This is a journal originally written by , and the original link is here http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/6173150/
Basically sums up everything I have thought at one time or another.



"We *all* make this shit up as we go along, even the pros. Over time, we streamline that process, but we're still making shit up.

We don't get things like raises/promotions. We have to fight and justify raising prices every time we realize we're not actually machines capable of working at peak efficiency 100% of the time, but tend to quote for the best case scenario. When we do raise prices so we're making what we would if we worked a regular job instead, we're met with scorn and backlash.

We don't get a HR department to deal with harassment, and we don't get a PR agent to handle our public face. We (well most of us, some of us have gotten so overwhelmed we've taken on some help) have to answer every email with the utmost professionalism, even when people are being pushy, inconsiderate, or just plain rude, lest we irk the furry drama mill and become labeled as difficult to work with. We are public figures, and there are people looking for any reason to tear us down.

Also, we don't get to blame delays on other people's mistakes in most cases. We don't get to take sick days, we don't get paid OT, and we have almost no recompense for any mistakes, recasts, or underestimated time to build. Health insurance? That's funny! We are expected to function like a company of one person, without the benefits.

We are distant and not the most eager to open up to people, because that usually ends in someone schmoozing for discounts or people trying to steal our 'trademark techniques' (see above about making shit up). This attitude doesn't come from feeling elitist, it comes from feeling like we have a motherfucking target on our backs. But we're labeled as 'popufur bitches' and treated like we think we're better than everyone else. If only people knew how isolated most of us feel.

WE ARE REGULAR PEOPLE TOO. We have bills to pay, and pets to feed, and sometimes medical expenses and *gasp* a lot of us would like to buy houses/cars/retire eventually. When we are stiffed a payment because someone can't prioritize their own finances, we often are left scrambling to make our own ends meet. Some of us have help from a partner/spouse, and we're lucky to have it. Some of us don't, and rely solely on this income to survive. A missed payment on the part of a customer could mean waiting to buy groceries for an artist. That whole 'starving artist' allegory is a thing for a reason.

Your email about your totally amazing costume idea might actually be interesting, but for us answering emails is work we don't get paid to do! Most of us are not going to want to read through walls of text and be expected to reply regularly, especially before we've received any money from you. As much as we love costumes (honestly, would we put up with all this shit if we didn't?), it's still work. You think an accountant wants to sit and talk about your finances on their free time? Maybe if you pay them... it's called 'consultation', and we should be fucking charging for it.

Did I mention we make this shit up as we go along, and that we're not machines? We handmake virtually every component, and most are custom to the individual project we're working on (particularly bodysuit patterns). We may have a formula we follow, but your individual patterns with your colors and markings, and your weirdly specific tail and ear shapes, those we built just for you.

Often we're working from physically incompatible reference art (I don't know how many times I've gotten terribly misleading concept art with a portly DTD), and we have to make your meat puppet fit inside these costumes. Sometimes we may need to edit the fit for you! Or adjust/add markings that aren't quite right. We are not machines, and we're making this shit up as we go along for you.

Oh, and we're making these costumes to fit someone who we've never seen in person's DTD in most occasions, or at least to the measurements the customer provides. If the measurements are improperly taken, or the DTD is made poorly or improperly, and the fit isn't perfect, it reflects on us in a negative way. People ALWAYS assume it's the artist's fault, and very rarely stop to wonder if perhaps the commissioner's poor ability to follow instructions is to blame. Mistakes/errors are easy to make on both sides, but generally what happens first is public bitching about our incompetence/lack of ability and THEN maybe, if we're lucky, we will get the opportunity to fix an error. IF we even hear about it ourselves at all.

Handmade things are inherently on the fragile side! Most of us put a lot of thought into choosing materials that are as durable as reasonably possible, while also maintaining your materials budget. This does NOT mean these costumes are indestructible! Paint will chip and fade with abuse and time, seams WILL pop or wear out occasionally, or thread ends will come unknotted. Fur requires proper maintenance, or it will crimp/mat. Claws can come off, foam can fail, resin can warp. These costumes will not transform you into a different being, and they will make you hot and sweaty because you're essentially wearing a couch, complete with cushions for a lot of them.

Through all of this, we're condescended to often by family, friends, or the like for 'not having a real job'. Some of us have a better support circle than others, but a lot of us aren't taken seriously because we choose to do this, rather than sit in a cubicle crunching numbers for some corporation. It's demoralizing having someone who works an entry level job ask you if you found a 'real job' yet. I think we have a much more real job than most."

Okay, so I- and many others- really want to meet at RF.

She is one of bestest friends, and I would be devasted if she couldn't make it to the con!

She has many things for sale- INCLUDING A HUSKY/FOX PARTIAL WITH CUSTOM HANDPAWS AND FOUR BADGES
(one from me, for free y'all!)
You can make an offer here
Or bid on the FurBuy here!

She has custom bandannas,

ADOPTS
ADOPTS

A yard sale with many things, such as props, fur scraps, a fursuit parts!

YCH Badges too!

Come on, help her! She's even taking donations, that SHE WILL PAY BACK.

Help get the more than lovely to Rainfurrest! <3

I'm looking for TWO people to volunteer (and pay) to be badge examples for my commission page!

Basically, you'll be getting four badges, all at 50% off.
This will be started when I finish current art commissions,
but wanted to know if anyone was interested in this before I do it!
If not, I will draw my own characters.

BUT THIS IS A STEAL!!

Both people will receive a headshot, bust, 3/4, and fullbody badge of their character!

DIGITAL BUYER:
Headshot: $10
Bust: $15
3/4: $20
Full: $25
TOTAL: $70
YOU PAY: $35
(Shipping is not included, let me know if you want it!)
TAKEN

TRADITIONAL BUYER:
Headshot: $20
Bust: $25
3/4: $30
Full: $35
TOTAL: $110
YOU PAY: $55
(Shipping IS included! Plus lamination on all badges, plus clips!)
TAKEN

You will not be required to pay until I am ready.

If you are interested, please comment!
I only want serious buyers, please. This is a one time deal, and I will NOT offer this again!

Thanks!

Stolen from


-Staying at:
Holiday Inn with and a few others

- Arrival and Departure?
Thursday, leaving Sunday

- Mode of transportation
Driving with

- Rooming with:
Stated above!

- Who Will I likely see you with?
prolly. I wanna make a lot of friends, so.

- Con Plans:
Have fun! First con ever. Lots of suiting, passing out cards, maybe, and definitely seeing the dance comp.

- How can I find you?
I'll post a picture when it's closer to the con, but you can expect to see me, Bubblegum and SYD there!

- Do you do free art?
Perhaps!

- Do you do trades?
Perhaps!

- Do you do commissions?
Perhaps!

- Do you have prints / CDs ?
No, not selling anything

- Do you do badges?
Gonna do some preorder, con pickup badges!

- Will you have Art in the Art Show?
Nope!

- Will you be going to parties?
Perhaps!

- Will you be performing?
Nope, I can't dance or anything cool

- Smoke?
Nah

- Drink
Nah

- Gender
Lady!

- Can I hug you?
Of course!

- Can I talk to you?
Yeah, do it. I love talking to people!!

- Will you be at any panels?
Yeah, I think it'd be cooler than watching them on Youtube!

- Can I touch you?
With hugs. Otherwise, avoid it!

- Can I buy you drinks?
Soda and juice and even food. No drink tho!

- How old are you?
18

- Can I snuggle with you?
If I know you, sure. Otherwise.... NO

- If you're pissed off, should I approach you?
I doubt I will be, but if you think you can help, sure!

- Are you nice?
I try my very best! I like to think so

-Single or Taken?
Taken!

- Cliquey?
I'll prolly stick close by the people I know and like, but anyone can hang out!

- How tall?
5'5" . Fursuit ears make me taller tho.

- Can I Take pictures of you?
Of course! Maybe not so much out of suit, unless you're impressed with my outfit or something

- Will you get anything commissioned?
Depends on how much money I have! I might get a few things!

See you all there, you buncha lovelies!

Who's going anyways?

- How can I get your attention?
Yell at me or something

- Can I ask you to dance at the raves?
Totally, esp in suit lemme grind on u