Hey all!
I'm pretty new to the furry fandom in general and I'm considering getting into suit building as a hobby. I've never made one before, mostly due to the massive price tag of the materials (I'm nearing the end of a college education, so I'm pretty dang broke). Commissions are one way to cover the materials, but I would never offer a commission on something I have no experience with. But the other day I had an idea... what if I only charge for the materials and not my time as a learning experience?
I consider myself a moderately skilled craftsperson; not brilliant in anything, but definitely capable. If I only charged for materials, someone would get a massive discount on their suit and I would get a learning experience without having to pay for it. I realize of course that there is a massive time commitment, but I am willing to do it. I already have experience sewing, sculpting, painting, and a variety of other skills necessary for the task as well as most of the basic equipment. I supplement my income with commissions during breaks from school, so I'm used to working with customers. In addition, I have done several similar projects (animal foam masks, rigid masks, etc) and am currently building mini heads (aka puppets :P) using the same techniques I would use on a full-sized head so I will have some experience with them. If I decide to do this, it would be over the summer so I don't have the pressure of school over my head and also have some time to find a client and get prepared. In summary, I feel confident in my ability to provide a decent product and that this system is mutually beneficial for me and whoever commissions me.
So what do you guys think?
Is this idea suicidal?
Is it fair to the client?
If it helps I would limit the project(s) to a partial, only sell to someone who was 18 or older, and ask for all funds up front (and subsequently provide them with receipts for everything).
I'm pretty new to the furry fandom in general and I'm considering getting into suit building as a hobby. I've never made one before, mostly due to the massive price tag of the materials (I'm nearing the end of a college education, so I'm pretty dang broke). Commissions are one way to cover the materials, but I would never offer a commission on something I have no experience with. But the other day I had an idea... what if I only charge for the materials and not my time as a learning experience?
I consider myself a moderately skilled craftsperson; not brilliant in anything, but definitely capable. If I only charged for materials, someone would get a massive discount on their suit and I would get a learning experience without having to pay for it. I realize of course that there is a massive time commitment, but I am willing to do it. I already have experience sewing, sculpting, painting, and a variety of other skills necessary for the task as well as most of the basic equipment. I supplement my income with commissions during breaks from school, so I'm used to working with customers. In addition, I have done several similar projects (animal foam masks, rigid masks, etc) and am currently building mini heads (aka puppets :P) using the same techniques I would use on a full-sized head so I will have some experience with them. If I decide to do this, it would be over the summer so I don't have the pressure of school over my head and also have some time to find a client and get prepared. In summary, I feel confident in my ability to provide a decent product and that this system is mutually beneficial for me and whoever commissions me.
So what do you guys think?
Is this idea suicidal?
Is it fair to the client?
If it helps I would limit the project(s) to a partial, only sell to someone who was 18 or older, and ask for all funds up front (and subsequently provide them with receipts for everything).