Why Vent du Sud is taking a new direction (as in free or nearly)

Short version: I am marking down things at Vent du Sud to 1L, or 50L (big builds such as the one below) for a while, possibly permanently. At the very least until I have lots of new stuff ready but at least until after Christmas. 

But I haven't quite finished yet.  Have a look around, scope out what's there and if it isn't marked down yet, it soon will be (within a couple of days).

Opening shutters, optional extra deck, 50L, incredibly low prim

For example, the beach cabin or the other things shown below (the cabin is already down to 50L). So are the lighthouses, and tree house btw, even if their buy boxes still have their original prices on).

There will be donation boxes (hey, I have a shoe and hair addiction to feed), but no pressure. 


As to the why, here goes  - but it's a little long: feel free to scroll.


My RL job involves travel, constant deadlines and often crazy hours, and 2010 has been a doozy in that respect. But it means that making money out of SL isn't the idea for me - much as I respect people who do build or design to bring in income. I am lucky that I do have a lot of work, and I know it.

SL is my hobby.

I drop in daily, to build a bit or chat a bit, unless I'm on a plane or battling with foreign Internet connections. I  love building and get a whole lot of pleasure out of it. So I always have lots of things in progress. Well, usually...

Seaglass flowerbox, 1L (any time soon)

But this summer, things came to a head a little. I learned a lot from it, including that when I'm overtired and under pressure, the last thing I need is SL turning into misery and frustration.

I got involved in a big project. Got excited about it. And then somehow I missed a vital notecard (I suspect the 'send to e-mail' feature doesn't always work and I'd been away a lot, on and off with patchy connections, or I simply, I dunno, didn't see it).

But that led to me not getting included in the whole thing, and to my frustration showing when I should have sat on my hands. My bad.

Outcome?

Trashing and deleting my whole 'ongoing' file in a stupid (REALLY stupid, self-destructive) moment. All I'd done for the new place went in the bin.

All of it. 

It seemed like a big deal to be left out, you see. I'd cheerfully been building away and trying not to pester for news until suddenly it was too late. And being a group officer and having been the first to originally sign up (but failed to 'reconfirm' on the blasted notecard), I suspected nothing.

Again my bad.

I was then promised the first opening that came up (hope springs eternal). Then one did come up, just the same day, but... it was advertised to the whole group. Another misunderstanding, I expect. When I said I'd love it, as it was exactly the size store I'd signed up for, I was too late. Ouch.

And that triggered the over-sensitive, over-tired, upset, 'I'm useless' click delete.

(Heh, I expect I'll lose my group tag any time soon, now, having already had the officer one taken away, although I'm trying not to sound to sour-grape-ish. At this point I couldn't afford another place anyway given the decision I've taken but I would like to continue sending gifts via the group).

We shall see.

Curve it, seats 5 plus couples poses, several versions. Soon 1L

So after that I mooned around a bit. Simmered over it all. Didn't build.

OK, in fact I shed a few tears over the whole thing. I was also more abrupt that I should have been with a flouncy lady on the group chat. Bad me yet again, but I was tired and upset. Not an excuse though, eh?


Then I finally started a dozen builds and abandoned them.

RL then got particularly difficult too (cue violins).

Then, fortunately (!), I had a stand-up row with a close friend and superb builder. I lapsed into the 'poor little me can't build and nobody loves me' number. He doesn't pull his punches and had issues of his own without me wallowing in self-pity.

To cut a long story short, we made peace and I came out of that actually believing I could build. He told me to get on and start lining up prims again once I was a bit less tired.

And it did me a power of good. He is a great friend.

And I am building, but it will take a little time to get some new stuff out that I like. It's coming, though.

Bathtub planter, click to change plants. Soon 1L

(Get to the point, woman).


So, the bottom line is...

... it seems logical to do what I like. Build for pleasure and count myself fortunate that I can afford to pay tier on my part of the sim and not count on covering it by sales. Make my stuff accessible to even the tiniest of budgets.

So that is what I shall be doing.

So once again, my stuff will be for the taking, for a token 1L except for the big builds at 50L starting now but gradually covering everything at my Vent du Sud store. 

I hope people enjoy it, and will drop in regularly (also to see the stunning things offered by my friends there, who deserve lots of recognition: all original creators including great fashion by Rett or Menthal's absolutely remarkable smoke and water masterpieces and other incredible gadgets, or Robin's superb photography).  No, these will not be free or virtually so, but worth a look.

And on a last note, a little publicity for somebody else who helps people without big budgets on SL - Enky's dollar store. Some of the great names on SL have donated things, and it's an absolute treasure trove. It's owned by Enktan Gully, who makes stunning footwear, and run by Agade Lefavre, who is a walking encyclopedia on SL fashion (and a great friend).

Check out the blog here. http://enkys.wordpress.com/
Visit the store here.http://slurl.com/secondlife/Orbiuna/213/120/357

This is one of the dresses on sale, and my first (and last) modelling experience. Heh.

Enough rambling. Hope to see you very soon at Vent du Sud. 

Watch out for highlighted items over coming weeks too, including Christmas things!