So it was announced that Gravity Falls will end for good at the end of Season 2.  There's only 2 episodes remaining.

http://shmalexsmirsch.tumblr.com/post/133619326491/goodbye-gravity-falls

I was a late fan, only getting into the show partway through season 2 (so I had to go back and re-watch everything), but I really enjoyed the series. For the long time fans of the show, what are your thoughts? Personally, I'm very grateful they're ending it where they are. As it was said, it was meant to be one summer, and it can't go on forever. Let it conclude on a high note, instead of going on forever and losing it's appeal, like so many other shows. It's so rare we see cartoon series complete their storylines. Far too many derail, or are cancelled before the arc is finished (Young Justice for example...) I think it's a good place to stop, as the story is finished.  What do you think? Happy or sad we're saying goodbye to the Pines?

Woo! I got approval so here we go!

CUSTOM PONY PLUSH SWAP!

Sign Ups: Now until December 12th, 2015
Partner assignments completed by: December 19th, 2015
Check In: February 1st, 2016
Shipping Date: March 1st, 2016

This gives just over 2 months to make your plush, so I hope that's lots of time! If for some reason you think you won't be able to finish, please let me know IMMEDIATELY so I can rearrange things. When I do checks ins I will be asking for photos of your progress. Don't need to be done, just an update is awesome.

When you are finished, please PM me pictures, and I will mark you finished and send you your partners address.
Please do not ship until I tell you do, so I can try to ensure no one bails at the last minute and no one gets skipped.

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Rules & Requirements:
1. Please be able to respond to PM's for checkups, and let me know if problems arise ASAP
2. No negative swap feedback
3. You are welcome to add extras/goodies, but they are NOT a requirement.
4. I reserve the right to turn anyone down who does not meet the requirements.
5. I still start checks as soon as I receive you're application, and will PM you if/when you are approved. Once sign ups close, I will get the assignments done, and as soon as I finish, the swap will start!


The Plushie:
1. This swap is for sewn pony plushies only, no crochet.
2. You can make it any generation you want, you can use any pattern you'd like, just as long as it's a pony of  some form. Please no pony balls/loaves or "non traditional" for this one. There's tons of patterns out there for super cheap and I will link to a few for purchase from artists below if you might happen to need one.
3. This swap is NOT paired by skill level. Please do not get upset if the plush you receive is not your standards of ULTIMATEQUALITY. I expect everyone to do their best, so please love what you make, and love what you receive!


Shipping:
1. Specify where you can ship so I can match accordingly!
2. Must package your plush in a box so it will arrive safely!
3. Tracking numbers are a must (EVEN FOR INTERNATIONAL), and you must PM me the tracking number when you ship.
4. You are responsible for your own countries import/custom/duty fees if they arise when receiving a plush.

I understand that these requirements may make shipping expensive, but this is to ensure ponies arrive quickly, safely, and in one piece. If you cannot afford to pay shipping/customs please do not sign up, or please say you will do your country only.
Sorry, but if you agree to international and you get somewhere that costs a small fortune to mail to, you're stuck with it (I'm from the Yukon, EVERYWHERE is expensive for me so I sincerely understand the suckage of shipping! LOL).

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Form:
Please fill out the following form and PM it to me with "Plush Swap" in the title.

Arena name:

Email:

Real name and address:

Where WILL you ship?:

Where will you NOT ship?:

How many swaps/commissions are you currently doing and what are they? (this is to ensure you are not overworked):

Link to examples of your work (at least 4 completed plushies please):

Please list up to 10 ponies you would like to see as a plush (any generation):

Got an OC? Feel free to list it, but please keep in mind your partner does NOT have to plush your OC, it's entirely up to them which pony they want to make!

Any allergies? (pets, scents, materials, etc)

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Stores with Patterns:
Panda Kitty Studios: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/PandaKittyStudios
Dolphin Wing: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/dollphinwing
Valley Violet: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/valleyviolet
Custom Plush Pony Stuff: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CustomPlushPonyStuff
Plush N Bulbs: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/PlushNBulbs
My Little Waifu: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MyLittleWaifu
Planet Plush: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/PlanetPlush
Sewpoke Sews: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/SewpokeSews
(If you know more, please lemme know, I'll be happy to link them!)

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Participants:
1. Tilas
2. Rosierjay
3. ZennaBug
4. Uninu
5. Bakuphoon
6. CoonhoundBetty

[Locked by ZennaBug.  Swap cancelled]

I'm slowly building my Funko collection (late start I know lol), so I'm looking for various Funko Ponies, like these, but I'm having a hard time finding some of them for y'know, reasonable prices, especially the rest of the mane 6. Below is the list of the ones I need. I want the normal colors only, no glitter, no black, just the normal show accurate ones, and I do not want boxes. That just costs too much in shipping.

I'm willing to buy, or trade for anything from my stores of similar value (I'll give you a fair discount on items in exchange, just tell me what you're interested in and let's haggle!), or even a art/plush commission if you have/can get a bunch of them for me all at once.

WANT:
Twilight Sparkle
Princess Luna
Princess Celestia


Stores:
Meticulous Moose
Biscuits Buttons

MLP Buttons:
I can make any of these as Pins, Magnets, or Key Chains, and I sell them for $1.25CAD each normally
http://i.imgur.com/wyz4qEZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GLI8HHs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cUhQdXs.jpg

So, Amazon.ca has decided to start price gouging much of Canada now, I received this email this morning

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=201514490
Shipping to Remote Locations within Canada

Remote locations are postal codes that are difficult to serve.

Examples are:
    Towns far from a shipper's hub
    Towns that are infrequently served by shippers
    Canada Post Air Stage Locations (where mail must be airlifted at certain times of the year)

Only Standard shipping is available when the shipping address is a remote location. Please allow an additional 2-5 days for delivery to these locations.

Some items cannot be shipped to remote locations. If an item cannot be shipped to remote locations, this information appears on the product detail page.

Total shipping cost = "Per Shipment" cost + "Per Item" cost. If the "per item" cost is listed in terms of price per pound, you can check the weight in the item's detail page.

Signature may be required for shipments over $1,300.

All prices hereunder are in Canadian dollars.
     Per Shipment* - Per Item
All items    $29 - $9.99/lb ($22/kg)

* In certain cases we'll combine items from multiple orders into a single package. However, we'll never charge you more for shipping than the amount that was originally quoted to you at the time you placed the order.

To say I was ticked off when I got this notification was putting it lightly, so I sent them an email of my own...

I received your email today about the change to Prime and how you plan to start gouging much of Canada for shipping due to "remote locations", so I'd like to receive the full refund of my prime fee you promised in your email.

Look, I get it, shipping is expensive, but $29 per item plus $9.99 per additional item is straight up robbery. I have both a .CA and a .COM account, so I tried places various items in my carts to see the price difference, and what did I find?

It's far cheaper to use .COM instead of .CA now. I placed the same DVD in both carts. .CA was $30.80, but .COM was $6.98. Do you see the difference here? Shipping from the states should NOT be a 1/3 of the cost than shipping from a Canadian warehouse. It's not "high shipping", it's all out theft, especially when I could mail that same DVD from MY location to any of your Canadian warehouses for $1.80 (since it would fall under large padded envelope).

I understand the need for some shipping, but REASONABLE shipping is the key here, not price gouging. You can't "flat rate" shipping! Mailing a single DVD is a lot different than mailing widescreen TV! Why would you think that's fair? Because you think there's "not enough customers"? You're WRONG. A good 1/3 of Canada would fall under your "remote location" description now. You are going to lose a very high number of customers in the coming months, like all three Territories, and the northern parts of practically every province.

Which includes me. As I mentioned at the beginning, please send me a refund of my Prime account and I'll be keeping my business with your American half.

Rude? Yah, probably, but I'm not about to sugar coat it, they need to hear that customers are ticked. I'm all for paying reasonable shipping, but I refused to be taken advantage of just because I don't happen to live in lower BC or Toronto! 

/rant


EDIT:
I did get a reply, which was basically a polite sucks to be you.

Hello from Amazon.ca,

I completely understand your disappointment.

As per our new policy, only Standard Shipping is available when the shipping address is a remote location.

For more information about Amazon.ca’s shipping policies related to remote locations, visit:

Our shipping policies reflect the economic and shipping complexities in remote areas in Canada. Our goal is to offer fast, affordable shipping to all of our customers and we are committed to exploring new delivery solutions that better serve customers in remote locations

It is always important for us to hear from our customers. Customer feedback like yours helps us make important decisions about how our shipping procedures and we appreciate the time you took to write to us.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/help/customer/display.html/?nodeId=201514490

However, I've confirmed that your Amazon Prime membership has been cancelled and you won't be charged.

(putting this here cause I figured shop talk should go in sales forum, if not, please move!)

I'm trying to recreate my shop name and image. "Crackers Crafts" was ok for awhile but I don't really like it for a growing number of reasons. Crackers is based off my Fan Character, and trying to "explain" that part of the name tends to get me odd looks. Also, aside from people first thinking it's about food (which it's not) apparently "Crackers" is becoming a derogatory term. O_o Which is weird but... yah. Weird. Also "Crafts" just doesn't cover what it should it sounds almost... novice.

By changing my shop name and image I'm trying to start over from scratch. I want to get out of making "copyright" stuff like Ponies, Sonic, Pokemon and whatever. Great starting point to learn but if I plan to make an actual legit business for myself, I need to ditch that. I still plan to make plushies, stickers, buttons, charms, etc, but of my OWN designs, my OWN things, and I think starting a fresh new shop with a fresh new name will help me achieve that.

So all that said, my friends and I have been tossing name ideas around for awhile. Since I'm from the Yukon we were tossing "northern" and "Canadian" names around. Last night they came up with "Meticulous Moose Marvels", which everyone found really cute. I did too but... it seems awfully long and a bit complicated. ^_^; Do you think there's anyway I should/could simplify that? Or does it sound okay as it is? I was also thinking of maybe "The Meticulous Moose" cause I could create a really adorable mascot with a name like that...

Or do you think it's a terrible name and I should try something else? Be honest, don't worry about hurting my feelings, I need the critique! I appreciate anything anyone has to offer. I've been asking around for various opinions because picking a new store name is a huge thing and with places like Etsy I can only do it once. ;

[kicked to OT for you as you'll get more of a response there. People usually just hit the customs sales forum to buy or sell customs - kkat]

I thought about putting this in the corral, but I think this more more geared towards plush makers than anything.

Do you think that the market for custom plush is shrinking/dying? Especially considering there are more and more bootleg factories popping up mass producing the ponies you once only could get by custom order? Or do you think that it's still as strong as ever?

Personally I've seen quite a slowdown of customs for a few reasons. Mainly the bootlegs. When someone can get a Luna for $30, why would they ever bother to pay $200+ for a custom? Secondly, I think the market has become saturated with plushie makers. It's awesome so many are into making them, but at the same time, with so many choices means less chances to be noticed, unless you're top of the class like people like Whitedove. And third... I do think the fad is finally dying. I just don't see the insane hype anymore like I did two years ago. I guess it was a good run while it lasted, but all things come to an end.

What are your thoughts? If you're a seller, have you noticed a slow down or lack of interest? If not, what keeps your work active?

Bringing this topic back up from the dead, I have new plushies ready for sale, and I made my commission prices nice and simple!

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CUSTOMS:

OC PONIES
I will do OC's, BUT OC's start at $200 due to their difficulty and the fact I have to make unique patterns and especially embroidery files I cannot reuse. When asking for an OC, I require reference pictures, the more the better.  I will not work from a description. There are plenty of OC creators you can use out there to give me an idea! As for the cuties marks, I need a clear reference of the mark. You will also get the .PES embroidery file of your cutie mark at the end, for you to do whatever you wish with it! (like using it for future plushies or whatever you want) Please note me for a quote.

PRINCESS PONIES
I cannot do them at this time, the only exception being Twilight Sparkle as she's a basic pony body. I suppose if you wanted a princess with a normal body, we could talk...

SHOW PONIES
Prices are in CANADIAN funds.  The US approximate price is in brackets, but will vary depending on exchange rate. Please use a site like www.xe.com to see what the current exchange rate is.

Fillies: $150.00CAN
(Approx $136US)

Stallions & Mares: $180CAN
(Approx $163US)

Complex Ponies: +$30 to the above prices
(example: Rainbow Dash, Princess Twilight, Trixie, pretty much any pony with a bunch of striping/colors in the mane)
Accessories: +$10 per simple item, +$20 per complex item
(example: Neckties like Coco's, Octavias and the Doctors would be $10 each, but hat's like Coco's, AJ's, and Redhearts would be $20 each)

Shipping:
All ponies are shipped with Tracking Numbers in a box!
- Canada - $25.00
- United States - $30.00
- Everywhere Else - $50.00

Payment:
- I will do payments half at the start and half at the finish, but I will ask for an additional $5 to cover paypal fees.
- Paying all at the start is preferred, that way I can get your pony in the mail as soon as possible!
- Via PAYPAL ONLY.
- Please pay in CANADIAN funds, thanks!

THESE PONIES ARE READY FOR SALE!:

Sweetie Belle - $150CAN
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Twilight Sparkle - $180CAN
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Applejack - $180CAN
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Rarity - $180CAN
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Pinkie Pie - $180CAN
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EDIT: May 20th-

I've moved all of my sales to the Custom Sales forum, the link is below. I thought it was better to just keep this one to showing off finished stuff.

Commissions and Sales: http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,354679.0.html

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Sweetie Belle... was at first a nightmare, then suddenly simple.  I couldn't figure out how to do her hair for WEEKS.  Then I got this really awesome how to sew plushies book and... ding. It made so much sense and suddenly her hair wasn't so hard anymore! LOL I never thought of doing a top stitch, but when the book showed it, it was like DUH. OF COURSE. So after that, the hair came together pretty fast. Yay!

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My 2nd Scootaloo, when I get all 3 Crusaders done I want to make their little capes as well.

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I really like Nurse Redheart, even if she doesn't get much screen time.  Her bun was interesting to do. Made a ball and squished it!

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I did this cluster of Twilights, which was fun to do 3 at once and see who they differed. I still like Twi without wings, but that's just me.