WIP Zone
MatricesAbout The WIP Zone, our group's guidelines!
Are you an artist seeking a fun creative chat that’s a constant stream of inspiration, like you’re working in a studio space with a lot of other artists? Love to share your ‘works in progress’? Share that inspiration and positive energy with others in The WIP Zone!
Any creative, safe for work WIPs and finished pieces are welcome, including artwork, sculpture, cosplay, fursuiting, plush making, cooking, crafts, fine arts, and multitude of other creative subject matter. “Talk shop” with other artists and share the things you’ve learned on projects and foster a community of positive and inspiring techniques. Receive and discuss feedback from other artists! Positive and good business practice topics are welcome. All crafts are encouraged, not just those related to furry!
All skill levels from professional maker to beginner are welcome to exchange ideas. While this isn’t a group for seeking personalized or step-by-step help, we’re always interested in seeing what you’re working on!
Here’s the Essentials on the WIP Zone
✂️ This is a very large group with a dedicated topic: Sharing WIPs. If you’re not making something, we sincerely encourage you to do so!
🌟 This chat is meant to be a source of positivity and inspiration - please keep that in mind when sharing work and commenting on others’ projects. Stay POSITIVE!
📴 This chat has MANY members! If you notice that you may be dominating the chat for a bit, try to take a break! Is what you are contributing a WIP? Let’s give everyone a chance to contribute!
🛠 If you have a WIP to share, go ahead and SHARE! No need to ask beforehand! This group is for WIPs, but questions are OK too — also just go ahead and ask. You may not receive an answer to your question as it isn’t the goal of the chat to seek and give personal help - If you aren’t getting a reply you expect, hit up the search! :D
⏱💰 We can’t tell you how to price your work in this chat - that is for you to decide by being informed and timing yourself as you work! Read this article for help! If you need a helpful chat-based resource on this sort of topic, check out https://t.me/furrybusiness
💪 When asking questions show us what you have tried before asking the group. A WIP image or describing what you have tried already is ideal. Trial and error, prototyping and experimenting are essential in this group! This chat is for WIPs, afterall! Research for projects not started may need to be done outside of the chat environment. WIPs before tips!
🔍 Many common questions have been answered, find them in the search! Topics like shaving, what kind of clippers to use, patterns for various things, where to buy fur, and so on. This chat is not intended as a place to start your online research about your topic/supplies/etc. it is for your WIPs. While questions are permitted, Google search & image search is an outstanding resource we will encourage you to type your questions into first, it is a much better resource than this chat on on many of those topics.
🛒📝 This is A GREAT resource list on where you can buy fursuit making supplies, read tutorials and more:
http://matrices.tumblr.com/post/163394770088/fursuit-and-crafting-resources
And of course, Matrices’ website, a resource full of fursuit making tutorials for beginners and advanced crafters alike!
💝 This group isn't much without the awesome creators and business owners that are a part of it, check out our Member Link Directory to find places to follow our members! Feel free to add yourself to the list as well! The WIP Zone isn't for advertising so this is where to find URLs and social media for those looking to follow & support other creators.
In summary
WIP Zone is a place that is:
+ dedicated to sharing Work In Progress photos of creative projects.
+ Safe for work (SFW). If it is displayed in the chat it is expected to be safe for work (Examples include display names, visible icons, posted media, text).
+ like an online studio space, see what others are working on for inspiration on your own projects!
+ for both professionals and beginners to exchange ideas.
+ for when you are active and working on your project.
+ for ALL genres of creative work (non-furry & furry).
+ encouraging of professional and business advice discussions.
+ good for asking for critique or redlines.
+ good for discussing techniques, materials, or construction methods for all kinds of creative projects.
+ okay to share things that inspire you or have helped you (with credit/source).
It is polite in this group to:
+ share as much or as little as you like.
+ post your finished projects, too!
+ ask before giving critique or suggestions.
+ keep comments positive!
+ take a break if you notice you are dominating the chat.
+ answer questions if you choose to.
+ show us what you have tried before asking the group.
+ be patient and do the bulk of your research outside of the chat format (you may not receive individual help).
+ be encouraging of others, and of innovation and testing. “Try it!”
Unfortunately WIP Zone is not a place for:
- advertising, forwarding ads, or seeking commissions.
- solicitation, even if its for free, for charity, or an emergency. Please also do not use WIP Zone to solicit private messages (PMs) about any topic. (If you need to continue a conversation that has been started there, that is fine, but do not involve the rest of the chat -- just quietly move to PM's, or do so if instructed by a moderator.)
- finding or selling handmade items. (Contact artists you like in PM for more info, if you choose! Or browse our Member Link Directory.)
- begging for tutorials or step-by-step help or guidance. (Targeted questions paired with photo WIPs are best!)
- stream announcements.
- speculative, or “for the future,” advice.
- non-creative wips or general chit chat.
- sharing things you commissioned other artists for that you have not made yourself.
- getting help with the basic Telegram app functions.
- posting photos of injuries.
- “bad business” or “beware” discussions.
- asking how to price your work (an article on that topic is available here).
- mentioning, responding to, engaging with, or commenting on bots/clickfarm/bitcoin links. Unless it is a part of your WIP. Engaging causes more work for moderators to deal with, so please refrain. You are legitimately safe from bots that appear in the chat as long as you don't click their links, do not type anything about them, that is off topic!
We have 2 moderators, & one group helper. We are all volunteers because we enjoy Works In Progress! Please be patient with us as we do our best to keep the group a fun, productive, positive, and on-topic place for all.
Matrices (@matrices), who is also the owner of the chat, & Gatorguts (@Gatorguts) are moderators. We're here to monitor conversation when we have time, and keep things dedicated to WIP-related topics.
CuttleBone (@CuttleBone) is a helper in the chat, able to delete messages when he has time.
If we happen to change our display names, you can find us by navigating to the community profile and under “Members” there will be a blue star to the right of the moderators.
The moderators reserve the right to remove posts at their discretion in an effort to keep the community on topic. We do not tolerate harassment in any form, and reserve the right to expel those who do not make a good fit for our group. Thank you for understanding!
We are continually in the process of seeking additional moderators or helpers for WIP Zone! Thank you for your support!
Below is an application for those that are interested. If you are interested in participating in our moderation team and helping out, leave your info on the form! Moderators in this chat perform various tasks, including deleting off-topic messages, moving the conversation along based on the established guidelines, and encouraging positive SFW discussions.
The form is available here: https://goo.gl/forms/ahu8QGGWJTxgyppR2
Have fun, learn something and make something every day! Happy crafting!