Happy Holidays

Samara Studios is officially closed. A small shop remains at Ivy Falls until the end of the year. It's been fun. Thanks for the kind notes of goodbye. I'll still be around although definitely not as much or as visibly.

Feel free to keep up with my adventures on another grid at my other blog HERE.

Cheers!

More on the Closing

I posted a couple of days ago that Samara Studios (all parts) will be closing. Since then I have received a lot of nice "sorry you are leaving - I love your clothes" message which I truly appreciate as well as quite a few people wanting to buy my goods as full perm products. So it seemed wise to clarify what is happening to Samara Studios.

SAMARA STUDIOS IS MOVING!!! :D

I am still busily creating although mostly in the prim areas on the Openlife grid where I have a sim named FANTASTIC (really).

I am not interesting in selling any of my goods as full perms objects. Actually I am against that in practice as well as spirit believing that those that make the goods should be the sole benefactors of sales (smile).

So, that sets that straight. There will be a few things on the OnRez site still unless my OnRez box refuses to make the move to my new 512 abode. There will be no other store. I am not planning on a new store in a few months or anything like that. Things change of course, but all my apples are currently in a basket in Openlife where I am having a glorious time with great new building tools and more to come.

For those of you thinking "oh a new grid!" -- Openlife is NOT READY from prime time. If you are a builder you might love it there if your sense of adventure is great enough. But beware, do your homework and ask questions.

I will still be at Phil's. I am paid up until the end of September at least so I have no plans to kill myself off. But for the near future, I have left the building.

Samara Studios will be closing for good (people have been asking that also) around Christmas. Since there are issues ("issues") with the estate holder I don't know the exact day. It may be longer, but I can't guarantee that.

Until it goes up in a poof of "Return to Owner" magic, all FASHION will be on sale for 50% off.

That's pretty much the whole story and will hopefully answer any questions you may have.

Have a wonderful holiday season. I am glad I was here when I was here!

CLOSING SALE

Two years or so ago I moved Samara Studios to Gembong. Now I'm closing. I am not going to site "real life" as that has no influence at all (smile). I am simply no longer having fun. Money is good, fun is better. 1,800 missing STORE items from my inventory that will never return helped make my decision and so did some land issues. All in all, just not fun.

So, I'll be closing soon. I can't tell you the EXACT date as my tier posts are not really on REAL time (in any sense of the word) but I suspect around and about 10 days which is close to Christmas for those of you that celebrate.

So -- Merry Christmas to you all. And if you want any Samara Studios fashions they are half price (sometimes a bit less) for clothes, shoes, shapes, skins and the popular photo studio. When I close I will be moving on in many senses of the word. A few things will still be at OnRez if my box survives the transfer to my new 512 (ocean view - yeah) lot.

The Home and Garden store will be closing too as well as Ivy Falls (no sale there so go to the main store). I am not marking down the home store items. Just too many and too much work.

I wish you all the best. It's been great. I was glad I was here in the last years. I look forward to the future. See ya around and about perhaps.

Cheers.

PS. The Peace On Earth ball is no longer hidden at ALL. It will be out as long as I am here so come get it now.

Peace On Earth Hunt

Here is my gift for the Peace on Earth Hunt. The new Callie skin in a special holiday version in sunkissed with rose eye shadow and deep red lipstick. It is exclusive to this hunt.

Meet Callie - New Skins @ Samara Studios

Three skin tones, five lip colors - two matte and three gloss, and three styles of eye makeup (ebony skin in Casual only). Find them in the alcove near this month's specials. Packs and demos available as well as a LIMITED TIME DOLLARBIE skin -- Callie in sunkissed - natural.

That's what I've been doing these past couple of weeks. Cheers.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/226/115/25

New Value Packs

Some of the best selling items in Casuals are now available in value packs. Perfect if you are newish but even if you are not. They seem very popular and I am glad of that. Find them in the Casual Section at Samara Studios.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/237/98/25


Click for larger views:

New Courtyard Shops Available

It's a long story but after LL lost 10% of my inventory including all my holiday products (grr - sigh - whine), I decided to do something unplanned with my courtyard. It was immense, going to waste really and since I most likely won't need it for a holidays shop ......

I made a cute little shopping area. It's been a fun day. There are now six small, 50 prims shops in the HEART of Samara Studios -- celebrating its 2nd anniversary in the same spot. That's almost unheard of in our flexible world.

These shops rent monthly and directly to me as I hate those floating rental boxes and floating text. If you are in need of a tasteful shop, drop by and click on a rental info sign.

Renters are of course welcome to join in any Samara Studios hunts, celebrations and the like.

The shops are in the central courtyard between Fashion and Home stores.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/194/77/25

Grid Wide Ghost Hunt

Just a note to say that this will be the Samara Studios offering for the Ghost hunt starting this weekend. 111 or so stops along the tour. I am close to the end if you go in systematic and correct order. This armlet comes with rubies, emeralds and diamonds and in two sizes.

Have fun on the hunt! I'm sure we'll see lots of posts on the feed to whet our appetites.

Get those GHOSTS!!!!!

New Fall Items - Presents

I don't know about you, but I am getting a little tired of orange by now and I LOVE rusty colors (wink). So how about a nice super hot pink spiderweb top? It's new on the $10 wall in the Classics section at Samara Studios. Pants not included.


And the new dollarbie is a fun umbrella with leaf emitter. Great for photo shoots. It's low prim so you could even leave it outside your door at the ready.

Also, if you are so inclined, drop by Ivy Falls , click on the Trick or Treat bag by the door even it is a bit early and vote for the Halloween decorations (you can vote for multiple people). I have some free shoes (both guys and gals) hidden in some pumpkins along the walkways and the dollarbie is out there also. There is also a rumor of water sprites leading the way to costume treasure and haunted spirits -- one of them holding a key to some bootie. They apparently are only here at night.

Have fun!

Store Modeling Opportunity

Many of you, my customers, have asked in the past about store modeling and photo shoots. Well I have decided to try an experiment with store modeling. Please feel free to come pick up an application at the store. I will be limited the trial to eight ladies, but may include more over time. Just click on the sign near the modeling stands in the collections area which is here.

To qualify you must:

• be able to communicate well in English.
• be available sometime between 8 AM and 10 PM SL time (hours may be extended later).
• have at least one premium quality skin. Group gift skins are fine as long as they are not TOO specialty.
• be at least six months old.
• be able to adjust prims such as skirts so that they FIT you as needed.
  
• have hair and shoes to go with outfits (you can also model in exchange for shoes).
• join the Samara Studios Fashion group for group announcements as needed.
  

Halloween Boots Special

I've made a new color of the popular Spectator boots. Yes, ORANGE for those Halloween outfits. Find them in a box in front of the Spectator boots in the shoe store. Oh, and the price? $25.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/226/148/27

That's the morning news.

October Specials & Dollarbie

Just out -- three new outfits in Halloween colors sans skeletons and the like so you can wear them AFTER the holiday too.

Outfit one on the left is the dollarbie for October. It includes a satin top, orange flirt skirt and shiny silver belt. Find it in all the shops or just tp to the main Samara Studios store and it is in the usual place.

Right next to the dollarbie, find the other two outfits on the same wall. The rusty orange pants outfit includes charcoal lowriders (for boot) with built in textured belt and a finely knit sweater with optional prim cuffs and neck. $25

The bright and bold cami is reminiscent of Harlequin designs. It comes with a to the waist velvet flirt skirt in black -- perfect for lots of mix and matching. $25


There will be some remodeling going on soon so watch out for falling plaster and such - LOL

The Adventure Begins- FREE STUFF

The bright pink boxes are all out. The adventure begins. Click on any of the posters (above) to get more info or see this post: http://samarastudios.blogspot.com/2008/09/rez-day-gift-adventure.html

Five boxes, five shops and lots of really nice dollarbies to celebrate my 2nd Rez Day. Yeah!

Start at any of the five shops or the main store HERE.

Also for those of you that actually like to SHOP (wink), I have marked down my top sellers in Classic Casuals and in Collections 25%.

Here they are; if you don't already have them, then think about it :) All stores except Ivy Falls have both items.


Now $375 for all pieces shown.


Top only is now $112.

Rez Day Gift Adventure

I wanted to give you a heads up on the event happening this WEEKEND (don't come yet). You can find a board with a notecard at any of my shops including the main Samara Studios store.

The fun starts Saturday evening for the European folks and runs though Monday morning - so Sunday is The Day. That's only fitting as it is my 2nd Rez Day.

I made five special gifts (dollarbies) for my shoppers, all based on design favorites. There is a Fall print top with texture belt and matching skirt, thigh high socks with textured prim tops, some silver and garnet domed earrings, and SHOES based on the I'm So Sexy boot.

Originally there were only four stores but I lost count along the way and made five items. That worked out perfectly though since I opened a shop in Ivy Falls. Here's how it works. You can start at ANY of my shops. For the most fun, you buy the item in the BRIGHT pink box (not hidden - this is not a hunt) and you get a folder with the item(s) and a landmark to the next store. Go there, get the goods and a new landmark. If you don't want all of the items just skip them and TP to another shop.

The main shop is at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/226/111/25

Other stores are at Urban Shopper in Dubya City, Serendipity Isle, Ivy Falls and Whiskers (by the giant shoe store).

New Digs: Ivy Falls

I've joined the Ivy Falls sim -- currently home to the great Exile Hair Hunt! I REALLY like it here. It feels like Fall and that's my favorite season. Time to get back into sweaters and boots and maybe even a hat.

There are two Samara Studios stores here -- one for cool weather outfits such as sweaters and jackets and such, and one for shoes for men and women. My best sellers for the cooler season are here as well as some Halloween goodies and a few things from the home store. It was so great to have extra prims to decorate with. Yeah!

The leaves are falling as I walk around the sim and the train has people riding in it this morning. Oh, and the hair? I found two not far from my shop, so come on over and take a look around. There is lots to see and do.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ivy%20Falls/130/135/27

New Digs: Serendipity Isle

Just announcing that I have a new store at the redesigned shopping sim, Serendipity Isle. It's right down the street from the ballroom and across the street from Dark Mouse :) I see that Love Chic has a little cart across the way. It will be fun to see who else moves in here. I like the look of the place, the rent is very reasonable and the landlady seems nice. So we'll see how it goes.

The store features my best sellers as well as current dollarbies. The main store is still in Gembong -- celebrating two years there in December!

This will be one stop on my Rez Day Treasure Hunt Tour. Hope you can attend.

State of the Union and all that jazz

It's an odd night tonight. I somehow feel compelled to write a bit here with no real logical reason. It might be the stars and I suspect that if I looked at the charts (RL pro astrologer here) I would have some answers. Instead I decided to ponder in print-- partly for my own records, but more for the newer designers that might be wondering what in the Phil's Place firmament is going on.

My second rez day is on the horizon, so while I am not a member of the old guard, I am definitely not in the newbie camp either. For those of you that don't know, I have had a shop from the beginning. Furniture to start, then shoes and garden and stained glass and eventually clothes. So I am fairly diversified in Phil's domain just as I am in RL. The US economy took a major hit today with stock market plunges, major financial institution bail outs and the like and I was wondering how all this might affect our virtual land.

We, USA folks, are no longer the giant majority of residents in our virtual land -- not like we were when I joined. We are diverse and global and all that is fantastic. We are a melting pot of ideas and cultures. Still, the real world is global these days, interdependent more than ever before -- especially economically.

So, especially for the NEW designers who have just set up shops, worked hard and given their hopes and dreams, laughter and tears to the SL economic system and wondering if it will work -- here is what I want to say. This is just ONE case and not necessarily the norm. I doubt many people want to tell the world their financial business -- virtual or RL, so I figured maybe someone should say SOMETHING (smile).

I have been here two years and have had a shop almost that long. I have ALWAYS made a profit. I expanded from my profits and I have no RL money invested. I am still making a fair amount of profit. Most likely a lot less than our superstars and a lot more than many shops. Currently I am diversifying a bit into different locales. I have no guarantee that my half sim will ALWAYS be available to me. Estate owners come and go and I have been lucky so far; "owning" in estate land is always an iffy proposition. As times get tougher in RL and at Phil's we will most likely see more abandonment and "foreclosures". Virtuality mirrors RL in many cases.

My profits now are about half of what they were six months ago. So those of you that have read this far now have "some" benchmark which I am guessing is somewhere in the middle ground (just a guess though -- I have heard 60% down from some retailers). What does that mean for the new kids on the block? It's a bit like starting a business in the midst of a recession or depression and I have done that in RL. It is tough. It is also doable if you are wise, and careful; if you pay attention and know your market. Having a good product is pretty much a given or at least I hope it is.

My personal plan is to stick around. I am still enjoying SL and I am still making money with not all that much effort. I put in 12 hours days for a year so I can rest on SOME laurels now (wink). If I find that I am in the hole for a couple of months, I will either downsize or leave. This is just me, this isn't meant as advice.

And I guess it is time to get off the computer and back to my DVD. Virtuality is after all, simply that.

Brown is the New Black Collection

I've put up the first of the outfits in the Brown is the New Black collection at Samara Studios. There are more to come and many are completed. The skirts will come in both latte and coffee colors as well as both styles of pants. Other tops are in the works plus socks sold separately in colors other than brown. (They are so cute!).

The sweaters above are tuck in to the waistline and feature optional prim turtleneck and cuffs prims. The bolero shrug is in the jacket layer and can be worn over the other tops (and those to come). Pants for boots are included with the pants outfit.



Other outfits, designed to intermix with each other include flirt skirt and maxi lengths. An off the shoulder print top gives a silky and dressier option. The long skirt set includes slacks in the same pattern.

These outfits are on sale at over 25% off through the weekend and will then go to their regular price.

Urban Shopper Sales and Freebies

If you've missed the posts because you were waiting to STOP being a cloud or whatever :) -- Urban Shopper by the Sea is having a weekend grand opening event. Many of the merchants have free items out and many have sales going on.




I have a new tiny shop there and all the items in it are 25 - 3o percent off. You can also get the new blue dollarbie there as well as the last retro dollarbie (still a Linden). Four of my most popular shapes are there as well as the Shearling jackets below and three of the best selling collections -- Uptown, Downtown and Wanderlust.



There is also a party there on Monday morning from 6 - 9 with give aways and a contest!

New Free Use Pose Stands

Many of you know that there is a free use photo studio here in the Collections area of Samara Studios. Today I have added three pose stands with very nice poses from some of the top animators. Some were gifts, some purchased. There are 69 poses to choose from including a "male" pose stand.

There are also switchable backdrops for each one. These are the same design as the photo studio where you click to change the texture. I have adapted them and added additional textures including plain black for Photoshop uses and several neutral light backgrounds. The backdrops are for sale for $100 and are Mod - Copy so you can add your own textures if you like.

There is also a free pose version of the pose stand which now includes all the FREE poses in the gift box. So if you want to keep it simple and have a use for a pose stand this might be what you need. It is $10.

That's part of today's news!

Get Ready for Fall

Although quiet, I've been pretty busy lately. Lots of Fall items out at the store including a new dollarbie. More coming. I'm dancing as fast as I can. There will be a selection of mix and match separates soon too.

Here are some pictures of Samara Studios fashions for Fall. All except the shearling jackets come in a variety of colors.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/226/111/25

Newness: Classics and Shapes

There's a new girl in town and her name is Rayni. She is petite and curvy with just a hint of feminine fragility. Find a try me out, copy only version in the shapes area. It too includes four breast versions. Look for the yellow border and pay a linden. See if Rayni is the shape for you. A mod-copy version is directly above if you want to buy and tweak. This offer good until Sunday 11 am.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/244/115/31

Some of the first outfits for Fall are making their way into the store. These peasant top outfits come with both straight (flexi) and flirt skirts. The top is a tuck in version and will work as such with any regular waisted pants. These first two colors are on sale for $95 through 11 am Sunday.

Drape Tops for Fall

The very popular drape tops have been redone for Fall. I improved the line a bit as well as adding a tucked in shirt layer version and two new colors -- rust and black. There is a new bigger fat pack with a 33% discount.


Find them in Classic Casuals -- http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/226/111/25

New Twilight Dresses for Fall

So much for vacationing. I've been on a creative streak and working on the new Fall line. Meanwhile, I made some new versions of the oh so popular Twilight dress of Sexy Second fame. These are dressier than their spring and summer counterparts but even though they are brand new and hardly anyone knows about them, they are selling well. (Smiles) A Fat Pack is available at 3 for 2 pricing as usual.




And I made an exclusive color for the lucky chair which is once again set up in the central courtyard of Classic Casuals. This is the ONLY item in the chair, so if your letter comes up you are guaranteed a lovely new dress.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/227/122/25

Cami Sets - Group Gift - Vacation

Two new cami sets are on the $10 wall. They come with textured system slacks and are copy only. There was a hunt just awhile ago and as I left there was still ONE small "Samara Studios" box left to be found (in shoes).



A new group gift went out a few days ago. Two of my most popular sellers in new colors for Fall.

And speaking of Fall -- I plan to take a few weeks off since August is traditionally a SLOOOOW month in Phil's Place. And the sun is shining in real life. I still get IM messages via email so if something arises -- like that week in April when NOTHING worked, just send me a message. My IMs are never capped!

See you in a few.

Meet Shandra

Shandra is the newest shape at Samara Studios. You can get a review (copy only) copy for $1 until around 11 am tomorrow. Find it with a yellow frame in the shape area. The regular mod-copy version is available also on the top row. Enjoy - she is a cutie.

NEW Slingback Patent Pumps

These new shiny heels come in FOURTEEN colors and look great with both dresses and slacks. Currently on sale through the weekend at $150 in the main store. A life sized example has been added to the shoe rack at the front of the store -- Shoes Simply Shoes .

New Dollarbie & Sale

There is a cute new dollarbie in the shop - a retro print top and light moss lowriders. Find them in the central courtyard by the $10 Linden items.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/233/104/31

Also, my new collection, Neutrality is on sale $100 off for 48 hours. That makes it $395 for ALL those pieces (wink). Enjoy.

Footwear Expo 2008!

By the time this hits the feed, the Footwear Expo should be open. Yeah! I was one of the first (actually I think I WAS the first -- I was having so much fun) to finish their shop in this city of small shops amid skyscrapers. It's been fun watching the stores being filled. So many lovely things and so much talent. It's amazing.

So be sure and stop by. If you see a LOT of green dots on the map, low prim hair et al would be a good idea. If you are wondering how much impact YOUR avi has on the grid you can test it. See my post here.

Aside from being a fun shopping experience with very little walking involved (wink), some of the money earned here goes to the ASPCA. My NEW donation item coordinates with my latest collection.



These Untied Sandals in black and chrome are available at the Expo for $295. Find them on an easel at the back of the shop. While I believe a central TP point will be in effect, here is the direct URL. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rezzable%20Create/46/101/23

Neutrality Collection

The Neutrality collection mixes some of my most popular designs with some new shapes and touches to present a versatile collection that can go from work to dining to after hours club. Easy to dress up or down, the nine mix and match separates are mod - copy for personalizing the fit.

Find them in the collections area at Samara Studios.

July's Picks Winner

Beth Lehrner was the July winner in the Samara Studios Fashion Picks contest. She chose the Uptown collection for her prize. Congrats to Beth!

Pretty in Pink -- Like Sunsets!

Just up on the wall, a new dress with a choice of skirt lengths and styles. Tiny laces connect the sides of the low cut back. Watercolor swirls reflect the theme.

The long skirt comes in both regular and petite sizes for easier fitting. Skirts are mod - copy of course. $195


The flirt skirt has a second layer for even more flirt-ablity! $175

Find these new pretties in the central courtyard of Classic Casuals.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gembong%20West/233/104/31