SL Video: "The Drax Files: World Makers [Episode 27 - Nylon Pinkney] "

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From Draxtor Despress, "'I just like making things and see how other people enjoy them!' summarizes virtual entrepreneur Nylon Pinkney her enthusiasm about her work in Second Life. Over 10 years now she has been shaping SL culture through her unique art and products: not only clothing and wacky accessories like the wiggling wedding cake are on offer, Nylon has also dabbled in Machinima as well as offering custom SL/RL portraits. Prominent fans such as US comedian Drew Carey frequently profess their admiration for her on social media sites, but Nylon Pinkney does not see herself as a celebrity.

"'When I discovered Second Life in my early twenties what got me hooked was the fact that I can be my own boss, that I can be authentic and when people actually started to buy my stuff - which is so different than the usual Barbie & Ken type products at the time - it felt really good!' And in response to the negative perception of a virtual 'anything goes' universe in some quarters Nylon takes a common sense approach: 'Flickr can be pretty weird if you look for that stuff, but it also has beautiful art. Same is true for Second Life: where ever you want to go!' "

"This video was shot entirely on Tableau in Second Life. Special thanks to Marianne McCann for managing extra actors on the ground & big thanks to all the background talent who showed up on time and so patiently followed my tedious directions. You know who you are: an integral part of the team!"

Interview with Michi Lumin

In Second Life, one of the oldest communities is Luskwood, which is also the location of the oldest furry avatar company on the Grid. The four whom started the place, and company, are known as the founders. And probably the most popular of them is the skunkgirl in the top hat, Michi Lumin. Recently, Michi sat down for an interview, and talked about a number of subjects concerning Luskwood, the Grid over the years, and Linden Lab.

Read the interview in People.

Tellaq Avatar Creations

One can find just about any kind of accessory for your avatar in Second Life, though some things can be harder to find than others. One kind of item that some residents complain they can’t seem to find are ethnic avatars. Highly detailed dark skins can be even harder to come across. Among the places that does sell them is Tellaq Avatar Creations.

Tellaq is really two stores, one for male avatars, and one on the opposite side of the small clearing between them for female. The men's’ building has a much larger selection of skins. Most of the skins are black, but there are some white, and one Asian. Both stores have a lucky chair, giving people an opportunity to win one of the skins for free.

The store is owned by Tellaq Guardian. Talking to him earlier, he called himself a graphics designer in real-life. Why he chose that particular first name, he did it as a yuk, “ ‘Tellaq’ means a cleaner guy in a Turkish bath. He cleans the customers (grin), helping them to clean their shoulders and (places on) their back where they can’t reach.” He first began making skins several months after entering Second Life. His main reason for creating the business, “I couldn’t find any good black skins for myself. As you can see in the store, there are many Afro skins.”

The men's’ store was packed with skins, dozens of them, all over the walls and on panels on the ground. Each were given names, such as “Eddie,””Pier,” “Ronald,” and others. There were a few accessories for sale, such as gold chains and tattoos, but the store was almost all skins.

While taking a look at the place, I ran into a Damian Drammond. He praised Tellaq for his work, “He does the best skins in Second Life. If you want realism, this is the place to come. He comes up with a new skin every day. He needs a bigger shop (laughter).” I thought he worked for him at first, but it turned out he didn’t. “I do avatar makeovers for guys,” he told me, “But I’m a sucker, help out the newbie population. I usually do ‘em for free (laughter).” Because of the detail of the skins, he was sending people here, “I think he has about 60 -70 skins in here alone. I know I own about 10-15. I am hooked on his skins.” He felt several were particularly good, but the “Eric” was his favorite, “he’s realistic enough but not over the top.”

Checking the building for the females, it had much less of a variety, just about a dozen, “I think he needs to start looking after the women now. ... He could make a bomb if he concentrated on the girls.” To help fill the wall space, there were a number of accessories and clothes up for sale here, “not sure about the clothes up here. ... I think skins and tatts are his game.”

Tellaq Avatar Creations is at the Tropical Breeze sim at (39, 61, 23).

So if you want a quality ethnic look, Tellaq is one place you will want to check out, or as someone put it, “If you want to look good in black, head to Tellaq.”

“I like what he does, and we need more of it. His customer service is second to none.”

Bixyl Shuftan

The Luskwood Skunk Update Party

Luskwood is a popular place, though some see it as one where not a lot happens. That wasn’t the case on Saturday August 6, in which to celebrate the upgrade of their skunk avatar, the Luskies threw a big party.

For the story, click on Events.