Roawenwood: Design & Craft

Someone once told me that I release things too quickly.  That I should hold onto things once in awhile and I try… really I do but I like to keep things fresh.  It was of course pointed out to me that I should let ya’ll catch your breath, save up your Lindens and be able to come back.  Well… ok… I’m sorry and this time it isn’t intentional.

I am releasing a simple set of silks.  I really haven’t released any silks since the Flutterbee set which was awhile back.  This set isn’t super fancy but it is nicely made.  Sculptured drapes, gold and bronze accents, a short flirty little skirt.  When I was making it I thought it would work well in a tavern or someplace where you’re trying to look decent but not over the top with a dancing silk.  Honestly I think these are just right for everyday wear if you’re a silk slave, or if you just like to look a little pretty.

The set comes with Armcuffs, Bracelets, Skirts, and the Top.   I made it in 8 different colors so it seems like just about anyone could find one they like… and one limited edition version that is available in an RFL vendor.  That color won’t be available for sale otherwise so once that’s gone, it is gone.

Can you imagine… leaning back amongst plush pillows, eyes closed while four women were around you caressing, massaging, and snuggling up to you… along the back two more women were gently fanning the air around you so you have a gentle breeze to calm you.  Well… now you can have something like this in Second Life.

This week saw the release of the Sultan’s Harem Gathering Rug.  This item is different in the sense that it has an animation set suitable for 7 people.  Deep dark colored rug with sculptured pillows surrounding it, many of the pillows have singles sits in them so you can use the rug for everyday, even a sit that is suitable for a free woman.  Click the rug and you can choose from two preloaded scenes.  The harem scene where the pose set for 7 people rezzes. The poseballs in the harem set are set to temp rezz, I did this so the balls wouldn’t clutter up the scene if you didn’t have enough people to sit on each of the poses… I would like feedback from folks on using them this way.  The second.. tea.  A small table with a candle, tea set, and some food laid out ready for you to use while sitting on the single sits in the pillows.  This versatility makes this rug perfect for many uses, from everyday to bathhouse and massage.  You can also choose to not use either scene.

I also redid the Kennel Mat to have a fur on it, along with some threadier looking fabrics for the worn pillows for those who like to have furs scattered about instead of the mat.  I do try to make things as versatile as possible.  I redid the feeding bowls to have two animations in them now.  The other furniture type release was a set of kneeling stocks.  I have seen them around on occasion but thought it a nice lil addition… the kneeling animation has subtle movement to it, head and hands moving while the prisoner is on their knees.  I think this adds a nice touch instead of being locked there stiffly.

The new chore/work attachment is a Mortar and Pestle.  Doesn’t sound like much right?  Well it is an avatar attachment type of thing like my one sweeping chore but this one is a little bowl, and a pestle that you wear… upon wearing it you will start grinding away at the contents within the mortar.  The bowl itself has a texture change option so you can choose from different grains, herbs, or spices to be working on.  This makes it great for kitchens, bakeries, apothecaries, or other role-play type environments.  Since it isn’t a poseball set and an attachment you can wear it, and work anywhere you need.  No limits and easy to carry about.

I’m in the process of working on a set of silks.  They’re shaping up alright I think… sculptured top and skirt.  Bronze and gold accents.  I’m trying to figure if I want to add more to it or if I should keep it rather simple.  For the most part I don’t like to overdo if it feels right.  As it stands now this set is simple enough to be worn in general, not just as a special occasion piece.  That might be the way to go for it.  I’ll see what feels right.

I’ll wrap this up for now as I’m struggling my way through Hair Fair and will write again soon.

Well… sadly due to some issues the most recent hunt that I was quite excited about seems to be having enough problems that they are rescheduling.  I’m going to paste the letter that we got through the group so ya’ll know what’s going on.  I do have some updates for the store but that will come in a different post.  I don’t want to muddy them up.

As we promised earlier today, a decision has been made regarding the Hope Hunt + Race.  With great sadness, we have determined that the event should be halted and rescheduled for later this year.  This is the best way to preserve the integrity of the Hope Hunt + Race, and the Relay for Life which is the reason behind it all.

The problems we experienced were not due to a lack of preparation.  We were well prepared.  We have an excellent database system, and the scripts were all thoroughly tested during May and early June.  The scripts and database worked as expected during the event.

The problem, without being too technical, is that each click of a Rose created an HTTP request/response between SL and the database … and the servers simply could not handle the volume.  Our problem, as has been said before, was that this event has been such a HUGE success.  We were too successful for the servers to handle.

That is what caused the problems you experienced–Roses giving messages with bad or missing information, and Roses “locking up” (due to lag in the HTTP communications).  The script/database system was good–but it did not have the server resources needed to process the volume of information generated.

These issues will be resolved, and the Hope Hunt + Race will be successful.  This is not something that can be fixed easily or quickly, though.  Any solution that would enable us to finish the event on schedule would be a quick-fix, degrading the experience for everyone involved.  Therefore, we will reschedule the event when the server issues have been ironed out.

For the participating merchants, the Roses which are currently out will automatically delete themselves, as planned, on July 5; you can delete them before that time if you would like to do so.  When the Hope Hunt + Race is rescheduled, you will be given the same number of Roses for the event.

For the hunters, the event will restart when it is rescheduled.  This is the fairest and most equitable solution for everyone.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.  This has been exciting and fun … and a bit frustrating, perhaps.  Know that we look forward to continuing to work with you as we make this event a success, and we will keep you posted as those plans unfold.

Thank you for your support, encouragement, and participation.  Please let us know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Sidda Jubilee &
Arete Diplomat

So I guess that is it for that for now… sadly.  Hopefully it will sort itself and it will be able to go on at a later date.

Today kicks off an event that I wanted to explain a lil bit.  It’s more than your typical hunt where you race around for freebies and it is a great cause.

The Relay for Life Hope Hunt and Race is a two week hunt that begins on June 21^st and runs until July 4^th but more than just a freebie hunt it is also a race. During the hunt your objective is to find as many of the yellow roses as you can within the store or sims that participate throughout the grid. The one who finds the most will be awarded the grand prize. Ties result in the splitting of the prize monies so you’ll want to try your best.

Each time you find a rose, you click on it and it will tell you how many are left in the sim or store that you are in, and it will also give you the SLURL for the next place to hunt. Some roses have prizes in them… some do not but that’s ok, because each time you find a rose you work your way up in the race to win the Grand Prize!

The Grand Prize is 45,000L!

2^nd Prize is 25,000L

3^rd Prize is 10,000L

The Roawenwood is proud to be a participating merchant and has hidden within its main location 20 roses to be found, some of them have prizes in them. All proceeds go to the Relay for Life.

A great cause and a lot of fun, I hope you all enjoy!

As if I don’t have enough things on my plate guess what?  I have something new to tell you.  C’mere, lean in… I don’t want to speak too loudly because someone is probably going to smack me upside the head for opening up yet another line and more work for myself.  I started a line of…… men’s clothing and accessories.

Egads right?  I never do sit still for long and I never seem to stop trying to challenge myself but it isn’t all my fault this time.  My better half, affectionately known by some people as Ancient One or well some other less than savory names, *coughs lightly and continues with a straight face* was frustrated with the lack of male clothing.  Well in his words… the lack of decent male clothing.  He is forever searching for decent male clothing designers and often is disappointed.  For months he’s been poking, and prodding me trying to see if I’d give it a whirl… finally I caved.  Before this I couldn’t get my head around anything to make, finally got a few ideas (ok no offense but I do love some of the kilts that you’ll find around SL, I even wear some of them… yanno from places like Ripped, Emo-tions, and other places) but still didn’t really think it was a good idea.  I mean really…. there’s -tons- of places that make kilts etc.  Of course there are tons of places that make camisks and silks too.

The thing that he was frustrated with partially was the lack of, believe it or not, decent shirts and things.  He could find kilts if he wanted mostly, could find some pants though mostly jeans… but often couldn’t find shirts and things to go with the clothes he picked up.  Though he confuses me… he said he hated kilts for the most part.  *scratches her head in confusion shrugging to herself before continueing*  I never did say I understood men any better than they understand us.

Anyhoo…. What this means is I have a brand spankin new fun thing to play with from time to time.  Men’s stuff!  I can’t make any promises, I don’t know how often I’ll feel inspiration strike to make something new but ya never know… I said the same thing about the other stuff I make too.

So for your viewing pleasure I am releasing the Domhnull collection.  A set of 5 different colored laced shirts, a pair of sandals, and a full outfit including one of the shirts, kilt, armbands, and glitch pants.  I’m not sure how ya’ll are going to like it but I hope you do.  I think the shirts are pretty cool, plus I know… *puts her hand up in sympathy* everyone and their brother is making kilts but I really do like em… if anything I was seriously hesitant about releasing anything like that just due to the market saturation of it all.

I also released an accessory for the Gorean slaver.  In the books there is a mention of the daily wear for the slaver… it’s in Explorers if you’re curious… it says that when dressed in their best and finery a slaver will wear their caste colors of blue and gold however in their day to day they often just wore a few chevrons or slashes of blue and gold along the bottom of their left sleeve.  Granted this is a bit of a twist but I created a couple bracers/cuffs that wrap around the wrist.  One for right, one for left… Black leather belts that buckle around and the blue/gold caste colors of the slaver.