Second Life has an unlimited number of resources for people to be as creative as they want to be. Everything that you see in this virtual world has been created by its users. That's truly incredible and one of the main features that attracted me to Second Life. The fact that I can build absolutely anything I want to resemble a real life product is just phenomenal.
From the very first week as a noob over three years ago, I've learned to build. I remember my first "crash course" with someone my real life friend had known for some time who also played Second Life. In 3 hours, he showed me how to rez prims and to "torture" them (cut, shape, taper, resize) and to texture them to make my first couch. He showed me the basics and set me free to build whatever I could come up with. I've obtained my skills throughout the years by carefully examining the details of objects created by other designers. If I saw something I like, I would right-click it to see if I could figure out how they made that object. I would analyze the prims used and that's how I learn new tricks for my own builds. Another useful resource was/is the Second Life website's forums, which is where I would go to post questions for assistance whenever I needed help with something I didn't quite understand how to do. There's also a script library on this website where absolutely everything is free. Then, I discovered SL Exchange (now XStreet). Scripter’s will upload their products there for sale and I will occasionally browse those to get more ideas and inspiration on what to build.
Building is my passion in Second Life! It makes me feel somewhat productive when I spend several hours online every day. 90% of my time spent online is time spent building. It relaxes me and helps me clear my mind. It also makes me happy to see that people like my products and it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I complete a project.
I have made furniture, jeweler, gift shop items such as teddy bears and greeting cards, prim hair, prefabs and I even did some full sim designs. My personal favorite work was done at "Sisters of Labrys" where I was given full freedom to build what I wanted provided that I stayed within their desired theme. They wanted a 2-level sim where the underground (underwater) would be an "evil city" and the aboveground was a "roman city" floating on water. It turned out absolutely incredible!
With each new project, new skills are obtained as I get to experiment with different features or scripts. I don't do it for money. I do it simply for the pleasure of building and to push my creativity. I often undercharge myself... especially on huge project work. And, often, I don't sell enough to cover my tier fees on my land. I do it for fun and whatever Lindens I make out of it is just a bonus... besides, I end up spending a whole lot on textures and scripts!
My current focus is on my own wedding shop. My goal is to have one of the best stores for all your wedding needs! Its current inventory consists of 4 wedding cakes each available in 11 different colors, 1 cake serving set with a beautiful "intimate cake cutting" animation, which is also available in 11 different colors to match the wedding cakes. This "intimate cake cutting" animation was custom made at my request and not currently sold anywhere else in Second Life. I also have a guestbook in all the colors to match the wedding cakes and a set of bridal flowers as well. Wedding rings with a "See my ring?" animation for the ladies and wedding invitations can also be found in my shop. I do accept custom work even if it's not openly advertised and would even take a sim design request should one come along my way that is of interest to me.
Tips and suggestions that I would offer to anyone wanting to start as a builder would be do not sell anything that you wouldn't buy yourself and always aim for superior quality. Add your own personal touch to any product you build and never copy someone else's work. Customer service always count... even in a virtual world! Give the absolute best that you can to anyone requesting your assistance and always keep an eye open on new technologies developed by our fellow scripter’s as they do make scripts that could seriously enhance your products. Most importantly, build because you LIKE it and have fun with it!
Submitted by Vasanti Romano
Administrators Note: As mentioned in a site-wide email several months back, SLS is looking for stories that will be contributed by our members to feature them and their business in Second Life. This article features one of our members and their business and interests and other such articles are welcomed to be run and are simply waiting for your submissions. If you are interested in featuring your business and discuss the skills required to accomplish your tasks please contact the staff and we will do our best to accommodate scheduling your story. This site after all is for its members, and we would like to do nothing more than encourage our members to become more active in it each day. So please, let’s see those stories! ~BB
