Price reduction on unscripted Top Hats 100-120L

My top hats are now 100L -120 L(few of them are even double pack) except for resize scripted current model. (They are 250L , slightly reduced as well)

Inquire if you want something custom made.

Daini Ken +Gothic Colors+ for goth cowboy hats

Goth Cowboy hat with 4 skulls on front.

Now comes in 6 +Gothic Colors+

(No, there are no such things as gothic colors. Just that all the color options in SL seems to be limited in *edit window colors* maybe except by Silent Sparrow.)

New distressed leather texture, color, shadings are baked on. This is not the default white texture, colored with edit box.

I (The model in the picture, if you didnt know already) am wearing +Incubus jade+
+Bloodraven, +Castle Midnight, +Darkmoss,+ Gothic Violet, +Ruined Brown come in a box.

Now, the price.
This box is listed in Xstreet (former Sl exchange) as 1750L for copy permission, with resizer script. Not that much of a discount from 1870L value. However, if you visit my in world store from the link on the right, You can get the different permission sets for 900L, which is over 50%off from individual product bought separately.

*Transfer option with resizer script. No mod, no copy
*Mod, Copy, No transfer. Unscripted

Individual unscripted items in copy, mod permission is also available for 300L each.

Logo Experiment

This is about the time for me to prepare the store sign/logo for the next year. I was experimenting(playing. really.) with few samples.

My brain is so set up in an analog graphic way that each element is almost composed in my head as if to cut and paste screen tones and typeset placing.

hmmmm do I need any subtle hues ? .... (talking to my self)

Holiday limited edition Hair adornment and lucky chair

Lucky chair is now in the main store. It doesn't cycle thru junks. For now, there is a private collection (previously unreleased, and ever ) voodoo hat in there.
It is more for a limited time. And at time that certain number of avatar claimed enough number of prize in total, it will be gone.














Hair adornment.
3pack for 100L

Holiday edition is scripted to make particle xmas tree .
/4 tree on
/4 tree off

Tree is just bubbling and it does not go all over. If you dance with it on, you will see the trees trails your path. They are very modest in size, so it will not annoy everyone in the room.
One of the fun stuff only possible in SL.

Available through this holiday season.
Grab one for party season.

Daini Ken sim/ Main store location now OPEN!!!

Daini Ken Designs sim

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Daini%20Ken/232/27/601/?title=Main%20store%20sim

If you have old landmark and profile picks, please update it to this location. My store is always accessible from my profile picks as well.

Good thing about having my own sim is that I can set my own club events as I like. (previous location was not allowed to have clubs)
So I set up new lounge space in the cozy corner of main store floor, where you can just chill between your power shopping trip or just to get away from all the drama whores and stalkers.

I do not advertise my sim with industrial strength ad campaign, so this place always be the hidden gem in your SL landmarks.

i may have sale events for opening celebration, so I will keep you posted.

Daini Ken sim info

Any upcoming sim info will be categorized under "Daini Ken sim" category, so it will be easy to find.

As of this afternoon, region transfer is completed, and I am officially a region owner.
(The map will take few more hours to show my land SW of *near* Transylvania/Desolation regions respectively. )

As always, LL did not complete their job before they deduct several hundred dollars from my account, and left my seller/previous owner as the owner of the region, and the contents are still there. (of course, I filed ticket. As soon as they have my money I expect those things complete in my hands.)

Anyways, I will start terraforming as soon as I got estate rights.


The first progress report.

Daini Ken upcoming sim launch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daini Ken Designs by Frederic Prevost has just finalized an agreement of sim transfer from another resident.
The process has been forwarded to LL as of this morning.

The new region name will be Daini Ken.

(not HOTSCHROTT as some might have guessed)
Daini Ken, as I stated before, is a Japanese translation of *the Second circle of Inferno-Divine comedy* by Dante. for those who read kanji/chinese character it will be 第二圏、第弐圏、and its varies.

It is based on the reference of Divine comedy by Japanese 19th century author Mori Ougai. Ougai's contribution to the introduction of western literature into Japanese public are immensely influential to this day. Little child Frederic studied those translation along with Ougai's own books.
Ougai is also known for the auhoritary translation of Goethe and other German literature, however, I do not believe he translated Divine Comedy as a whole.

"the second" is in unison with "second life" , at the same time, the second circle of hell described about Lust. My favorite episode of Divine Comedy, "Francesca di Rimini" also come from the second circle on Inferno (ref Canto V).

The inferno proceeds in order of lesser sins to more serious ones, from top to bottom.
The most serious sin is the betrayal.

Details of launch and new brand concept, parcel rental/sale coming soon.

Another HUGE announcement coming soon!

I came back from NYC, checking out opera hunk and opera chick at MET, meeting my SL best friends. (THEY were not psycho killers! )

Just out of the blue, I stumble into bargain, which is hard to pass up.
The plan is basically a done deal, and I am expecting confirmation in next 24 hours. So, I may be able to bring you the big news by tomorrow at the latest.

This is something I wanted to do, but vaguely planned for over next several months, and not *this weekend* . However, the chances like this has to be recognized and demanded action. I have been considering this for a while, therefore this is not really a spur of the moment matter as other matters in my life. (Yes, I am pondering to buy cello, since I have never played one. And thats not an announcement. LOL)

I am hoping to bring you the good news in next few days.

Bit busy in RL

My RL take up my time lately, and it may not settle for next few months. Meanwhile, I will continue to check my IM, and Slex accounts/forums as usual.

As for the xcite! ToKon affiliate vendor, I still have not heard from them. Several compatible collars are in my main store, however, I do not intent to do any major promotion until xcite gives us ToKon system vendor, mainly because these items require ToKon HUD, and I really do not like to tell my customer to go to another store to buy the parts. ...

I thought about selling xcite HUD without profit for the customer who want it for the first time, since its possible because they are transferable, but that, also prevents the customer from receiving the service from xcite!, so I trash that idea.

I will be out of town next week (10/1-7) and i do not expect to log into SL during that time.

Xcite! and ToKon(Xcite! collars and restraint system) Partner

As I said in my previous blog entry, I am very happy to announce that the partnership with SL's largest adult /bdsm gear brand, Xcite! is now official.

Xcite! has been providing exceptional products and services to SL communities and their dedication to its highest quality standard is incomparably remarkable.
ToKon is their recent collars/restraint system, and now Daini Ken Designs are officially providing ToKon system enabled gears.

ToKon enabled items are only available from my main store at this time.


As Four of my Gothic chokers and one basic collar is now Xcite!'s new restraint system, ToKon enabled. (click link to access video and overviews)

Basic collar has 10Letter label functions with different text font options. The label also includes few generic label such as *slave* *girl* etc etc.
These chokers/collars are 200L. I kept the price to be comparable to the empty unscripted collars.

In the future, I am going to produce a few set of cuffs and body restraints, collars with prim bells and locks which can be hidden with HUD. (you can use bell, lock fucntion without prims so don't fret if your collars don't have one. HUD has all the functions already. )

This is a revolutionary BDSM restraints system, by using HUD. There is no need to remember numerous command options. This new system is also web based remote control enabled without adding plug-ins. Owners can manage multiple collars and guest owners with one HUD. Collar wearer can change collars without paying full price of the complete systems. The same HUD works for all the ToKon enabled collars and restraints.

With this system, you are free to choose and add from different designs of prim collars and chokers. (Basic collars are also available from Xcite! store.)
Wearer of the collar/choker must wear ToKon slave HUD.

And according to Xcite! Staff, they are process of making these HUD available from partner stores as well.

***
ToKon system's features and menus(not all )

*instinctive body position menu
(other collars are limited to the poses/animation inside. With this, wearer's body position can be practically limitless )
*message options (you can send/receive message)
*pre loaded animation, pose and pony AO
*web based remote control
*guest owner access
*lock, label, bell options
*design/color/accent color change options
*integrated restraints system
(cuffs, body restraints can be added without different bondage devices or additional plugin.)

etc etc

Partnership Program with Major Brand/store expansion

It is in the process, that I am happy to give you this news to my customers and my friends. Partnership program with SL's leading brand will be announced soon. My application is accepted, and trial tool was given.

I have seen the new development with this brand and I decided that this program will benefit both my brand and their brand as well. Their products and their customer service has been exceptional to this day, and my product line could fill the niche of their existing product lines.

To me, there is a certain areas of SL that impossible to cover, and their program will provide me with full service to the demanding needs of SL. In fact, I was considering discontinue selling these products just because the function I cannot provide nor cost/service effective for me to develop/maintain on my own.

However this new opportunity would give me a lot of inspiration to produce new product line and expand my brand offering, so I will keep you posted about this.

***
Aside from this, I am also considering to add new division of Daini Ken Brand for different product line by teaming up with talented creators who are happened to be my personal , trusted friends.

I think this new store concept is fairly unknown in SL even though virtually every fashion and/or consumer products are developed, produced marketed in this way.

Daini Ken Brand can provide talented but upstart creators who does not have known store front to sell their products, by concentrating on producing high quality items without going through all the trouble of advertising and establishing brand/store and traffic.

I have no plans in the future to recruit random designers/creators from public.

****
So look out for announcements and news for next month or two.

Daini Ken V2 -Damask trim Lucky 7!!! Released!

Release sales event! Each item will be available at my main store (Slurl from link on the right), for 250L only!

After the sale, it will be sold for regular price of 312L.

For SL Exchange, Lucky 7 box set will be available for now. 1750L for 7 hats. (For some reason, I sell box sets of cowboy hats a lot more than individual items... therefore I will see how this one will go. )

7 Revamped/updated hats coming soon!!!

Ever popular Top hat series and Conquistador hat, plus New Spanish style hat never been sold at my store (but I worn on my own as a proto type) will be re-fitted with resize script and embellishments with new texture.

These styles will be in black and white embellishments, only. As always, I do not sell my products in every primary color.

All of the base hats are tested under windlight environment and various light conditions. Textures are refitted and either darken or lighten to make it more classy and attractive ( More than what it was!!! Yes, it is possible!).

**
I received compliments yesterday from my customer who said my hats are still the best out there. Thanks and it inspired me to make the best hats even better.

peak Sales Rank #200 Goth Cowboy Hat

Another hit item from Daini Ken Cowboy hat series.According to SL exchange sales ranking, my newest design is ranked #200 .

Daini ken designs Goth Cowboy Hat -Padova V2

I have to credit one of my good friend Nyk for the inspiration.

Actually this hat was not really planned at all. Nyk asked me for different style and I was not sure if I ever able to put together. yet inspiration came not long afterward, so there it was. He is such a loyal friend that he would rather buy it from me, rare quality in pixel world, definitely.

As for the name Padova, its just the name to differentiate from other styles. I thought name of the Italian region could be good, since it has unique leather texture.

I found this style fits especially great for smaller size av or female av. But of course, it comes with resizer script, so you do not have to worry about the size at all.

I may paste the picture of Padova worn by one of my friend in the future. (I will ask her.)

back to regular business...

GONE CRAZY SALE --- All Hats 150L

"Yea, If you gone incognito, You need a hat!"

The biggest sale ever! All hats 150L for this week only.

Sale includes my original popular *Goth Cowboy hats* series without exception.
Some multipacks are also sold for 150L.

The savings could be thousands. Use the Slurl on the link to my store.
This special offer good only at main store .

New Goth Cowboy Hats 2 pack!!!

Finally, a new style for Goth Cowboy hat series.

Goth Cowboy hat Padova Leather with chains.


1 prim sculpted cowboy hat has baked distressed black leather texture. Instead of hat band, they have prim black chains with metal plate on the side. One with simple metal chain. The other has skull medallion in front of the hat, attached to the chain.
Box of Two variation sells for the price of one.

Some of you might already figured out or read old post that I WILL NOT make hats in all colors in their crayola box like some upstart amateurs.
70's rainbow tie dye, 90's Rave sticks are all things of the past .


This one, I struggled a bit with baked textures to achieve subtle shade and distressed feel. There are so many hat makers, including imitators who use blank texture and color it flat... Or slap the regular texture without baking the shade on it.

It was just that the shape of sculpt prims were constructed. Think about wrapping the hat with square paper . I was trying to paint the leather and shade on square paper. That's the short version of it.
Probably I uploaded different textures close to ten times. I asked one of my friend to fiddle the black and white shade texture on his photoshop, too.

At the end, I am satisfied with the results by this black Italian leather texture. There is another distressed brown texture, but I am not sure if I would use it for products.

86 prim chains were not the hardest part... This time, texture was.

It was totally different creative experience.

Fashion-R-Us Premium designer status :)

I was invited to join this fashion related website as a premium designer. The website is just launched but the owner is inviting great designers and I see some future.

You know the *loyal customer groups scheme* has been really popular these days, but the thing is... you can't have all those groups.
As an artist/designer, I really don't have announcements every week of the month. yet, I wish that I had some group i can announce my latest creation.

This group is only better.

mixed genre of fashion designers(It will be added everyday) and customer can browse numerous announcements thru websites, and find freebies/gifts and sales, not to mention landmarks.
The group is also available as in world group. And I see many announcements with generous gifts from designers. :)



I thought about media such as this myself, but construction and maintenance of such websites is a job itself. I think anyone can appreciate such effort and contribution.

TO DO list...

1. Take new pictures of old top hats/collars.
2. Update/upgrade them with resize script.
3. re-organize vendors. (Probably utilizing Amethyst vendor again.
4. hmmm wholesale or affiliate vendors... But not decided yet.
   

I just realized that some of the oldest products, I didnt even photoshop them...
No wonder no one buys them. There are no description nor good lighting to highlight the product. LOL. Let's see what happens.

Thank You For your business!!!

Daini Ken Designs by Frederic Prevost had a record growth in sales this month.

My store has been ranked high on search on *cowboy hat* keyword, so that customer who know what they are looking for, would sure to check my store. Another reason could be that my prim resizer script contributed to the decision making process of my customers.



I have few ideas for new hats and accessories, however yet to finish to be a complete product. we will see.

When I started this game, I would never see myself becoming self sufficient by selling my own creation due to the gross lack of desire to be successful in virtual game.
On the other hand, however slow it has been, I have been working to add many products in my line of hats, accessories that are unique, which in result, making enough to sustain myself solely from the sales proceed from my store.

It is a very long process, and definitely there was no goals as to collect points taking the castle... only the perseverance. So needless to say, it is satisfying.

Funny thing is that, when I hang out in my store fixing the vendor or whatever, the customers who are browsing the store usually do not know who I am. Although I pasted my face practically all over the store, (My avatar is the only model for all of my vendor pictures) people do not usually look at my avatar apparently...

Sale Event at Subtle Submission

Tomorrow 2-4 pm PST (Saturday afternoon) at Subtle Submission,(Slurl) Noirran Marx's store. Buy one, get one free, and Both Noir and I will be there to hand out free item. No wait, no notecards.

Noirran will be DJ ing during the event, so come by and have some fun as well. Noirran's DJ set is always very enjoyable.

So ... this is it !

The name of the style will be Debauchee. The special order item from Barerose is delivered this morning.
I think its quite appropriate. I could name it St. Augustine, but the public will not see the connection I suppose. hehe

It is very easy to find military style with all buttoned up and polished. What I really wanted was bedroom disheveled look. Open jacket, shirt half open so on .

This outfit achieved that look quite nicely. Silk sash tied loosely around waist add a whimsical touch.

The set comes with sheer white shirt with detachable frilly lapel. Jacket also comes in brown and white aside from these red and blue. I find White one unexpectedly sexy.
Brown, is nice but depend on the skin you are wearing, might be ended up looking dull, rather than bedroom disheveled.

The trouser is undetermined gray, but you can make your own white fitted trouser with black riding boots, may also compliment the look fabulously.

I was invited to model for the vendor picture but in order to show the jacket collar and frilly shirt lapel, I wore black pony tail hair in the modeling stand.
Tori Heart told me to put on the shews. LOL Yes I was bare footed as usual.

This will be one of my staple piece.

It will be available tomorrow at Barerose Tokyo.

NEW V.2 Cow boy Hats *Resizer Scripted*

Finally, I moved my lazy ass up and updated all of my *Original * Goth Cowboy hat series with Resizer script.

All of the Goth Cowboy Hats multi packs are on sale !!!
500L get you 3 cowboy hats 825L value!
(This week at main store location only.)

The picture of Oscar below...

Do you know where Riyoko Ikeda ripped the idea for that picture from?
It is the very La liberté guidant le peuple(The liberty leading the people) by Eugene Delacroix.

(Oh I was looking thru my art books, and found Delacroix posing nude in Gericault's study for "The Raft of Medusa". You really can't tell on the final oil painting version, though.)

Back in the day, the intellects of the time are gathered frequently at each other's places and other venues, exchanging ideas and also indulging in debauchery as well.
Those orgies(not necessarily limited to sexual activity, but used as synonyms to the private party) were documented in many correspondences, journals, literatures and memoirs. They discussed politics, arts, literatures, reading of their own latest creations, debated the merits of feminism and atheism.

Oh the drama they suffered thru all 19th century was no comparison to what we are going thru in this pixel world. *smirks

Anyways, I always love that century.
So much bloodshed and emerging of idealism to the practice, inspired so many of them to experiment in all facets of humanity. It was not limited to artistic expressions but all social activity, including politics and religion.

How to solve your pixel problem...

EASY.

Press the power button on your computer, and turn off.

Exchange of Idea with other designer

(Illustration by Riyoko Ikeda (C)1972-2008)
I was catching up with Japanese friend who happen to be really famous in world, as always, she passed me the brand new item from her collection just off the rack.
(I do this to my friends, too. Good practice should be passed on. )

She does not take custom orders publicly, but she always asks me if I have any request or custom modification. Most of the time, I am happy with what she has and hardly ever needs any modification.

Today, I had request in mind, and fortunately she was available to chat with me.

What I had in mind is this *military uniform inspired jacket/costume*.

In Japan, we have hugely popular shoujyo-manga called "Verssaille no bara" -The rose of Verssaile, which has been adapted to movies, TV cartoons and all female cast revue.
I think it was first appeared in weekly comic books back in late 70s.

Anyways, the story is blatantly inspired by the opera,Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss, If you know those sorta things. For those of you unfamilier with opera and plays of 19the century with cross-dressing heroines, I will explain them to you.


The hero of the manga Oscar Francois de Jardjais, first appear as lieutenant of French Imperial guard, assigned to the newly married Dauphine of France, Marie Antoinette. Oscar is in fact a young woman(well, 15 years old , same age as Marie Antoinette) who raised to be military officer, because her father did not have male heir. She is in disguise, or to the point, she never been brought up to be a woman.

Anyways, the story progresses are the French history, to the most part. Oscar falls for Count Fersen who is also a clandestine lover of Marie Antoinette. Oscar advanced to colonel as a officer in charge of Imperial guard attached to the Queen of France, yet she starts to see the reality of the people in France is facing.. the poverty and all that.
ooh, I just remembered, the creator put the story of the knight of Black Rose, who is basically the revolutionary version of Robin Hood. LOL He later turns out to be the real historical revolutionary in disguise. (laughs more)

Oscar leaves Imperial guard and joined as a commander of French Army where there is no member of aristocrats are serving. yet, she experience the changes of the time and end up commanding the force, storming the Bastille on the fateful day , 7/14.


Her loyal servant who grew up with her as her valet, has been in love with her for all his life, yet never confessed to her his true feelings, till the night before of 7/14. He has been hidden his loss of his vision from her for a long time, yet despite the plea from the soldiers who knows his blindness he took on the duty to guard her. As a result, he receives gun shot and dies in the combat.

Oscar also dies as a revolutionary. (I think its better than she guillotined like other aristocrats.)

After the death of Oscar, the story is totally mundane. Basically the manga version of French revolution.

******
Anyways, historically speaking, the costume is a bit inaccurate. The uniform is more like Napoleon Era, after the French Revolution. But this is totally an artistic liberty or form of poetic justice. Oscar looks great in that uniform.

My special request was that I wanted the open front version of the coat with sheer shirt. We discussed which of her current selection can be modified to make the image possible in pixel outfit. We selected several of her existing collections so she can modified to make an outfit.

This is not just my own whims. Apparently she tried to make similar costume recently. So there are some understandings of some inspirations not to mention she is fully familiarized herself with the manga itself.

Exchange of idea is sometimes really fun and very interesting to participate in creative process of well known designer. :)

I am sure it will be on the store front pretty soon.

Enterprise Level... hmmmm

Check this out.

Then, check some popular brands who are paying up to 1500$ US per week for just classified ad in world... 6000$ /4weeks, 78000$/year.

I guess those ppl are making that much profit at least...but good for you if you like the pixel world so much.
(I just can't rationalize in engaging that much amount of transaction in pixel world. I'm sorry, I can't. There are better way to earn money than this, with same or less amount of workload and investment/risk factor... But thats not the point of this article.)


Why not move into enterprising arena? Establishing corporation, obtain trademark for your brand, if you selling unique products, obtain industrial design patent...etc etc

Pay the company 25000 $US a year, and get your own surname in world.

Get the support you need. (So many of the self proclaimed business owner just rant in every single Official blog entry...)

Money talks.

Since paying that much money into some company that doesnt provide basic support, why not pay 25000$ up front and get what you deserve...

Daini Ken ? What is that mean?

I am planning a brand makeover...sounds really funny, but that is what I am working on.

I am not going to tell you what I am doing, but this is a great opportunity to go into the meaning behind my brand.
***
Daini Ken Designs by Frederic Prevost © has been very eclectic in brand image since the founding of itself, partly, it was intentional on my part.

First of all, I made the brand name in Japanese. I am Japanese and exotic sounding brand can be always trendy and unique. Not to mention it will not risk everyone else just starting out unintentionally or intentionally pick the same or similar generic and quite boring/un-creative name such as *darkside* *The Darkside* * Dark side*--- (is it a fan site of commercial blockbuster movies? Is it owned by a fan of pink floyd?) Or made it with two letter initials, looking like abbreviation of some geeky game.

"Daini Ken" is the common Japanese literature translation of *The second circle* in La Divina Comedia - Divine Comedy by Dante. My favorite verse from Divine comedy is Canto V, and the scene is set in the Second circle of Hell.
And of course, you can't forget the word *second* has that there is a tongue in cheek relation to the pixel world we are in.
Daini means literally *second*. Ken means geographical *area*, such as Shuto Ken, (Tokyo metro and its suburbs).
So, even if you are Japanese, you have to know Japanese translation of Shinkyoku(Divine Comedy) to know the word and meaning of Daini Ken. You just can't use dictionary or babel fish to translate *The second circle* into Daini Ken.

Anyone can pick *Inferno* as a brand name, meanwhile it could be the title of the movie, or Inferno from Divine comedy, or even can be disco inferno... It is, again boring. Not to mention there are whole bunch of Inferno, Purgatory in any areas of brand name, titles and trademarks etc etc. It is not even unique.
There is no depth in selection process.

Divine Comedy is dark, crude, harsh yet wickedly honest, tender and intelligent. There is no such literature to this day which can be put next to this book, let alone the fact that this would be the first depiction/visual description of hell in the literature in the known human history.
It does not confine the idea to just Hell or wicked human nature, it gives some hope as Dante discovers the universe with the guidance of Virgil.

And *By Frederic Prevost* completes my signature that I am the designer/ owner and there is no *we* . From the item name, package, to the prim placement, hues of the textures, I am the one who is responsible, which means even if I use the script or parts made from open source, I change it fit my products and it will never the way they are lying on the creator's inventory.

blah blah... so. There you go.

(want to read Divine Comedy? I recommend Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Translation, if you are interested. You should be able to find it around $10. Well, worth the money spent.)

How to deal with in-world currency exchange.

(heh, this subject can be difficult without mentioning the actual game. lol)
*Second Life (TM) is a property of Linden Research Inc, and I am not associated with nor sponsored by them.

*******

With my helpful personality, I tend to give away great tips to my friends generously. (And usually they take it and run... thats how I keep the good company. :P)

However, this is something I am compelled to share with public, because many seems to be depend upon their *great sales profit in-world* in RL.
(Well, who is bluffing and who is not is besides the point. lol I don't discriminate ppl.)

Educate yourself with basic currency exchange system is the way to go. Many might think that their small transaction does not apply to the RL economic procedure, but that is dead wrong. That, I am sure.

How many of you travel outside your home country and know what is the best way to purchase/use foreign currency?
How many of you have ever checked the currency exchange rates of other country on daily basis?

I bet that there are only few. Or very few occasions. (I do this, just because rates between US$ and the Yen affects my life.)

However, you must have looked at/participated in US$( or maybe Euro) versus in- world currency exchange rates more times than you do in RL currency exchange.

****
So, if the fact is established, I shall begin discussing the merit of learning currency exchange.

I know many of you bought in world currency one time or another. The pressing blue button on the browser? Tsk, tsk...

That is the most wasteful way to purchase currency. Not to mention the game makes exorbitant amount of money just by selling their made up monopoly money to you and *gasp* charging you their commission (to print out paper money? oohps we don't even have paper money...)

So unless you are very inclined to pay them a lot of money and get little in return , please do not use the blue button every time. (I have never done it personally. )


For those of you, rather take time to save yourself some hard earned RL money, proceed to learn Lindex and SL Exchange currency exchange policies.
(I do not recommend e-bay n other private currency exchange services. )

The basic scheme of things is this~ You buy more, you save more.

So here is what you can do:

1. Try buying in world currency the least time a year. If you are buying every week, try every four weeks. If you are buying every month, try every quarter. so on .

You must know how much you can spend in game per month or even a year. I find it budget every quarter or so is very convenient even if it is not a exact prediction.


2. learn *limit buy* system. This is basically bidding in the actual market. You name your own price, instead of the rates with huge inflated rates set by the company.

If you are making reasonable bid (carefully read the market condition before you bid. You will see the pocket of rates which had been filled immediately and the rates which the backorder starts. There, you can play by bidding low to get filled fast or bid high and wait for desperate seller. ) the orders should be filled within a day or two.
There are always residents who are anxious to sell their linden currency with discount, because their RL life depend upon it. Therefore, your price might be very attractive to those anxious sellers.

TIPS: I find that SLex has way better rates than Lindex. That is just the fact. If you compare it once you will know the difference is hard to ignore. Downside is that mostly you have to deal with paypal... I really dont like paypal.


It may be looking very cryptic to some. But I am driven not to let the company make more money on me, therefore I never bought with market rate.
You only get about 250L per dollar?


For those of you who has to deal with thousands of RL currency will get a better deal, simply because of the basic law of economics.(And probably they don't need my advise I am sure. If they do, they better off hiring accountant.) But then again, those ppl are paying the commissions every time they deal with exchange= paying a lot of money to Lindex/Slex frequently.
My idea is *NOT TO PAY* more than I need to.

Economics is fun, because its not a mathematics. Your individual situation (micro economics) affects your decision process and there are no right answer.

If you don't have credit card or paypal/bank account, or can only spend 5$ at a time, you have no choice but to use blue button. The company makes money by providing you the convenience.

And god forbid, do not sell your inworld currency buy 10$ at a time... You probably end up paying the company more than you make money at the end.

Freebies from Slex

If you have Slex account click here to get your freebie goth cowboy hat.

Goth Cowboy Hats *Basic 4 color pack sampler

In Main store now! (Slurl will open in your browser.)
Black, Dark Tan, Gray, Taupe
500L for 4 hats

Same great detailed construction you expect from Daini Ken Designs. Rattlesnake band has subtle but embossed brushed silver loop details in front and back.
The classic colors for any occasions, or every mood.

This will be your wardrobe staples.

Second Life Down 4 days in a row... or more

Official Linden Blog closed comment after only 3, pointing out that how many times they announced in world issues last 7 days.

The way describe the issues are very deceptive. As if the problem does not really affects normal operations with minimal troubles...?

COME ON.

IM not working, Contact list not working, Inventory loss or database loss, textures not loading, avatar not loading, transaction timeouts...

And the blog entries..
They sometimes delete the entry altogether after the issues were resolved (! if such event exists..). yesterday morning, I saw transaction time out entry, advisory not to make monetary transactions in official blog. After awhile, it was combined into the previous *in-world issues*.

The word *various in world issues*, is a blanket term of "Second life is not working properly since yeasterday and the day before and the day before that..."

I have to say I am really lucky i had 2 sales transaction, while I am not able to log on at all for half day or more.

Goth Cowboy hat Animal Magnetism series

4 skulls in front with snow leopard band











4Skulls with Zebra band











Tarot Star / with 4 Skulls Leopard band
(Devil card behind Star)




New Goth Cowboy Hat *Animal Magnetism* series.

4 Animal print (Snake,Leopard,Zebra Snow Leopard)
each with three different trims similar to the original.

Trims
4 Skulls On front with wider band


12 in all... As I do always, each trims in relation to the whole balance of the hat, band are painstakingly adjusted to look its best.
Its so cliche that make a 12 copy of same hat and slap different texture or 76 different colors that unnatural and ugly...

I personally wear each design with my own prim hair and outfits. And Everyone who bought my hats can tell you, IT FITS!

Daini Ken At Darkside---Art exhibition

Since Darkside 's RP confusion and loss of many good RPers from the sim, unexplainable banning (what else is new?) the traffic was not so great for shopping district.

Many of the store just simply dont have much sales...

And the treatment of the renter and guest... there are a LOT to be desired.

So I had to come up with interesting idea. Since my product is not producing much anything in that location, I take advantage of the space and made it to art exhibition

about 10 Art work is displayed and set for sale as 10L.

Whats so interesting?
The most of the picture was shot in Transylvania.

Subtle Submission by Noirran Marx --Open in Daini Ken

Noirran has been my friend for about 2 years now! We never imagined then, here we are now, evolved as designers and landowners.

Subtle Submission's goth inspired outfits are now available from my store. We can provide a little variety to the shopping experiences. Very selelcted numbers of my hats and accessories are on display at her store as well.

Check out her blog from the link on the side.

((My blogger keep on uploading wrong image files for some reason... lol))

Premium vs. basic

Well, there were discussions... It was interesting to read few comments and case by case opinions.

I will number them randomly and put my comments.

1.LL support is worth 72$.(Pro Prem)
Well... m kay . Last year I filed two support ticket about inventory loss. I never recovered those items. I used chat last week. "Many ppl is experiencing same problem We are on it, TY for your understanding" ... lol
IS that worth part of 72$ ? no.

2.You can sell your stipend and make 20$ next year...(Pro Prem)
Are you nuts?
Am I supposed to sell 500L and buy back my $, to make 20$?

One of them call me stupid, because I am overlooking the opportunity to make 20$ of pure profit. Or pure profit of 1.80$ every week... *laughs .. Sure...
Probably he is a kid who lives with his mom.

I waste 5$ for starbucks , three minutes from my home couple times a week, even tho I have cuppucino machine at home. Making $1.80 everyweek does not affects my checkbook.
I don't drive gas guzzling SUV to grocery shopping, and try to find gas station located in 15miles away from my home because it sells gas that 2 cents cheaper than the one near .... (This always mind boggles me.)
My credit is top tier.
My rates for any loan is lower than any advertised national rates.

yea, So I CAN afford to and BE stupid about not taking 20$ of Pure profit from Linden lab.
(I know the basic number and that was the only reason I kept prem last year. 360L/$ was pretty good itself. Except, that I prepaid the money and payments will come in next 52 weeks... Oh come on... this is not social security check.)

Actuality? 72$ will go to my regular RL charity and I will add them to my Tax deduction. (Yes, I pay taxes. ... )

3. If you need support for your estate needs in the future... the concierge support will definitely provide the coverage. (Pro Basic)
Yes. Totally agree on this point.
Estate owner of my land, Crucial Armitage has excellent service for the past year that I owned his parcels. He provide better service than LL, if I owned the same size parcels.

4.You can make political statement of *Downgrade to basic* (Pro Basic)
Yes. lol
No, I just dont want to pay more money to LL.

5.Keep your 512 sqm land and provide for homeless friend...(Pro Prem)
No.
My friends are all adults who can provide for themselves.
If any of my friends need a place for whatever the reason, They can come to my land anytime, and stay as long as they need. I have done it without question. And it will always be like that.

The most without premium did not feel they were restricted of not having premium.
I did not hear really strong , convincing argument from *Pro Premium* side, except one person swear the support option worth the money. ... even that person said, it was useless about inventory issues, I should mention.

_______

probably this is the only post I go crossover into my RL situation.

Downgrade to SL Basic account

I had enough.

Why would I want to pay more money to LL, when I don't have to? That pretty much sums it up.

I am likely to stay and spend money in Second life. That has been said, there is no reason to pay 72$ a year to LL.
My store generate enough linden currency to pay for the land I own on Crucial Armitage's private estate. His tier is less than that of comparable size LL main land tier.
His covenant works perfectly fine to regulate those annoying mainland problems such as ad farms and by neighbors who build ugly building to the parcel lines.

Even though the island is designated as residential, he allows everyone to make small store. Since my store is currently located in skypad, it doesnt interfere the view of my neighbors and , more than that, my own privacy.


I think I will go get a spa treatment with 72$...

The most Popular Hats in SL Exchange!!!

Today, I think I accomplish something as a designer/creator. My Goth cowboy hats, three pack box is now ranked #93 in SL Exchange website Popular Item ranking.

As of right now, there is no other hat is ranked higher than my hats!!!

I am very surprised that my *niche business* could become popular sales items ever. As a designer, I do not put popular hat in every color you can think of. Personally I think crayola bright primary color hats looks ugly on any avatar in SL. I only sell items that are good enough for me to wear as *my own wardrobe* ... and now, that philosophy proves itself.

I always give away my hats to my friends before I put it on sale in my store/Slex. I value my friends and seeing their joy when they received my gift. It is not about the price that I sell those hats for. It is about sharing my creation.

That is why I am here for.

And many people recognized my unique crafts in SL, and supported.

Thank you.

Goth Cowboy hat "Tarot *Lovers*

New Goth Cowboy hat from Daini Ken Designs.
Tarot *Lovers Goth cowboy hat

Black cowboy hat with narrow band, with a pair of tarot cards slipped on the side.
This one shows the Lovers on the front, (behind it , is * The judgement* card which also introduced at the same time.) with skulls of lovers completed the trims.

The Lovers... of course inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy, my store's name sake, the second circle of Hell (Lust), story of Francesca di Rimini and her lover/brother -in-law.

Already available from both location in world . (Ravinia main store, Darkside)

Goth Cowboy Hat with skull trims

Finally...
Goth cowboy hat with skulls in front for the creatures of the night.


It looks simple and still classy enough to wear with all black outfit, yet screams your personality without words.

This is something I personally want to wear and i have been trying to find it for a long time. Now this is it. Even inspire me to do some photo shoot in dark alley...
Its already available in My main store at Ravinia location and in Darkside Roleplay sim.

Subtle submission by noirran

Noirran is one of my good friend. Her store/brand Subtle Submission has eclectic selections of nice looking clothing and accessories.
Dark yet whimsical taste of ensembles.
check her blog from my link .

Noirran rents some properties on waterfront, so if you are looking for place to live in SL, I highly recommend her properties. One of the best rates around.

New silver choker with red roses

It does not look too complicated, but this one has 80 prims with flexi ribbons.
If it's not look beautiful 200 prims wont make it right.

There are some builder/designers who mistaken the building is the olympic of prim count or something. Not so, I say.
If it works with 8 prims I had done it with 8 . a couple of chokers introduced previously has about 10 prims. Because it works. This one has 80 prims not because of the sake of prim counts, but because of the sake of design. Now you know my philosophy.
Main Store
Darkside

Daini Ken Designs at Darkside

I was talking to Nigel Riel of Darkside yesterday, and it occurred to me that he was building nice looking back alley in RP sim a couple of months ago.

After a lot of innuendo and flirtation, I get to secure the shop space right behind Town Hall(tp point). When you get out of the Town Hall, you take immediate left to the narrow alley, and follow it.
Here is the location.
Oh. I went there just now, and TP machine to the each stores are already set up at the Town Hall. My logo is on the top row. Easy to find. :)

Limited selections available for now, but I am hoping that I can introduce some kind of rp oriented special editions only for DS outlet.

Hey, you expect something different from Daini Ken, right? Me, too!

Valentine Top hat with red heart particle (122 prims)

Limited edition Valentine Top hat.
(Transfer only)
Daini Ken Designs Main Store in Second Life

Red heart particle can be turned on and off by chat command.

Those are not annoying one of those *raining hearts everywhere* type of particles.
It is very subtle, and it will be trailing you if you are walking or dancing.

Everything you expect from Daini Ken Designs. Perfection. Class. Beauty.
350L available for only 2 weeks till valentine's day.

Photo shoot.

I suppose i can report about my own photo shoot.

*models, avatars

I model myself, which means that both female and male avi in my vendor and ads are all my own avatar.

I think any designers can tell you that, using your own avatar can be a double edged sword. The convenience! depends on the product, you can change your hair, shape, skin... the possibilities are endless. For me, making avatar for myself is one of the most enjoyable activities in SL , even to this day... even after I'm getting tired of everything else.

On the other hand, you may not really know your avatar may not be suitably fine looking for product you sell...
I have seen so many 'noob looking' avies on the vendors. The most surprising thing is that, many of the Top popular SL designers even have those not so ... hmm how should I put it... well, they still put avatars that are leave something to be desired on their vendors...

I try to step back and look at the raw photo file from objective point of view, and until I think everything is right it wont go into the vendor.
(some new products were held back just because photo didnt come out well enough.)

Anyone in SL for some time can tell you, that many who had suffered inventory loss one time or another , at any level, is very disturbing.
Material and monetary values of possessions aside, it cut into the productivity of photo shoot or settings, as well.

In my case, I suffered a significant amount loss of female outfits , probably several thousand items...
as you can see, now, my female avatar is mostly nude.

Good thing that in SL, you dont have to worry about your modesty , especially in your own private land, i just throw on basic skin and shape with favorite updo prim hair.
one of the corner on my skibox workshop is colored white, so I dont need studio background.


*vendor graphic and functions

My petpeeve about photoshop enhanced vendors....
THERE ARE TOO MANY THING in a picture. you can't tell what they are trying to sell.

however you look at it, the marketing functionality of vendor graphics comes first.

"Daini Ken by Frederic Prevost"
"Product name"
Product is the main subject of the picture. Your fabulous backgournd graphic is not.
Attractive and compelling
Class- yes, class.

I omit price from graphics, just because at any time price can be changed with circumstances, and when you are in SL, price is easy to find out by clicking buy option anyways.

i use freebie modeling poses for female photoshoot, my own AO and one sit pose for male photoshoot.

Just that certain feminine or masculine gesture is attractive to either gender, while some masculine AO poses just doesnt work with female AO.

I should redo old vendor graphics... the pictures are just too dark. (I didnt use photoshop at that time, and just uploaded into SL directly. But to see your own learning process is just fun to look at, even tho I dont really make any sales from old products. Its a document proof of my SL evolutions.

the next process is actual file saving.
Sometimes I make only one picture per product. Sometimes countless pictures from different angle, poses, lighting even with different av.

*Moods, spontaneity
Each batch of products, it shows my different state of my moods. And its always spontaneous. I do not plan.
I have vendors with same graphic layout, same background, same settings every single products in the store... It works perfectly if you are selling one kind of products or similar items with countless variations, such as Hair, jewelry...
My products dont fit that description.
Some uniformity can be achieved by white /gray background and logo types.Therefore when i feel like photo shoot of my certain products, I only do the one I want to do.

SL is not my occupation nor job that put the bread on the table. It is my own place to be raunchy and obscene. This place allows me to be deadbeat and vulgar. Why would I wont to set schedule or *plan strategy for marketing for annual and quarterly forecast"?
Answer is big fat NO.

I made some of those gothic chokers back in late 2007. They sat in my inventory for more than a several months. Hell yes.

Some made it to the vendor few weeks ago finally. They are not in SLex yet. They may never will.
Apparently I did not like the result of photo on few products. so three more products have not made it to the vendor still to this day.

I redid some photo today and I'm still inspired to finish tomorrow, so three more may be in the vendor in a few days.
---

when I started my store more than a year ago, I did not foresee where I am at. I never planed to make hats at all until I made the first one. The chokers and collars took backseat even though the store was started from selling only of those.

So there. Now you know.

Special Edition is coming

Special Edition for Gothic Choker series.
Red roses for Valentine's day ... or any occasions, really.

Its easy to make cheeky red heart stuff, but you can get those from all those Freebies yes?
I will make something with same quality and aesthetic beauty , the whole concept of Daini Ken is apparition of my sense.

Daini Ken Designs by Frederic Prevost

I guess maintaining the blog for SL store is a good way to advertise your own for free...

Not sure how long it lasts...
If any of you wants to work for my store can contact me in SL inworld, so you can start your own writing career or build some advertisement career...

Enough of that.

New releases!

Gothic chokers
5 of them in main store location.



150L (no copy)





150L (no copy)