as being in the 2nd year of my Product Design degree, I have also taken a course in Entrepeneurship that started this year. I want my plushie making to become a staple part of my income, I love taking on custom commissions, but I really want to sell more of my own designs, I also want to be able to promote myself better, encourage return customers, have better customer liason, and just...well, feel like more of a proffessional.

I aspire to be like:

Nonesuch Garden - http://www.nonesuchgarden.com/index/

LitheFider - http://www.etsy.com/shop/LitheFider

Miss Monster - http://missmonster.bigcartel.com/

Also, next year will be my work placement year, and I have talked to my course lecturers and my entrepeneurship lecturers and they've said they're okay with me going self employed for third year! I'd still like to get an internship at a toy manufacturers (and am applying to places right now!), but I should be able to start taking commissions again, as I will be living at home.

So basically, what I am saying is, if you would like a plush in the next several months orso, I can start making plushies in July time

I will post another journal soon, with my terms and conditions, and what I can offer. Hopefully I can build up a nice waiting list, like all the proper commissioners do XD

Thankyou so much for all the faves and watches, kind words and support, it really does mean alot to me that you all enjoy my work.

Lou

Do any of you follow these guys?

here's their latest project, collaborating with a bunch of their fans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTIYn8NP87Y

I love* their work, myfavourite being the meat salad:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFB_vHVFM_8&feature=channel_video_title

my apoligies to any poor veggies or Vegans who were offend at this, please take it in humour and with a pinch of salt...maybe some mayo, mmm oooh and some croutons too, yeaaaahhhh #dribbles#

Regards

Lou

*despite being more of an Omnivore than carnivore, well actually, I'd say I was a NOMnivore :D

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Hey there!

I'm trying to use the programme Sculptris having just downloaded it

I followed this tutorial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r4bSGqNjW4

(I couldn't get it to change the icon though, it didn't have options for that in my properties)

But when I go to open the programme, it says I am missing zlib1.dll but zlib1.dll is in the folder, it's not missing at all.

I'm working on a windows Vista, any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Are you participating?

I sure as hell am

http://www.asylum.com/2010/11/11/no.....-mustache-day/

My boyfriend is taking part here

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/522270

Two things I love

Heavy metal

and

Birds

Who would have known that they go so well together

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2nWh5-ONlA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwXKR9EWhXo&feature=player_embedded

Has anyone heard of Hatebeak before?

How do you keep regular?

how do you keep a routine?

Hey there,

Haven't updated in a while, have I?

well it's crazy, because I have alot I could upload.

Uni projects, shitloads of doodles (none of which are recent, just all within the las two years).

But I don't know, I'm going through a bit of an Artistic depression at the moment. When I've finally become happy with life, and am able to do normal things, like keep a tidy house, wear make-up, keeping to a budget, I go out, I'm constantly using my mobile, I'm networking and socialising my ass off, I'm usually very calm and able to take jokes, and basically I am my antethesis in my teenage years...hell, I'm even heavily broody; constantly daydreaming about my imaginary children, and living my dreams through them. The way I feel about these nonexistent children WAS the way I felt about my characters and stories.
Also, despite the strong desires I have to write and draw daily comics, and be a prolific artist like, for e.g. Seel,at the moment, I don't see much point in myself drawing. There's nothing wrong with my work, I am a somewhat accomplished artist, but nowadays when I do draw something, there is no emotion, no pride in me. It's a drawing, so what? what was the point of that? I trawl through other peoples work, and am appeased - the pretty pictures please me, so why should I draw my own? I am in two halves - one part of me would love to draw (since I am constantly have new and wonderful ideas), but the other part thinks:

I am tooo slow to draw what I really want to draw (because of my dyspraxia), I'll never catch up with the memes
I am dyspraxic, do I even know what that means with regards to my work?
I can never learn photoshop quick enough
Timespent on art could be spent on being normal and happy
What I have in my mind has been out on the internet for years - I am totally unoriginal and inconsequential
None of the artists I respect will want anything to do with me, I am such a creep, I reek of desperation, I am clueless.
Who am I? whats my online persona? I'll never find it, I'm not worthy to identify with my chosen alterego

This is quite frightening for me, since art is the only thing I'm good at, I feel alot of pressure to be a prolific artist, so I hate myself for not drawing, I should be enjoying art but I can't because I can't be bothered to draw anymore, drawing feels like a chore

I am SO ANGRY with myself, as I have been trying to cure this spiritual ailment with The artists way - but I just struggle doing the morning pages everyday, and I am frightened to undertake anymore excercises, as when I started the first week, it sent my mood spiraling down. I can't afford to be moody and have an 'artists temperament' I have a responsibility to those around me and myself not to be a moodybitch.

I am no longer inspired by music or film anymore, and just feel like nothing is new, it's all regurgitated crap.

Thankfully I'm doing okay with classwork at the moment - specifically the clay work, but even so, there's so much more I could be doing with it in the way of 2d design work.

I already KNOW all the reassuring things you could say:

well originality is non-existent, it's all being inspired by things and putting your personal spin on it

You should draw for you

You don't have to be a depressed person to be a successful artist

Action creates motivation, not the other way round (I have no problems starting, it's the carrying on I can't do)

My boyfriend ~Alienweirdo and rl friend ~vermilionchaos on DA have done alot to help me, and I've even spoken to my councellor about this, but alas, it's still a problem, and I hate feeling so dependant on outside occurrances to make me feel better (with all the self help books I've read, I know change comes from within).

I have lost my enthusiasm, I have lost my excitement, but hey at least I'm stable (ish)

Does anbody know of any? or for amphibians or reptiles in general?

I'm looking for something with alot of photographs and dynamic poses.


I bought a really good cat photography book on friday called Ernie; a photographers memoir, by Tony Mendoza

http://www.amazon.com/Ernie-Photogr.....id=1171306851/

A poor choice for the cover photo though imo :/

Hello, I'm just updating my journal, as the previous seems a bit redundant now, nevermind.

How is everyones summer going?

I've decided that I would like to take on commissions once again, only this time to give those an opportunity own their own little Unipey! I am very proud of my design and the outcome of the plush, and I hope that you can see from the photos in my gallery the love and quality that has gone into making her. As much as I love sewing, and as a lot of you are aware, it is a long a painstaking hobby which requires a lot of patience and time. Taking the time out to make these will effectively be a part time job for me as well. Therefore, I hope that my prices are justified and that you fellow Avatar enthusiasts understand :)

For those who want a male version, or want specific clothing or hair styles (such as braids, dreadlocks, etc) then just ask! I will do an invoice and show you what you'll be paying for so that it all works out fair; you get your 13 inch poseable plush, and I get a fair deal as well! If you are a friendly and serious customer who desterately wants one, I will have no problems with negotiating the price depending on your circumstance!

I will stress, that I will take a 25% deposit (meaning non-refundable) before starting the plush. This would cover the cost of the materials, so that in case something happens and the customer no longer wants their plush, or they disappear I won't be out of pocket regarding said materials. I like to think that is fair! If I no longer hear from the buyer after the commission is finished it will be up for purchase to whomever wants it!

I will be taking three commissions, and will update the journal when the slots are filled.

If you are interested, note me!

Any questions or queries? feel free to ask!


Lou

During the Christmas break, I went with my Boyfriend to see James Cameron’s Avatar. I had been looking forward to seeing this film, and it did not disappoint. The environments were beautiful, the special effects were believable, and the creature and race design for Pandora were incredible!
I desperately wanted a toy of one of the denizen race of Pandora - the Na’ Vi - described generally as a tribe of nine foot tall, blue ‘cat people’ (I beg to differ, I always thought they resembled a deer more, due to the ears…but come to think of it, now I do see the feline features).
However, the merchandise I found of the Na’ vi on offer were very unlike what I imagined they would be. The toys were tiny, rigid, and lacking in opposability.

After my plush work at Christmas on the corduroy dragon, I brought my sewing supplies with me to Priory Hall. I had quite a lot of felt with me, and sewing the Copycat Shoes and Kettle had gotten me in the mood to make a plushy!

I had my patterns at hand that I had used to make the small Coralline - esque plushies from last year, and decided that I would finally start the Na’ Vi figure I had wanted for so long.
I started with her head - there were no great deviations in the pattern as it was perfectly round, like most of my plushies. The big difference was her face; this was a milestone for me:
My first ever Humanoid Plush, and handmade too!
For the Nose and eyebrows I made a simple shape, and the nose was stitched in like a pocket to conceal the stitches at the bottom. I wanted to go for a cute docile look in comparison to the more ferocious Neytiri.
So I had started the Face, but I still didn’t have a clue what I wanted her body and hair to look like. I started sketching ideas, and went through all different body shapes: from figureless Rag-doll to typical slim line Na’vi, and even Chibi. I finally settled on a more womanly shape. I decided wanted to go back to the Va-va-voom figure that was popular in the 1950’s, with a hint of hula girl and belly dancer.

Next was the hair, which required a lot of stitching and unstitching. The plated ‘pony tail’ pattern was from a rat tail I had previously. Once I had sewn together the head, I felt the hair could do with some low-lights and two tones to give it some depth - this was something I had never done with a plush before, I was working to a new level.
For the body I drew up a new pattern, using the proportions of the pattern used for the dragon. I decided to work it sections, starting with the upper torso, as I knew there would be a lot of trial and error.
I have mixed feelings about my first attempt. The breast hung too low, the arm was too long, and the shoulders appeared bony and restrictive. But despite this, I could see this pattern working well for an older, frailer character. I made the new arms, and put them to one side with the head, and tried to remember the breast pattern I had done before for a larger plush.
For the shoulders, I looked at a Garment I had made for a friend of mine for her project - it was a small orange jacket (Doll-sized), and I had had the seam of the arms facing forward, whilst the body stitch was out-lining. I used this technique with the Na’ Vi, having a circle on the arm and on the shoulder, so the two could be sewn together like the parts of a tennis ball.
I decided to take a break from the Torso for a bit, and work on the Legs. I really wanted to try and give the Na’ vi some curvaceous, effeminate legs, so I had to make sure the pattern was big enough in the right parts. It took three attempts, two in felt, and I had to make sure the knees had enough give (I had decided early on that I wanted this doll to have bendable limbs, so the material had to be able to deal with awkward poses).
The tail was very simple; I used the exact same pattern as with the pony tail. But here I tried out the two-tone hair again, with a little tuft at the tip of the tail. I liked it so much; I unstitched the end of the ponytail to give that a tuft.

I went back to the torso work, adamant that I would solve the dilemma. The breasts were still being awkward, and I wasn’t sure where the material would give (there also the unsightly stitches to be hidden). I finally solved the problem by sketching out the simple breast shape I wanted, and then having a crescent moon - shaped piece of material underneath to give volume and depth.

But anyway, enough about breasts next was the stomach and rear. I knew I wanted the Na’ Vi to have large hips and a round belly, and again like with the legs I had to plan exactly where I wanted it to dip in and how to make the stomach round with appearing fat. This also took several attempts, but then as well as the stomach I had managed to crack the puzzle of crafting the buttocks.
So now I had all my parts, the arms, legs, head, tail and body, all that was left was to put these together, and make the bendy frame. This was made out of pipe cleaners because I have so much experience with them...and they were all I had (otherwise, I would have loved to experiment with ‘soldering metal’). I gave all the limbs two pipe cleaners each for extra strength, anymore and I would not have been able to stuff the arms. I put pipe cleaners in the pony tail as well as the tail (of course) and had one pipe cleaner secured in a loop around the head and neck. All that was left was to carefully stuff my Na’ Vi and sew her up!
Once she was sewn together, I made my Na’ Vi some Tribal-esque clothing. I then contacted my Photographer friend once more, and we arranged a photo session.

I’m extremely pleased with the results of this project, and would definitely make another Na’ Vi, maybe even attempt a boy to keep mine company.