halcyone

thanks for all the watches guys! maybe I'll do some fan art for ya'll!

Much love!
~milli

6 away! maybe I'll do something cool to celebrate

Did I get your attention? Good. Short rant here as a warning to you guys and gals.

Beware of "ARTISTS" (and I use that term loosely) who demand money up front for commissions then have a history of taking over six months to complete a single commission. How can you tell if an artist you commissioned recently is the type I'm warning you about? Look for these signs...

1. Money up front
2. Long waiting lists
3. Lack of, or rare finished commission postings
4. STILL accepting commissions, even posting journals about their availability despite their long list and low to non existent output
5. the "Life Happens" clause...lemme clarify on this one...Life DOES happen and art DOES take time...however...if life happens more than art does? Re-evaluate your ability as a commission artist
6. Prices higher than the norm...yes...supply and demand...I get that...but if you never complete any of your commissions it's a false supply.

You, as a consumer have rights. NEVER give money upfront without knowing a rough estimate of completion. If they can't deliver what they promise I would recommend getting your money back (politely okay guys?)

You have rights and no artist, no matter how good they maybe, have the right to treat you like an ATM, dangling those ever rare commission slots in your face so that they can make a quite buck while you wait a year for your transaction to be completed.

Artists? If you can't complete your obligations in a timely manner STOP FFFFFFing TAKING MORE COMMISSIONS!!!!!!

So, I just did I trial run on my taxes using turbotax online and if my calculations are correct...I OWE.....

$1630!!!!!!

so I'm not asking for money...I'm asking for information...

has anyone else owed this kinda sum to the IRS before? How long did they give you to pay it?!
I'm a little panic-y so any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
~milli

Technically, I have cleared my commission list...FINALLY! I will be PMing all those left on my list whom I've not heard from in a milenia and who've not paid to see if they still want their slots...I will be taking only two commissions at a time because I'm adopting a new policy...

done in 30 days or your money back....
seriously...this is what I'm gonna do!

That way you get your art in a timely manner and I have CRAZY incentive to finish it before the deadline or I lose money...WIN WIN!

I may also put up an auction slot on furbuy depending on what you guys want me to sell...I'll need your opinions for what I'm auctioning off...

COMMISSION PRICES
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1171506/

EPIC SONG IS SO EPIC YOU'LL NEED A HORSE...watch and that'll make sense

So, my engagement just happened on Sunday and for those who wished their "gratz" thank you! But this retelling of Sunday afternoon is gonna need a bit of back story...

I met my fiance at CSU Sacramento. We never had a class together or went to the same high school. He was a Goverment Major/Philosophy minor...me? Studio Art. We met in the arcade. Not interested in each other in the LEAST. He came from a super liberal family in Roseville who have no problem cursing about everything. I grew up in church my whole life in Sacramento.

The only thing we had in common was Dance Dance Revolution. I met most of the friends I'll keep for the rest of my life doing DDR. Scoff if you must but it's true.

I'll leave out the details of our 5 years of dating but long story short...it finally got to this stage.

I get a phone call from another DDR friend I hadn't heard from in awhile. He wants to go hit a machine at a bowling ally called Strikes. Nothing too strange about that. Back in our hay day we would play every day and weekends for hours. Now that we're older it's rare that we hit the pads so one of us randomly inviting the others to come out and play was a nice way to spend a sunday afternoon.

We get down to the arcade and meet up with a few other friends. The bf goes to get some credits so we can play. So, him and I get to playing. After the second song, he says, "honey, I think we attracted a crowd." I turn around and there's a much larger group of my friends behind me cheering.

He tells me, "I love you sooo much." And gets down on one knee.

I tell him (cuz I'm fat and out of breath after two songs) "You sure picked a bad time to do this!"

He asked me to marry him. Right on the pad where our friendship first started.

Of course I say yes and the crowd cheers! Suddenly, I hear the timer clicking down on the "next song select screen". I say...wanna go again?

He's like....REALLY?!?!?!?!?!

I yoinked the ring from him...gave him a kiss and said...

"Never waste a credit."

I'm just saying... Lol

But seriously my bf of five years finally did it! I may do a discount on "couples" commissions just to celebrate!

I'm trying to find a "Buck the singing trophy deer"
Now you may say, "Milli, why don't you just look on ebay?" and I have but the problem is they're hard to find and the price is sort of inflated...so does anyone have one of these lying around? It's the one that moves it's mouth to either pre-recorded songs or to your own voice via a microphone that comes with it...it also moves it's neck and head. If I could get one for $100 or less I'd love you for life!

I'm back from my trip outta the country and came back with a super fun infection. I'm at about 83% better...I just have a pesky cough I need to kick but I'm back. So here's the dealy-o...I'm gonna get back into these commissions BIG time. Commissions are still closed. If you have discussed your commission with me and you're not on my commish list don't worry, I'm cleaning everything up and updating so you will be. If you don't see your name after the big clean up message me so I can fix it. I'll be messaging everyone on the list about their commissions, whether they still want their slots after all this time has past, etc. I will not work on a commission without a confirmation to continue. I'm basically offering back-outs if people need them (economy and whatnot). I'll even give you your money back if you paid upfront.

Once the queue is cleared I'll take new commission requests...probably three at a time and no more until the three are done.

Nice to be back...talk to ya'll later!
~milli

PAX

I just came back from a PAX this weekend...and I'm VERY tired!

for those who would like to know a few of the games revealed and heard rumors....
YES...Duke Nukem Forever WAS there...I did not wait in the three hour long line to see it but I heard it was playable

Epic Mickey: looks VERY promising; has a Kingdom Heart vibe but unique in it's own way

TRON: I'll post pics of this booth

It seemed like games that emphasized physical movement was all over with the 360 showing KINEC (controller-LESS gameplay) and the wii's Just Dance 2

---

COMMISSIONS
Now the business part: Commissions and upcoming trip
I have currently 5-8 pics needing to be completed (5 if I draw the winners' pics as one or 8 if I feel generous and give them all their own pinups)

Commissions are CLOSED until I can finish these pics. I will accept your request for a slot if you'd like one but I may not start until I get back from my trip (OCT 12)...please keep that in mind.

I would like to finish my current adoptables batch before the trip as well...

Please remember your payments if you have not already done so...if I am unable to finish your commission before Sept 17 I will comp ONE pinup per commission slot (one character pinup/shaded)

---

LAPTOP FOR SALE
Also, I am trying to either fix or sell my laptop. After having a massive infection on it that destroyed EVERYTHING I wiped the thing clean...I need a new Os for it (if I plan to fix and keep) or I'm willing to sell it for $250. It's a Gateway MT3422. It still turns on and has the remnants of another Os I tried to install but didn't have the key to complete the full installation so now it's in some sort of Os purgatory. I'm in Sacramento so a meet up here or near by is preferable.

I have a total of 8 commissions I'm working on simultaneously. Another batch of adoptables are coming up VERY soon...ALL COMMISSIONS WILL BE DONE BEFORE SEPTEMBER!

I loved this movie SOOOO HARD...and this is one of my favorite scenes...I would pay full price to see it again...seriously

Seriously! I think I've improved in my art over these years but those hands!!!!!!! why can't I get it? why can't I understand them?!


ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

I have bought my plane ticket and am now heading over to my favorite little country in the whole wide world...I'll be landing in Manchester, UK on September 19th, staying in St. Helens and leaving October 12th...

any UK folks around those areas?

 shadowsani and  blue-fox-fursuits

is trying to get some publicity for their fursuit making accounts...show 'em so luv won'tcha!

Currently working on the commission for
it is in the coloring/adjustment phase.

I anticipate that all presketches for current commissions will be complete by the end of the week. If I have already completed your presketch than I may be about to start the inking stage.

I hope that the next level of EVERY commission gets done by this week...next level= presketch/lineart/completion/etc so that even the last people on the list knows they are not forgotten...so I apollogize in advance for the submission flood that may take place soon

Thanks!

Stolen from

1) Who are you?
2) Are we friends?
3) When and how did we meet?
4) Would you kiss me?
5) Give me a nickname and explain why.
6) Describe me in 1 word.
7) What was your first impression of me?
8) Do you still think the same?
9) What reminds you of me?
10) If you could give me anything, what would it be?
11) How well do you know me?
12) Are you gonna put this in your journal and see what I say about you?
13) Would you meet up with me?

After hearing some not-so-good stories from commissioners and what-not I thought it was time to write one of these...I feel the stuff I'm about to say shouldn't need to be said...but I am constantly shown that people are idiots...so....here we go...

Word of warning...this is gonna be long...But I hope it is, at least, informative.

Artists...Imma start with you.
Once you get the huevos to decide to get paid for your art here are a few things I think you need to remember.

You are not GOD.
Your art is not so good that you can treat people like crap.
You can be replaced by any other artist.

I hear more and more stories about YOUR commissioners coming to ME because you can't keep your $hit straight. Now granted, I like the business...No...I LOVE the business...so why go into the commission field if you're gonna pull stuff like....charging people extra to see a presketch, not correcting mistakes YOU made in the first place, making people wait DANG NEAR A YEAR for a commission they paid you in full? If you can't handle your work load you still owe the people who trusted you with their money the product you promised. And if you can't? Full refund. No questions asked. Appologize for your douche baggery and learn a lesson.

Message EVERYONE who messages you back about commissions...
Even if their vision is something you won't go anywhere near the least you can do be courteous and decline the business...Leaving your potential customers in PM limbo will do you no good and the customer will remember how you didn't have the time to say NO but plenty of time to rant about INKBUNNY.

Your prices should not depend on private or public commissions. If you send a finished product thru email or submit that here why should someone have to pay more? There's no postage...No packaging? No EXCUSE...

I think I'll touch back on the presketch bit...you're already gonna make a sketch before a finished product right? So why not let people see what they're getting so if there are mistakes...which do happen...you can correct them before tons of time is spent. And the customer will be happy to have the piece finished AND correctly done. If a piece you just finished looks NOTHING like your gallery it's like false advertisting...like pushing pepsi on a soda machine and getting mt. dew....I HATE THAT! A commission shouldn't be like playing roulette... there should be consistency in your quality. If I buy your cola it had better not be green!

Thank your customers....they DIDN'T have to come to you in the first place. For every artist like me there is probably someone better and cheaper so get off your high horse and stop acting like you're a self supported structure...you need your foundation (your fans) and the moment you neglect them you may as well close shop because word of mouth is powerful. It will bring and take business away much better than your journals advertising sales....

Harsh?
Oh commissioners you're next...

As an artist around here I have to say most of my transactions have been very smooth. No one has stiffed me and I think, overall, my customers would rate my service, at least, satisfactory. But I do have some gripes that I would like to share from an artists' point of view.

"I don't have money"
Ok...we've all done this one...myself included...but if you're really trying to run a business and you get this message all the time I have to ask myself....WHY? If you don't make a purchase I know you don't either have money or interest....and that's okay. I don't go into the grocery store, find the manager and comment how much I love their tomatoes but won't be buying today. *scratches head* I dunno....I guess this one is more of a pet peeve lol

If you're in the market for a commission you have your pick of the litter...and most artists that are open for commissions are probably going to want the same things I do when people ask me for a slot.

-If you are ready to get a commission state clearly your intentions in a single message. Explain the who/what/where/when/why. If you have a link to a ref sheet include it.

EXAMPLE:
Hello, ______. If you are open for commissions I would like a slot. I am looking to commission two characters (links to characters) hugging under a tree. Full color and shaded if possible. There will be no nudity. The clothing would be overalls without t-shirts. Thanks, (your name here)

Now...if the artist isn't a total dill hole they'll let you know yes or no. This formula also works for fetish commissions. Let them know EVERYTHING up front...no beating around the bush. AND ARTISTS? IF YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH A REQUEST DON'T TAKE IT!

Make sure you familiarize yourself with the artist's FA page...most likely all your possible questions can be answered in one of their journals or right on the front page. Information like prices, paypal, and/or lists of products.

DON'T BE A BUGGABOO!
This is a BIG ONE...once you've reached an agreement with your artist of choice don't message them EVERY SINGLE DAY MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY asking if they've worked on it, if you can see it....etc... YES, as a customer you have the right to see what you've bought but don't kill your artists with constant badgering. Give them time. If your art needs a rush job you should let your artist know at the beginning.

An ARTIST is NOT your slave...be friendly...remember...these folks have your money. Once you've okay'ed your artist's presketches, be kind...having an artist change everything over and over is just not fair. Our time is just as valuable as your money. Also remember, we have lives outside of this site and the fandom...we are not on 24 hour stand by. We are human and sometimes, between the artings, life happens so be reasonable. This is not an excuse for artists to disappear for weeks on end without any word to commissions in progress.

Which leads to another point...if you feel the commission isn't going the way you want don't sit and pout...MENTION IT! Artists are NOT mind readers and if you HATE the way a piece is going say so. It'll be better for both parties in the end.

Altering pieces...
while I don't have an issue with this many artists do. If your whole plan is to dissect the art once you get it you should probably ask for permission from the artist first before pen ever touches paper. This includes: coloring lineart, changing colors in photoshop, using it as a template to copy and make similar art.

Thought I try this again....I'm sure someone's been dying to ask me something but never had an opportunity....so go for it!!!

ASK ME ANYTHING!

Also...everything I post is doubling for some reason...NOT MY FAULT!!!!

Commissions are closed until I finish this current batch. As slots open I'll make a note about it in the next update journal...I DO work on more than one commission at once...so even if you're at the bottom of the list it doesn't mean there hasn't been any progress on your piece

STANDBY
1.  foxhightower (not paid) Not sure if you still want a commission slot but you ARE on standby


CURRENT COMMISSIONS
1.  talshu bugs (not paid/half done) Crab is almost done...still have to add shorts; waiting on a response for colors

2.  talshu more bugs (not paid/no details yet)

3.  therosebush two character (not paid) almost done inking the characters; will start on background soon

4.  gingerkittie two character/ no bg (not paid) presketch done; awaiting approval

5.  fancy-fancy ref sheets 4 (3 paid) will be submitting presketches soon

6.  shampu123 two character full commission (paid) will be submitting presketch soon

7.  bc_fox (not paid) being given details...not enough info yet

8.  nitetigrezz one character/flat color (not paid)
9.  simplefied waiting for details (not paid)
10.  simplefied waiting for details (not paid).

I trust you guys more than the annonomous people claiming "SCAM! SCAM!"

It bugs me that something that's been around supposedly 3 years or so didn't even so much blip on my radar...this is somewhat related to Inkbunny but in general I would like to informed about money transfer sites...especially when their popularity is growing exponentially...

Part of my concerns revolve around the unknown...I'll admit to that...but another part I guess that worries me is Inkbunny uses Alertpay because of the mostly mature nature of the prints it's producing and selling right? So it's a money transfer site for all transactions that paypal won't do? *rubs chin* It sounds so...convenient. A site to transfer cash for stuff you can't pay for with a paypal account...man...WHY DOES THAT BOTHER ME SO?! I feel like it's going to Mexico to have your operation because they'll do whatever you want no questions asked....

am I being dramatic? sorry...

Seriously...any thoughts? ANY?!

I hate how people scream at their kids in public over stupid stuff....DON'T TOUCH THAT DOORKNOB IT'S DIRTY!!!!! seriously? ya lady...freak your kid out about germs...let them build up a bit of immunity will ya? it's not like the kid picked up a turd!

I hate that my college degree has gotten me no where...all that time and money invested just to be in the same spot as someone fresh off the boat? Where's my reward for all that hard work? I want my money back!

I hate that horrible people are ALWAYS able to find someone who'll marry em...seriously! Think about it! Same holds true for people who are trying to get pregnant...it's always the crazys that pump out kids for us tax payers to take care of while Mr. and Mrs. Perfect-Citizen can't conceive.

I hate that my internet bill is so high but there are no other options for service because Comcast holds a monopoly in this area. $69? and that's the sale price!

I hate that even tho my art has improved I STILL can't draw freakin hands!

I hate that my hair won't grow much past my shoulders.

I hate that I hate so many things....

*whew*....I hate that I don't feel much better after all that lol

so I'll stream instead LOL
http://www.watchtail.com/view.php?v=millislim
http://www.watchtail.com/view.php?v=millislim
http://www.watchtail.com/view.php?v=millislim

trying to make one now...it's sittin in the middle of my living room floor while the rubber mold sets up...PLEASE WORK PLEASE WORK PLEASE WORK...if it does I plan to make head blanks for sale with eyes included if people want em like that...

wish me luck...

also...went to the dentist today...found out I have 8 cavities...I've never had one before in my WHOLE life now I got 8? dang...it'll probably take 3 appointments to patch em all up