I Catch up with Simone

My first reaction when I rezzed at Simones was to LOL, why? Well you walk into a huge notice which not everyone saw the funny side of, but the reason behind it is understandable too :-

Simone Stern: I had to do something... people were driving me nuts over not knowing how to use the vendors.
(Lesson to be learned - read the notices and learn how to use a vendor LOL)

Simone was wearing one of the special outfits she devised for Halloween and it looked fantastic on her.

As I looked around I noticed the huge changes to the store since my last visit, "You have remodelled the store?" I asked Simone

"Partially, it's still underway. I'm going to have to put up a second sim, the formals need their own home I am afraid". She replied "Still quite a bit to finish before the remodel is through however."

Simone wasn't sure on a finish date but reassured me 'the grand opening for the new store will be announced, and we'll make sure there's a big fat THANK YOU sale as well... might even combine that with my third SL reziversary :D'

There are 200 new items in the new 'fall line' so far, with redesigning the store plus the new lines I am amazed yet again at how many hours Simone finds and yet she still finds time to help others with the Virtual Angels a group dedicated to helping others.

I asked her about it: Simone Stern: "it's a charity originally started to benefit one SL resident, but as we came to realize there was a much greater need, it has expanded. We have applied for official status so that's pending."
Below you can see some of the designs for Halloween the 'hexed' sexy witch range are irresistible there are other outfits ranged around the store like the 'Doctor'

"Most interesting thing is to watch the gender bias in place... people see the scrubs, the lab coat, and think 'Nurse". So, it's named 'DOCTOR" for that reason."

There is also a morticia style gown, its worth taking your time and looking around.

I had also heard that Simones was featured in the recent CSI machinima and asked her how that came about;

Simone Stern: "I work for the company who did the project the machinima department selected my store to shoot in for convenience's sake, for many reasons. Easy to get the owner to help, easy to make changes to the build and displays if necessary, easy to get the land owner to close the island, etc. That little bit of machinima you saw was months in the making."

All through the changes and total upheaval the one thing I was most impressed with was Simone's willingness to help anyone that asked, all through our conversation people were asking questions or looking for something in particular, all went away happy with what they found.

Good luck Simone - can't wait to see the finished store.

Dana XxX

Featured designer: Raven Pennyfeather

I recently had the honour of meeting Raven creator of Rfyre at the opening of The Writers’ Block Café and Bar (see below).
After being introduced by her assistant Harper Beresford I arrange a chance to 'interview' her.
I hate interviewing and prefer to chat, especially with one of my design idols.
My first question was how she started designing in SL;
Raven Pennyfeather: I think I kind of evolved into it actually... I have always had a very keen interest in art since I was a little girl, my grandmother put a crayon into my hand and I was off and running. Art was always something I held a passion for but was guided by what I thought the sensible thing to do was so all during my years in school and later in the work world, art always parallelled my other studies and activities.
Dana: I noticed the historical influence
Raven Pennyfeather: I am obsessed by costumes, I remember a set of historical paper dolls and in all my illustrations my detail was always around the figures and their garments, I am fascinated by ancient cultures and history
Dana: So you think that art is the key to good design?
Raven Pennyfeather: I think its a combination really of a passion to create and then a bit of training to help you manage / learn the skills.
Dana: SL gives a lot of artists a medium they would never have found any other way.
Raven Pennyfeather: Where else could we meet such a concentration of people who share a passion to create, I have shared this previously but the name RFyre itself is representational of that concept, R meaning "our" and Fyre meaning the burning need to create.
Dana: Your designs are so detailed it fascinates me
Raven Pennyfeather: I am a texture addict, lol, there are a lot of hours logged into each design
Dana: Can I ask why Gothic?
Raven Pennyfeather: I never set out to be a goth designer, my focus was on the archaic, but over time the romanticism of some of the more shadowy figures in literature and history caught my attention, I am always drawn to darkly elegant things.
Dana: And the furniture and weapons are just an extension of that?
Raven Pennyfeather: nods.. yes... but I am not a furniture designer ... just a passion for textiles. I rely heavily on some of my dear friends in here who are extremely talented in furniture/ interiors
Dana: You have been in SL for 3 years, what is your opinion of all the recent changes?
Raven Pennyfeather: It had more of a small town feel, but truth be told I still have that sense about it. The changes have been phenomenal in SL since I first joined, the enhancements have been on one hand infuriating yet at the same time has opened up room for creative expansion with flexi and now sculpties, this medium is still in its infancy.
Dana: How do you see your future in SL?
Raven Pennyfeather: I will continue to focus on doing what I love and trying always to be the very best that I can be. I try to focus on the internal and staying in the moment... I have no idea of what the future will bring..
Dana: How has being successful in secondlife affected your RL?
Raven Pennyfeather: In the beginning people didn't quite "get" what it was that I did but my family and friends after a time realized that I was at last able to find a home in my art, one that could sustain me in a way corporate America never could this is a gift and a privilege to be able to do this here.. I have paid my dues out there... and I feel like I have found my true niche. Making sure to balance the real with the virtual. I have a lovely circle of RL friends and family that I make sure to spend time with. I still find that I want to fly up to the second floor in a mall and am frustrated that I can't in RL. I have a partner who enjoys being in the virtual too so that makes it much easier.
Dana: How many shops do you have?
Raven Pennyfeather: Yes... well I have over a 100 now.. and use a lot of the organizational skills I have acquired along the way in my former corporate lives, that has been over a period of two years. The group issue is very frustrating but there are "work arounds"


It was about this point that SL decided the interview had gone on too long LOL and booted us both several times. I want to thank you Raven for the time you gave me and for the wonderful creations that have made MY secondlife so special; left you can see me wearing one of Ravens creations 'Carnival' (which was a gift from Voodoo on my RL birthday) on the happiest day of my life.
Below you can see some of my favourites.


If you haven't discovered Rfyre yet click here to explore the wonderful creations for men and woman at her main showroom

Letters from Beyond

Last night saw me at the event to be seen at 'Letters from beyond' A Celebration of Fashion and the Gothic Novel Presented by: The Writers’ Block Café and Bar (Manager Vikki Planer)Sponsored by: Alliance Second Life Library on Book Island.

We were treated to a feast of fashion from Nocturnal Threads Designer kaia Ennui followed by my all time favourite designer Raven Pennyfeather from Rfyre the models came courtesy of Wendell Holmer, and looked great on the packed sim managing to show with poise and elegance despite the difficulties caused by lag.

There was dancing with Book Island DJ Masacre Soon, a best in Gothic novel costume contest plus a scavenger hunt where participants had to find all the letters and unscramble the word to win prizes. Fireworks later in the evening showed the dedication of the organisers to make the event a huge success.

Special Thanks have to go to Abbey Zenith of Second Life Library and Selina Green from Book Island and Publishing Island

What a night! I even got to meet my design idol :) So huge thank you from me too.

pics: top; Writers’ Block Café and Bar, top left; Lenoir Chomp (Nocturnal Threads) middle left; Uasal (Rfyre), bottom middle; Unorthodox Gold (Rfyre), bottom Dancing with Raven Pennyfeather

KE Shopping Center

KE Shopping Center is the official shopping center of Krystal Epic, raved by many as one of the most innovative creations in Second Life.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seranil/175/162/22
The KE Shopping center features a brand new line of Krystal Spheres.
Taking advantage of the power of Second Life, these unique spheres are each "A Total Environmental Experience."
The interiors of each sphere are individually themed and comes with matching themed furniture.
The Shopping center also carries on-sale Krystal Cubes, rooms that views from the outside like a 3D painting, while the interiors can function as a unique room for performance, relaxation or anything else the owners wishes for. They are delivered upon order and comes with 1 free installation session.
Also available at the store are different sets of designer furniture, all created by Enniv Zarf himself.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
The creator Enniv Zarf is a Renaissance artist, with over 20 years of experience in both the performing arts as well as the fine and visual arts. He has brought his skills to develop a line of unique and practical art to be available to the general public.

The Krystal Epic Exhibits can be found at:
Krystal Epic http://slurl.com/secondlife/Spirit%20Fens/29/163/22
Krystal Tour http://slurl.com/secondlife/Schwanson%20Schlegel/16/98/21
Krystal Epic's WebPortal http://www.krystalepic.com

The complete bio of Enniv Zarf can be found at "Best of SL Art" http://art.krystalepic.com/index.php?q=node/32

The following are some of the press coverage on Enniv Zarf and Krystal Epic:
Virtual Artist Alliance
http://virtualartistsalliance.blogspot.com/2007/03/listening-to-art-jour...
http://virtualartistsalliance.blogspot.com/2007/05/spirit-fens-art-festi. ..
SL-Newspaper
http://15timez.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html
Wirxli FlimFlam's Second Life Blog
http://wirxliflimflam.blogspot.com/2007/05/avatar-orchestra-metaverse-pe. ..