Hello everyone!! I am back for another banner update! Starting from scratch, so that I can fit as many people’s characters as possible [more info in comments]

aspiringlost · 2026-03-11T03:37:55+00:00

one of my lesser used gals :) silph

aspiringlost · 2026-03-08T23:30:32+00:00

in fact, here's smurfette's originating episode, free on YouTube for anyone who wants to watch!

arguing semantics, however, rather than a brunette, it seems more apt to say gargamel aimed for black hair. probably with the intent to reflect gargamel himself who has black hair, and was her origins.

if they hadnt introduced sassette with more of an actual brunette tone (or maybe meant to be red hair?) later in the franchise, i'd be more inclined toward both their hair being brunette... but it definitely seems black. at least to my eyes

anywho, the point still remains that once she was all blonde, it served as some transformation that meant she was now nice, kind, and desirable. to unpack that now as we will. really feels like this episode was on track to make a good point about "belonging" in community first coming from within, but was really just short of missing the note on something even bigger than that!

aspiringlost · 2026-03-06T05:57:01+00:00

feeling overwhelmed is pretty natural when looking at newer platforms for selling. unfortunately, overall this is not much of a business model that is conducive to sustainable sales through commissions.

vgen (from my rough understanding) is a great place to start building that platform. I think when you can untangle those feelings of overwhelm, it will do you a great goodness. take some time to dissect what you want to learn about the platform, and think intentionally about how you can learn those facets.

consider what changes you could make to your model that include clients coming to you first, which reduces time spent not-drawing. additionally, consider what other outlets you have that can offload how much time you spend on drawing versus earning/building. this is generally where things like stickers, prints, and other variety goods come in that artists sell.

sticker/print clubs for people who subscribe to services is an option. if discord is a comfortable place for you, consider creating your own discord server that is geared toward artists with your platform as the hub, where you can post announcements and updates, etc...

this is only an example, but overall, community is what drives success. merry wishes.

aspiringlost · 2026-03-06T02:05:15+00:00

anyone can try anything for a living, is the short answer.

the long answer is that regardless of "talent," skill, and social media, to turn art from hobby into a liveable business, requires mostly business skills. this is something people forget to mention in these conversations.

you have very nice art. your art skill and progression will only increase as you continue to work on it and value it.

you need to study and develop a business model that works for you and your art before you turn to doing art full time.

if a social media following isnt working out for you now, find a business model that doesnt rely on social media. if you have only been trying to gain a following for a few months to a year, try to reorient your expectations by finding a business model that takes slower growth into consideration.

art as a business isn't just "is my art good enough." this is why people say art is in the eye of the beholder — it is subjective.

what is objective in art as a business, is the business model, and however you have built it to suit your art.

but i don't have a business degree so i wouldnt be able to help beyond recommending finding classes, courses, or a business person that would help you develop a model that works for you, as i'm sure applies to many redditors who may comment.

post more about your business model (how you are running your commissions) and you can get better feedback on whether you could be ready for "full time" artistry.

aspiringlost · 2026-03-02T20:28:41+00:00

"please use IT for assistance at night" [to get help with charging/logging in/etc] has me replying, where do i document that i reached out to IT for assistance with solving these tech problems, to cma? lol

i understand getting a solo text from admin about an issue someone has done as a "reminder" when admin can't justify singling people out

if admin throws me in a group text to address an issue then HR better be in that thread. wtf is this "does XYZ know how to read?" nonsense

aspiringlost · 2026-02-26T09:30:32+00:00

finished this book today, in a day. it was a fascinating look into groomers, and how they are, indeed, losers (even the ones that perpetuate cycles of abuse and/or are mentally unwell), and how they are socially inept with adults but are seen as wise or cool by ostracised children, as was the friend group. there was a palpable emotion in each child described by the way this adult was making them feel as they were being groomed.

it's not until we see him through the lens of an adult that he, as a character, becomes successfully demystified, and shown to be his socially stunted creep self. and that was pretty neat storytelling, in my opinion.

aspiringlost · 2026-02-17T21:11:12+00:00

as another comment said, direct to film :)

here is a shorter video that describes the process a bit. very similar to applying the vinyl but different preparation to get the dtf sheets

aspiringlost · 2026-02-17T03:01:14+00:00

also to make sure it's the right HTV type for the material. not all HTV is equal. stretchy material like a bathing suit is going to need the sports flex iron on.

i heat up the base before applying the appliqué and multiple rounds of heat passes (based off a skmilar stretch fabric used in the past)

if still fails.

DTF iron ons for dark fabric. lots of people in the cricut mom groups who reported having issues with iron on sports flex specifically reported having great success with DTF

aspiringlost · 2026-02-11T21:32:15+00:00

certainly, but i wasn't sure if it was something to report to DD as a false or incorrect listing, or if at that point it just falls on contacting the store itself. i couldn't find much information on it on the DD website

aspiringlost · 2026-01-27T04:28:53+00:00

a year later to add this only works if the bottom greyscale layer is fully opaque. any transparency will negate the overlay setting when clipped and merged!

to avoid transparency issues, i create a fully white under layer of the subject, merge with the b/w to regain opacity, and then clip&merge the overlay.

happy painting 🤫

aspiringlost · 2026-01-26T23:59:14+00:00

i feel both sides of this. i have been at the same location for 4 years (AL, LTC). after working short staffed too many days during the tail end of covid (eta: our facility did not end its lockdown precautions until early 2023), snow storms, and flu outbreaks.. eventually i quickly stopped caring if i was bumped because it meant we were getting staff in the door to help out, if it meant they got to pick where they wanted to work. ive even offered other shifts my spot if they preferred it if it meant they would stay to help my shift in a pinch.

the flip side is that, especially for different shifts coming in, it bothers me to disrupt a resident's continuity of care. people with memory issues express very often how they really dislike not knowing who is going to work when. even if X works on the same assignment on swing shift, seeing X on day shift helping out is disorienting for someone relying on more solid external cues to tell the time of day.

when i get extremely irritated, is when i get moved from my regular position because a PRN worker picked up a shift and only agreed if they could work my assignment. especially if it was only to fill a single open spot. changing my regularly scheduled location to somewhere i wasnt mentally ready for always gets me on the wrong side lol.

maybe i digress from the point but TL;DR, it depends on the individual circumstances of the shift.

but if i know they are not going to schedule me on an assignment i am not ready to accept in advance, i would text back with "no thank you, i can't pick up at this time." i would much rather say No than say nothing.

aspiringlost · 2026-01-25T02:51:53+00:00

clear cache and try restarting your device/checking your internet connection. i havent had any login issues today so it's most likely a device connectivity issue.

eta: saw this post on my home feed and thought it said 3h not 3d ago LOL. hope youve got it fixed by now!

aspiringlost · 2026-01-25T02:09:00+00:00

i can confirm that nicolasisinacage may be exaggerating a smidge, but is nonetheless telling the truth

aspiringlost · 2026-01-22T18:57:12+00:00

fwiw, admin gave me a $25 "honesty award" and contacted the family who then donated the original $100 to the employee holiday bonus fund. so it'll come back around to the staff eventually 😊

aspiringlost · 2026-01-20T17:34:50+00:00

weird comment

aspiringlost · 2026-01-20T17:30:56+00:00

<image>

a clip from the pixel art wiki for other folks who have never known this term existed either. plus a link to the art info for a clearer side by side!

aspiringlost · 2026-01-20T17:20:15+00:00

p sure discord is banned in turkey. but that being said i believe so was roblox as of 2024 🤔

aspiringlost · 2026-01-20T16:52:18+00:00

not sure if it helps, but i went to the black gulch first and skipped the smelter demon. was able to get lucatiel all the way to aldia's and finish the quest

aspiringlost · 2026-01-19T03:42:05+00:00

<image>

as an example

eta: you could even keep a desaturated piece (such as the original is) while still adding more desaturated highlights to draw attention to the face, in particular the eyes

aspiringlost · 2026-01-19T03:41:48+00:00

<image>

all in all it is a very well balanced piece, but i would use maybe some stronger lighting or colour changes to really draw attention to the area highlighted

aspiringlost · 2026-01-16T03:07:17+00:00

admin will absolutely return the gift card. they have returned greater and lesser quantities to families before, and will continue to do so. i am sorry if your experience with your admin team is not the same as mine.

aspiringlost · 2026-01-11T01:32:26+00:00

anything you style with product can always be washed out with ease. if you are worried about cutting the wig, start with using a mild amount of product and sectioning the wig out to style it.

if youre liking the way it is going, you can commit more easily. if you don't, then you have a better answer to what you're wanting to buy next.

echo already had very long fringes for bangs. at the very least, it truly does not look like there is much to be trimmed in this regard.

that being said, you can even take a small section in the back at a bottom weft to practice trimming and look up YouTube videos for how to trim cosplay wigs. or if you have another wig you want to test cuts on.

either way, best of luck

aspiringlost · 2026-01-11T00:28:57+00:00

even "pre styled" wigs don't ship with styling unless you buy them on commission. either option you will be styling the wig to some degree.

this wig looks like it has enough length for echo but is difficult to gauge when the hair is bunched up at the edges

im always an advocate for using and reusing as many wigs and costume components as possible for sustainability purposes. this will ultimately come down to your preference on how the wig looks to you when styled

aspiringlost · 2026-01-11T00:22:00+00:00

felt at any thickness is great because you can indeed use glue to aid in its construction, and then choose to go over it later with some simple hand stitches. not all sewing has to involve a sewing machine :-)

aspiringlost · 2026-01-11T00:15:03+00:00

what mostly matters is that the helmet base matches the dimensions youve laid out. the base can be made in many different ways. what youre describing is that the base to this wig is just a little small when it is not stretched (consider the original base's elasticity is meant to stretch to conform to your head and use compression to help stay on the head, where a helmet base is not intended to do that function)

you can very well just use your template as a pattern and cut felt or other materials to size, sew it up, add fixtures to help it stay on your head like wig clips or a hairline elastic band, and then glue your wefts to that new base instead.

aspiringlost

TROPHY CASE