(And many Chicken Run jokes were had).
Got this message of a revolt from my minion this morning: "I have determined that your shop needs speakers. I shall be fixing this today! No more shall your minions suffer in silence! Too long have we endured the mechanical grinding, too long have heard the cries of tortured foam! But no longer! This day we shall install speakers!!!!!!" Apparently he wanted to hear more music than the glorious cacophony that are the myriad of power tools at our disposal. And, indeed, he brought the speakers today, as a sort of late birthday present. They sound great! So, at his insistence, and after a bit of prodding from my wife, I vandalized them just a tad....
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Don't mind the title, friends, I'm just about to "wax eloquent" for a little while. I hope you'll bear with me. This is going to be a bit long, and I may ramble, but I hope you'll stick around. Those of you that follow me on Twitter or Facebook have probably seen me complain about my day job, the lack of time I have to do fun things like prop to my heart's content, and other moral whinings here and there. Over the past few weeks, I've been literally inundated with orders, emails, bills, and everything under the sun, and done my best to hold up under the pressure. Through it all, I've suffered through my day job, pushed on, and done all I can to support my wife and myself through our difficult lives. What has helped me press on are the smiling faces I see when one of you get in your very own space gun, posing there in your glory, or the many words of thanks, of encouragement, of help. One such voice has recently been a good friend who brings such encouragement, and I encourage you to meet her. I leave it to you to pick the Paragon choice of hugging her for being such a good person, or the Renegade choice of poking her for making me talk so much. After all, it was she who suggested I write this! ;) As I mentioned, I have a full time job that takes up nearly all of my weekdays. The hours aren't too bad, 9-6, but there's a 30 minute drive each direction. I wake up at 7:30, giving me enough time to finish the morning ritualistic amenities before I have to leave. On average I get home between 6:30 and 7, sometimes 7:30 during certain times of the year. Hooray retail. This alone eats into my days, and leaves me with little time at night to work, since I don't want to disturb the neighbors with my loud machines, and then all weekend to cram things out. Now, don't get me wrong. I have a spectacular job. I'm doing something I've always been interested in, ever since I was a little boy. It's brought me many skills that I have used quite often in my prop making. And I absolutely love it. I work in a violin shop. Way back when I was young, summer break between 3rd and 4th grade, I was introduced to the violin at a concert my father brought me to. My parents surprised me with a trip to the violin store soon after, and I have been playing ever since. Admittedly, I have not been as active in it as I once was, but it has been and forever will be a large part of my life. Nearly three years ago, my brother-in-law told me of a job opening at a violin shop, and I jumped on the opportunity - the mechanics and building aspect had always intrigued me. When I was hired, I was ecstatic, and the many experiences I have had there have truly affected me as a whole. When I first started, I was the Entry Level Repair Technician. I started out by cleaning rental returns and trade-ins, getting an overall feel of the instruments. Then I was taught how to set up the instruments (put them together, basically), and then I was in heaven. For a closer look at the process of what I do for that, check out this series in my deviantART account: "The Things we Do for Love" I don't think my title has changed, despite working there for nearly three years, but when it came time for the Competition the boss runs every three years, he learned of my meager graphic design skills, then had me work on all the publications. Then the websites started having problems, and he had me work on those. Then rental season hit, and I had to learn to help there. Then Christmas. Then learning to run the shop on my own for days on end. My official title may still be the same, but everyone who comes there knows me as the "everything guy". The bills started to pile up, despite the steady job, and I started thinking of ways to earn some extra income. I'd worked multiple jobs in the past, and wanted to avoid that (what with the job market what it was), so I started thinking of things I could do to make a little extra money. I had started attending the con scene, but hadn't really had the urge to do much (especially since half the time I could only make a few hours of one day). I had always enjoyed putting things together though, like puzzles and models, so I started thinking about my skills and what I could make. Somehow, that led me to want to make guitars. So I made one. Admittedly, it was a cheap one from an overpriced kit, but I made one. I thought, hey, if I make one or two of these, then sell it for a bit more to make up for the building time, I could turn around and make another one with the money and sell it too! It was a sound plan, and I knew it would be hard at first. I pushed on anyway, got a business license, made a website, started what little advertising I could, then waited. I even connected with a few wholesale places for little accessories and other small things a guitar would need to stay in shape. And I waited. And waited. A full year passed with not a single sale. So, rather than try to beat a dead horse, I closed the site, ended the license, and went back to sticking with the day job, which I had planned to work at until I was making enough to sustain. But the bug never left. I started getting more into the convention scene, and discovered Pepakura (paper craft) in October '11. That got me started on the Fallout Sledge/Armor you've seen me slowly working on here and there. I lurked at the 405th and therpf.com, then started playing around a bit with foam. That got me into my first real (and completed) costume, which I wore for the ME3 release. It was sad, it was terrible, but it was fun as hell and I loved it. I built an M8 and M3 for me, by hand, with an exacto knife, and despite the wonky shape, I loved them. So did several people at the release, who asked what I would charge to make them. That's when I started thinking I should make these for other people, and maybe make a little bit of cash to help out our (increasingly) difficult situation. And so, Ascension Props was born. Despite only having made props at all since November '11, people seemed to like them. My tools got more varied, my skills improved, and my already busy day started getting filled up. I got a booth at a new convention, hoping to stem some more growth. Didn't land a single sale, but it was fun and I spread my name quite a bit. Then I made a new and improved Mass Effect suit, complete with lights and colored to my own design. That's when everything exploded. I premiered the new suit at NDK, and was asked for pictures every 3 steps. It was awesome. I had finally found something I liked, something I could do, that was fun and had a chance to bring in a bit of cash. I brought it to Anime Banzai, and had just as much attention. So much fun, so much networking, it was a blast. Because of all that had gone on, and from the more frequent views and links from outside sources, the orders poured in. I had to enlist the help of my friends for a bit, but we caught up, got everything out. And then the orders stopped. A month went by, nothing. Pageviews left and right, no orders. I started wondering if I wasn't cut out for this, if I had tried too hard and gotten caught up in a quickly passing trend with no chance to keep up with the many great makers out there. Soon, though, I was contacted by the wonderful guys at Mass Effect Marathon, who wanted to auction some of my stuff for Child's Play. I was flabbergasted that I had been recognized for something like that so early into my (hopeful) career, and floored when they did so well. I'm still in awe of everything over both weekends, and so happy to have helped. And then the orders started flooding in again. I filled what I could, even set a Halloween deadline, and then a Christmas one when the orders wouldn't stop. I enlisted the help of my friends again (who now call themselves my minions), and got the Christmas stuff out. But the orders kept coming. As you may have noticed, I had to temporarily close my Etsy store and the one here on this website, for fear it'll take me a year to complete a single order - I have that many. The biggest problem? Mass production. If molding wasn't so expensive I would go that route. I wouldn't be in the state I'm in right now, where I have to make each and every one of the orders by hand, from scratch, start to finish. I've gotten really good at the M8s, which have seen the most improvement, and overall my skill has gotten much better. None of this helps, though, for in order to finish everything in a reasonable time (and some which have very sudden deadlines), I need every possible waking hour to complete them, even with help. I hope it doesn't seem like I'm whining - far from it. I'm so happy that everyone sees value in my work and would like a piece of it. I'm only worried of the time it will take and whether I have enough sanity to see it through. And that was when I started asking myself whether I should go full time. I asked myself several times over the previous months, and always had come out against it. Sure, I want out of the daily grind and away from a boss who is slowly and surely dragging me downward, but it was a steady job with great benefits. Now, I wasn't so sure. It was becoming a necessity, a requirement, that I have more hours during the day, else I'd have to work all night and lose sleep to make sure the orders weren't delayed. My emotions were strained, and everyone could tell it was starting to affect me. I posed the question to others, and got many of the same answers I had come up with myself. If I quit, could I support us? If I didn't, would I have time and stamina to finish? The very violinist who inspired me to play was coming, and I had a chance to thank him; could I hold out 'til he got here? If I quit, could I survive another dry spell? What if I went part time at work and spent more time on props? This last seemed the best answer, but still I hesitated. This decision was not mine alone to make, and both of us were unsure. Friends, family, everyone gave support, but even now we do not have an answer. I have received advice from all around, some of the best coming from fellow makers and from the friend who's fault it is I'm writing this diatribe. Even still I hesitate. But now, I believe I have an answer. New Year's Eve, we were given the joyous news that a child is on its way (and apparently went unnoticed for 17 weeks). This came as a shock, and yet the two of us are filled with so much happiness and excitement that it keeps us going and warms our hearts. This still leaves me with a decision, however. At this point, I must absolutely keep my day job - or at least find one that pays a much higher wage. I will lose sleep working on orders, but it's good practice for what is to come.
And only today did I realize that the same fears I had of our income are the same fears I now have as a father to be, and that is the fear of uncertainty. I have always looked to the unknown and welcomed it, but uncertainty is what holds me back every time. I don't know what will happen, and I don't know how my decisions will affect our future. This is my weakness, I suppose, though with the amazing success of these props that fear has lessened. I have such a wide variety of friends that my name can get out to places that can help me earn my keep. I have such a wide range of viewers and clients that I will never be left with a dull, boring day. All I have to do now is keep moving, keep pushing, and make a grand entrance for our little one. And so, despite having not fully come to a decision, I still have to thank you all for making what I am trying to do possible. Without you, this would be as dead in the water as the guitar attempt. Because of you, I have a chance to make things better and spread smiles in the meantime. Thank you all, and may this new year be the greatest, with more and better things yet to come! Okay, so it has been a few days already, but I wanted to post about the midnight release for Assassin's Creed 3! It was an absolutely blast. The wonderful guys at Gaming Cuisine were there to help out and take pictures, and the amazing people from Mask Costumes provided outfits for the Gamestop employees. Just so you know, I was at the store that had *the* most preorders in the state, and as far as I heard, second most in the region. In case you couldn't tell, Monday was an epic night. I was invited as a sponsor, because I had made a couple tomahawks as give-aways. Here's a few pictures of the night! Kinda cobbled together a costume (thanks, Closet Otaku!), which was really fun. Unfortunately didn't get a picture of the Connor that showed up, who made almost his entire costume true to game. He had all the weapons and a working hidden blade. I was rooting for the kid though, since he made his own costume too! I expect grand things from him in the future! ;)
Write-up coming soon for the tomahawks, I promise! Another quick announcement! Those of you following my Twitter account (@sidheman) have seen that I've been working on the tomahawk from Assassin's Creed 3, to be released Oct. 30. I'm so excited for this game! I have a good friend who works over at the local Gamestop (I used to work with him at Game Crazy) who suggested I make one as a give-away prize for the midnight release, and they would consider me a sponsor for the midnight release party!
I've gotten it up to the point where it's ready for molding, but the problem is I don't have enough money to afford the molding supplies. I need enough to make 2 for Banzai, 2 for the midnight release, and I'd like to make several more for you awesome peeps. I'm willing to do a limited run of preorders, if people are inclined to purchase them. Casts will go for $45 unfinished, $60 cleaned/prepped, and $75 for the full finished tomahawk. If anyone is interested, please contact me asap or check the store page! Here's a couple of WIP pics, with a proper run-through when I get at least one completed. I wanted to put out a few things to those of you checking out the site, specifically dates and such for the upcoming holidays. I've had a few people ask, so I wanted to get everything out now to save on at least some confusion just in case.
Deadline for Halloween orders: October 15th Deadline for Christmas orders: November 20th The Halloween date is set in stone. I've got too much going on this month, with Anime Banzai from the 19th to the 21st, a photoshoot on the 6th, a tomahawk for the AC3 release, and a whole separate themed costume to fit in the midst of it all. The Christmas one may fluctuate, depending on how many orders I get. Be aware, the closer it gets to Christmas (and Black Friday - I do have a retail day job) my time fills fast and shipping is less and less reliable to ensure pre-Christmas arrival. Be aware of the above dates! I will have them posted on the Store page, and will update it depending on the influx of orders. In other news (which I just told you naturally), I have a photoshoot this Saturday! I'm so excited. Remember back during the ME3 release, how I mentioned I was approached by Mike, from Gaming Cuisine, and asked if I'd like to get together for an interview and a photshoot? Well, it's officially set for Saturday. So excited! He wanted to give me time to finish the upgraded suit, so I hope this one really cuts the cake! One more bit of news is I've entered the suit into Anime Banzai's Cosplay Contest, under the "Beginner's Craftsmanship" category. I've never done anything like this before, and I've certainly not been making this stuff for very long, but I'm super excited! If you're there in Layton at the con, stop by and say hi! I won't be wearing the suit very long (unless I don't get the other costume done), but I'll definitely wear it at the awards! It'll be sweeeeeeet..... ;) And on that happy note, here I go spoiling the mood. My car has been having some problems, and to top it off it won't start anymore. I'm dead certain it's the battery, which is the most expensive thing it could be at the moment (given the past couple months and the lack of funds I'm being as pessimistic as possible so that if it turns out better I can be happier about it). Problem is, there's a few other things that also need to be fixed, plus inspection and registration, leaving me once again in the red long before I even get my regular paycheck. So now, friends, I'm asking, if any of you would like to help, I will gladly take your offers, but only in the form of commissions. I won't start a donation drive, and I'm not asking for handouts. Commissions mean I get paid, and get to return to you a proper thanks by way of my own two hands. If anyone has a certain thing you want made, or a prop missing from a perfect costume, please contact me. I am willing to do everything I can to get you a quality piece of work to complete your costume, or a memento of something you love so much you want to hold a piece of it. It's why I started making, and I want to give that back. I need my car running again, though, so think of it as a trade of sorts. :) Enough of my rambling! Enjoy, and I will post what pics I can of the shoot as soon as I have them! See you at Anime Banzai 2012!! |
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