Nope, I didn't drop off the radar!

I've had a few things jump out at me in RL that have kept me unbusy with Nora.  My niece graduated high school, and I spent a couple of weeks putting together a DVD present for her.  Then I got a sinus infection and now I've broken a toe!  Hee!

I thought I would put together another preview today just to prove that I'm not dead!

This is the new Espresso tone, I'm still tweaking it, it needed some work, trust me.  This is the default "middle" tone, it can be made darker and lighter.  I'm using these WL settings with the white facelight.  I'm also using a different shape than other preview pics.  Plus!  This skin is currently using the makeup-lipstick-slider!  Making lips that can utilize the makeup slider option is important to me, and it is partly why I shape my skins' lips the way I do otherwise if you tried using the lipstick slider, you might end up with clown-mouth!

In any case, I'll be back to work on these next week!  We have a new family member coming home tonight and I'll be helping him adjust.

So far, I've only posted closeup shots of the new Entice update.

I reworked the stomach today, so now I've taken some full body shots.  I still have to tweak the lower stomach a bit, but the seams are done!  It was a last minute decision to redo the stomach, but I know that if I just can't shake the feeling that I should change it, that I definitely should change it. 

I'm sure there'll be more smaller tweaks in the next week.

Ramble, it's late, shush.

I also took this as an opportunity to compare the current Entice (2.0) to the up and coming 3.0.  What a difference!  o.O

I think I'm slowly getting there!

Most of everything is finished.  I'm going on to the tweaking stage.  This is a bit of a relief, because it means the bulk of the rework is done and I can be lazy and picky without fretting over technical things.

Does that make any sense?  Not sure.  Seemed like it!  :P

More work on the face and body today.  I reworked the clavicle/tendons, which is one of those "I'm not sure" areas because it's a very integral area that I feel is noticed more often.  The eyebrows are another area of discontent for me.  I hate the way SL handles eyebrows and their positions... the outer brow is pretty much glued in place and sliders generally only affect the inner brow.  So I can either make short eyebrows that SEEM to move better, or long ones like in the picture.
I may keep these eyebrows and just adjust the outer brow shape so it looks more curved.

Oh yeah, picture.... This is one of the new "drama" makeups which has that faux eyelash look built into it.  Same WL settings as last time.

I may be sending out a test skin to a few people for feedback.  I can't promise I'll implement anything suggested, but I definitely will listen and take it into consideration.

skin: duh, Nora Entice 3.0 test skin, Champagne
eyes: Nora Gaze
hair: ETD
top: pixeldolls

AGH.

I can't stop working on it!

Okay okay okay.  Okay.
I spent more time on the face today, and I have it just about where I want it.  Faces aren't hard, but I can end up spending SO much time on them if I let myself.  Just a smudge here, or there.... and I notice everything.  EVERYTHING.  The tiniest change.  Plus, some of the mapping in the face can be wonky here and there.

In any case, I made this shot to show off the new chest and neck.  I personally love the new bewbs.  This is taken with WL settings and NOT total-ambience.  I'm not sure it'd be fair to take ambience shots when WL is going to do its thing regardless.

I have no real ETA on this one.  I mean, it'll be done when it's done.  I'm like the Blizzard of skins, I just can't churn them out.  I'll also be revamping the makeups, so that'll add on more time.  I suspect 2-3 months.  I'll work on it again next week... small breaks between help me notice stuff I didn't notice before.

Woo!

April of last year brought to the Grid, Entice 2.0.  Entice debuted about 2 years ago, so it isn't a new skin.  Some skin shoppes make it a point to offer many different "human" skins with different features and such.  I find this to be hard to do for me.  I guess one reason is I don't photo-source my skins.  I DO use photos for references on some areas, but I don't build textures out of photos.  I've done it before, but it's not my goal with Nora to offer realistic skins.

I'm digressing though.  I was tempted to make a whole new skin instead of updating Entice(for women), but in the long run I think that offering one or two specific looking skins is what I'd rather continue doing at Nora; to maintain a style that is in line with what I offer and that isn't lost in a bevy of choices.  So I decided to update Entice to 3.0.  It will be a couple of months before it goes live, because I finish it and take all new product shots.  I hate that last part, but whatever, necessary evil.  It'll give me a chance to rearrange some of the makeups I have now into more logical choices.  I'd like to make a whole pack or two of freckle-skins, for instance.

3.0 is a logical step for Entice - as a skin-designer that works at her own pace, I do learn and after staring at a skin for a year, you begin to think "You know, I could touch that up a bit".  I hate the current Entice mouth, for instance.  I sometimes wonder what the heck I was thinking when I did it.  I'm so self-critical!  :P  It also gives me a chance to incorporate some of the more popular skin "features" these days.  Like defining the sternomastoids (read: neck tendons) above the clavicle a bit.  I could ramble on.  Suffice it to say, though, I can't guarantee everyone will like the new update.  It has to be done though, from a product standpoint.

Anyway, with Windlight on the horizon and being an inevitable evil, this is a good time to re-evaluate Entice for an update.  WL is changing the way skins look and it can't be avoided.  I spent the last few days tweaking some parts, already.  I work in "Champagne" by default so that's the only preview I have to offer right now.  And, yes, this shot is taken with Windlight settings, instead of my high-ambience-no-shadows setup.

Nora Appreciation Week has come and gone.

I wanted to announce the winners on Sunday, and I had more things planned, but I've been having a string of some kind of sinus headache attacks since Friday night.  Guh, if it isn't my ISP, it's Nature trying to drag me down!  So, I apologize for the delay.

I will STILL be introducing a new set of makeup that was planned for NAW, but it'll just be a bit after the fact.  Better late than never, right?

In any case, the winners of the NAW '08 contest are:

Bex Hathaway


Cerise Spyker


Scarlet Dallagio

Today is the beginning of Nora Appreciation Week!

This means that there will be 50% off sales all week long, every day up until next Monday!  I've sent the notice out for today, and the corresponding gift.  If you're already a part of the Nora group - you'll get the lowdown on what's going on today as far as sales.

If you aren't, drop by my store in Glenn to see what all this Nora stuff is about!

Remember, entries for the contest are due on Friday!

Don't forget!

All you sales lovers, skin lovers, skin sales lovers... I know you're out there!

Next Monday starts Nora Appreciation Week.  This means there will be skin sales all week long!  Nora group members will receive special freebies as well as future product-freebies.  There's a contest as well!  That is, if I get any entries. :)

If you'd like to find out more, just head to THIS and read over the Nora Appreciation Week details.  The contest doesn't take too much effort either.  All non-winning entrants will receive a gift card too.  All entries are due April 18th.

Thanks!

The Dark Elf maiden returns to Nora after a long hiatus! 

This new skin may be different than the original Nora Dark Elf skin, but it still packs a Dark Elven punch.  Featuring the more traditional coal-colored tone, this skin features three makeups(more are already in the works!); Basic, Blood, and Prophecy.  It's a great way to get to know your inner Dark Elf!

Each skin comes with a tintable pubic hair layer as well as a free pair of Elven Ears. (These ears will be made available separately, later this week!)  There's also a shape available for sale!

Another new set of Gaze optics is here with "Cat"!  Who can resist those luscious feline eyes?  Cat comes in 9 colors total, sold in packs of 3.  Stop by to try a demo! 

When it comes to SL™, I spend a lot of time working.  Working involves uploading textures, creating new things, troubleshooting new things, shopping for business aides, updating vendors, taking snapshots for products, and helping customers... to name a few.  I genuinely do not do much else on The Grid.

Occasionally, like last night, I'll pop over at an event or go tree shopping for my new Rosewood property.  This is rare, however, in comparison to how much time I spend "working".  It wasn't like this when I was younger to SL™.


Sure, I explored... I went to events... I met people(<3 Artillo)... I went shopping... I played games... but I dunno, I never felt enraptured until I created content.  Maybe it's the artist in me; if I'm not creating, am I wasting time/life?  I don't know.  That's kind of cut and dry for my tastes.

For a while now, I've felt an old itch creeping up on me.  It happens every time I listen to music or hear one of my favorite songs playing in an unexpected place.  For a bit over 3 years, I was an internet DJ with an amazing, established group of Data Jockeys.  I didn't necessarily stop DJing because I wanted to - it was the right decision at the time.  I don't ever regret making it.  Lately though, I miss it... a lot.  It was a ton of fun for me to share my massive love for music with people every week.  And especially people who also appreciated music as much as I do.  I really loved interacting with listeners over just about anything!

Some have suggested I go back to DJing, but in SL™.  Maybe I should, I'm not sure.. it would certainly be one of my top 3 favorite things to do, that I could do on The Grid.  I wouldn't know where to start!  I'm a personality, and while I know plenty about the technical side, I'm unsure that it would be useful to be a fly by night DJ with no real affiliation.  Then, there's the whole legality thing too.  The RIAA may suck - but they can shut someone down fast and in an ugly way.

Feh, I'm getting ahead of myself, I think!

Tomorrow - Dark Elf, for sure.
(god there I go working again!)

This week has been a long one!  Second Life's issues have gotten worse when it comes to transactions.  Some of you may have experienced these problems, and all I can say is "Sorry - it's SL's fault but I'm here to help rectify it!"

So, remember, if you experience STALE TRANSACTIONS or similar errors when purchasing, don't keep trying to purchase it - just IM me and I'll verify the transaction and send you the item you wanted.  It's becoming a real pain, even for me since I now rent a plot for Nora.  I haven't been able to pay rent reliably for days now.

Sigh.

In any case - just remember it's Second Life and not my vendors or me or some conspiracy out to get you.

Onto a happier note!  Coming soon...

This is the new Dark Elf skin I've been working on this past week.  It's a remix of Entice and Samantha together with some alterations.  While all of my regular skins are tintable, it's hard to get this kind of detail with sliders alone. 
I also spent Tuesday making some sculpted, pointed ears for this release.  Those will be available separate and the skin itself will include a free pair of the basic set.  There are short and long versions in each one.  Each skin will also come with an optional pubic hair layer, much like Demonic does now.
I'll also be putting this shape up for sale as well just in case someone likes it!

A note on this skin: I've been using Windlight for weeks now.  And from the last product release on, all product shots will be taken using two different presets.  The actual product vendor images are taken with an ambience preset, so there are almost no shadows on the model.  The display image, such as above on the left, is more of an "in the world" image based on a tweaked version of AvatarOpt by Caliah Lyon.  Please be aware that your Windlight settings will effect all skins differently with each preset or settings change.  I can only offer a preview of what the skin SHOULD look like without much Windlight funkiness.  Your mileage may vary.  Don't let Windlight scare you!  It's pretty cool but will take a while to get used to.

Next will be the male version!  Woot!  Further on down the line, possibly for Nora's 4th anniversary will be Entice 3.0....  Uh oh!

Don't forget about Nora Appreciation Week!  Sales, freebies, and a contest!

Hi Gang!
Since Nora is relocating from my soon to be gone SIM, Sonata, to a new permanent location, I think it's time for a bit of good vibes!

It's hard to say goodbye to Sonata, but it was either a) move Nora or b) close Nora.  Since I still enjoy doing what I do, I went with plan a.  To celebrate this happy occasion of Plan A, April 14th will kick off Nora Appreciation Week.

What in tarnation is Nora Appreciation Week?  Well, simply put, I'll be putting skins on sale at random all week, 50% off.  I'll also pass out a Nora group member only skin pack, with both male and female skins inside.

That's not all, though!  I'll be holding a friendly little competition for those who want to participate.  All you have to do is take a portrait picture of yourself(or have one of your savvy photo-wonder-friends do it for you), write up a small story about how you found Nora, or why you like Nora skins, or what fun things you've done IN your Nora skins and include that with your picture. 
The best way to go about it would be to make your picture full-perms and drag it into the notecard that contains your story.  Just send that to me, Sezmra Svarog, for judging.  All pictures that are sent will be displayed in store as a kind of "Faces of Nora" display.  Your name can be omitted if you prefer your identity be private.  You may also include a LM to connect with your own picture display.

Let's recap on this contest:

- Portrait of yourself wearing your Nora skin - afterall, that's why we're here!  Take it yourself or have someone do it for you!  There are a lot of great photographers out there.
- Small story about how you found Nora, or why you like Nora skins, or what fun things you've done IN your Nora skin
- Send them both to me!

That's easy, right?  There will be three winners at the end of Nora Appreciation Week.. or NAW(hehehehe).  The prizes are as follows:

3rd place - Nora Store card worth $1000 for use at Nora.
2nd place - Nora skin set of your choice.
1st place - Nora Store card worth $5000 for use at Nora as well as your own custom altered Nora skin!*

* What this means is you pick any skin in store and tell me how you'd like it altered!  Design your own makeup, beard, skin color, or have your own face built into it! (some photographs will be required for custom faces)  This custom skin will be yours and yours alone!

The winners will be announced at the end of NAW(I love saying that, er typing that), displayed in-store, and posted here with their corresponding entries.

Remember, April 14th-20th is Nora Appreciation Week!  So start thinking about those entries!

(psst, all non-winning entrants will receive a Nora Store Card worth $500 just for participating!)

This week I put out a new set of makeup for Entice!  Samantha may be shiny, but Entice needs love too.  So, we have "Dolly".  Plump, colorful lips are where it's at with this set.  There's something sweet, something sad, and something special.

This makeup set is available in ALL skin tones, including Glow!  This set is ONLY available at the new permanent location in Glenn.  Nora group members also got a little Glow freebie.  Woot!

Without further ado, here's the advert to give you an idea of what to expect:

Happy Whatever to you!

I don't really celebrate this time of year, honestly.  I just hope everyone's having a nice weekend.

The Vanity Universe skin fair seems to be going okay - I enjoyed setting up the booth there and hope the crowds are having fun with all the great skins to peruse.  Plus that means even more people know about Nora!  Yay!

I've come to a conclusion, though, I think.  No, I'm not planning on closing Nora permanently.  It did cross my mind - because I simply am finding myself elsewhere, more often, trying to get back into my first love: art.  Okay, so, traditional art.  SL is it's own realm of "art".

So, this is how it's going to go down!

Sonata(*sniff*) will be sold within the next couple of months, and in the meantime I'll be passing out a LM to the new store, which I'm setting up now.  There'll be a LM giver at Sonata as well, soon.  I thought about just throwing everything up on SLEX, but I think it's beneficial and easier for customers if there is still an in-world presence for Nora.

This really won't affect Nora too much, it'll just be in a different spot, but it WILL still be around!  I can go back to working on my boots and nail polish at my own pace without fear of "making my SIM payment".  You live, you learn!

Thanks to all you Nora Patrons for your support!

Oh!  And if you haven't already switched over to the Subscribe-O-Matic group from the regular Nora group, please visit Sonata and subscribe if you'd like to keep receiving updates!  I'm closing the group at the end of March, and it'll free up a group slot for you too!


(SIM details if anyone cares:
Sonata
Class 4
Mature
$195 per month
[does not include any objects/prims])