Autumn is here! And so is a new Group Gift! :D

I'm super excited about Autumn finally starting to show itself, so I'm celebrating by offering this Group Gift to all of my wonderful group members! I hope you enjoy it! Available in Second Life and will soon be in my Avination store!

P.S. I have moved my mainstore to a new location! This group gift is only available at that new store. Below is the landmark for the *Just BECAUSE* mainstore...

*Just BECAUSE* SLURL in Second Life: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Taupo/61/180/37

New Release - "Rescue"!

This outfit is very special to Terk and I because all of the proceeds will go to our long time friend, Debi Latte, to help her husband and her rebuild after Hurricane Irene took out their home. This is why I have made a women's and a men's version of this outfit - so everyone can get involved and help. :) For those of you who do not know, Debi Latte is a singer here in SL and she has sung several times at our store. But she was our friend before she even began singing here. :)

Now back to working on that outfit strictly for you men out there! I had put it aside to work on this important project, but I thought it was definitely worth it for this cause. I know there are some out there who are waiting for that men's outfit I've been working on, but I'm sure you all understand. :) 

Anyway, on to this outfit! :D

"Rescue" is a really cool new casual jeans and leather jacket outfit. The detailed and finely crafted leather jacket feels and looks about as real as you can get. You will swear you can hear the leather creak when you move! The organic textures of the jeans and shirt are a wonderful blend for the leather jacket.

Includes:
Leather jacket with Sculpted sleeves, coat bottom, and collar
Long sleeve black and grey shirt with Sculpted sleeve cuffs
*JB* Original Charcoal Jeans with Sculpted pant bottom prims - relaxed and cuffed
Sculpted prim black belt

Remember that at the *Just BECAUSE* store in world you are able to choose which permissions you want, too! You can choose this outfit in Copy/Mod or in Mod/Transfer, so you can buy for yourself or for that special person in your life!

Buy it on the Marketplace! (womens)
Buy it on the Marketplace! (mens)

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store

*Just BECAUSE* Avination SLURL 

 

Hair on both models from Truth

Why Does it Take So Long to Make an Outfit???

 I've been asked this question a couple times over the past 9 months since I opened *Just BECAUSE.* It's really a great question, and each time I have answered it I always think I should write a blog entry on it so everyone can know.  So here I am finally doing just that! :D

I know a lot of designers use shortcuts to help speed the process along, and I do have a few I use, but for the most part I really enjoy making clothing from scratch. I literally paint each article of clothing in Photoshop. I don't use pre-made templates or clothing created by other people. Nor do I use pre-made photoshop brushes for the creases and wrinkles. I hand paint them all. Each little detail, crease, highlight, and shadow is hand painted by me. Each style is created completely by me. This takes quite some time, especially since I strive to make the most realistic outfit I can. Not to mention I then have to create my own textures to fit on each sculpted piece just right. As you can imagine, this can be quite time consuming! And very very soon I will also begin making my own sculpted prims too. That will tack on even more time spent creating.

Not only is my time in Photoshop quite extensive, but I also have to take care of the store and everything that entails. I talk to bloggers, hunt organizers, mall owners, singers and organizations for events, as well as customers who might encounter a problem. Terk handles a lot of these, thank goodness, but I do end up having about half contact me instead of going to him like my profile asks them to. This in turn eats up a lot of my time that I should be spending in Photoshop. Then there's time updating this blog, facebook, and twitter.

My clothing business in Second Life and Avination is my actual real life work, so I work a fairly regular working schedule. When my work day is done, I am done until the next morning, and I take my weekends off too. But when I'm working, I am doing just that - working. I don't laze around or wander around in world. I will talk to people when I encounter them, but for the most part I am quite alone and working in Photoshop, even when I'm online. I know... sounds incredibly boring, doesn't it?? LOL! But I enjoy it because it is art, and I love art! :)

So that is why it takes me some time to create outfits. It's not a glamorous explanation or reason, but it is what it is. It's real and it's authentic. And now you know what I've been up to all this time. But now my fun time writing is over. Time for my workday to end! Take care and enjoy your second life or avination life! :D

"Established" for Women!

I'm so pleased with the wonderful reaction I've had with the men's version of "Established" and I'm very excited to bring it out as a women's version too!

Just like the men's "Established" now the women can show just how confident and independant she really is - a woman who knows who she is and what she wants! Strong and sexy!

The detailed and finely crafted leather jacket feels and looks about as real as you can get, you will swear you can hear the leather creak! The organic textures of the jeans and shirt are a wonderful blend for the leather jacket.

Includes:
Leather jacket with Sculpted sleeves, coat bottom, and collar
Black button down shirt in all layers with Sculpted rolled sleeves and collar
*JB* Original Brown Jeans with Sculpted pant bottom prims - relaxed and cuffed
Sculpted prim Dark brown belt


You can buy this outfit on the Marketplace!

Also remember that at the *Just BECAUSE* store in world you are able to choose which permissions you want, too! You can choose this outfit in Copy/Mod or in Mod/Transfer, so you can buy for yourself or for that special person in your life! Gift boxes are available to make your gift giving all the easier. :)

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

*Just BECAUSE* Avination SLURL --   http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pemberley/186/128/23

Hair by Truth

Skin by League

New Outfit Released! "Established"

First off, I want to thank all of you for being patient with me in getting this new outfit released. It has been crazy trying to learn a new program on top of working on creating awesome outfits for all of you, not to mention having to make a new store build and prepare for 3 cool hunts (which start in only a few short days!) It's a good thing you can't see me - you'd find me with my hair pulled back in a tumbled mess looking quite tired and frazzled! LOL!

Now to the real reason you want to read this blog posting! ;D

I'm releasing a new outfit today! With "Established" from *Just BECAUSE* you can show just how established you really are! This new outfit is sure to make you look like the confident independent man that you are - a man who knows who he is and what he wants!

The detailed and finely crafted leather jacket feels and looks about as real as you can get, you will swear you can hear the leather creak! The organic textures of the jeans and shirt are a wonderful blend for the leather jacket.

Includes:

Leather jacket with Sculpted sleeves, coat bottom, and collar

Black button down shirt in all layers with Sculpted rolled sleeves and collar

*JB* Original Brown Jeans with Sculpted pant bottom prims - relaxed and cuffed

Sculpted prim Dark brown belt

You can buy this outfit on the Marketplace!

Also remember that at the *Just BECAUSE* store in world you are able to choose which permissions you want, too! You can choose this outfit in Copy/Mod or in Mod/Transfer, so you can buy for yourself or for that special person in your life! Gift boxes are available to make your gift giving all the easier. :)

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

*Just BECAUSE* Avination SLURL --   http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pemberley/186/128/23

Time for Learning...

 
I'm going to start the process of taking *Just BECAUSE* to a whole new level, and that is by having my own components along with my own clothing textures. As you already know, all of my clothing textures are hand painted. They are completely my own, and I'm very proud of that fact. I don't use pre-made clothing as templates and alter someone else's clothing. Because of this I don't have to worry about infringing on copyright on another creator's creations and I can truly call them my own designs. But now I want to be able to say the same for the components I use along with my clothing. I have been buying other creator's scrulpted prim maps (which by the way are awesome and I truly appreciate the creator's art!), but now I want all of my attached sculpted prims to be my own design as well.

I have been wanting to learn how to make my own sculpted prims for a long time now. I've had Blender on my computer for several months and every day I think to myself that I need to take some time to learn how to use it, but I always have so many other things needing to be done. However, I'm not going to put it off any longer. I'm putting myself in "school" and I'm going to learn how to use this program!

I don't know how long this will take me to learn, but I imagine it will take me some time. I've got a whole student lesson plan downloaded with about 85 videos and it's going to take some time going through those. I'm going to continue working on outfits while I learn, but the outfits will probably be slow in releasing because of this.

I tell you all of this so you don't worry that I'm not creating. I'm definitely still creating, but when a person takes a business to a whole new level it slows things down a bit, but only for a short time. The outcome will definitely be worth the wait though!

So wish me luck as I learn how to use this program! I'm nervous about the whole thing, but I'm also determined. Still..... I would appreciate people cheering me on to help me stick it out! I know I'm going to need the encouragement. :)

Annie Melson

P.S. On a side note, my future sculpted prim designs will not be sold to the public. They are strictly for my own use. :)

Cough, cough! Sniff, sniff!

Ugh... Yeah, you guessed it - I have a cold! It's not been fun, and it has slowed me down in my work. Not to mention the fact that my RL is incredibly busy right now too. Trying to get back into the swing of things, but it is an adjustment with everything going on in RL. HOWEVER!! A new group gift is now available at *Just BECAUSE*! A tank top with *JB* Style! So come on over and pick yours up today! :D

I've been working on a men's summer outfit. It's slow goings but I really hope it will be worth the wait! I think it will be! :)

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

*Just BECAUSE* Avination SLURL --   http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pemberley/186/128/23

 

Oooooo! Sexy! ;D

This is a new sign that has been put up in the *Just BECAUSE* store! I had a lot of fun creating this photo! I'll be making a few more of these to put in the store in the near future. This was just way too much fun! :D I hope you like it!

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

*Just BECAUSE* Avination SLURL --   http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pemberley/186/128/23

Last Photo Contest Winners!

Congratulations to Kaeko Freenote and Luther Podlum for being *Just BECAUSE* photo contest winners! They each received 500L and have their photos displayed in the store. :) 

Kaeko and Luther and now the last Photo Contest winners. At this time we are putting a hold on the monthly photo contest mainly because all of the posters have been filled and we've run out of room! :D It has been such a fun contest and I thank all of those who submitted!  We are going to roll out a new form of contest in the future. So just stay tuned for more information on that when the time comes. :)

Terk and I have been doing a lot of thinking and talking, and we have decided to change things up a bit. :) *Just BECAUSE* will be getting a bit of a facelift! To all of those who love the store building's look - NO WORRIES! :D The store appearance and style won't change that much! We are going to play with some of the set ups to make them more user friendly. The changes will take place over time, kind of like an evolving process, so you might see something new every time you come to the store.

Another big change is that we are going topless (removing the second floor) of the *Just BECAUSE* store to stream line the look. This will occur at the beginning of next month sometime. So don't be alarmed when you see us "topless." LOL! :D

One thing that WON'T change is the fashion you have come to know, love, and expect with *Just BECAUSE*! :)

Sincerely,
Annie Melson and Terk Sak
creator and owners of *Just BECAUSE*

Summer is here!

The melodies of Spring may have slipped into songs of summer but the new Melody dress has just blown into *Just BECAUSE* and it is perfect for summer!  This is a light, multi-colored skirt with a light sexy tank top with fantastic accessories! Come into *Just BECAUSE* and add Melody to your wardrobe and heart! :D 

Includes:

Tank top in all layers

Skirt pants in long and short skirt version and layers

Flexi prim short skirt

Flexi prim long skirt

Prim beaded necklace (with and without pendent)

Prim beaded waistband

You may have noticed the different appearance to the poster compared to the old ones. That's because *Just BECAUSE* is getting a facelift! Slowly over the next couple of months we will be changing the store, making it more streamlined and user friendly. :)

Also remember that at the *Just BECAUSE* store in world you are able to choose which permissions you want, too! You can choose this outfit in Copy/Mod or in Mod/Transfer, so you can buy for yourself or for that special person in your life! Gift boxes are available to make your gift giving all the easier. :)

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

*Just BECAUSE* Avination SLURL --   http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pemberley/186/128/23

New Group Gift!

 

You're going to love this new group gift for all my wonderful group members! High quality jeans with a witty sarcastic twist! Come snatch it up while it is available! :D It's available in both of my stores in Second Life and Avination!

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

*Just BECAUSE* Avination SLURL --   http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pemberley/186/128/23

Spring is Here!

Cute and Sexy - these are the words that come to mind with Free Spirit! You will love the highly detailed and lace laden cropped peasant shirt and matching skirt that moves so freely and beautifully. This is sure to make heads turn! Perfect for everything from clubbing, dancing, or gypsy roleplay.

Includes:
Highly detailed shirt in all layers
Flexi lace prim sleeves
Flexi front shirt ties
Pants for the skirt in long and short versions
Flexi prim skirt in short length
Flexi prim skirt in long length

Remember that at the *Just BECAUSE* store in world you are able to choose which permissions you want, too! You can choose this outfit in Copy/Mod or in Mod/Transfer, so you can buy for yourself or for that special person in your life! Gift boxes are available to make your gift giving all the easier. :)

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

*Just BECAUSE* Avination SLURL --   http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pemberley/186/128/23

May 1st Photo Contest Winners!

Congratulations to Lika Goodliffe and Suzie Mynx for being the May 1st photo contest winners of *Just BECAUSE*! They won 500L each and have their photos on display in the *Just BECAUSE* store, here on this blog, and on Facebook and Flickr! You can be a winner too! Just go to the store in Second Life and click on one of the posters for more information!

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

Expansion! Woot!!

 

*Just BECAUSE* is now also in Avination, another virtual world like Second Life! It's so cool to expand to other worlds and offer the same quality clothes for their residents as I do in SL. 

I share a sim with another clothing designer - Athene Forder with Goddess Apparel. She is my next door neighbor in Second Life, but she's also a good friend of mine in RL, so it's just natural we'd share a sim in Avination too! :D We are creating the sim to be a New England style sim, complete with rental shops and perhaps even residential homes along the coastline. My store is up and running and fully open, but I'm still working on the rest of my sim area. Building, building, building! :D

So come on over and visit our Avination store!

*Just BECAUSE* Avination SLURL --  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pemberley/186/128/23

See you around in SL and AVN! :D

Annie Melson

I've got a Pain in my Neck.....

 

Literally! Right now my neck is killing me and I wish it would stop. Neck and back actually. BUT regardless of my pain in the neck problems... (tee hee!).... I have a new outfit out for all of you! :D

From the dance club to the biker bars, this leather outfit will make a statement that you have arrived!

"Swagger" has all the detail *Just BECAUSE* is known for. You'll love the black leather biker jacket that comes with sculpted collar, belts, pockets, and cuffs. The jacket offsets the new *JB* Original Biker Blues jeans perfectly, and the vest is full of details you will love!

Come on over to the *Just BECAUSE* store and be one of the first to own this new outfit that is sure to gain you some desirable attention!

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

Live Laugh Love!

Finally got the Group Member Gift out for the month of April! This month has been screaming by. I think we all need to take a moment to remember that Living, Laughing, and Loving is what makes life so wonderful. So that's why I came up with this free shirt for my wonderful group members! :)

So come on over to the *Just BECAUSE* store and get your free gift!

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

Showing a Bit of my Inner Attitude! LOL!

After taking most of last week off I had a lot of catching up to do, but I was still able to get an outfit done and released! This new one has a lot of attitude and it was a blast to do! Gosh, I love making jeans outfits! Now on to the details of this release and work on the men's version of it.... :D

Show your attitude with this urban black leather jacket and jeans outfit!

"Swagger" has all the detail *Just BECAUSE* is known for. You'll love the black leather biker jacket that comes with sculpted collar, belts, pockets, and cuffs. The jacket offsets the new *JB* Original "Biker Blues" jeans perfectly, and the vest is full of details you will love! This entire outfit is completely handpainted with an eye for detail and photorealistic quality!

Includes:
Vest
Leather jacket with sculpted bottom, cuffs, pockets, and collar
*JB* Originals Jeans Biker Blues
Sculpted relaxed fit jean bottoms
Sculpted straight cuffed jean bottoms

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

April 1st Photo Contest Winners!

Congratulations to GeeForce Resident and SuzieMynx for being the winners of the *Just BECAUSE* photo contest! They each won 500L$ and have their photos on display in the *Just BECAUSE* store, as well as here on the blog, on Flickr, and on Facebook!

Now begins the next month! You can win too and you have until April 30th to submit your own photo! Good luck! :)

Does it have to be Monday already??

This past weekend just went way too fast! I'm beginning to think a week's vacation sounds nice right about now! LOL! But no rest for the wicked, so they say.... BUT that's good for you guys because now there is a new gown for all of you!

"Allure" is sure to dazzle everyone's eyes! It has beautiful flowing skirts and a diamond pendant with an on and off bling feature! This entire outfit is completely handpainted with an eye for detail and photorealistic quality!

Includes:
Gown Bodice
Glitch Pants
Matching panties
Flexi skirt that covers one leg
Flexi inner middle skirt (with and without prim sash)
Flexi outer skirt

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

It's a Late Night!

 

Introducing *Just BECAUSE* Mens Outfit "Ambition!" This outfit makes a strong yet relaxed statement. It shows your serious yet carefree side. This is a perfect day or night outfit, street wear or clubbing!

This outfit come with:

 1- fitted white button down shirt with sculpted cuffed sleeves and collar.

 2 - amazing leather jacket that is intensely detailed with free flowing flexi bottom. This Jacket has sculpted collar, cuffs, and belt.

3- The second in my popular *JB* Originals Jeans! This second version is called - "Urban Night." These Jeans are black with strong detailing and perfectly placed creases for that manly fit.

This entire outfit is completely handpainted with an eye for detail and photorealistic quality! Show off your SL "Ambition" *Just BECAUSE* you can!

SLURL for the *Just BECAUSE* store - http://slurl.com/secondlife/The%20Warwick/145/35/25

Now I'm off to bed! LOL!

Annie Melson

Hair by Truth