So sorry - there is SL then RL...and sometimes RL rules

So sorry - I've had a lot of 'things' happen in real life lately...

Anyway, I had my first real modeling show on October 2nd at the Second Life Cheerleading Team stadium. It was a blast despite the difficulties: 3 models were scheduled and 1 did not show up, so lots of last minute switcheroos. But we pulled it off! I got paid AND got about 8 outfits of much higher quality than I would buy! Sweet! Also, see my new profile pick on my Picasa album - thanks to Dhyanna Writer, owner of Rodeo Drive Agency and Training School.

I now have a gadget of Wat Dinzel's manufacture up in my shop. It's a Radar HUD that you can track whether specific people are online or not amongst other things. It very nifty and very reasonably priced.

For my own things, I'm still in a texture battle with my creations. I don't want to settle for average - I want my things to be GOOD. Very good if possible. I guess quality takes time....lots of it. I'm working with Photoshop 3D for texturing and am hoping that may help a bit. We shall see!

Always Eclectic is also signed up for a hunt in December - the Renaissance Hunt! Nothing like a deadline! I WILL have something very cool in there - it's in my head all ready to go.....

I also submitted an entry into the VMA Trophy Contest. The idea was to design a trophy that looked art deco. I think I achieved that; winning is another story.... It was fun learning about what art deco really was and all. I had no idea there was so much about town.

Store is open....a little bare...but open!!!!

Yea! I have the basics in place! And some things for sale! And actually sold one thing! w00t!!!

Okay, party's over - back to work. I'm going to finish up some nearly done jewelry first, then move on to tables.

I've been introduced by Victoria Paule, owner of the Happy Hippo Building School, to a very nice person, Ms. India. She is an excellent furniture maker....one never knows what may happen......

And I start advanced modeling tomorrow at Rodeo Drive Modeling Agency and Training School. Busy busy.....

Now that I have a shiny new store, made to order (how cool is that! Thank you Vian Magic of Mieville Wells!), I have lots to do to get it going.

I purchased a Bejambled Sales Monitor system from Cory Hancock. It does many cool things - more than I really need right now. Planning ahead though - and it has one feature coming I really like! The ability to temp rez items! I'll just have to figure out which I want temp rez and which demo. I'm a touchy-feely person and would like the customers to SEE things in world before they buy if at all possible.

For now just getting a few things up to take advantage of the Steampunk Hunt hunters is my goal. Working on it! I just don't want to throw things up without due consideration, such as:

Returns and Exchange Policy

Separate email address - got that today!

Customer account kiosk - working on that

oh, and so many things!!! I'll get there - just not in 5 minutes as I'd like to!

On a side note, I finished beginning modeling school Wednesday! Yea!!!! Now to get a job! And of course.....take the advanced modeling class! Why do anything halfway! That's what my dad always taught me - so here I go!

I look at it this way. My modeling career can help support my store as I start, so any modeling gigs come first and foremost - so anyone reviewing my blog - please note that!!! It doesn't mean I'm not working on the store, but I will schedule my time to make modeling appointments without doubt and without fail.

Whew! Got that off my chest! Now if I could just get rid of this darn cold!

Who'd'a thunk it...me paying attention to clothes and hair????

Anyone that knew me in RL would just crack up at how much time I've spent 'reinventing' myself for modeling. I think that's why I am liking it. It's something I would never do in real life (okay, a brief flirt with a finishing school at 18) and something I could never spend that much money on either..

Today, I purchased....

new skin
new shape
new hair

Over the last week or so, I also purchased new, lag free shoes.

I never would have thought about any of this prior to this course. I honestly think many of the things I'm learning in modeling school will apply to my building or to my eventual business. One of my favorites from Dhyana at Rodeo Drive Modeling Agency and Training Center....

"Don't say yes when you are thinking maybe. Say no."

I may not have the quote exactly right, but the idea is there. Don't promise anything you aren't absolutely prepared to deliver. Makes sense in a lot of contexts....

In the meantime, I'm plugging along with Blender and Photoshop. And ran another building contest for Happy Hippo Building School. w00t!!!

Halfway done with modeling school!!!

I've officially attended half the sessions for my modeling class. It's more challenging that I would have thought. Remembering to keep the lag down. Dress well for auditions but not too well. Be on time. Follow directions. Walk, pause, walk. Follow directions. Behave professionally. Follow directions. Do you see a theme here? Not following directions seems to be a big problem.

On the store front (pun intended!), I'm finishing up some things to sell that look pretty good if I do say so myself. I have that minimum of 25 things in mind...

I also have some leads on some good store locations. I'm still debating between hard store and store front....I will probably debate until I hit the button to rent or buy something. The debate now is prims - how many do I need? I really like the idea of temp rezzing products for people to see the merchandise before they buy it. Even if they decide no now, they will know they will be able to see things for themselves. I've gotten a lot of junk that I couldn't see before hand so to me this is a big thing.

Still learning lots about Blender and Photoshop and all the rest as I discover something else I want to do with merchandise or signage. Fun stuff!

Trying something new and completely different....

I've decided to go to modeling school; yes, that's right; fashion modeling. Why would I do that when I want to start a store?

First, it will give me a chance to see what good photography and modeling produce so that I can more closely produce that level when I start my business.

Second, the people in the fashion industry in SL are serious about what they are doing. I get to learn about the industry from the inside.

Third, I can gain a lot of contacts in other stores, areas, etc. You never know when you need something or what you will need.

Fourth, it just sounded different and something I'd like to try. Fashion is such a big part of SL that not experiencing it seemed that I was missing something.

I've had two classes at the Rodeo Drive Modeling School so far. 8 to go....