Cons over, time to get back to work! I'm answering emails and starting on furring some heads today.

I attended Anthrocon alone this year and that gave me time to meet lots of new people. I met so many wonderful, sweet, fun and downright enjoyable people who thought so little of themselves. I don't know what it is about me that makes people tell me about their secrets but so many confessed to me how they look down on themselves and how they feel worthless or undesirable because of various reasons. They think they are ugly, they think they are stupid or not worth it. Well I'm going to say here and now, you guys and gals are amazing.

Chatting with everyone at AC was almost better than the fursuiting. Every person I had the pleasure of sitting around and talking with was a pure joy to be with and I think it's time that we all take a moment to remember who we are and what makes us great.

Still single? Still a virgin? (this was admitted to me a lot) Well who cares, you shouldn't measure your own personal worth on a relationship, especially ones that are fleeting. You are an individual with your own likes, dreams, goals and aspirations. You don't need a relationship to define or complete you. You can be happy and you deserve to be happy and to stand up and seek out things in your life that make you happy.

Don't be afraid, don't be intimidated, the power to change things is inside of you, you just have to be willing to reach down and muster it up. Who cares what others say, who cares if they laugh or tease, they are just as scared inside as you are, if not more, and the only way they deal with it is by hurting you. They are weak. You can be strong to be happy, you can define who you are on your own, you can do it! You don't think I get laughed at? I get laughed at all the time but that doesn't mean I'm a bad person, it means that others are intimidated by how I'm willing to let down my guard and not have to shelter myself from others opinions. You can do it too I know it! Haters will always hate, especially when you are not scared to be who you are and they are too afraid to do the same.

To everyone I met and had the pleasure of chatting with, thank you for showing me a good time and you are all fantastic people who I would happily call my friends if I got the chance to see you again. When you smile and welcome a stranger into your midst and treat them like a friend, you are a better kind of person, it takes a strength most don't have to be nice and kind. You made the con great for me, thank you for letting me get the chance to know you all.

You are awesome, never forget that.

I made it back.. sadly I slept in the airport again...

So I will be posting a con report and of course starting on commissions. I have all of my materials so I can get things underway.

Sadly, due to issues with shipping, my suits were damaged and I'm probably going to need to do some mods or repairs.

If you have any photos to share I would LOVE to see them, I never seem to get photos of my personal suits XD

Because things have been so up in the air I was not able to schedule a photographer or anything like that but I would still like to have a little get together and just hang out.

If you would like to come, meeting place is the Westin lobby at 12PM on Sunday. I'm rather broke so sadly I will have to break my tradition of taking everyone out for ice cream and a free drink on me but I do hope you will come and just have fun. Any Mushi Magic suiter is invited, we might fursuit around, play some games or just enjoy some pleasant conversation. It's a casual meet up so you can come in suit or not, it's up to you.

If you want to keep up on what goes on at the con check my twitter: https://twitter.com/MushiMagicSuits or my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mushimagic

The buyer backed out on it so I'm going to have to re-list it.

http://www.furbuy.com/auctions/1058322.html

Looks like I get to send out some very disappointing emails. I literally got half my order and no one bothered to tell me what was up even though I called and emailed and made quite a pest out of myself.

I hate when something like this happens, I can't afford to not be able to work on my commissions! That is food on my table too, it's how I make a living so not working doesn't only hurt my customers, it hurts me too! Now I have to try and get a pre-made or something done so that I can be sure next month's bills are taken care of. It's like no matter how hard I work I just can't get ahead. I thought this would be my year, at least the bills are almost caught up and we won't be paying and extra $600+ a month ontop of normal rent and bills so keep up on payment arrangements just to keep the power on and a roof over our heads.

On a positive note I have been taking this opportunity to better my work. Without the restrictions of commissions I have been able to start working on the finishing work of my suits. I have also been working on the style.

NON WORK STUFF:
There is a lesson I have learned this year, last year I learned how to stand up on my own and not give in even when the people around you let you down and you have to find the strength within yourself to keep going. I did a lot of growing that year and stood tall. Even though my former room mates ran off I still managed to get my husband here, keep the house and have a great year. I learned that I'm not worthless and no matter how much I had been torn down by one of them or made to believe I needed them, they needed me a lot more. I'm not a thing anymore, I'm a strong woman!

This year what I have learned is that failure happens and it's not something to be afraid of. I have always been so afraid to fail but I have learned that so long as you worked and tried your best, a failure is just part of life. You might let people down, you might have to work a little harder and you might shake some people's trust in you but you are not a failure if you stand up and keep going even if it feels like you are just trying to keep your head above water. You have to keep going even when you fail because it aint over until you give up!

When things look bad don't let it beat you down, be humble enough to admit that you messed up and be better next time. Some times it's not even your fault but what you do about it is what matters. When things pile up, just go at it one step at a time. Don't give up. There are plenty of artists who get where I am and give up, don't do it! People might be upset that it's late but you work hard and make sure it's worth the wait and when you have done what you said you would, then consider if you want to keep going. Don't run away!

I hate to struggle like this, but I would rather show you all the struggle and let you know what is going on then try and pretend there is nothing happening. My pride is a strong thing but my customers mean more than that to me and all of my followers are potential customers, this means you all deserve the same transparency. It might make me look bad from time to time but I would rather be human than just a business. I won't run and I won't hide. I would rather you all know then one person fear I'm dishonest so here I am being honest with you all! I may make a mistake but I don't run.

You know, I am always taken back when I hear one builder talking smack about another. Like sure we all make mistakes but the way I have been hearing people just tear into each other as if it was some kind of game makes me sick. There are people behind those screens, behind that company name is an artist who is only human and may make mistakes but there is no reason to escalate it the way people do.

I have heard people talk about beating up all of a builder's suiters, I have heard people talking about finding the builder and shooting them, I mean for Christ sake over animal costumes people? Internet tough guy is lame everywhere.

I don't talk smack, why? Because I would feel awe full if I had some horrible rumor going around about me like what I hear and I know I have had said about me. I respect other artists and myself too much to act like a kid out of school and I hope other people feel the same. Drama is not worth it.

One of the first lessons we learn as kids is: Treat others the way we want to be treated ourselves.

Whelp, this is going to be a hell of a month...

I'm gonna do it though! I know I can. The problem that just kept coming up is the fact that I pay A LOT right now in bills and catching up on things and I'm trying to keep a roof over my head while I'm trying to pay of bills. Literally every cent I have made keeps going to bills but now I have spent the past couple of months working extra hard and I'm ahead of the bills enough to order everyone's materials.

I'm sorry for the wait everyone, I really am doing my best. Your patience has meant everything to me. I know things are not as smooth as they were last year but there has been a lot going on.

But we are almost there! Almost in the clear! I'm going to be able to actually finish people's commissions and that is all I want, to be able to work! So expect rapid updates, this is going to be pedal to the metal, I got a lot of time to make up for.

I have a kitty who is going to go up for sale soon to help keep me ahead of the bills.

As a late birthday gift my father got me tickets to anthrocon. I will be there from Wednesday to Monday. I have one room offered to me already but it's from Thursday to Monday and that gives me no where to sleep for a night.

So if anyone has space available from wed-mon (check in on the 2nd check out on the 7th) I would be very interested. I'm looking mostly for the Westin.

I'm bringing 2 suits, Luka and Rio. I'm coming alone since my husband needs to work. I prefer a bed. I'm looking for a PG room over all, as a suiter I don't really want to be locked out of the room because someone is humping in the room. I'm not big on party rooms because last time I was in a party room several of my things were stolen.

I do not accept adult references for fursuit commissions.

I do not accept commissions for adult references.

I have gotten quite a few quote requests for adult references as of late and people wanting to get commissions using adult references. Censoring it works for me I just want to do my job without staring at your character's junk and a very detailed image of it. I'm not a prude but come on, I'm trying to work.

Yeah you! You right there! You have gotten over every obstacle to get here, if you life has been hard or easy, you are still here being you.

Don't listen to anything anyone says that is only meant to hurt you. You are awesome. We all can improve upon ourselves but that doesn't mean you are bad in any way. If you have a good heart and always at least try to do the right then and be a good person then that is all anyone can expect of you. If you make mistakes, try and better yourself!

Be proud of your accomplishments no matter what size they are. The first step to your goal might be a leap or just a single careful step out but you can do it and I am sure you can make it the whole way!

You can do it! Believe in you! Have a good day because everyone deserves to be happy and you can achieve it if you work hard!

I have had to decline a few commissions now for various reasons and I thought maybe posting something of a guide would help.

Things that are required:
Reference that has 3 views front, side, and back as well as any important details. It must be in full color and current.

You must fill out the form in full as it applies to your commission. If you leave out information I will have to ask you to fill it in before I can give you a quote.

Reasons your commission might be declined:

If you are a minor, I do not accept commissions from minors at this time.

If you fail to provide a reference of any kind or use other people's art as a reference when you have no right to.

Traced or plagiarized references are an automatic no, I will also contact the original artist about it as I believe in protecting artists work.

Unintelligible emails, if your spelling and grammar is so poor that I can not understand you I will have to decline. A mistake here or there is negligible but when I get a paragraph without any spaces at all I am inclined to decline.

Attitude, few people will say this but I will, if you cop an attitude with me I'm going to just decline you, I want this to be a good experience for both of us so complaining about prices or your hospital bills or other responsibilities that are not my problem will most likely end up with a declined commission. I'm not your art slave I'm an artist who is making your character and I would hope that you would treat me with the same mutual respect I would treat you with.

Commissions once again are open.

This batch of commissions are set to be completed between August and December.

Due dates will be given based on when the deposit is paid. All commission dates are first come first serve.

Things that are required to get a quote:
Reference sheet: Must have 3 views, bust be G rated and must be up to date.
You must fill out all applicable parts of the form. Give as much detail as you can think of.

Please be sure your email is correct, I receive a lot of quote requests that I am unable to answer because I was not given a full email.

Please allow up to 3 business days for a response though I tend to get to them very quickly.

Things I do not accept commissions for:
Bases, single sets of parts such as hands or feet paws, LEDS, animatronics.

http://mushimagic.webs.com/

So I have been trying to make a more functional commissioning system for my customers. I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for them to contact me and for me to contact them.

When commissions open Mushi Magic Fursuits will have a customer support email and call line specifically for helping customers stay in contact with me here at the studio. This number and email will only be given to people who have paid the deposit for their commission and are current or past customers.

The main email I have been using will be for the website, youtube and other connected accounts that keep me in touch with potential customers. This will keep current customer's from having their emails buried under quote form submissions or other updates. It's a direct them to me line with no filler.

The call line will only be used when it is absolutely needed. I will be sending out emails with updates and photos as per usual, the call line is for those times when I desperately need to get a hold of a customer or they need to get a hold of me and it can't wait until they can get to their email. It will not be used for chatting, quotes or anything else. Transcripts of the conversation are provided by the service I use so I can also log those.

I look forward to opening up soon and I can't wait to hear from anyone interested in commissioning a Mushi Magic fursuit.

I love how when I catch someone removing the credit for my free line art and I ask them to updated it to include the credit as per the terms of use, they get all pissed off at me like I have done something wrong.

Do not pay for the free line art, it's free to use and please do not remove my credit. It's free to use and stealing free art is just daft.

I have always enjoyed doing my birthday raffle, it was great watching people get involved and being able to give an awesome gift back to one lucky person who followed me, but sadly this year there will be no raffle.

Due to the rules regarding raffles that require you to make journals and such I will not be holding my raffle. I know there are ways to still hold it without braking the rules but honestly I don't want to deal with the potential issues that might be stirred up if I host this.

I have enough work on my plate as it is and while I usually really enjoy doing this every year I think last year may be the last time this raffle is done until I find another site to advertise it on. I have been considering tumblr but we will see.

Have a great week everyone I'm off to go fur some fursuit heads.

I wanted to post a reminder about how I will be doing deadlines from now on since I will be reopening for commissions in May.

As stated previously in a journal and in my updated faq/TOS page, I will not be accepting commissions with deadlines any more. I work very fast usually, turning out 2 suits a month if not more and that has become something that is expected of me.

Commissions will be accepted in batches. Meaning I will accept a specific number of commissions to be completed within a set amount of time. I will base these batches around major furcons and events.

The reason I am doing this is because the amount of work I put into my suits adds to the time it takes to make them. Even if I work all day, there is no way to work faster without hurting the quality of the final product. There is also the issue with things getting in the way, if I am injured, sick or unable to work for what ever reason, the strain of having to meet a deadline that might be right around the corner is never good for the creation of art. There is also the problem of customers not being able to pay for things on time or being unable to respond to my emails. More than once I have had to work extra long hours because my customer took a bit too long delivering the information or payment I needed and I was still expected to meet that deadline. I have also had a number of customers need me to move their deadlines around, not set deadlines only to later impose them or have important things go on in their lives that means they need me to give them more time which I am happy to do. I just think this would be better for everyone.

Don't worry, this is not me saying I'm going to start neglecting my queue, I will work just as hard. This is after all how I feed my family and keep a roof over my head, so good service is a must. Not to mention I genuinely enjoy my work, but I am not glueing seams and making $200 partials anymore and with a professional product comes professional business practices as well as the needed time and price of good work.

Let me have the time I need to make you something awesome. Would you really want me to rush?

Standing commissions will have their deadlines met, all anthrocon deadlines and other event deadlines will be met.

I look forward to hearing from anyone interested in getting a commission this May. Happy Friday and have a great weekend.

I'm quite fond of bears and sadly my gallery has a distinct lack of them. I'm very interested in making a cool, macho bear character. I'm not thinking "Cutesie" I would love to make something handsome and rugged that actually has the shape and look of a bear.

If you have a bear character and would like a full suit like what I described I would be extra happy to hear from you when I'm open for commissions.

I get hankerings to make different animals and that is just what I'm in the mood for. If no one wants one made I'm sure I will just make one for myself eventually.

I'm moving through my work load and the list is dwindling so I'm happy to say that Mushi Magic Fursuits will open again on may 1st.

I have been working hard to up the quality of my fursuits, finding new ways to put out a better product and I'm excited to show what else I can do this year.

The quote forms will be available on May 1st and I will be taking on new projects. Have your references ready and lets welcome the summer in with some new great projects.

I think growing up and facing the harsh realities of life humbles you. It's weird how your priorities can be shifted around when you have been on the edge, tasted a sip of fame, offered your cup to others to have it thrown back at you, have your cup run over and then have it bare.

Life isn't easy. Being an adult has been the best and worse thing I have ever experienced but I'm pretty sure I could just sum that up as life.

I'm sorry to all the people who had to deal with me as a kid, in my rage and directed by people who would only want to watch me burn in the end. Blind and eager but not too wise. I'm still not wise, I made and burned a lot of friends including some of my best friends.

The biggest life lesson I have learned so far is that your pride is a dangerous thing. You will try and protect it, you will let it make you into a monster. Some times just being humble is the best thing you can do and if you have transgressed you never expect anyone to forgive you because no one owes you forgiveness for your wrongs.

Saying sorry is the hardest thing these days huh? Swallowing that stubborn pride and just saying "I'm in the wrong." is viewed as some kind of sin but I promise you that taking that time to say sorry, even if you don't get closure is worth it in the end. If you have hurt someone try saying sorry, if someone has hurt you and wants to say sorry, you don't have to forgive them or even like them ever again but I have also learned that accepting things for what they are is just as freeing and just as hard.

Food for thought, have a good weekend everyone.

It has been a hell of a month. I have been working on this dragon for so long I think I have forgotten what it is to make normal suits haha. Luckily this guy is almost done and will be up and out by the weekend.

To my commissioners. Now that this guy is just about done I can start getting my queue in order and you will all start receiving notices about your commission with proper expected due dates. I thank you all for your patience.

Tip to anyone who cares to listen:
When taking on an ambitious project that you have never done before, always give yourself ample time and make sure that your life is stable enough to support your due dates. I know life can be uncertain and throw you a curve ball, that is what happened to me, but if you underestimate your project you might end up a month behind and working your butt off to discover many different ways to not finish your work the correct way. Fursuit building is hard, especially when you challenge yourself but never be afraid to try harder and do more.

As an artist my greatest fear is mediocrity. I always want to do better and I'm sure that drive will keep me working hard. I have some more ambitious work coming up but these suits are just my speed.

With any luck I will be able to re-open commissions in a few months. I should be back to my normal work flow next month since my one big project is settled.

Thank you everyone, the donation drive was a huge success. In 3 days you all helped to raise $1600!

I am so humbled and grateful, when we first got into this mess I was afraid to ask for help, afraid people would think I was just scamming people or begging for help for no cause, but instead everyone was so supportive and I don't know how I could ever thank you all.

Thank you everyone. Our home has been saved and hopefully soon the paperwork will be approved and we can start our lives without anything holding us back.

I'm going to be finishing off a couple of last pictures that were donated for a little after the drive but they will be done very soon. Anyone who donated and did not receive their art please message me. I had a few donations without anyone sending me a note to claim them.

I have also been able to get back on my medication and with my head on straight I have no trouble seeing what needs to be done. Work will go through as usual, there will be no more hold ups.

Thank you so much everyone! We have already raised $1,359.00! I am so amazed and humbled by this. I was so afraid when I started that people would just assume me a beggar but everyone has been so generous I don't know what I ever did to deserve you guys but thank you so much.

We are so close to our goal now, only $351 left! I'm going to draw today too and hope that we can make our final goal!

Additional offer!
Everyone who has donated or will donate will be entered into a raffle for a custom tail of your character! Just a little extra to make things fun too.


here is the stream location: http://www.livestream.com/rioinred

My PayPal is: mushimagic[at]gmail.com
Anything helps.

My husband and I have been working hard all last year to get him to this country, well we were finally able to do so but between paying rent and for the paperwork I have fallen behind on things and now I need to raise 1750 by the 5th or I will be out of a home. I know times are hard but anything helps be it a donation or just a signal boost. I will keep drawing till I am able to raise as much as I can.

Please tell your friends, it hurts my pride to have to ask but we all get down on our luck but I would rather work for it then beg for charity so if you want some art please donate.

If you donate
Please send me a note on FA with your paypal email and your character sheet. Please bear in mind I am not doing requests, art is for donations only.

So I had this idea. Everyone wants to know how to build a fursuit, there are tutorials and pictures and videos but some times that just isn't what you need.

I had a thought that it might be interesting to hold a "How to build a fursuit." auction. This auction would start at the base price of a fursuit because the winner of the auction would have their character made into a suit and get one on one lessons via a live share program on how to build fursuits while I build their fursuit live for them. They would be able to ask questions, get close ups and learn every little trick I have learned.

From start to finish, it would be a learn how to build a fursuit while I make your fursuit for you live!

Would anyone be interested in that? This would of course be kind of a charity thing to help me and my husband get back on our feet. I'm constantly working on commissions so I see no reason why I can't get to the project very soon.

Thank you everyone, you have all been so supportive. The amount of people who have approached me wanting to give donations or collaborations or even just wanting to chat with me has been amazing and it's awesome to know that people here care not just for the art but the artist. Sicarius and I are so grateful to all of you. I have no idea what I did to get such great people who care but it must have been good.

Also there seems to be a slight misunderstanding, my former roommates left almost a year ago, I have been working hard all this past year to keep the house myself (and with the help of my amazing friend who used to live with me) so this has been an ongoing thing for a long time for me but I managed to last most of the year. These last few months however caught me off guard and now things are looking tough, but that does not mean it's the end for me! I'm tough :3