AW: Let’s start at the beginning how did you get your start making fursuits?
Deadly Creations Fursuits or DCF: Well for starters I knew I couldn’t afford to get my own suit because I am only a high school student. So after creating my first fursona in early 2017 (after about a year in the furry fandom), I decided to try making my own fursuit. I was actually in my Ceramics class when I started so I used what I learned there and applied it into my very first suit: RadioActive 1.0
AW: So when made you decide you could make fursuits for others?
DCF: It was actually my closest furry friend who got me into beginning to take commissions. After seeing RadioActive she asked me if I could remake a suit for her. I only agreed because of her belief in me. Since then I have done a lot of repairs to both my own and her suits, even a few friends, and have gotten a handful of commissions too. Though no where close to the hundreds most bigger makers have gotten lol.
AW: Hey everyone has to start somewhere
DCF: Indeed ^^
AW: Just curious how do makers decide what to charge? and what piece takes the most time to make?
DCF: Yes most makers decide on a base price and then additional charges depending on complexity and species.
As far as what I’ve seen from what takes the longest; I would have to say probably the head. I have worked with both foam and resin heads and both take a good while to pattern and then transfer the pattern to fur. Then cutting and sewing. Some makers chose to work with shorter furs to make it easier on themselves while I chose to actually work with longer furs and shave them by hand. That adds on about an hour or two. Of course some suit heads require painting as well and that always adds on a few hours. Also the head has a lot of different curved and shapes that ends up leading into even more pieces to the pattern. So yes, the head is likely the one item to take the longest besides maybe the bodysuit.
AW: I know fursuits are a personal thing how do you make sure the customer gets the design they want?
DCF: Oh absolutely! The first thing I do it check with my customer is the pattern is correct once completed. I always sketch out the pattern first in either regular pencil or colored pencil and once approved by my customer then I move onto using sharpie to finalize the pattern.
AW: I know the one thing I hear at fur cons is getting the right size and shape to match their own bodies. How should someone do this? I know some have made duct tape replicas of themselves is there any special way you do this?
DCF: Well Duct tape dummies are really the best way to go about this. I personally prefer DTD myself as it ensures that the suit is fit to the customer since the DTD is an nearly exact replica of your own body. However to do not demand them especially if you have health conditions that keep you from being able to create the replica. In this case I have taken very precise measurements in order to fulfill the request. However if you are able to, please make a duct tape dummy, it will make any make anyone’s time making Fursuits much easier and will make the suit fit a lot better!
AW: I know fit is very important
DCF: Indeed it is
AW: Say once a deal is made how long does it take from the time the payment is sent to the customer gets their completed fursuit?
DCF: It depends on the suit. While I take discussed payment plans, I do not begin work until at least half is paid. The suit is then completed as soon as possible between classes and in my free time and completed upon full payment. I am then able to mail out once finished. Every suit is different but I would say a tail takes no more than a month at absolute most and heads can vary greatly depending on when materials get in and how much I must do on it.
AW: How about just a basic fursuit, nothing special?
DCF: Every fursuit is special that comes through my shop. No matter how basic; I will love it just as much as I love my own fursuit. Each character has a story, each story is unique, thus every single suit is unique and special here.
Here at Deadly Creations Fursuits we have a saying “Where Dead Things Come To Life” to us this means that we bring dreams to life. No matter what your dream is, big or small, I will fight to make it exactly as you imagined it with the best quality I can possibly produce. So even if you have a basic character don’t let that bring you down. If you love who you and your fursona are then nothing else matters but making that dream a reality. I would never turn away a character or suit just because it’s not a outrageously complex one.
AW: Good Answer.
Which strangely leads to my next question, how do you deal with impatient customers?
DCF:
Actually I have been lucky enough to not come across one yet since creating this business in late 2017. Being that I am a high school student I do require patients. In these circumstances and knowing this will happen to me sooner or later, I will ask that they be patient and if not, then I will discuss with them the idea of a partial refund. If they still wish for the suit to be finished then I will bring them a bit further up in the list in order to meet demand before things get it of hand. However if they are to be rude about it then it the suit may not appear publicly in photos posted by myself however quality will not lessen in any way or form.
I understand fully that in some cases I will be in most definite fault if a deadline is involved and I do not meet it. In those cases I will be more than happy to finish the suit and add a few gifts along with discussion with the customer as soon as that time comes.
AW: That’s actually nice of you
DCF: I try to be very customer friendly along with admitting to my mistakes. I have seen too many people lie to the world about their Fursuits and have left the suiter in tears
AW: Getting straight answers from the source is what I try to do
DCF: And that is what I will give you ^^
AW: In recent years there has been increased attendance at fur cons, in general, have you noticed increased business?
DCF: Yes I have definitely noticed and increase in interest. I often have people ask me not only about my work but some also ask what are good ways for making suits.
AW: I noticed on YouTube fursuit making videos get a lot of views
DCF: Yes, it is an interesting process that you can learn a lot by watching. Personally I learned by watching fursuit making videos and still enjoy watching them because I can always learn different methods and ways of shaving fur, making paws, heads, just about anything
You can contact Deadly Creations Fursuits
Twitter @DeadlyFursuits
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