After a large number of notes in my inbox, asking about commissions and prices, I decided to repeat the old text I once wrote on this theme here. So here it is. If you're interested in custom order, read this and of course, if any questions, feel free to note me


Well, first, there's my Etsy, here:
[link]
(not much there at a moment, but you can always "convo" me through there, if you prefer that way)

Also, not really commission related, but useful if you want to see some of my works in video, my YT channel (feel free to subscribe ):
[link]

Facebook page:
[link]

In the end, my mail. You might choose to note me here first, to see if there's a slot open at the moment or ask anything you would like to know about ordering a custom item from me. But for placing the order itself, you can use this mail as well:
Email Me

If you use it, please place "order" or "commission" under the subject, so I would notice it in time.



Payments: Generally, I take payments up front, before beginning or in some cases, when the work is done, but before sending. This mostly depends of the sum we're talking about. Also, if the sum is extremely large, we can probably divide it into two or several parts and I would start working after the first part arrives. The complete money should arrive before finished work is sent.

Time to Completion: That truly depends very much on the complexity of the piece, the number of commissions I have at that moment and the type of art you want (the sculptures, figurines and woodwork take longer than bookbinding, for example). Basically, without oils an/or religious icons included, it shouldn't take more than few weeks. But I will give you an estimate date of finishing, up front (minus or plus day or two, in case of unpredicted problems/delays). If you want the artwork done by a very specific time, we have to agree on the due date up front. Very problematic or difficult due dates will require an additional fee. Please note (and include into calculation) that, depending of where on the world you are, the package might travel from two to five weeks. I'll probably give you an estimation for that too, while we're discussing the dates.

Style: It really depends on the type of work you want. I suggest you browse my gallery, especially the part of the art similar to what you want and get the idea. I do experiment frequently, but all my works are distinguishably "me". If you have an idea to what the finished work should resemble (of my own works), sending me links of it for examples would be ideal. I do not work "replicas" or any type of copies of other people work and won't make an exception, unless it comes to religious icons, where reproductions are possible.

Agreeing on what you want: It is very important that we agree on what you want before I start. If you order from me, you are ordering something I'll create from my mind, in my style. So if you don't like that idea, it would be better to chose someone else. Still, we can talk about colors, details, sizes, poses, facial expressions (if there's any), materials and find some perfect cross between your and mine vision, before I start. That's always the best approach.

Revisions: I don't do revisions in general. However, if you particularly want something and can explain to me why that would improve the general look of the piece after it is finished, feel free to share and ask, it might happen that I agree and make a change. On demand, I can upload one to two WIP's, in the stages best suitable for changes.

Originals: most of the time, when you commission me, you are commission for an original (sculpture, figurine, books, icon, oils, drawings, woodwork...). In general, I do not do prints (it can happen, but not generally), so if you want a piece sent digitally (mostly drawings/colored drawings), you will get the print sized one, for the price you pay. The size we can arrange before starting. This rule has an exception when it comes to printed canvases, which is the print I do provide.

Rights: I retain the rights to sell prints of the finished commission unless we agree otherwise. I also retain the right to exhibit the photo or the print of the piece(s) online or offline, by my choice and copyrights on piece (in case it has them) stay mine. This isn't bendable. In case of logos, cover art, illustrations and similar, I could sell the copyright to you, for additional price.



Prices: They vary so much it is hard to set the range. It depends on what type of piece you want and what materials are used and also, of time the piece demands. There's been some miner changes in pricing as of lately, because of the dollar currency "moving". So the prices can change and do ask if interested.

Still, few examples to give you at least some idea:

Miniature books, hardcovers: from 25$ up for blank (inside) books, from 45$-80$ for filled ones. Price really depends on the amount of details on the covers and on the illustrations inside.

Miniature books, softbound: While still depending on the amount of details in both covers and insides, these are much cheaper, blanks being from 20$-25$ per piece, filled ones ranging from 30$ to 35$. Note that in softbound books all illustrations would be printed, not originals, all though still all done by me.

Woodworking: Wands go from 40$ to 150$, depending on the wood chosen and the amount of details (note me for that), while boxes range from 65$ to 180$, again depending on the level of details. Some exotic woods are available by higher prices, do ask if interested in something special.

Dragon eggs: mini (4cm high)-from 35$. Medium (8 cm high)-80$. Large (starts with 12 cm height)-from 120$ up.

Sculptures/figurines: depends on the size and materials used. Usually start with 120$ and can go up to 800$ (I usually don't sell works larger than this sum in this way), but dependable on what you wish, it may vary in both directions.

Oil on canvas: from 240$ up, for the medium size canvas, but it really depends on size, details and theme, so ask.

Religions icons (tempera on board): miniatures (up to 25cm) range in 150-250$ prices. For everything else, ask.

Drawings: Originals start at 40$ and the price depends on the size, details and theme. Digital copies (send to you so you can print them yourself) start at 20$. A4 prints (no frame) on quality paper start at 25$. Do ask for more details if interested.

Print on Canvas: Price vary significantly, but mostly start with 120$ for a medium sized piece.



I do get a lot of questions (mostly from kids) for doing a piece for unrealistic prices. However much I would love to do some of those, the price has to cover my expenses, time and hard work behind the piece. This is where a commissioner have to understand for what exactly he/she commissions. My works are handmade originals, collectibles in most cases and not toys. The prices follows that rule.

Please, ask me for the price of the piece or type of the piece you are interested in and we can discuss it. I'm very flexible when it comes to paying and in case you can't pay all at once, we can still work something out, if you really want it. I do take small commissions (under 15$) in dA points sometimes, but this is only for works that could be sent via Internet (aka digital paintings, drawings or prints of traditional works).

Ask: if you have ANY questions, feel free to ask. You can note me for my email address and we can start from there. Nothing is really impossible.

Payment: currently, I don't accept PayPal. There are some other, really easy, really quick services for paying me, so please, note that PayPal is not an option for now and ask me to explain which other services would do.

Shipment: I'm offering two ways of shipping the item. In case you want your item to arrive quicker, we can use Express Mail, which means you will need to add additional 10$ to the price of your commissioned object and I would cover the rest of that price.
If you don't mind the speed and item traveling from two to five weeks, we can do it by regular mail and that option is free for the customer, on me.



In the end, ask for anything that I hadn't covered here. I would be happy to answer all your questions regarding custom orders. Hope to hear from you

Daily Deviation

Well, I truly had trouble believing my eyes when entering my profile today. A DD! Thank you so much guys, I'm incredibly, jumping-from-happiness happy. It's my fifth one and truthfully, feels like it's the first all over again The great feeling never wears off ^^ So thanks so much to both for suggesting and for featuring my work!


Commissions

Many of you asked for commissions and custom orders. For all of you interested, feel free to contact me over the notes for any inquiry of such kind, I'll give you all the price estimates and details you want. What is important to know is this: unless an express mail shipment is wanted (in which case 10$ will be added to the whole price of bought item(s)), the shipment is FREE for all my customers, completely on me.

I have very few commission slots open, so if you want something, hurry!

Oh and for those who want to check my Etsy: [link]

Hello there

This will be just short, to notify all those who care (and/or asked about this): since the Dragon Wand and its accessories are finished, there's a commission/custom order slot opened on my list.

So if you wanted something from me in any sooner period, do hurry up and note me while there's still time I still have FREE shipping for ALL my customers, as always and if you're returning customer, a discount awaits for you!

Repetitively now and following a couple of close-to-apocalypse disasters, I took the solemn oath never to write a journal when I'm as sleepy as now. How sleepy exactly, would be hard to measure on the scale of sleepiness, as it exploded with a symphonic "ping" some time ago, joining the breaking sound of mentioned oath. I'm sure there's special place for ones like me in the whatever underworld you who read this believe.  Anyway, the mentioned cacophony missed me completely, as at the time I was too busy counting the countless sheep, a loose heard of wooly, fuzzy bastards that never stops jumping over the fence of my mind, some of them even twice in a row (I saw you Fluffy...don't for a second think I haven't!).

There you go, a lot of babbling and a vain try to make myself doze off, finally. It won't work, of course, but what are we us artists made of but out of the vain tries and, now and then, few surprising successes. So one keeps hoping.

Lately I've been working hard. Promise.

Actually, that's what keeps me awake and partly insane these days, hard work. Also, yours truly managed to cut her hand in the process, but because "if you cut us, do we not bleed" * is followed by need of replacing the amount of blood lost and thus, need for food and money to buy it, work is continued. Luckily, piece starts to shape nicely so far, so there's quite a lot to be satisfied about in that fashion.

If you noticed, few first lines of this journal might have warned you about it mostly being a bunch of nonsense with scattered bits of informations for those who own good text sieves and are able to use them in these cases. I'm saying this as I mentioned commissions and there, we're getting to the bit of this journal that will cover that.

Well, commissions are still on, all though the waiting list went longer recently, so if you're interested and if I accept your commission, there might be some waiting time for you to endure. Not too much, but my current schedule is shifted into the "approximately one and a half week late" zone. Just so you know. And YEAH, THE SHIPPING IS STILL FREE FOR ALL MY CUSTOMERS!!! As always.

Between being busy and alternately, hitting my head on furniture in frustration **, I've done little worth of mentioning, beside rediscovering sun in my garden and taking a fast run from it at first, but allowing it has its benefits on later encounters. Spring seemingly came to my part of the realm, all tough one would hardly tell by the snow, rain and bits and pieces of sun in rapid exchange. I swear, my daffodils developed the minds on their own and go up and down in growth, trying to follow this scheme (also, I was sure one bloomed only to pack back the flower on the very next day...or someone might have picked it up, possibly, but it is gone).

Weather, as shifty as it gets, doesn't suit me right now. It rains when I need the blizzard, sky clears up when I need a good rain...and sun has this nasty habit or reappearing on daily basis, always in the mornings (would you believe). Happy and carefree and rude to my accustomed to night eyes.  Well, of all things...

I better finish this, before you step another step down into the everlasting emporium of my sleepless madness and are forever dragged inside. But, for good measure, I'll leave you with a lame old joke someone told me couple of hours ago and which seemingly have trouble getting out of my sleepy mind: Why do birds fly south? It's too long for walking.

Good riddance. And a good day, night or whatever it is where you live now, to you.

---

* appropriately misquoted Shakespeare... And, if you will excuse my strong language, yes, we bloody do!
** the state otherwise known as "artistic processing"

March is around for a while and being a March child, I decided it is a right time to reopen commissions. Hope someone there is glad for this right now

Since being busy, commissions are only available for miniature books and smaller pieces (figurines and objects under 12 cm and so on). Ask for all the details through my notes, if you're interested.

With my birthday coming, I also decided to give a small discount of 5$ per commission, up to the end of March And of course, the FREE shipping, as always.

Come and find me

To all of you my friends, no matter where you are on the globe:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND ALL THE BEST IN THE APPROACHING 2013! LET IT BRINGS US ALL LIGHT, HEALTH AND HAPPINESS AND MAY IT BE MUCH BETTER THAN 2012! LOVE YOU ALL!

Hello everyone!

No, I'm still not officially "back", so to call it. Things are...still in the process of reconstruction in my life.

However, there's an offer I decided to give for this Christmas and if you'll like to use it, better hurry up! Actually, I will accept Christmas orders only up to Dec. 12th!

But what is the offer? Get 2 for the price of 1. That's right. It's about the miniature books...if you order one, whether a custom one or one of those offered on my Etsy:
[link]
you will get another one for FREE. The only catch is that the other one has to be blank (no drawings/writings on pages). But you can fully choose covers, endpapers, more or less everything else Now tell me if that isn't a good offer

Also, from today until Jan. 15th, a 5$ discount to all the items in my shop and custom orders as well. If you're returning customer, then you know there's another 5$ discount for all the returning customers as well, so if ordering from me for a second time, together with this new discount, you can save yourself ten bucks

That's about that.

We lost our dog today. I lost my dog.

Please, no religious exclamations...Higher beings and I aren't in great relations right now and won't be for a long time. I don't want to say something that would hurt you, in return and I might.

But truly, if you want to say something that you think can be comforting and has no such bits inside, I would definitely appreciate it.

Beside that, there's very little to say. It is not merely about the dog. Life and death has its course. It is not about that. It is not about cherished family pet. Neither fully. It is about deeper things, trust, hope and many things I won't discuss here. All now broken. But I don't expect you to understand, as the situation would be hardly explainable. And it isn't important for anyone but me right now...We all know how is to lose someone or something dear and no one hurts deeper than others (just have the different approach). So enough of this.

I won't be here for a while. Screw everything and all...World is dark and I want to sleep now. That's that.

See you when I see you.

Hello, all...

Again, to all of you concerned, whether being my friends or acquaintances or possibly, commissioners/customers: thanks once again for asking for me and sending your good wishes, it means a lot to me. Some of you know the reason for me being away, to the rest, this journal is an explanation. But business first.

All of you who ordered something from me, even though I sent emails with explanation as well, the reason I'm being away won't affect the state of your commissions/orders. Every object will be finished and shipped by dates we agreed, so no worries. You will, of course, get the notification mails about sending and tracking numbers, when the packages go, respectively.

To all of you closer to me, who inquire about the reason of my new disappearance: one of my dogs, my lab Dante is sick and having a hard time recovering. Vet is coming and going and there's a lot to do: meds to be given on every hour (and sometimes half of hour), feeding, giving water...And even though I'm far by being alone in this task of keeping him (hopefully) alive and better, there's much for me to do and be, so I'm putting that first right now.

So there, that's the reason. I do  hope he will be better very soon and I'll be back here fulltime

Due to all this, the "Phantasmagoria" contest date has been altered once again. Turns out this will be rather a December contest, instead of being a September one as planed. Oh, well...gives you more time to enter if you want, so note that the new deadline is

Dec. 15th

and the winners would be announced on

Dec. 20th

!

Read about contest, prizes and contest rules, here:
Contest (prize value 500$) and the Summer SaleThis journal has two sections, a contest one (larger) and a summer sale one (smaller, in the bottom). If you're interested only in summer sale, just scroll all the way down to the bottom of the journal, but if you are interested in contest, please read next lines very carefully.

THE CONTEST
He who waits…
I know it is long overdue and that I promised this contest a relatively long time ago. Many apologizes to all and everyone who patiently waited, sometimes less patiently asked what's going on or felt betrayed by my reluctance to finally start this contest. I tell you, there are brain surgeries done with the less fuss around it…and for all those reasons: very honest "sorry" guys. You have been wonderful so far, even when you filled my notes inbox with questions and I am grateful for the interest you haven shown, even when I didn't managed to reply all of the notes.
To tell you the truth, I truly didn't expect such amount of interest, especi

That's mostly that. See you, hopefully, soon!

More than few of you have been asking for the link for "Valravn", the comic which won a sponsor award on  International Comics Festival in Belgrade (and for which I wrote the script and ~dejan-delic did the art). It is a dark story about the magical being Valravn, originally the ordinary raven who became man by eating a dead king's heart. But what he really needs is a heart of an innocent to finish that transformation for good and his plot to get it includes trickery, murder, deceit and so much worse.

It is also a comic about sacrifice, lies, death (and Death), pain and bravery.

Until today, the comic was off the web, but Dejan submitted it here some hours ago and here I am, sharing the link, as promised. These are only first four pages for now, the rest is still under the development (hopefully ). Read, fav if you like and comment...we would really like to hear what you think

  

Hello again, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, in between and out of either and all the varieties of former said. Guess who's (almost) back?

Thank you, thank you and thank you (no, seriously, you can now stop with the applause, girl can get embarrassed...even I can), yes, I'm still alive, almost healthy, mad as ever and BACK!

Thanks for filling my notes so I can't really find anything anymore, thanks for all the "get well" wishes (I am grateful for every single one) and all the inquiries of my return. I never thought of myself as of "popular" artist, but you could have fool me, lol. Anyway, thanks, for real. No matter I'll have to take a diving suit to go through all my notes, I really, truly appreciate all the concern.

Now, for some real infos, about pretty much everything. Business first, fun later (read contest), personal matters on the end. Take your pick and all aboard! Here we go.

BUSINESS
There's few news here. For all those who asked to repeat my Etsy, here you are:
[link]

The summer sale is over, so the prices of my selling items are back to regular. However, I offer a special 5$ discount for all the Halloween stuff that is bound to appear here soon and all the custom objects you would maybe like made. So if you're interested and want something, hurry. I'm open for custom orders for Halloween only up to Oct. 12th...after that date, it is uncertain if the item would come to you in time for Halloween. So you've been warned. For the rest, non-Halloween related stuff (like books or similar), just ask. Of course, discount for all the returning customers still stands.

IMPORTANT: if you're interested in some Halloween themed, printable bookmarks that could be purchased for dA points, keep an eye on my gallery in the next few days! I'm planning something interesting

One more thing business. Few of you guys inquired about my paintings. Well, the situation is like this: all my business in this area is already represented by a gallery, so I have nothing to do with the sales (minus possible custom order...but I would really have to be interested in a subject to accept that). No commercialism needed, if you're interested in purchasing something of my work in this area, feel free to note me and I will give you all the infos necessary. Now to the rest of the journal.

FUN (contest)
Maybe because of me being ill (and you being informed of it), maybe because of the hard subject given, but this contest proved to have a relatively poor response. "Relatively" meaning that many of you were asking about it and about the rules, but not much entries came. Well, the deadline is still Oct. 15th and you still have time. Hope to see your entries soon You can see all the details about the contest here: [link]
...
LIFE
By now, it's pretty clear even to those who weren't acquainted with my former journals, that I was ill for the past two months. Well, to shorten the story, it wasn't fun at all and it came down to serious, at moments...I'm still recovering. However, slowly, I feel the time for returning here has came near and even though I might offer a slow start for now, all of you who possibly waited for something new can now expect me to submit something again Actually, if all goes well, expect me to submit something in the next thirty six hours, counting from this journal.

In the meantime, few things happened...among those not least important is the possibility of me having a stand of miniature books and other miniatures, on the next Paris SIMP (June 23th, 2013). It is still just a possibility, nothing firm yet, so I will inform you on it further. It all depends of my health and partially, of money...so we'll see.

Among those things very important (for me, at least), is that a comic "Valravn",  on which I'm co-working with a vector-art-genius (my script, his visual art), got an award! Yay! It's a sponsor award on this years comic "Salon" in Belgrade and I'm quite happy about it "Valravn" still isn't on dA for now, so if you want to read it, keep an eye on Dejan's gallery and of course, on my journal. It should appear here soon and I'll definitely inform you about it. To honor this occasion, I featured three of Dejan's ASOIAF inspired works on the bottom of this journal, for you to see
...
Ok, that's about that for now and it's time to wrap it. What else to say...hope to see more of you all from now on. Feels good being here again!
...
FEATURE

Well, I managed to catch rubella (or German measles) and for more than a week now already, feel like someone beaten me with sticks and in my favorite description, some chicken seemingly molted in my throat and forget to clean after

Also, for those who don't know, it is a kids virus. Yeah, a bit embarrassing. Hey, ok, I always knew I was a bit juvenile...just didn't thought germs share this opinion!

Anyway, spots were interesting in the way, but everything else isn't and all this brings some big drawbacks in my life, for now. Some of it will be felt by those who are entering my contest...I'll have to delay it a bit, as my whole schedule is kinda moved now.

However, when I say delay it, it doesn't mean you need to stop sending your entries or anything similar...the ending date for the contest will just move for some twenty days later and that's it. For now, it is officially changed to Oct. 10, 2012!!! So you have more time. Btw, for you who doesn't know about the contest or want to remind themselves about rules, here's the link to original journal:
[link]

That's pretty much that...Oh, yes, and the summer sale is still on, you can read about that on that link above as well.

Wish me speedy recovery See you soon!

This journal has two sections, a contest one (larger) and a summer sale one (smaller, in the bottom). If you're interested only in summer sale, just scroll all the way down to the bottom of the journal, but if you are interested in contest, please read next lines very carefully.


THE CONTEST

He who waits…

I know it is long overdue and that I promised this contest a relatively long time ago. Many apologizes to all and everyone who patiently waited, sometimes less patiently asked what's going on or felt betrayed by my reluctance to finally start this contest. I tell you, there are brain surgeries done with the less fuss around it…and for all those reasons: very honest "sorry" guys. You have been wonderful so far, even when you filled my notes inbox with questions and I am grateful for the interest you haven shown, even when I didn't managed to reply all of the notes.

To tell you the truth, I truly didn't expect such amount of interest, especially even before the contest itself started. There's another thing I want to say and that is: thank you. I truly appreciate all the attention and interest.

But not to let you cook on the slow fire, a main purpose of this journal is to announce: the contest begins today. Yay!

Now, I will explain the subject in more details and then will familiarize you with the prizes and the rules…But first just one small explanation (yes, another one and I'll try to be brief): the prizes on this contest are all made by me. There will be no points given and no items/works from the other artists like the contests on dA usually do. So, to some, amount and choice of prizes may seem rather small and limited.

However, I'm making this contest primarily for my watchers and for some of those people self-proclaimed as "my fans" (thank you guys ), so they (you) would get a chance to own one of my works. I know it seems presumptions, when put like this…it isn't meant to be. It is just a thing of being asked for a miniature book or something else by someone, then seeing the disappointment in that person, after the price was given. I don't like doing that…I actually hate doing that and I'm always sorry when I have to do it.

As some of you know, my works are unique, one of the kind pieces and (mostly) collectible/collector's items, all signed…in accord with this, they can feel pricey for some and sometimes, too expensive for one part of people who would like to own them. 50$ to 200$ maybe isn't too much for a serious collector of miniatures and I'm trying to keep the reasonable prices of these works, but I also understand how it is to be a teen with no money of your own or a student who saves every dollar possible, not being able to spend on the things you like no matter how much you like them. Or any other similar situation.

To make things at least a bit more better , every now and then I plan (and make) a contest like this…it is not much of a difference, but at least a wee one That much for explaining the prizes.

Now, to the part most of you are waiting for. The theme, rules and prizes. Please read next part of the journal extra careful, if you plan to enter.



"PHANTASMAGORIA CONTEST"

To those unfamiliar with the word…the word phantasmagory means (copy/pasted, lol):  

a.  A fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever.
b.  A constantly changing scene composed of numerous elements.
c.  Fantastic imagery as represented in art.

But, the "phantasmagoria" itself has an additional meaning, it is a form of theatre (and art) in which fantastic images or shadows of them changes in front of the viewer. Read more here: [link]

Anyway, the theme of this contest in general covers both of these. I hope to get interesting results.

I mulled this theme a long time in my mind, wondering will it give enough room for the artists and then, is it too usual, too easy and common. But you now what? After thinking it through and comparing with few other themes I had in mind, this still stands out. It gives plenty of possibilities to the artist and is still not to hard to fulfill. I think many great things can be made inside this theme. So why not?

The rules of the contest are maybe somewhat different than the rules of usual contests seen around. You see, every contestant will have to include for which book he or she is competing for in the comments on the work and in the note to me. But here are the rules:


RULES:

1.
Media

ALL media allowed, including literature. However, literature entries will compete for a different prize than the three above mentioned books and since there is only one prize for literature section, I decided it will be a special one. All those who will compete in literature, please read the addition to the rules under the main ones…the rest of the rules also applies to you, but additions are very important.  

As for the visual participants, I don't care will you go digital or traditional or will you do the drawing, painting, photo, sculpture or even origami if you like. As long as it portrays the THEME, do whatever you like

2.
Age and address

I am saddened by it, but forced to add an age limit to this contest. Sorry for all the underage artists, especially those serious ones, but contest is opened only for artists 18+ (read especially the end of this if you're not). Ok, I can now hear you scream from anger and I understand you, but let me explain.

Without naming anyone, last time I had a problem with one winner who was underage and suddenly didn't felt like sharing her address with me. Was it because her parents/guardians forbade it or for some or other reason, but there was a real problem with this and it took us a long time to resolve it in a satisfactory way. The book was sent in the end, but I just don't have time or nerves to go through all that shi…stuff again.

So to shorten the story: you really got to have a home or other address to give to me and to be willing to share it…my books are not the virtual, but real life prizes, so they need to be sent to you. Don't participate in the contest only to win and then decide you would rather not share the address…of course, your address is safe and it won't be shared later in any way with anyone on or outside dA. It will be used SOLEMLY for this purpose (sending you your prize). But for the reasons named above, I need to work with persons who are responsible for their own actions and are free to decide for themselves, not acting childishly.

However, knowing there will be a lot of interest among those under mentioned age and knowing there are lot of very serious individuals who are still under mentioned age, for those 15+: if you can provide any confirmation your parent or legal guardian is agreeing with you participating in this and sharing your address, send it within the note with which you apply to the contest and I'll accept your entry regardless of being under 18.

3.
Choice of the prize

Similarly to the last time, you will chose FOR WHICH of the three books you will compete.
Each and every participant will compete for only one book and while entering the contest (in your note to me), you got to tell me for which one you want to compete and also add it to your work's comment (remove it later if you want, I need it there while the contest lasts, so to avoid the confusion).

Anyhow, what you need to do is to add following line into the entry note sent to me and also to your comments: "I'm competing for the ***** book" (instead of *****, add the desired title : DAY, TWILIGHT or NIGHT or simply just tell me the color: RED, BLUE, GREEN)

4.

Only 1 entry per person…as always, I'm on a killing schedule, so it would be hard to push through otherwise.

5.
Entry has to be a new work, made for this contest.  

6.
Entry (work) must not be a participant of any other contest before this one or while this contest lasts.

7.
Entry's (work's) comments must include "Entry for Maylar's "Phantasmagoria Contest" and it would be nice (but not obligatory) if you include the contest's stamp in the comment as well Also, please do include your own interpretation of work's symbols and details used…it might help for the work to be understood better

8.
Mature content IS allowed, but keep it tasteful and no porn, ok?

9.
Continuing from the former rule, NO: racism, sexism or other "ism's" (to shorten the story, keep your works "'ism" free, ok?). No pornography, using minors in any even remotely inappropriate context, hate inducing images targeted toward any political, racial or religious group, anti-homosexual content, promotion of violence in any way…to summaries it, keep it clean, guys. The theme of this contest is an open one and there's many ways to misuse this…but I don't want to see such things. And if you do something like that, you won't be the part of this contest, for sure…

10.
Contest ends on Dec. 15th!!! I hope you have enough time and space to do what you would like to do Winners will be announced by Dec. 20th.

11.
Contest entries will be accepted ONLY through the NOTES. So don't give me a link in the comments to this journal or similar, it won't do. Title the note "Phantasmagoria Contest" or something similar, ok, so it won't get lost among the other notes.

ADITIONAL LITERATURE RULES

1.
You can enter by poem or by prose, whichever you prefer.

2.
Fanfiction and OC's are also allowed…for some time I was on the edge of deciding against it, but then turned pro it, as I know many people here prefer writing such stuff. If writing fanfiction or using your OC, please include the name of original work/universe/canon in the comments, so I would get myself familiar with it if it isn't of ones I already know.

3.
Romance/erotica/adult themes are allowed…why I underline it, when it is already said I allow mature content in general rules? One of my friends asked if mature content allowed in the literature too and that for, I'm giving the answer. But similarly to visual themes, try not to go into pornography, will you? All other rules regarding mature contents also apply.

4.
I'm sorry to add this, but works have to be limited to 2,000-2,500 words. I prefer longer readings and would gladly allow you no limit at all, even if that would mean ending with a full-size novel to read, but time does not allow me this freedom. Hope you can work something great even in this word limit

5.
All works in English, please. It is not right, I know, but that's the only language I can fluently read beside my native one and no word translator can truly transfer the full story…it would do you and your work a greater injustice, than if you would translate it yourself (in case it isn't on English already), even if it isn't a perfect translation. For addition to this, check the next rule.

6.
I don't mind minor grammar/spelling mistakes and those won't be held against you when judging for prizes. Just use your writing editor spell and grammar check and of course, your own good sense ( I have a friend whose simple message about the tickets "I got tomorrow's one" turned out as "I got tumor one" in word check, which caused pretty much distress in the next few moments of conversation).

And, I know, I know, this grammar/spelling freedom will be not looked with a good eye by a grammar-nazi's,  but I don't mind. However, if you decided to write all in lower caps or with no punctuation, warn me in advance, so I can get my way through it

7.
In the end, all other rules apply to literature as well, so read them carefully, ok?

8.
Every entry is counted as one (single) entry. So you can't enter one in literature and one in visual, or the other way around.



PRIZES

Probably the most anticipated part of this journal, lol.

The prizes for the visual part of the contest are these books, here:

You compete for one of them, chose in which category you want to enter (green, red or blue), following above mentioned rule.

The prize for the literature contest is not yet visible, for a simple reason: the literature winner will actually win the right to get a miniature book by his/hers own choice or idea (cover work of choice, with blank insides). Since there's only one prize in literature, I decided to make it special, so I hope you like this

In addition, all winners will get a feature in my journal.

And for the end of the prizes section, one last thing:
One, SURPRISE PRISE, will be given to a contestant whose work I find most interesting in technique and following the theme, both. It will be purely subjective choice of mine and maybe won't be what everyone else considers interesting under those descriptions, but I hold this right as an organizer of this whole mess, lol.

The surprise award is not a book at all, but it is a miniature work. You don't actually compete for this, no need to mention it in the notes or comments and all participants of the contest could be suitable choice, visual or literature artists. It is just a small addition to this contest, nothing more.



THE REST

Lol, yes, there's more, but only a little more.

First, all the entries will be faved and you will be able to see them here: [link]

Second, do fav the official stamp of the contest : and do fav this journal as well, if you plan participating. It is an obligatory thing while the contest lasts (helps me trace you), but once it is over, you are free to remove the fav(s) if you like.

Third, if you wondered, there will be one judge in this contest, aka, me. I usually take some friends to join me in this role, but since this time all the prizes are mine, judging will also be mine.

Fourth…someone asked me this and even unwillingly, I will answer. I mentioned it in the headline, but will repeat: the complete and overall value of the prizes in this contest is somewhere around (a bit over, actually) 500$. So if you wondered is it worth of participating and the value of the prizes is your measuring value, now you know.

That much about the contest. Hope you will enjoy it, hope you will be inspired and above all, hope you will have fun participating in it. Sorry for the length of text, especially in rules, that you had to go through, but I find it necessary, so to avoid future misunderstanding. If you feel there's something not covered or have any additional questions about the contest, my notes are opened to you.

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THE SUMMER SALE

Starting now (actually from July 1st), summer sale of my works is running. It will last to Sept. 15th. If you wonder what does it mean, it means you can get my works with from 15% to as low as 30% discounts (this later for blank miniature books only), in that period.

The usual discount of 5$ per order for all returning customers still stand, as always and will be applied to all the summer orders as well and of course, shipping, as always, is on me, free for customer.

If you can get better offer anywhere, please feel free to tell me Now, go and check my works, then let me know what you want

Hi people,

First, go and look at the featured artists on the bottom of the journal, they deserve it (all winners of the "Metal Song" contest).

After that...Ok, I know: I promised a contest also. That decision is still on. The prizes are ready. Everything just begs for set off...so why isn't there a contest yet?

For all of you who wrote a note (and "thanks" for filling my notes...but, lol, I tried to answer every single one and hopefully, succeeded) to ask what is going on, here it is:

Contest will be, probably by the end of the next week. Yes, I remember, I said that in the last journal. Well, yes and I meant it, but as usually, RL gets in a way.

First, I'm on my water fast and it is trailing, as always (with satisfactory results health-wise, but still). Second, I'm not home currently and forgot to take a photos of the prizes before going away. Third...

A very dear friend of mine is in a pretty bad and unusual place right now and I'm trying to help as much as I can...He and his band are pretty well known musicians and some time ago, broke a contract with their house and lost a record label they were working under. So what, most will say, if they're known let them just go under some other label.

Unfortunately, contrary to usual believes, it is very hard for a known "name" to find a new label, as most of the houses are predefined in their conditions and wishes and contracts and blah, blah, blah...not an environment for someone who is accustomed to have a final decision over his work. Most of the big houses we encountered (and I say "we", as I'm trying to help) so far are willing to have him and the band, but under their own conditions (of course). Problem is, most of those conditions just suck.

On the other hand, many small and middle houses would gladly take him and the band under their name, but just can't give good enough conditions (it is not pride or anything similar...they just doesn't meet the needs of the band for now). So the band is lingering in a sort of music limbo, trying to decide would they go up into "money slavery" or down into "poverty laced freedom" and all their friends are trying to help and find some middle solution, me included. If you have any ideas, you are welcome to suggest, that is a main reason I'm writing all this down, beside explaining what's with the contest. Sorry for no names included, but I don't think it would do good to my friend or me, either, if I would mention those.

Anyway, those are my reasons...I'm kinda stretched to many sides right now. However, contest is a sure thing, so please, PLEASE, don't send any more notes with "where will the contest start", lol. I don't mind that, really and truly, but responding all is a huge job and then I lose even more time. The official story is that the contest should start by the end of next week, if not sooner

And now, to that mentioned features. Behold the winners of the Metal Song Contest:

DIGITAL ART WINNERS
1st Feel the Freedom [link] by
2nd Damien [link] by
3rd Breathe into me [link] by

TRADITIONAL ART WINNERS
1st Poison [link] by
2nd Pillars of Dragons [link] by
3rd Your soul's gonna burn [link] by

Ever been caught in the storm?

The thunder roll, the wind howls, the rain falls so fast, beating you so hard and muffling your ears, deafening you. It hurts, it is cold, like it comes from inside of your very bones, your whole body shivers involuntary and confusion grabs you hard, not letting you go.

It is the dark and the curtain of rain, that makes you so bewildered and lost in the hell broke loose, just right over your head. It is the fear, the feeling of being abandoned and alone, with feet so deep in the cold, grabbing mud, you just know there is no way out, there is no escape. It is the Nature, set to kill you and remove every trace of your existence. It feels like end.

Of course, watching it all from the window, from the safety of the warm room, well...even though the branches of the trees time to time scratch on the glass panels, as if they want to say: let me in, it is a quite different thing. Especially with the warm fire dancing in the furnace, few candles lighting the room in warm orange shades and a plate of homemade cake close at hand. Yes, electricity has been cut off by the storm and lightning dances over the sky in wild, unpredictable shapes, but all in all, it is much more comfortable from inside. Much, much comfortable.

It is also a good moment to use the benefits of batteries and mobile devices, so here I am, writing this journal. Long overdue, some might say and wouldn't be totally wrong. I'm much late with many things and won't list you the boring everyday RL, once again. Things happen. Things need to be done, or pull you along this way or the other.

I'm pretty behind with everything and apologies go to all who wait for something from me, from answers on comments, to answers on notes. For some reason my cellphone doesn't work good with dA notes and so, it is hard to keep in touch this way. But I'm working it through somehow.

Now for the interesting part.

What I wanted to repeat once again, is that the contest should be near, now. I keep promising this ever since beginning of last Winter and then keep postponing it, this or that pushing me in some other direction. But it is basically all ready...and so I believe, firmly this time, the contest will start by the end of the week. Maybe even sooner.

So be ready, if you planned entering...the prizes will be my books and maybe something more, but I'm saying nothing, yet.

The theme will be two sided and the contesters will be able to choose which side would they prefer, Day or Night. Simultaneously, writers and poets will have their own branch of the contest, Twilight (not to be related in any way with the books of the same name), so everyone is included. Fun part is those are not the theme of the contest. But I will explain all when the contest begins.

Anyway, there is only one prize for every branch of the contest, Day, Night and the Twilight. You choose for which one you compete and there we go. There will be few more rules, but not to bother you now. Expect all this during the week or on the end of it.

See you soon