Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Tooomorrow.. Tomorrow

Yes.. Jan 1st I will pull my 2009 sequin pumps.. They are ONLY $10L a pair and after Jan 1st.. they will be NO MORE! Get them now.. they're transfer so buy a pair for a friend...

Working on some NEW boots, and some new lucky chair items too.. so GET the Rudolf and Frostie boots NOW before I take them out forever..

Main Store

One of my more fav things to do sometimes is make NEW ads.. I've been using the Dare To Be Unusual ad as sort of my logo.. and I thought I'd change it up a little. I'm not just unusual in my designs, but I try to keep my prices low. I know my shoes aren't GO TO shoes, they are more like that funny candy bar you see as you load your groceries on the belt.. an impulse item. Maybe you like kitties and want my many kitty shoes. I know they aren't SRS BNS, so I don't price them like SRS BNS. I thought I'd try to play that up a little more. What do you think? Yay or Nay?

Secluded Cove Interviews - Skinkie Winkler

I met Skinkie back when I had my island.. she rented a spot and I've loved her since.. she's got a spot at Secluded Cove Boardwalk.. here she is..


#1 Avatar Name
Skinkie Winkler

#2 Business Name
~flirt~ fine jewellery

#3 First day in SL
I went to a freebie place, arrived and then wondered why I just couldn't move my avatar - my first encounter with lag

#4 Your vision for your business
To achieve perfection in terms of virtual jewellery creation. Oh, you meant something realistic? I'd love for the business to afford it's own sim one day - a long way off still.

#5 Favorite place in SL
Friends Meeting Hall, Ode or Recovery Island

#6 Favorite Freebie
Eloh Elliot's skins due to how they revolutionised the skin industry in SL

#7 Why you joined DiS
Initially it was because I wanted to get involved in Relay For Life and they were the team I knew most people on. But it's become a great source of support, help and FUN!

#8 Upcoming plans
So many! Getting rid of this flu-bug would be a nice start, then perhaps finishing the two diamond sets in my inventory, launching a line of quality men's jewellery. I'd like to learn how to make sculpties so I can incorporate sculptie elements in some of my designs. When are they bringing in 48 hour days?

#9 Another store you love
SO many! Sn@tch, Maitreya, Calla, DP Serendipity, Ce Cubic, Zaara, Tesla... the list goes on...

#10 Favorite color and why
Dark wine-red. Warm but striking, confident, classy and flattering, yet much easier to wear than some colours.

Thank you, Skinkie for your continued support of Secluded Cove!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Secluded Cove Interviews - Betty Doyle

Woot! here's another interview with a vendor at Secluded Cove Boardwalk!


#1 Avatar Name
Betty Doyle

#2 Business Name
Ingenue

#3 First day in SL
Trying to figure out the building thing... oh...and I thought I had to learn how to script before I went over to the mainland...good thing I finally gave up on that, or I'd still be there. :P

#4 Your vision for your business
To keep improving my skills and creating interesting designs.

#5 Favorite place in SL
The Refuge

#6 Favorite Freebie
PVN Pose Stand

#7 Why you joined DiS
Cause Tigerlily invited me, and it seemed like a fun thing.

#8 Upcoming plans
um... just try to keep getting stuff made with the newborn I'm gonna have in about 3 months!

#9 Another store you love
Icing

#10 Favorite color and why
I have to pick just one? At the moment, I'd say aqua -- it's just so fresh and retro-y.

Thank you, Betty for your continued support of Secluded Cove!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Secluded Cove Interviews - Enktan Gully

Yay! Another vendor from the fabulous Secluded Cove Boardwalk!

#1 Avatar Name
Enktan Gully
#2 Business Name
Enkythings
#3 First day in SL
5/3/2006
#4 Your vision for your business
Slowly growing and improving on myself, keeping a nice balance between work and fun.
#5 Favorite place in SL
The Isle of Dreams.. but where has it gone? Can't find it no more :(
#6 Favorite Freebie
The Chocobo
#7 Why you joined DiS
I'm not really a group chatter myself but hearing the DIS group makes me feel less alone while at work in my box. Also a lot of usefull info is spread in this group. And it's good to be united.. never know what LL's next action regarding content creating will be..
#8 Upcoming plans
Oh yes, always many plans.. but when will i find the time to realise them?
#9 Another store you love
ExtroVirtual Headquarters
#10 Favorite color and why
Black, cos it's beautifull

thank you Enktan for your continued support of Secluded Cove!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Secluded Cove Interviews - Sysy Chapman

Another in my continuing series of interviews with Secluded Cove Boardwalk Vendors. The Enchanting Sysy Chapman!


#1 Avatar Name
SySy Chapman

#2 Business Name
SYSY's

#3 First day in SL
Dec. 16, 2006

#4 Your vision for your business
Provide female wear, ranging from everyday casuals to formal attire. Planning to do more for charity organizations aswell, and have a WHOLE lot of fun doing it all :)

#5 Favorite place in SL
Aaaaah..too many to name. But the Apollo, Botanical Gardens and sims like that are gorgeous. OH! The loco poco's sim...awesome idea. The Black Swan...gosh..see? I cant'pick only one lol

#6 Favorite Freebie
Hands down the lucky chair items from Zaara's ;)

#7 Why you joined DiS
I got invited into DiS honestly not knowing of it's excistance LOL! However now i KNOW it, i wouldn't wanna leave it no more. The reason i would want to join dis had i known it, i love the idea of this group, its wonderfull to be able to chat with fellow designers and creators, share tips, vent a little bit about frustrations, have a silly chat etc. <3 DiS!!!

#8 Upcoming plans
Do more with/for charity organizations, do my own fashionshows, continue creating and learning to get better at it :)

#9 Another store you love
Again too many to name, but let me drop a few names which come to mind now, Nicky Ree's wonderfull gowns, Zaara's well entire collection lol, ETD hair, Truth hair, Aphrodite Outlanders shoes, Tesla, Leezu Baxter and much more!

#10 Favorite color and why
All earth tones...black, green brown etc. Earthy tones :)

Thank you, Sy for your continued support of Secluded Cove!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

2009 is coming...

Are you ready? I AM!

Made some cute little pumps and I'm putting them out for $10L a pair at my main store! Yes Transfer! Gold and Silver..


And if you're gonna wear some snazzy shoes.. you gotta wear a snazzy outfit!




And what goes better with a good outfit than some stunning jewelry? I'm wearing the Lucky Chair item from Night Stone Jewelry. A 2009 pendent with color change gems in the 00's! Also comes with matching earrings. In Gold or Silver.

Also wearing:
Hair: Aveda Short Bob.. ETD sale is gooood.. and ending sooon!
Skin: TaP Vivant Buff Boudoir 3
Dress: *LAST CALL: Fashionista
Stockings: (Shiny Things) Free stockings in charcoal

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Secluded Cove Interviews - Madison Winthorpe

I've lost count.. it's another interview with a vendor from Secluded Cove Boardwalk! Yay!


with her husband Gedden

#1 Avatar Name - Madison Winthorpe

#2 Business Name - Madison's Creations

#3 First day in SL - 03/20/2006

#4 Your vision for your business - To be one of the premier designers of Fantasy and Medieval clothing

#5 Favorite place in SL - My skypod, followed closely by Hayman Isle

#6 Favorite Freebie - My free medieval gown

#7 Why you joined DiS - To connect with likeminded designers such as myself, who strive to do the best work

#8 Upcoming plans - To work on a men's line of medieval clothing.

#9 Another store you love - Analog dog

#10 Favorite color and why - Black, everthing looks great in black.

Thank you, Madison, for your continued support of Secluded Cove Boardwalk!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

SOS! Save our Shakespeare!

One of the great designers in Designers in Seclusion is Ina Centaur. You read her interview here. She works with the Globe Theatre of SL, producing Shakespeare's great plays in a virtual world. With Linden Labs lovely little OpenSim debaucle, The Globe Theatre needs some help. I immediately decided that Ina needed some book shoes to sell to help out! These have morphed into Shakespeare Book Boot Skates!


ALL the money from these skates goes to the Globe Theatre. Every Last BIT! I refused to take a cut of the money, because we need to keep things like the Globe Theatre in SL. The Arts are just as important as businesses. I URGE you to head over to the theatre, and watch today's production of Shakespeare on ICE. Check the giftshop, buy something! Heck, just donate a few Lindens.
Here's the Official Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Dec 20, 2008
Contact: Lora Constantine

Shakespeare, Second Life: On Winter Solstice 2008 (Dec 21), the SL
Shakespeare Company endeavors on a last production of the year, a
24-hour ongoing festival of 'Shakespeare on Ice', to occur on the
Shakespeare Island sim, with a purpose of entertaining and educating.

The festival revives salient plots and character relations from past
SL Shakespeare Company productions, as well as new ones created just
for this, in the form of displays that replay through the brief
segments persistently. Managing Director Complex Infinity states,
"We're using bots since scheduling is too painful in this season, and
also, this is a chance for everyone to—literally—drop by and get a
glimpse of us at any time." Artistic Director Ina Centaur explains the
purpose of this production, "It's a light production, and we actually
have it labeled as a SLBP—'Super Low Budget Production.' The 'scenes'
or displays are set up somewhat like museum exhibits, where the
audience can explore each one on their own. [Although no new
animations and very few assets were created for this production,]
We're maintaining our trademark for visual excellence while trying to
give everyone a chance to see what we're about—even during these hard
times as we attempt to raise funding to keep our islands." Though
admissions is free, Centaur mentions that several relevant
merchandises will also be available for the audience to purchase to
help support the Company financially, "All proceeds for purchases of
the skins of each character will help support our current SOS 'Save
Our Sims' Fundraising Campaign. Also, we will be displaying a
'one-of-a-kind' photorealistic virtual gown based on Queen Elizabeth's
Rainbow Portrait—the silent auction for this item would end at 4 PM on
Sunday the 21st."

Centaur explains the reason behind each display, "Each exhibit is
self-sufficient and does not refer to a particular scene, explicitly,
but is true to the relations among the characters in the world of
[that] play. They're basically a 'single-instance interpretation' or a
caricature-like 'capture' of part of the essence of each play." The
Company's Hamlet is back in the unlikely form: Hamlet is revived and
stalking Lucianus down a path, leaving him with "what became of Romeo
and Juliet", then coming back to pursue Claudius who had been arguing
with both Polonius and Gertrude; Ophelia looks at the scene in a
frozen expression of horror, and the Ghost loiters about. Although
such script-programmed behaviors have not been used in a major
theatrical production on Second Life before, Centaur waves off the
technological innovation of this production, "We're really just
digging through the attic and showing off some very old toys we didn't
have to use before."

And, of characters not yet seen in past productions: Both Queen
Elizabeth (incognito, dressed informally in her Rainbow Portrait gown,
as Gloriana) and Henry VIII will make their appearance while roaming
about on skates on ice paths on the Shakespeare island. New
'productions' created especially for this display include a
"single-instance interpretation" of Kate, the female lead from The
Taming of the Shrew, and the triangular relationship of Romeo, Juliet,
and the Apothecary. Kate is shown psyching out on ice (but the ice
never breaks); Romeo and Juliet, dressed as ice skaters, are circling
around a stooping and unmoving Apothecary, with a dagger to the heart
protruding from Juliet's blood-stained body, and Romeo binging on a
vial of poison potion.

Ina Centaur jokingly names the exhibit of "Romeo and Juliet (and the
Apothecary)" as a tribute to virtual economist Edward Castronova, "We
weren't lucky enough to get any external funding for our projects, so
we had to do everything [referring to this particular display] with
just L$250. Ed got a US$250,000 grant to create a Shakespeare world in
Second Life, where people could 'learn' about Shakespearean plays
presumably through such Disneyland-esque methods. But he didn't
actually get to make his project on Second Life, so—not that I
particularly cherish the theatrics of this one—we dedicate this
display to his idea!"


So GO! Go Now! Save Our Shakespeare!

Secluded Cove Interviews - Elisrandra Ree

This is the fifth in the series of interviews with Secluded Cove Boardwalk Vendors featuring Elisandra Ree!

#1 Avatar Name: Elisandra Ree

#2 Business Name: Aeclectic Goddess Fashions

#3 First day in SL: Feb 10, 06

#4 Your vision for your business: Highest Quality fantasy and RP wear for men and women.

#5 Favorite place in SL:my studio

#6 Favorite Freebie: Toys

#7 Why you joined DiS: To stay informed and interact with other designers.

#8 Upcoming plans: Grow my business

#9 Another store you love: *Fire* & ~Water~

#10 Favorite color and why: All because it's variety that counts.


Thank you Elisandra Ree for your continued support of Secluded Cove Boardwalk!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Fleur Booties

I've long loved the Fleur Di Lis.. I'm not sure why... it's just.. classic and beautiful to me.. so I incorporated it into some cute little booties..


These are available on the new shelf in the front of my main store on Thistledown. Each pair is $195L and transfer only! 6 colors, Rouge, Verte, Bleue, Violette, Grise and Noire. I sent out a free Rose pair to my update group. It's still available in the Subscribe o Matic. Just touch the sign inside the store or at my shop on LVS.
Look for Night Stone jewelry to soon have some matching jewelry! I love Night Stone. Neural has a real eye for details. She's got some great deals and even sells RL opals!

Secluded Cove Interviews - Mouse Mimistrobell


This is the fourth in the series of vendors from Secluded Cove Boardwalk! The Lovely Mouse Mimistrobell


#1 Avatar Name
Mouse Mimistrobell

#2 Business Name
Dark Mouse Jewelry

#3 First day in SL
11/17/06

#4 Your vision for your business
I've always envisioned my business as one of those eclectic jewelry shops where you find strange, unique and beautiful pieces that you might not see in every store.

#5 Favorite place in SL
My favorite place in SL is Teal. I'm a huge LOTR fan and Teal is the first place I landed in SL. I was mesmerized by the Bilbo's hobbit hole and the gates of Moria. I've even made my own gates of Moria and my dream is to have my own sim and build Rivendell.

#6 Favorite Freebie
Hmmm. Mine or someone elses? There are so many but my favorite freebie is the sculpty belt that Maitreya gave out not too long ago. Actually anything free from Maitreya is just the best in my book. The freebie that I gave away free for a week that I loved was the Lagilicious Fashionista Belt - I gave away over 800 while they were free!

#7 Why you joined DiS
I joined DiS because I feel like I know so little about the SL fashion community and when I'm down, it helps me a lot to listen to other designers talk about their challenges! I'm totally a lurker though and rarely speak up cause I'm the shy type.

#8 Upcoming plans
I plan to participate in the Peace on Earth hunt and the Vanity Winter Fairy Tale Expo.

#9 Another store you love
I lurve Nyte & Day. It was the first store I shopped in SL and I still shop there frequently. In particular, I LOVE the Nyte'N'Day - Button Fly Jeans (Dark Wash) that I wear them constantly.

#10 Favorite color and why
Can I have 2? My fav color is brown and I especially like it with blue. There's just something about the richness of the combined colors that I really like. I guess I just think it's a classy color combo.

Thank you, Mouse for your continued support of Secluded Cove Boardwalk!

Rowan

Monday, December 15, 2008

MORE Christmas!

Ever get really bored.. and end up making shoes?... hmm.. probably no one but me..

So I already blogged and then I was standing around and said.. ok.. shoes.. and well.. they're in my lucky chair.. :}

Give the Gift of Shoes!

I'm marking my Gift Certificates down 50%! Give the gift of shoes to your loved ones!
Unlike RL most SL shoes fit!


I have gift boxes in my store for $200L, $300L and $500L. They are all now marked down to $100L, $150L and $250L for purchase, but your loved ones still get the full value! What a DEAL!

Most of the shoes in my store are transfer also, so come pick out a few inexpensive last minutes gifts! You'll find most of my shoes are only $95L! Even the brand new sculptied ones.

Rowan

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Secluded Cove Interviews Gwendolyn Cassini

This is the third in the series of vendors from Secluded Cove Boardwalk


#1 Avatar Name
Gwendolyn Cassini
#2 Business Name
Gwendolyn Cassini Creations
#3 First day in SL
November 6 2006
#4 Your vision for your business
Only create what I want to create and hope that the world likes my stuff too
#5 Favorite place in SL
My island
#6 Favorite Freebie
My Happymood handpuppets
#7 Why you joined DiS
I felt honoured when Tigerlily asked me
#8 Upcoming plans
Keep having fun
#9 Another store you love
Botanical, because its so pretty <3
#10 Favorite color and why
Dark forest green, I like natural colours

Thank you, Gwen, for your continued support of Secluded Cove Boardwalk!

Rowan

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Secluded Cove Interviews - Ryker Beck

This is the Second in the series of interviews with Secluded Cove Boardwalk vendors


#1 Avatar Name
Ryker Beck

#2 Business Name
Genesis

#3 First day in SL
February 22, 2007

#4 Your vision for your business
Though I am currently a modest jewelry store, I would eventually like to expand into content creation in a greater capacity, reaching the goals of skin design and couture clothing ultimately.

#5 Favorite place in SL
The Crown & Pearl, the best bar in all of Second Life. Not a single place else I would rather spend my time lounging away, talking with close friends, and meeting new ones.

#6 Favorite Freebie
Eloh Eliot's skins are an incredible addition to my inventory, as they should be to yours!

#7 Why you joined DiS
I originally joined DiS because Tigerlily Koi was shocked I was not yet a part of it! (haha) I am remarkably thankful for the invite, and blessed to be surrounded by so many astounding and creative minds on a regular basis. The support received from this group continuously inspires me.

#8 Upcoming plans
My ultimate goal in Second Life is to become a skin creator... though I fear that goal may be months and months away. However, when I reach it, you will surely hear me shouting from the Cove rooftops!

#9 Another store you love
I am madly in love with the store Kari, by Menno Ophelia. The shoes, clothes, hair, you name it... collaboration at its finest!

#10 Favorite color and why
Yellow, because it is bright and cheerful... and always reminds me that the sun is always shining somewhere.

Thank you Ryker for your continued support of Secluded Cove Boardwalk!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Show me something Pink and Green

I sent out some booties to my update group.. the pink version of the Fleur booties I will be finishing up soon. I was bored, and needed to actually LEAVE my workshop so I put together and outfit around the boots.. it was soo cute.. I decided to share!

Pink and Green!


Hair : Izzy by Truth.. a freebie.. I think it's still available.. I'm wearing Black
Skin: TaP Vivant Buff Candy 1 I don't think these are available anymore.. too bad.. I love them
Earrings: - enkythings - Black Heels Earring .. freebie in the Secluded Cove store.. love them!
Shirt: LW Buttondown Shirt Sage 2 on the Jacket layer. I'm wearing the pink shirts cuffs and collar
Skirt: =RaC= Check chic - Pink It was a freebie.. not sure if it's still available.. I really need to update my inventory.. ehehhe
Tights: *PERSONA* Woolen tights - pink FABULOUS tights. Comes on underwear, socks and pants layer
Shoes: My group gift Rose Fleur Booties.. :}
Shape: MINE!

Secluded Cove Interviews - Ina Centaur

This is the first in a series of interviews with vendors at the Secluded Cove Boardwalk Mall..

My first subject is Ina Centaur. She owns IC Skins and runs the The Globe Theatre in SL.


#1 Avatar Name
Ina Centaur

#2 Business Name
IC-Skins

#3 First day in SL
i don't remember. i think they mugged and drugged me and then i crashed.

#4 Your vision for your business
to make you become a real live avatar through skins! o.O

#5 Favorite place in SL
Primtings

#6 Favorite Freebie
mod's hair

#7 Why you joined DiS
DiS is my friend!

#8 Upcoming plans
ugggh so much to do!!!
yay, there's things to do!

#9 Another store you love
Ce Cubic!

#10 Favorite color and why
Maroon - it's really elegant and yet not too ick


Thank you Ina for your continued support of Secluded Cove Boardwalk!
If you are interested in renting at SCB, please send a notecard to Rowan Carroll.. thanks!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Merry Christmas, Rowan Carroll

I have the Charlie Brown Christmas songs in my head... mmm. lovely..

I decided to give out a little giftie to my groupies. A sneak peek at some lovely booties I've been working on. No pics for you! Join the Subscribe o Matic group by touching the kiosk inside my store

I will give you these pics though.. some great limited edition shoes..



I love animating shoes.. it's something we just can't really DO in RL.
The snowflake pumps will do a small poof of snowflakes on touch. The Christmas Tree pumps have blinking lights..

Just a few of the things that make Christmas happy for me....

Enjoy your holidays..

Rowan

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Teagan's Challenge


So I don't usually do the blogging challenges.. but this one from Teagan got me.. Book Characters! WOOT!

I had to do Anita Blake from the book series by Laurell K Hamilton. I've read every single book in the series at least three times. I love them, even though I'm not much of a vampire/lycan fan. There is just something about these books that draws me in. Prolly the realness of Anita.. She has problems with her men, her body, her family. She's funny but in a human way. She fights her own demons as well as .. well.. DEMONS. Come on.. she sleeps with a stuffed penguin.. :}

So yeah.. I tossed together some items from my outrageous inventory.. which is down to 85K. yeah.. that's 8 5 0 0 0 ... don't Judge ME! What can I say.. I'm a pack rat.. But for everyone who yells at me about it.. there is someone who goes.. "Do you have a.... ?" and by golly.. I do!

Hair: TossMeAbout by DBS Heart.. was a freebie awhile ago and damn if it ain't Anita!
Skin: Darkes Sisters Skins-S8-Porcelain-Moda-Starz Freebie from the Skin Expo long ago
Eyes: SYD Caramel
Shirt: SYD Red Sweater
Jacket: Charcoal crushed velvet BLAZER - cropped (RG) from Rosemary Gailbreaths old store
Pants: LW Basic Jeans Charcoal 1 Laynie Wear!
Gun: FORT 14 - 1.3 (holstered) found on Xstreet for $1L

For all the Anita fans that see this.. I'm SOO anti Richard..

Rowan
She's So Unusual Shoes © 2008 | Coded by Randomness | Illustration by Wai | Design by betterinpink!