I am SO fricking glad I'm self-employed...

[Andara Bledin]

It really was $1,300. If I buckle down and act like I have a real job (which I do sometimes, but not always! ) it takes me about two weeks to make one, so the price is reflective of what I'd like to make for two weeks work, ie. around $900 after supplies and things. Though I really don't make $1800 a month, since I *don't* always put in full time hours, I like to take time off.

Don't forget, while you're coming up with your figure, to also account for things such as taxes that aren't being removed, benefits that aren't being given, so on and so forth.

^-.-^

[Midnight12]

has had two items done by sparks and it was well worth it considering it was a custom request which i am sure took some blue printing. just a guess as how she puts it together is her business.
Still have it, still wear it on occasion and am still pleased with it.
Ear and horn combination headband thing with big ole fox tail to match :-D

I recommend her

however i have no idea what was going on in this person's head and how he thought being your friend might get him a discount with how sadly open he was with his thoughts. yeaaaah, some things you don't need to say just keep it to yourself especially if he really wanted that fursuit...if lowballing wasn't the issue that is

[spark]

Oh man, don't get me started on taxes. I'd probably end up in fratching. And it does suck a bit to not have health care or any other form of insurance. But it's still worth it, I'm never going back to having a "real" job.

And I'm glad you're still enjoying your stuff, LexiaFira. Always makes me happy to know that!

[EvilEmpryss]

I've made my own barbarian style costume using fake fur and that was such a royal pain that I swore i'd never work with fur again.

Ooh! Bunny-fur bikinis for the Ren Faire! I made/had one of those!!!

That was a long time ago.

Surprisingly, I found that *real* fur was easier to work with than fake fur. Because it's leather it also has the ability to be formed to hold a particular shape without requiring permanent support or weird piecing.

I love hearing your views on fur vs. cloth, Spark. As one who prefers working on things that more closely follow the the body's form, I find it difficult to envision how to adjust sizes for something that makes someone look... fluffy.

[spark]

See, I don't like working with real fur at all. Sewing through it by hand is such a gigantic pain! And I don't have a machine that can handle it.

[zombiequeen]

I love my finger puppets that you made me Spark! I keep sending people to your website and my friends are really surprised at the quality of your work and how good it looks.
I mostly sew with fleece or flannel-type fabric, I would love to start sewing with the fur I have, but my patterns don't really do well for fur (squids and whales and such)

[spark]

Ha! I'd totally love to see a furry squid. But they might be a little too weird for the general market. It's strange and unpredictable what people will like and buy though. I've done pretty well with the finger puppets, they're one of my better sellers at the local market. But some of the stuff I thought would sell well there just sits, unbought.

If you want something easy to do that looks great fuzzy, make caterpillars. I did one a while ago and I've been meaning to make more since. They're just a tube, so they're pretty darn simple. Just have to figure out how I want to make the antennae.

[zombiequeen]

Oh, right! They would look really adorable with fleece antenna. I have button eyes or I could embroider them...Hmmm....now you have given me an idea!
I was going to start making doll clothes, like for barbie or bratz dolls, that might do well too.

You should make one of those furry lobsters. Either you or I should.

[spark]

That is an awesome idea! You'll probably get to it before I do though. I have at least two major personal plush projects I want to finish first, in addition to making more caterpillars and more Loonakits, and that's all in my non-existent free time, after I finish the paid stuff. :P

[zombiequeen]

There's a sewing pattern for it!
HERE

Though, I'd have to make my own pattern, I can't seem to get it right if it's someone else's pattern for some reason.

[Enjis]

I saw some awesome fursuits at FC last weekend. I love the ones with patterns in their fur! (Stars, house-of-cards shapes, odd colored stripes, flames...) I can't even imagine sewing something like that!

[Tora]

I saw some awesome fursuits at FC last weekend. I love the ones with patterns in their fur! (Stars, house-of-cards shapes, odd colored stripes, flames...) I can't even imagine sewing something like that!

I've had a couple opportunities to try my hand at making teh fursuits, as I've come to enjoy it as a hobby. Trust me when I say that even the simple, no-nonsense patterns take an immense amount of patience and practice to accomplish. I know what you're talking about with the patterns and I have seen some that are so detailed it makes me wonder if the person who took the commission didn't have a slight masochistic streak.

But I have a healthy respect for what it costs to make a full suit. Honestly, the very LEAST I've seen a suit go for is $1400. Most of the work that's really eye-catching starts at $2000 and just keeps going up.

[spark]

*bookmarks lobster pattern for later* Thanks for the link!

Lots of beginners make suits for peanuts, I've seen full suits go for $400! But you get what you pay for...

[Tora]

*bookmarks lobster pattern for later* Thanks for the link!

Lots of beginners make suits for peanuts, I've seen full suits go for $400! But you get what you pay for...

I honestly wouldn't even consider thinking about selling my first attempts. They're too ugly to fob off on other people XD

[Dasota]

Another one here who's has bought stuff from Spark. I still wear the tail and paws around whenever I can and I can tell you, it's quality work. Nothing is showing any odd wear, though I do need to take a damp cloth to the tail.

When I first got the tail, I had *just* starting dating my boyfriend, and I met his family for the first time while wearing it. One of his Aunts commented on how she didn't know he got a new pet.

We were all quite amused.