Thank you for your interest in having me build your personal character! 

A lot of labour and love goes into everything I make - one fursuit will take me months to build and I hope that attention to detail shows (& it must since you are here!)

Due to the high demands on my work and my time, I currently take custom fursuit commissions ONLY through Patreon!

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IMPORTANT UPDATE for 2022-2023:

Due to personal reasons, I have recently closed my commission tier on Patreon (Gold Circle) to all new members. 

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. I have too many demands upon my time right now and have needed to slow down and cut back on work hours and I wish to complete my current requests before accepting more.

When I have zero clients left in this tier, I will decide how I wish to proceed regarding fursuit commissions in the future.

Please watch my social media to learn about any opportunities for artistic liberty fursuits or other sales during this time:

Beetlecat Originals (@Beetlefursuits) / Twitter

Although it is currently not relevant, I am leaving the below writing unaltered so you can look through it and get an idea of my policies for when I do reopen in the future.
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Pledging at the Gold Circle tier level means you will be granted exclusive access to my fursuit waiting list! 

You also receive 1-on-1 communication opportunities with the artist where we can discuss anything and everything to do with your personal fursuit project as well as sway what I research and develop to create brand new ideas/techniques that could be applied to your project.

Since there is no limit of how many people can pledge, priority will be given to the person with the highest lifetime support (in any tier) . This refers to the highest accrued pledge amount ($). You may chose to pledge more if you wish to reach the front faster or take a slow and steady approach.

Pledging at a lower tier still contributes towards your seniority within Gold Circle (though you DO need to be a member of Gold Circle when I'm ready to accept a new project in order to be considered for a commission slot)  

Please note, the amount you pledge will NOT be transferred into your fursuit cost. Instead it goes towards current/future fursuit research/development plus helping with the various month-to-month costs associated with running a small business.
 
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As I make a VERY limited number of costumes a year, this is the ONLY guaranteed way to receive a custom personalized fursuit from me. 
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Q: What type of project will you accept?

A: Almost anything! Since pledging already shows your commitment and interest in the project and my art style, I am open to taking on various projects that I would not previously accept. Fullsuit. Partial. Plantigrade. Digitigrade. Quadsuit. Pants only. It only needs to be a project I can feasibly physically make with my skillset. 

The best part of this system is that there is no 'time limit' on your commission as I will simply not accept a new project until I have finished it!

If you choose to, you can contact me before you pledge to ask if your project idea is suitable; but it's not necessary. If your turn arrives and I do not believe your project idea is acceptable, then we can talk and come up with a new idea together.

Q: How do you manage your work/queue?

A: At any point in time I have one (or possibly two) commissioned project(s) I am currently working on (of which I'm sharing wips, videos, etc with my patrons).   

I also have one project patiently waiting to be started (privately processing payments, discussing references, etc) which was chosen during the previous commission slot opening. 

When I am finished the current project(s) and I begin working on this next project; I fill the newly opened 'waiting' slot with a new Gold Circle patron. 

(Once officially chosen, this patron is now free to move out of Gold Circle; I suggest moving to the $15 WIP tier so you can watch your personal project's progress- from the first stitch until I pack it up to ship!)
HERE is a link to my Trello queue

Q: How do you pick the new 'waiting' project?

A: When I am ready to open for a new project, I will give a warning via a public Patreon post a month ahead of time (with a clearly-stated end date).

During this time that I keep the slot open, I will keep you informed of any changes to your place in line.

Q: How do I know when you will begin MY project?

A: I keep all my Gold Circle patrons updated regarding how many people are currently waiting in the queue (pledging via Gold Circle) and their personal location in line via a Trello list. 

This is HIGHLY VARIABLE (as I have no control over what folks chose to pledge and everyone is free to move in and out of the queue at any time) but I update the list regularly as there are changes to it (though feel free to message me if you'd like a current update)

I cannot give ANY personal assurances of what date I will begin/end your commission (as I never know who will be next to be accepted for a commission nor how long my current projects will take me).

Once I have begun your project (it has moved from 'Next Project' to 'Current Project'), it will probably be several months before it is complete - if you have a preferred deadline, let me know and I will note it down (I do not guarantee deadlines but if it's feasible I'll do my best).

Please note: I do NOT share any information between patrons. Everyone is given a random code for queue purposes. I DO share *character* information/reference sheet art of the project(s) currently in the queue (I keep a checklist there so patrons may follow along with my progress) unless specifically asked for full anonymity.

Q: Can I pledge and get a slot immediately?

A: Not quite. First, you'll have to wait until I open for a new slot (which I do so publicly so just watch my social media!). 

I also have a 'no sniping' rule; you have to be a GC patron for one slot opening before you are eligible for the next. 

The specifics of how this is tracked is that when you are a GC patron DURING the month of a commission slot being chosen, you will be noted and marked off as being present. You do not need to maintain this presence after that month is over and you will keep the status forever.

The soonest you can get a slot would be the 2nd slot that becomes available once you begin your GC patronage.

Q: So wait, the money I pledge will be rolled over into the cost of my project; correct?  

A: The amount you pledge (aside from receiving my biggest thanks) does NOT count towards your projects' cost. It supplement the tier rewards, funds current/future fursuit research and development, and helps with month-to-month overhead and labour (aka it keeps me doing what I do!)

The amount you pledge (in any tier) DOES count towards your total lifetime support though! So if you're ready to order and would like your project at the top of the queue, then you can pledge more and receive an earlier slot (exactly like a traditional 'rush fee'). 

If you are content to wait then you are able to do that as well - it's up to you!

Why does the pledge not roll over? 

Because I can only make a limited number of suits through the year!  
If it did roll over, then someone would only need to pledge their total fursuit cost (ie pay in full), jump to the front of the queue and.. wait in line again! Because I can still only make one fursuit at a time XD  

If I then limit the queue to prevent this backing up of paid commissions, it becomes completely closed to everyone except to those lucky enough to get in right as someone is accepted.  

Rolling over would ALSO penalize folks with a more simple character designs in favour of only making extremely complex (costly) items with a higher pledge. 
Instead, your show of support means that I hold the door open for you so that we can work together on your dream costume! ^_^ 

Q: What (roughly) will my project cost?

A: An average cost of a full fursuit costume from me is around $7000 - $10000 and takes several + months to design and build. When you become a Gold Circle member, feel free to send in your reference for a rough quote.

Q: What if my turn comes and I cannot afford the fursuit anymore? What about payment plans?

A: That's okay! You will simply be skipped for that particular slot and you will be put back in line for the next one (as long as you are a member of Gold Circle when that slot becomes available). Alternatively, we can discuss other options such as a partial or a head-only commission instead of a fullsuit. 

Payment/layaway plans will be considered on a case-by-case basis with a payment schedule agreed to by both parties. Fees may be levied or deposits forfeited for late-payment, non-payment, or cancellation.

Q: But I cannot afford to pledge.. can I still get a fursuit?

A: Gold Circle tier is not for everyone and that's okay too! It is simply another method for folks to commission from me if they 1) have a particular character they'd like or 2) Would like a guarantee of a future commission.  

Please note, that even if you cannot pledge to Gold Circle, I have plenty of fun perks for lower pledges. 

So even a $5 pledge will start earning you 'lifetime support' towards your future custom fursuit and a $15 pledge will give you access to all of my work-in-progress photos and videos to maybe give you some ideas for your own project! 

Please go check out all of my tier perks to decide for yourself :D

Thanks again for enjoying my art! Please let me know if you have any questions and I will add them to the FAQ! 

Deanna/Beetlecat
www.beetlecatoriginals.com


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