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Posted 9 years agoNeophytes Comic
Posted 9 years agoNeophytes is a webcomic that I really hope to find an artist for someday, or perhaps several artists who can each take one thread.
It's partially furry, partially shota, mostly fantasy, some weird. I feel like it could be a really amazing work, if I could find collaborators.
It's partially furry, partially shota, mostly fantasy, some weird. I feel like it could be a really amazing work, if I could find collaborators.
FC2013: First con fursuiting!
Posted 12 years agoI decided after last FC that it was time for me to get a fursuit. And so I did.
I have fursuited a few times, but never for long, and mostly in cool weather. FC2013 was different, and lots of fun!
- Wander the hallways randomly. A friend helped me around, coping with all of the little problems, like tucking my gloves into the sleeves, opening doors, stairs, navigating, etc.
- Got professional pictures taken. I had no idea what kind of pics I wanted, so the guy posed me. How do I find these pictures? Or in fact any pictures of my fursuit?
Update: Someone found one of me: http://i.imgur.com/FhJg1kT.jpg
- Participated in the fursuit parade. 568 fursuiters, I believe? At one point while we were waiting, someone said "Mine?" and soon there were hundreds of fursuiters mimicking seagulls. Until someone shouted, "Oh, shuuut uuup. You're a bunch of rats with wings."
- Danced at Frolic. Was lots of fun, but was also the most taxing. More on this in a couple of places later.
Often fursuiters speak of the emotional change that comes over them when fursuiting. I didn't really experience this. I suspect for the same reason that alcohol does not make me more relaxed and social. I'm perfectly comfortable with who I am, so I don't need inhibition reducers.
With one exception. I was not scared to dance. Perhaps not being able to see anyone's face had something to do with that.
And perhaps hugs. I got hugged alot, and I got the distinct impression that people were hugging the fursuit and not me, which did make it feel different.
One thing I didn't expect was how much acting skill I'm going to need to develop. I need to exaggerate my emotions and pantomime a lot more. And I have to do so with only vague cues from the people interacting with me. Limited vision makes interaction hard. And there are no facial expressions. Those must be done with head tilts and hands.
- Overheating was expected. I coped well with the sweating and keeping hydrated. The only time I pushed it too far was dancing. I got to the point where I was disoriented, and had no clue where the exit was. If the person who I was dancing with hadn't lead me outside, I might have passed out before finding a place to cool off.
- Glasses fogging. None of the tricks I tried kept this from happening. Soap (various kinds), otter spit, warming the glasses, etc. So, most of the time I was in suit I could only see blurry shapes. I have no idea who I said 'hi' to, who i hugged, who i danced with, etc.
- Cotton shirts/pants. *Do not* wear cotton under a fursuit if you can avoid it. Lycra is best, but I didn't have any. I must have gone through 7 sets of clothes in 2 days.
- Cleaning the suit. If it wasn't for the supplies in the Headless Lounge, I would have had serious problems with this. I am so grateful for the fans, drying tree, disinfecting wipes, etc.
- Feet. I specifically ordered comfortable feet for my fursuit. For a fursuit, they are very comfortable feet. But they are nowhere near as comfortable as regular shoes.
- Vodka in a spray bottle. Apparently this is the very best way to get the smell out of the head, since you can't throw it in a washing machine.
- Contacts. I want to *see* when I'm suiting :)
- Lycra. Perhaps a zentai suit? Those are cheap. Can you get one without a head?
- Earplugs, if I'm going dancing. That place was loud.
- Clorox bleach-free disinfecting wipes.
- A handler. Half the time I was in the fursuit, I was by myself. I have come to appreciate just how useful a handler is.
- Dancing feet? I'm seriously thinking of buying a comfortable pair of shoes and having my fursuit maker make new feet around them.
I have fursuited a few times, but never for long, and mostly in cool weather. FC2013 was different, and lots of fun!
Activities- Wander the hallways randomly. A friend helped me around, coping with all of the little problems, like tucking my gloves into the sleeves, opening doors, stairs, navigating, etc.
- Got professional pictures taken. I had no idea what kind of pics I wanted, so the guy posed me. How do I find these pictures? Or in fact any pictures of my fursuit?
Update: Someone found one of me: http://i.imgur.com/FhJg1kT.jpg
- Participated in the fursuit parade. 568 fursuiters, I believe? At one point while we were waiting, someone said "Mine?" and soon there were hundreds of fursuiters mimicking seagulls. Until someone shouted, "Oh, shuuut uuup. You're a bunch of rats with wings."
- Danced at Frolic. Was lots of fun, but was also the most taxing. More on this in a couple of places later.
EmotionalOften fursuiters speak of the emotional change that comes over them when fursuiting. I didn't really experience this. I suspect for the same reason that alcohol does not make me more relaxed and social. I'm perfectly comfortable with who I am, so I don't need inhibition reducers.
With one exception. I was not scared to dance. Perhaps not being able to see anyone's face had something to do with that.
And perhaps hugs. I got hugged alot, and I got the distinct impression that people were hugging the fursuit and not me, which did make it feel different.
One thing I didn't expect was how much acting skill I'm going to need to develop. I need to exaggerate my emotions and pantomime a lot more. And I have to do so with only vague cues from the people interacting with me. Limited vision makes interaction hard. And there are no facial expressions. Those must be done with head tilts and hands.
Problems- Overheating was expected. I coped well with the sweating and keeping hydrated. The only time I pushed it too far was dancing. I got to the point where I was disoriented, and had no clue where the exit was. If the person who I was dancing with hadn't lead me outside, I might have passed out before finding a place to cool off.
- Glasses fogging. None of the tricks I tried kept this from happening. Soap (various kinds), otter spit, warming the glasses, etc. So, most of the time I was in suit I could only see blurry shapes. I have no idea who I said 'hi' to, who i hugged, who i danced with, etc.
- Cotton shirts/pants. *Do not* wear cotton under a fursuit if you can avoid it. Lycra is best, but I didn't have any. I must have gone through 7 sets of clothes in 2 days.
- Cleaning the suit. If it wasn't for the supplies in the Headless Lounge, I would have had serious problems with this. I am so grateful for the fans, drying tree, disinfecting wipes, etc.
- Feet. I specifically ordered comfortable feet for my fursuit. For a fursuit, they are very comfortable feet. But they are nowhere near as comfortable as regular shoes.
Required Items for Next Time- Vodka in a spray bottle. Apparently this is the very best way to get the smell out of the head, since you can't throw it in a washing machine.
- Contacts. I want to *see* when I'm suiting :)
- Lycra. Perhaps a zentai suit? Those are cheap. Can you get one without a head?
- Earplugs, if I'm going dancing. That place was loud.
- Clorox bleach-free disinfecting wipes.
- A handler. Half the time I was in the fursuit, I was by myself. I have come to appreciate just how useful a handler is.
- Dancing feet? I'm seriously thinking of buying a comfortable pair of shoes and having my fursuit maker make new feet around them.
Returning to life
Posted 15 years agoI have moved to CA, and am employed again. So my self-esteem is coming back.
I expect to be back into making sculpy figurines soon. I have an artist friend who wants to do regular art jams, and if I attend those, then I will have a weekly time set aside to play with my clay :)
I expect to be back into making sculpy figurines soon. I have an artist friend who wants to do regular art jams, and if I attend those, then I will have a weekly time set aside to play with my clay :)
Moving to Santa Clara!
Posted 15 years agoI'm leaving the Seattle area, and all the people there I've been friends with for years. I'm going to be lonely until I find some friends in CA. I've run my RPG at my place every friday night for 10 years... how do I go about finding players again?
FC Con Report
Posted 15 years agoFlights:
- I booked a flight from SEA to OAK, because it was $120 cheaper, even if it meant a 45 minute car ride. The flight prices were absurd this year, ranging from $40 to $720.
- Arrived on Thursday with no ear problems from the plane descent. Yay!
- Departed on Monday with minor ear problems on descent. At least it doesn't hurt this time.
- No issues, all went well :)
Parties:
- Tried to have a Truth or Dare game Thursday night, and someone invited someone without telling them it was a private party, and invitations snowballed until someone invited the whole con to come participate. So, it was canceled. But, there were two other T|D games that happened that were lots of fun, so that was ok :)
- Was not invited to many of the themed parties I normally hear about. Have I lost where mailing lists are?
- Did not go to normal room parties. Alcohol is not for me, due to my medication. And besides, if I go have fun with someone, I want it to be because we share some interest.
Meeting Friends:
- Met up with about 1/5 of the people I wanted to. Basically, if I could contact them by IM or SMS, I found them. Having a cell phone really helps at a con :)
- Met some great fursuiters that I've only known online until now. Reset a bunch of ankles and made many of them happy :)
- Had a good talk with a drunk friend, and perhaps resolved some big issues between us. I just hope he remembers \|/
- Discovered more people who have similar views of energy manipulation and spirituality that I do \\|//
Dealer's Den and Art
- I met Ursula Vernon ( http://www.metalandmagic.com/ ) and got a sketch from her for my wife. There was major squee \\|//
- I collected a bunch of free sketches in tiny sketchbooks, and cannot scan them myself because my scanner is broke. So, I left them with a friend who will scan them for me :)
- I bid on two pieces of artwork. I won one (Savingthrow, by Theresa Mathers http://www.rockfeatherscissors.com/ ) and got a print of the other (Puppy Pounce by Dark Natasha http://www.darknatasha.com/ ).
Fursuits and Pics
- Hugged about 100 fursuits. Got free candy from Pedobear.
- Took a lot of pictures of the masquerade and the parade. Wondering where to put them so others can see.
- Found out an odd thing about my camera. When I tell it to not use the flash, motion blur becomes a serious problem. But, when it is on Auto, deciding for itself to use the flash or not, there is never motion blur. Is there some setting I can change?
- My camera had *just* enough charge. It died just after the parade, then it died again just after the masquerade.
Panels and Creator's Lounge
- I didn't go to any panels this year. Not that they weren't interesting, but I was too busy rushing around trying to find people, or food, or art. There's always too much to do and not enough time.
- I stopped in the creator's lounge a couple of times, but the compulsion didn't hit me this time. I carried 10 lbs. of sculpey all through the con, and never opened it :/
Overall, I had a great time \\|//
- I booked a flight from SEA to OAK, because it was $120 cheaper, even if it meant a 45 minute car ride. The flight prices were absurd this year, ranging from $40 to $720.
- Arrived on Thursday with no ear problems from the plane descent. Yay!
- Departed on Monday with minor ear problems on descent. At least it doesn't hurt this time.
- No issues, all went well :)
Parties:
- Tried to have a Truth or Dare game Thursday night, and someone invited someone without telling them it was a private party, and invitations snowballed until someone invited the whole con to come participate. So, it was canceled. But, there were two other T|D games that happened that were lots of fun, so that was ok :)
- Was not invited to many of the themed parties I normally hear about. Have I lost where mailing lists are?
- Did not go to normal room parties. Alcohol is not for me, due to my medication. And besides, if I go have fun with someone, I want it to be because we share some interest.
Meeting Friends:
- Met up with about 1/5 of the people I wanted to. Basically, if I could contact them by IM or SMS, I found them. Having a cell phone really helps at a con :)
- Met some great fursuiters that I've only known online until now. Reset a bunch of ankles and made many of them happy :)
- Had a good talk with a drunk friend, and perhaps resolved some big issues between us. I just hope he remembers \|/
- Discovered more people who have similar views of energy manipulation and spirituality that I do \\|//
Dealer's Den and Art
- I met Ursula Vernon ( http://www.metalandmagic.com/ ) and got a sketch from her for my wife. There was major squee \\|//
- I collected a bunch of free sketches in tiny sketchbooks, and cannot scan them myself because my scanner is broke. So, I left them with a friend who will scan them for me :)
- I bid on two pieces of artwork. I won one (Savingthrow, by Theresa Mathers http://www.rockfeatherscissors.com/ ) and got a print of the other (Puppy Pounce by Dark Natasha http://www.darknatasha.com/ ).
Fursuits and Pics
- Hugged about 100 fursuits. Got free candy from Pedobear.
- Took a lot of pictures of the masquerade and the parade. Wondering where to put them so others can see.
- Found out an odd thing about my camera. When I tell it to not use the flash, motion blur becomes a serious problem. But, when it is on Auto, deciding for itself to use the flash or not, there is never motion blur. Is there some setting I can change?
- My camera had *just* enough charge. It died just after the parade, then it died again just after the masquerade.
Panels and Creator's Lounge
- I didn't go to any panels this year. Not that they weren't interesting, but I was too busy rushing around trying to find people, or food, or art. There's always too much to do and not enough time.
- I stopped in the creator's lounge a couple of times, but the compulsion didn't hit me this time. I carried 10 lbs. of sculpey all through the con, and never opened it :/
Overall, I had a great time \\|//
Sculpey trades update
Posted 15 years agoI suck, I know. I've not been getting these done nearly as fast as I hoped.
I will get them done. I haven't forgotten anyone. Just RL and a dozen other excuses I could give that don't really matter.
I will give monthly updates at the latest. And, I may do them out of order. Trying to do them in order may have been blocking some of my creativity.
I will get them done. I haven't forgotten anyone. Just RL and a dozen other excuses I could give that don't really matter.
I will give monthly updates at the latest. And, I may do them out of order. Trying to do them in order may have been blocking some of my creativity.
It's gotten bad, but maybe survivable...
Posted 16 years agoI've mentioned RL problems. This has mostly been in the form of my student loans trying to force me into bankruptcy. I have avoided it, I think. But my current situation is this:
My bank accounts now total -$2504, and I need to pat another $1965 by the end of the month. I should be able to manage this and end up with a barely positive bank account at the end of the month, if I can avoid the fees. The catch is, every day my two accounts are negative, I get fined another $16.
So... Commissions? I know I have a backlog already, but anything will help.
Figurines: $10 Examples: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1930447/
Busts: $50 Example: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2080058
Statuettes: $75 Example: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2335184/
My bank accounts now total -$2504, and I need to pat another $1965 by the end of the month. I should be able to manage this and end up with a barely positive bank account at the end of the month, if I can avoid the fees. The catch is, every day my two accounts are negative, I get fined another $16.
So... Commissions? I know I have a backlog already, but anything will help.
Figurines: $10 Examples: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1930447/
Busts: $50 Example: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2080058
Statuettes: $75 Example: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2335184/
I'm weird about money.
Posted 16 years agoIf I pay for art, it's pretty much garanteed that I'll be unhappy with it.
Very few arts do I hang up to see every day. So, unless I can use it as an icon or other place I can display it online, I'll end up sticking it in a folder, irl or on my computer, and forgetting about it. And when I run across it, I'll feel bad about having paid for something I never use.
On the other hand if it's a trade or gift, I feel great every time I see it, pretty much no matter the quality. I think this is why I gravitate towards sketches rather than finished detailed works.
For a while, I could blame it on being poor. But now I'm not so poor. And I'm willing to spend money on gifts for people, or help people out who are in trouble. I suppose if I can be tricked into doing something that pays for a commission, then receive the commission in the guise of a gift, that might work.
Hmm... pain meds make me introspective as well as silly...
Very few arts do I hang up to see every day. So, unless I can use it as an icon or other place I can display it online, I'll end up sticking it in a folder, irl or on my computer, and forgetting about it. And when I run across it, I'll feel bad about having paid for something I never use.
On the other hand if it's a trade or gift, I feel great every time I see it, pretty much no matter the quality. I think this is why I gravitate towards sketches rather than finished detailed works.
For a while, I could blame it on being poor. But now I'm not so poor. And I'm willing to spend money on gifts for people, or help people out who are in trouble. I suppose if I can be tricked into doing something that pays for a commission, then receive the commission in the guise of a gift, that might work.
Hmm... pain meds make me introspective as well as silly...
Ok, ask me anything \\|//
Posted 16 years agoEveryone elsee seems to be doing it ;)
Organizing life
Posted 16 years agoLife got hectic, and I found several flaws in the way I approach problems and organize things. I'm trying some new approaches, and they seem to be working well so far.
So, I'm back to actually working on the sculpey :) Other things in my life have come together enough to allow me to njoy my hobby again. Pictures soon :)
So, I'm back to actually working on the sculpey :) Other things in my life have come together enough to allow me to njoy my hobby again. Pictures soon :)
Projects, projects...
Posted 16 years agoI actually worked some on mu sculpey last night.
I've found a decent plushy store, hopefully they'll have something suitable to modify.
My paws are getting done :) I should be receiving them in time for my birthday at least :)
I've found the technology I need to master to make the game Edis wants me to make.
Falling in love too easily... do I really do this?
Now, I need to take some time off and meditate, to see if I can stand being with myself...
I've found a decent plushy store, hopefully they'll have something suitable to modify.
My paws are getting done :) I should be receiving them in time for my birthday at least :)
I've found the technology I need to master to make the game Edis wants me to make.
Falling in love too easily... do I really do this?
Now, I need to take some time off and meditate, to see if I can stand being with myself...
I'm sure I've forgotten somebody
Posted 16 years agoI acquired enough commissions, requests, and trades that my mailbox is no longer sufficient to keep track of everything. So, I put my sculpey status in my footer.
If you've asked me for something, and you're not in this list, PM me again! I'd get to you eventually anyway, but this way I can prioritize better :)
If you've asked me for something, and you're not in this list, PM me again! I'd get to you eventually anyway, but this way I can prioritize better :)
rl mpreg
Posted 16 years agoI wish male pregnancy was perfected.
I mean, the whole things about destroying the functionality of your intestines kinda makes it not worthwhile.
I mean, the whole things about destroying the functionality of your intestines kinda makes it not worthwhile.
Life ramping up again.
Posted 16 years agoI was sick for a while, and all my work stopped. But I'm better now.
I finished the fixing the bust of
ediskrad, at least the sculpey parts. Now it's Sandy's job to paint it. I bought her paints yesterday, and today cleaned the table in the livingroom so she has a place to work. Hopefully it will be done by tonight :)
Which has reminded me that I have a few outstanding commission duties. Mostly in the form of getting an address to send the final pieces to. A few are pieces I need to work on.
If I owe you something, PM me :) I'll be getting more organized in the coming week :)
I finished the fixing the bust of
ediskrad, at least the sculpey parts. Now it's Sandy's job to paint it. I bought her paints yesterday, and today cleaned the table in the livingroom so she has a place to work. Hopefully it will be done by tonight :)Which has reminded me that I have a few outstanding commission duties. Mostly in the form of getting an address to send the final pieces to. A few are pieces I need to work on.
If I owe you something, PM me :) I'll be getting more organized in the coming week :)
Happy Valentined Day \\|//
Posted 16 years agoI'm in love again \\|//
This will probably be the best valentines ever for me :)
*HUG*
This will probably be the best valentines ever for me :)
*HUG*
What should I charge for sculpey figurines?
Posted 16 years agoAt the con, I was charging $2-$5 for non-commissioned figurines and $6 for commissioned ones. At the time, I just picked that number out of the air.
Each commission takes between 1 and 2 hours to complete. (The non-commissioned ones are faster, because I'm not trying to reproduce exact details.)
Each figurine consumes approximately $1 of sculpey. So, for commissions, that was earning me somewhere around $2/hr., which does not seem right in retrospect.
What do you think the figurines are actually worth?
Each commission takes between 1 and 2 hours to complete. (The non-commissioned ones are faster, because I'm not trying to reproduce exact details.)
Each figurine consumes approximately $1 of sculpey. So, for commissions, that was earning me somewhere around $2/hr., which does not seem right in retrospect.
What do you think the figurines are actually worth?
