A posting on behalf of Fred Patten <fredpatten@earthlink.net> . . .

I know from discussions with the librarians at the University of California at Riverside Library that they would love to get some donations of fursuits for the Library's Eaton Collection of Science Fiction & Fantasy. The Eaton Collection has one of the largest archives in the world of materials relating to the history of Furry fandom, but it does not have any fursuits.

There's been some talk of the disposal of old fursuits on fursuit, but I think this is better than most ideas - anyone interested in donating to a good cause? (I'm sure they'd take just a head if you only have that.)

Finished my suit for Lucky-Tiger from Germany.
Features moving jaw, full custom set of tiger teeth, molded paw pads and two dozen whiskers.

Since LJ picture archive resizes and ruins most pictures, I only placed thumbs here and put the nice ones in my DA-Gallery.
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Comments welcome. :-)

I might be putting myself out on a limb here, but I think a message needs to go out -- or at least be thought about and the idea placed in the minds of everyone reading.

Fursuiting is a fun hobby (profession for some), and a lot of people devote a lot of time to fursuit construction. Others simply don't. I think I want to make people aware that creating a costume isn't a race. Its not something that needs to be rushed to completion, or hurried into existence. Quality comes from time spent.
Time spent examining references of real animals throughout the process.
Time spent sketching shapes to interpret it into a character in your own working ability.
Time spent choosing fabrics.
Time spent building a base/sculpting/foamwork, ensuring it still matches the real animal reference while still having the essence of your own interpretations.
Time spent with care and thought into planning seams and making the pattern.
Time spent sewing and attaching the fabric.
Time spent sculpting noses, teeth, etc, ensuring that they match the real animal reference or your interpretation.
Time spent on detail work, is the inside of the mask an ill-fitting loose balaclava? Is it carefully lined? Is it unlined? Is it comfortable, is everything attached??
Time spent creating eyes, ensuring that not only do they have life to them, but they have a particular expression and direction of focus, that they are properly sized, that a person can see out of them as well as see them.
Time spent testing that the paint used won't scratch off, or the glazes used won't get sticky over time, or that the wire you used won't break after 5 bends, that the material you used won't leak dye onto the other materials you used.

I think when we race to finish things, we cheat ourselves and we cheat our audience: We cheat ourselves out of potential quality that could've been.

I have long stood by the opinion: It is more fun to have a costume than it is to not have a costume. However, this is not an excuse to finish in a hurry. To allow rushing and sloppy work, and to use that an excuse to hurry to put your first tries for sale slapped with the title "fixer upper". This is not a reason at all to rush anything, its a reason to critically examine what your goals are in costuming. To have a piece finished a month earlier than a deadline? To have a piece finished in time for an event? To have a costume done within a specified number of arbitrary hours? Re-examine that. Its good to have things finished early. Its good to have things finished in time for an event. Its good to time yourself to find out how long a task takes. But it is not good to rush it for that very reason.

If you are someone who is not a fursuit maker, but perhaps an admirer or buyer, something important to look for in purchasing a costume is the time and thought put into creating that character. Is it a character you are buying, or just a mask someone "created to sell"? Sometimes that is a very important distinction. Examine also the time span from between when the artist finished the piece, and has listed it for sale. Did they give themselves any time to examine the piece, to look at it for a day, a week, (more?) to find any details that needed finished, or any other work that needed done to polish it up to be perfect? To give time to accept and follow a constructive critique perhaps? To revise the mask after an improvement in personal construction techniques, any of that? Or did they put it immediately for sale. Essentially shouting DONE! And slamming their glue guns on their desk and raising their hands from it.

I see time spent as quality. Just the same as I see appropriate choice of materials as quality and level of finish as quality, as well as numerous other aspects of creating. None of this is an excuse to take forever to make something, but I don't feel like any of this is a race to be the first to finish.

Just my sincere thoughts.

(cross posted on FA http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3239472/ )

Not sure if this has been posted, but it sure was neat to watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=_2sY_tVqq8o

Hope everyone had a nice weekend and all that went to Califur had a blast!

Here's my latest work - this video is a celebration of the wonderful "magic" that happens when ordinary people put on animal costumes and bring happiness and joy to others, particularly children. Unlike (most) adults, kids still have the capacity to imagine that the fursuiter is not a hot, sweaty performer baking in a suit - but a cartoon character, or maybe their favorite stuffed animal, come to life.

All the quotes used in this video were obtained directly from the fursuiters themselves from our local group up here in the greater Seattle area.

Video by Kijani
Original footage shot mostly by Dolphin Echo
Still photos by Chaos Reign

Also, if you haven't seen them yet - do check out these videos, featuring a compilation of highlights of local fursuiters working the "magic" with kids at various community events last year:

Fursuiting: For the kids, and the kid in all of us (Second Edition)

Fursuiting: For the kids, and the kid in all of us (First Edition)

Thanks for watching, enjoy, and hopefully see everyone at AC in a few weeks :D

Just a short reminder that the first of the Japan charity auctions ends tonight around 8 p.m. EST. An auction will be ending every night until Friday (also all around 8 p.m. EST), so don't miss your chance to snag a lot of art at what will likely be at a very discounted price. If you haven't checked the auctions out yet, be sure to note that each auction contains more than just artwork--they've got tails, plushies, and other custom items made by a lot of people. Over 60 artists have contributed, which is a much larger turnout than I would have expected, so please be sure to take a look and bid if you are so inclined. :)

And don't forget to spread the word! This is our last chance to tell others about the auctions. The incentive (a chance to win a free tail or badge) will end on WEDNESDAY at 8pm--any announcement you post needs to remain up for 48 hours to be entered to win, so if you wait until after Wednesday, you'll forfeit your chance. :o Be sure to tell others about it now, so you don't miss out! Details on this incentive can be found here.

Auction 1

Auction 2

Auction 3

Auction 4

Auction 5

This will be the last official announcement about these auctions, since I don't want to spam people for another week about them all ending. It's also my last plea for help. Please help us spread the word! Five seconds of your time could help thousands of people!

Thank you everyone!

All of the multiple artist charity auctions have finally been posted. Please take a look and bid if you are so inclined. Remember that every penny will be going straight to a charity that is currently working on disaster relief efforts in Japan.

Auction 1


Auction 2


Auction 3


Auction 4


Auction 5



Remember that sharing these auctions with others could get you a free tail or bust badge! (Details here!)

I want to extend my most sincere gratitude to everyone who has participated in these auctions. Though the bidding is currently lower than I'd hoped at this point, I still feel that we have accomplished something great by dedicating our time and energy to this cause. You all deserve much more than just my thanks for what you are doing. I only wish I could repay you somehow. Thank you.

Hey everyone! Due to some issues with LJ last night, I wasn't able to post the link for auction 3, so here it is, along with number 4!:

AUCTION 3

AUCTION 4

I will also note that due to some latecomers, I've had to make some additions to the previous auctions that were posted, so there are now more items in each auction. Be sure to check the edits at the bottom to see what's been added. :)

The 'spread the word' incentives are still in place and will be until the auctions are over, so be sure to spread the word and leave a comment HERE when you do.

Auction 2 of 5 has been posted. Check it out and bid if you can!

Auction is here!

Remember that the offer of free swag still stands. Spread the word about these auctions and you're entered to win! Leave a comment here to be entered.

As an aside, does anyone have any recommendations on good ways to get the word out about these auctions? It's been an uphill battle the whole way, even with the incentives, and it's a bit discouraging.

The first of FIVE Japan charity auctions has begun. All proceeds go directly to charity, so be sure to spread this information around to everyone you know so we can raise some funds to help out. :) We will be adding a new auction on the Dealer's Den every day until Friday!


Auction 1 is here: www.thedealersden.com/auction_details.php?auction_id=103810



Spreading the word about these auctions could get you a free tail or bust badge. Click here to take advantage of this offer!