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.:: Heads up!!! Might be moving house soon ::.
Posted 6 years ago
The main reason why I've been quiet recently is due to potentially moving house next month. And so, I've been sorting out my stuff ready for that.
I am sorry about that!
Once the landlord has told me the move in date (If I pass the last of the checks anyway) I'm gonna sort everything out so that I am not without internet for too long. I don't think I will be though. Gonna ask my mum if I can at least keep my laptop at hers so I can pop over here to upload art just in case I am without internet for some time. So that shouldn't be too much of a problem.
It seems I've been overly busy these past few months. But, by new years, things should settle down and I can get back to regular up loads.
Also I shall get around to the refunds! The new place is gonna cost me £1k upfront, so I'm pretty much broke right now. But I shall send refunds out as soon as that's all sorted!
Again, if you need me, grab me on telegram <3
.:: Might be moving house! ::.
Posted 6 years ago
A cheap place has come up for rent in my village! Which is incredibly rare. We get a lot of immigrants here, so only single private rooms in large house shares come up. Which is not what I want. Can't have pets in a single small room. So I've been keeping an eye out for flats/houses.
And so, I'm applying for it.
Going to the estate agents on Monday, but they require a deposit to hold the place. So I shall be briefly opening for work to get it. If I do get the place, it wont be til December, so I'm gonna try and do as much catch-up work as I can before the move.
I viewed the place the other day. It's a nice little flat, for £450 a month. Which is a decent price tbh. There is a damp issue, but I'm so desperate for a new place I couldn't care less.
A bit of a long walk to work though...
Better then being potentially homeless though!
I'll try not to open too much. Just enough to cover the costs of this. Have to get deposit, first/second month rent, agent fees, moving costs, etc etc. My wages from my second job covers most of it! What I earn from art will just be for the bits and bobs left over.
.:: Quick update about commissions ::.
Posted 6 years ago
First off; again I wholeheartedly apologize for the delays.
My jaw may have recovered, but my mental health is at an all time low. Even broke down at my second job, so I'm being pushed into seeing a psychological therapist. Not a huge fan of talking to a complete stranger, but they swear blind it'll help me. Cause I'm getting to the point I'm giving up on everything, and my family getting on my case probably isn't helping.
This has been why production has been slow. But I am pushing myself into getting as much done as I can. Or, to at least keep people updated.
But on that note, several people have requested refunds. Which is not an issue! I am more then happy to do that, but as work is slow, the refunds may have to wait until my next payday (Between 14-17th of November I believe) as I am currently in the negative right now. And I may only be able to do 2-3 at a time, cause I do still have to pay rent and numerous bills. And as my art isn't really bringing anything in now, I have to rely on my second job. Sadly there aren't any new shifts coming up for me to grab.
As for communication, I must stress it's better to grab me on telegram. I hate the note system here, and emails keep messing up for me (I lost details for the first, and second is now being bombarded with emails not even related to my work) so yes, if you need to get me, use my telegram. @ wyebird. I'll try to respond to people ASAP.
Again, I am sorry about all this. I thought with my new job I would be able to be more productive. But I really didn't think my mental state would get this bad either.
At least I lost 2 stone recently because of all this. Gotta think positive, right? :)
.:: Telegram for commissioners ::.
Posted 6 years ago
If you want quick updates about commissions (My activity isn't the best here) then please add me on telegram!
@ wyebird
With no space of course.
I try to get back to people ASAP. Except Tues/Wed/Thurs as I work at my second job on those days. Replies are slow then.
.:: Back on track now! Also Telegram for work ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Ok things have settled down now.
Due to staff illness, I've had to cover so many shifts recently at my second job, it's been unreal. The shop is seriously understaffed, so they have been relying on like two of us to cover as many shifts as possible. But they FINALLY hired some new blood, so I no longer have to cover so much. Fucking hell. At least my pay check was larger then usual.
It's one of the reasons I haven't really opened for work this month. That and I just don't feel comfortable doing so when I haven';t had the time to do art >.>
Anyway! So I no longer have to do extra shifts unless for some reason HALF OF THE STAFF ARE BLOODY GONE AGAIN. So back to the three days a week instead of pretty much everyday.
Currently have 6 pieces in progress, and will work on them tomorrow and Monday.
Again, I am so sorry for the wait. I shall respond to people in the morning, cause I'm about to collapse.
Also, as FA is having issues, please feel free to add me on Telegram for updates!
wyebird
That should be it. It's just in case FA goes down again, so people can still get in touch with me!
.:: Quick update! Back to regular work now ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Gonna be a lil rushed, cause I just got back from the dentist and am exhausted from no sleep.
Tooth is now gone. At last! No need to worry about that anymore (The other two teeth are apparently not concerning, I just have to keep an eye on them)
So I will be back to normal work. I do apologise for the delay this had caused, it has put me weeks behind. But now I am back on track, and will be working non stop this weekend on art. Get some major catch up done.
Now excuse me while I go pass out.
.:: Ok quick update about work! ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Despite having been on a liquid diet for two weeks (Oh how I miss proper food!) I am feeling much better.
My jaw is still rather swollen (Can't open it fully yet) but there is no longer any severe pain. I haven't even had to take my strong painkillers today; hence why I actually got some work done. So things are starting to look up. So I'm gonna try and get some more done tonight, and work all day tomorrow and Monday. Tues I will most likely have off because that's Extraction day (I might be out of it all day) but after that, I should be 100%.
So work will be back on track, and I will be doing some major catch-up work.
I will also be trying to limit commission work to 2-3 a month. As in taking on; not completing.
I will be aiming for 1-2 completed a day once I'm 100% recovered. This won't apply to the days I'm working at my other job, which may just be the 1 piece.
I do apologize for the terrible delay. This tooth business is just one of the numerous shitty things to happen, but it's the worst that i can actually sort out right now. And once it's sorted, I am back to work fully. The painkillers I was on caused terrible drowsiness, so work wasn't possible. I'm not about to do shoddy work for people who have waited for art.
But thank you to those who have been super patient with me. I greatly appreciate it, and hope to sort myself out so I no longer disappoint.
<3 for all.
.:: Quick update about health and Commissions! ::.
Posted 6 years ago
So after I made the mistake of going to the hospital with intense swelling and pain in my entire left side of my face (They were kind enough to make me wait 2 and a half hours in the waiting room, only to tell me they can't actually help) I was then taken to the Emergency Dentist. Who were actually fully booked.
But apparently my mum called them, and cried down the phone. So they gave me a spot. We're both at our wits end with this. Cause Dentists have been messing me around for a week; and it's only getting worse. I now can't eat. Like at all. For the last 3 days. To say I'm hungry is an understatement. Drinking is painful, but I have to stay hydrated.
Sadly the infection was too bad in my jaw, so they couldn't operate today. I literally can't open my mouth because of it. So I've been book an appointment next week on Tuesday for the operation. Or extraction. Depends how complex it's gonna be. So until then, work may be sporadic. Today and tomorrow I may be too out of it, but maybe by the weekend the antibiotics will take effect and I will be able to at least function enough to work. Had to even take time off my other job because of this (My paycheck is going to be very small I think)
Again I apologise for all this. I really didn't think it would get this serious. But, it did. Once I've had the tooth removed, I should be 100% ok and back to regular art work! Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns (Though I may not respond tonight. Strong painkillers are now kicking in and I might try to get some sleep for the first time in 3 days)
.:: The reason why things have been slow ::.
Posted 6 years ago
TL;DR
Seriously painful tooth infection causing me to be weak and pass out a lot. Getting appointment Monday. Hopefully be dealt with soon and I can get back to regular art.
I understand I have been ridiculously slow recently. And I do apologize for that.
Most of the time I am in agony, and find it hard to concentrate. Why? Because apparently not one, not two, but three of my teeth have become infected at the same time. Not sure if it's the same elsewhere, but the Dentist is very expensive here (And none of the local dentists accept NHS patients anymore due to the high demand)
It's to the point my co-workers dont think I should even be at work because it's so bad. But I can't afford to take time off work. Especially when I'm limiting how many commissions I take. One of my co-workers even had a go at me when I gave my mum all my wages instead of taking myself to the Dentist. Those wages could have paid for all treatment. But I had to give it to my mum, as she's already behind in payments herself.
But I can't put it off any longer. I can't even eat without intense pain. and not eating sets my gall bladder off for some reason. Pure water diet isn't cutting it for me.
So I'm scraping whatever money I have left, and taking myself to the Dentist a few towns away this Monday. Hopefully I can get an appointment at the same time as registering (They will not accept me even as an emergency case until I have registered) Just the consultation fee is about £65, which I think I can just about raise. Hopefully the meds are included. If not, I'll see if I can get a bit more to pay for that.
There are only two places in this county that have walk in emergencies. One is out of reach to me, the other is fully booked for the next few weeks. So I have no choice but to go privately for this. I really dont have a choice if I want to be seen now, rather than cheaply in a few weeks time.
And I cannot bear this for another few weeks. The stress my family cause me is making things worse (My mum thinks I'll be fine with salt water.... The concern is overwhelming)
I already know it's going to cost me several hundred to get all three teeth treated. But the initial consultation is more important right now, as they should be able to give me anti-biotics and such. Which I'm hoping will take the edge off until I can afford to have the teeth extracted.
Again, sorry about all this. The pain isn't quite so crippling right now, so I'll work until I pass out again. See if I can get some inks done.
If you are concerned about the progress of your commission, please do not hesitate to note me!
.:: MY NEW WORK EMAIL - PLEASE READ ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Another reminder I no longer have access to my old work email!!!
Please use the new one linked on my profile, or send me notes for updates!!! If people are sending me emails to my old address still, I cannot access them.
Just in case people are still trying to contact me there.
.:: Should be a sausage fest over the weekend ::.
Posted 6 years ago
I'm sitting on quite a few ink WIPs right now.
But me being me, I trying a new shading style out. But no matter what, I'm getting most of these completed over the weekend.
It will be a mixture of the specials, old owed YCHs and norm commissions.
I have been trying to not open for to much new art for quite a few weeks now. But I may have to open for a few soon to pay for a trip to the dentist. There are none within travelling range that allow the NHS band (Which is much MUCH cheaper then going private) so I'm going to have to fork out around £200 just to have a tooth removed. Up to £400 if another needs to be taken out.
I really need to get it done. My entire left side of my jaw feels inflamed constantly. Can barely function from the pain somedays (And working at the shop under those conditions is not fun at all) At least one of my co-workers is going through the same thing, so we have a good whine together about our woes.
Also, thank you everyone for being so patient with me. And to those who have sent emails, even with my new address, I'm having issues with it.
So please feel free to send me notes in the mean time, or hot me up on my telegram.
.:: Uploads tomorrow ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Pulled extra shifts at work to cover for a friend, so I had literally no energy for anything else this week. Sorry about that. But I'm good to go til next week, so I'm gonna try and pump work out starting tomorow.
Also, I'm getting an official extra shift at my other job, so I will now be unavailable Tues/Wed/Thurs. But this also means I will only have to open for art work if I need the extra funds. So like... maybe once a month? Twice if I want to pay extra to help my mum out.
Means I can focus on owed art completely.
Again, I would like to apologize to those who have waited so long. I am totally at fault for that. Life has been... bad, to say the least. But I am hoping things will pick up now. And my family will give me less stress if I start giving them more money. I have been trying to not open for too much this month and last, and have managed to get quite a bit done (I just can't upload most of them, they're private commissions)
If commissioners want to get more up to date info on their work, you're welcome to ask for my telegram. No one really talks to me socially, so I might as well use it for work instead xD
.:: Heatwave is over! ::.
Posted 6 years ago
As many in Britain know; we had quite the heatwave.
Which led my room to be 33 degree Celsius, even with the windows open. And so, I could not really work on my PC during that time. As it kept overheating. But it has cooled down considerably, and after checking the weather, it shouldn't be getting that high again for a while, so I'm gonna work as much as I can while it's cool.
I hate the heat...
.:: New business email! ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Mainly because I can't seem to access my old one anymore. Very frustrating.
But I don't want to be without an email, so I quickly made a new one.
So if you need to send me an email about work:
birdworks.2019[at]gmail.com
(As always, label the email with your FA username, plus what the commission is)
But notes are still open. If that is more preferred.
Now excuse me while I try and pass out.
.:: Hiatus - Back now though ::.
Posted 6 years ago
My apologies. I was - and still am - in a real bad place right now.
I needed a few days to try and sort things out. But I am back at it now. Expect a large upload of work at the end of the week.
I just got back from my second job, and am exhausted, so I shall respond to messages later tomorrow.
.:: Wages messed up. Also yey birthday ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Supposed to get my wages today ( from my new job ) and as I wasn't paid last month, was supposed to get extra.
Yeeeeeeeeeeer that didn't happen.
Didn't even get the whole month, let alone the extra from last month as well. Have to go see the manager about it. Kinda messed up my plans as I'm a few hundred off from what I'm owed. Hopefully I can get it sorted.
Not the kind of birthday I had in mind, but oh well. Cancelled my plans so I can give what little wages I got to my mum. Gonna be working instead. so expect uploads tomorrow.
And yer. My birthday in 30mins.
Woo
.:: Adjusting prices/work time soon ::.
Posted 6 years ago
As soon as I start getting my new wages (Which may be starting on my birthday whoo!) I'm gonna adjust my prices.
Mainly because art will not be my main income anymore. Art will purely be for my last bills and any extra I need to make. And so, I shall be adjusting my prices to suit my current art quality.
Before people freak out; I'm talking about reducing my prices.
Not by a huge amount, as I will still like to get around min wage for my work. But there will be a slight reduction. I'll of course be opening for far less. As I will no longer need to make £400+ a month with my art. My new job covers that now.
As for work time, I will be working daily. Even though I'll be opening less, I will still use that time to do some major catch up work. Tues and Weds may not be productive for me (That's when I'm at my second job) And i would like to keep Sundays off. But every other day is good to go.
Also yes Trello is still down cause I'm messing with it. And now my gmail is playing up. Notes are open if people need to seriously contact me about something.
.:: Also brought my Twitter back ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Cause posting small updates might be easier to do there, rather then with journals here.
So yer, feel free to follow my Twitter thingy
https://twitter.com/Artie_Wye
I dunno if I'll post art there. Still seeing how things work.
.:: Is Photoshop worth it? ::.
Posted 6 years ago
I've been looking into it, as I would love to practice more with textures, and backgrounds.
But... paying monthly is a little bit of a turn off tbh.
Though, if there is anyone out there who uses it regularly, is it worth the money?
.:: What is your favourite species? ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Feed my curiosity while I work.
That and I need distractions from stress. Help a burb out.
Mine is Tapir c: Though Rhinos are a close second tbh.
So what are yours?
What I would give to cuddle one.
.:: Tablet was out of commission ::.
Posted 6 years ago
So... the damn thing just stopped working the other day. Thankfully, it turned out to be the wire, not the actual tablet itself (Just under 100 for the wire, but a new tablet would have cost me a small fortune >.>)
Wire arrived today! And everything seems to be in working order. I'm a little burnt out from my night shift at my new job, but I'll be back at it tomorrow. Just thought I say this as a journal so people know the reason behind my silence.
I'll be responding to messages tomorrow! Need some rest right now.
Sorry about that. Expected the wire to last a bit longer, but apparently Cintiqs are notorious for their bad wires.
.:: I'm back! Also activated Shinies ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Apologies; new job wiped me. Then some personal matters came up, and also my new colleague gave me a stomach bug. Apparently it's going around the work place (Literally half the staff is off sick, and I was asked if I could cover. But then I got it so....). I'll smack him later for that.
ANYWAY
I'm feeling much better now, so I'll be working none stop over the weekend. Finish these few pieces I nearly got completed, and start on the next batch. Thank you for being patient with me.
Also yes I've activated Shinies. Despite people showing concern that it'll leak personal info or something (I still don';t see how, it's just the email used for paypal. Most people give that out anyway if they don't use invoices :/), I'm gonna give it a go. Though using my personal paypal for this, and not my business one. It ids a shame it's automatically set to $5, but if people want to send less, there's always Ko-Fi and Paypal me. Both which I link to.
Just thought I'd give people the heads up!
.:: It's official - Got the second job ::.
Posted 6 years ago
All the paper work is done (Except the ones I have to send to home office for wages, gotta wait for that to be posted to me) but other then that, I'm officially employed by them now.
And already doing extra hours. They're understaffed and couldn't find anyone to cover shifts for tomorrow and wed (My usual working days anyway) so I'm unsure how much art I can do during that time. But the rest of the week is good for art work! Sorry about that, didn't think I would be doing other people's shifts this early on lol. But I can't complain. Extra money.
Also training today took up more time then I thought. And my god was it boring. Nearly fell asleep several times during. Literally just sat myself down in front of a laptop and had to watch dozens of clips and answer questionnaires and the like. I learnt something, so I can't complain too much.
But yes, due to the new job, there will be roughly 2-3 days delay. I will try to at least work on some sketch WIPs tomorrow before shift starts, but it's gonna be a 6-7 hour shift so I want to make sure I get plenty of rest before hand as it's during the evening. But as I said, thurs and onward should be fine. Don't think I'm covering for anyone else this week. Will have to check with my manager.
Thank you everyone being patient with me right now! Things will be sorted asap, and I'll get back on a regular track again.
.:: Small delay - I messed up ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Ok so... I may have fucked myself up while working on the allotments I have. (To non Brits, it's a small plot of land I've rented to grow some stuff on. Yah boy is getting chickens when the job starts)
It's a junkyard right now. And so my fat arse was lifting things far too heavy for me, and heaving them down 30ft of overgrown land. I think i pulled every muscle in my body, and ended up slicing my arm. The junk fought back. Nothing serious! I'll heal. But I couldn't really work properly due to that.
I am not a smart cookie. I really thought I could to that solo. Gonna have to bribe my mum's partner to help me move the heavy stuff next time.
But I am feeling much better! I should get the majority of the older cells done tomorrow (Maybe all if I'm productive) My arm has stopped shaking and hurting, as that's the only thing that's hindering me. I don't use the rest of my muscles, so they can ache away :B I also have some older YCHs/Commissions near completion as well, so they should be up next week.
I wanted to be a farmer :C Working the land is hard work tho.
.:: Quick update about commissions! ::.
Posted 6 years ago
Ok, working extra time this week, as I should be starting my new job next week (YES) so want to get as much done as I can. The thought of my new job has alleviated my stress levels a little, so I'm feeling more productive. Though the fact I need to raise another £150 by tomorrow for my mum is making this stress headache a bitch.
I should have 4-6 pieces to upload tomorrow. Gonna try for several pieces a day (A mix of the specials and older owed work) I would carry on working tonight, but I'm already running on 3 hours sleep and it's 1:30am. I should probably try and get a few hours rest.
Also, I may offer the last YCH group pic I'll do for a very VERY long time tomorrow, in an attempt to earn the last of the money my mum needs. Cause once my second job is going well and paying, I shall no longer be frequently opening for commissions. Including unique YCHs (I may occasionally offer multi-slot pieces, but not unique single pieces) because I will no longer need a huge amount from art. I'm not greedy. As long as I earn enough to survive, I'm good.
Good thing I don't have an expensive lifestyle :)
So yes, once my second job's paychecks start coming in, I shall only be opening for a handful of cell shaded specials a month. And maybe any commissions people directly ask for. No more YCHs.
Which delights me. I hate YCHs.
Gonna obliterate my backlog and be completely caught up soon. If I keep up the good spirits, I should be all good in a few weeks time. Maybe a little longer if peeps take a while to respond to me.
And yes, Trello is down atm. Updating the list and making sure everything is accurate, then I'll bring it back up!
