The Studio

Crafts

00:31

0

Currently we have some tags such as brush-maintenance and pencil-maintenance, which I believe are my doing. But that seems overly formal and wordy, and tool-care for whatever tool or media seems a better fit. Should we use care or maintenance? Something else? Should we synonymize them? If y...

user132126

@johnp Welcome! Sorry I missed you, hope you come around often!

user132126

@Kareen No one starts good at any art or craft, it all takes practice! Don't get discouraged.

user132126

It's like playing a musical instrument or learning how to do any skill. Practice practice practice.

johnp

@CreationEdge Nice to meet you :) and thanks. I'm on stackexchange too often lol

Usually lurking in the Ink Spot graphic design chatroom...might be useful for many crafts people actually if you ever want to share work

there's a Looking Glass room for that specifically

Matt

00:58

@CreationEdge All the nominated pro-temp mods have at least a downvote. That surprises me.

user132126

@Matt I didn't even notice that.

Matt

I want people to ask more upcycling questions. I would think that is more my strength.

@CreationEdge I pay a lot of attention to voting. I ritually click to see the UV DV numbers.

@TheIndependentAquarius You got our first popular question badge congrats!

user132126

I pay attention, too, but I hadn't actually looked at the mod ones.

Matt

We need more question like that as they have the potential for mass appeal

user132126

To be fair, we're all fairly low rep, even across the stacks, so our moderation experience might be in question, and some may know us from other stacks and disagree. Or some other valid reason.

user132126

01:02

I am surprised that you have those downvotes, though.

user132126

Yeah, coming up with those questions is tough!

Matt

@CreationEdge I attribute my DV as I have a couple of other meta posts that were also poorly received. Mods all have to start somewhere and the ones that get the job are not full mods really.

johnp

I thought I'd have a lot of questions but I'm kind of stifled by the broad topics to discuss :3

user132126

The problem with poorly-received meta posts is that they get stuck to your name. Sometimes someone just has to express a different opinion, so we get an idea of the community direction.

Matt

I was trying to spend a fair amount of time in meta anticipating that I might want to nominate myself. I feel better knowing someone else did it for me... Also I did not wote for myself :)

user132126

01:05

It doesn't mean you'd run contrary to what the community would want as a moderator.

Matt

@CreationEdge Of course. I gladly try to take care of that. Others might not see it that way.

user132126

And you wouldn't be doing it solo.

user132126

For instance, if it ends up being a combo of you, Catija, and I, I feel that we already work very well together as a team.

Matt

@johnp Did you already see this post:

3

A: What can we use as sources of inspiration for questions?

This comes in part from a similar thread on Meta Woodworking.SE. Many of the solutions there are general enough they can apply here. Consider mistakes you have made in the past. Perhaps you would like to know how that could have been avoided or mitigated. Those would be good but not limited ...

Go theoretical team us!

Johnp What are your art and craft strengths?

There are a lot of Duh questions that would be great here that might be perceived as too simple. If worded correctly they would be a good fit.

johnp

had a quick look there @Matt thanks :) Well I am currently finishing up a general design degree...Graphite illustration, digital illustration techniques would be my strength...photography...though these aren't really craft based...

I would love to learn more ways of printing/expanding my illustration skills onto textiles and furnishings with the aim of making money from my designs...

I guess I'm a jack of all trades but a master of, well, dry media...drawing

user132126

01:26

I'm not much of a master of anything.

user132126

I get interrupted in my training so much that I plateau, then have to go back and reach that same level again when I start up. It's frustrating.

Matt

I don't have training in anything so you sort of got me there.

I'm of an experimental crafter.

johnp

ah well i meant master as figuratively lol. I dont think anyone can truly master anything...but they can become confident or comfortable with stuff

after 4 years of graphic design i feel like i can illustrate anything but id like to be able to create useful things that people can have in their home...and make them beautiful. the trouble is what craft to learn!

Matt

Matt: Comfortable with Stuff... I like the sound of that!

user132126

@Matt My training is all done myself, really, although I took a lot of art classes in high school.

Matt

01:30

@johnp Woodworking would be a choice. Designing inlays both fake and real for furniture and boxes and what not.

johnp

like i have breaks a lot from illustration and can find myself rusty sometimes..but experience is comforting i guess!

user132126

In my school district, if the school didn't offer a the next more advanced class, they had to pay to send you to a nearby college to get it. So I took a college life drawing course my senior year.

user132126

I loved it. I'd love to just spend my time practicing at life drawing classes, but I don't think they have them in this area.

user132126

Perhaps in Minneapolis. I really need to look that up.

Matt

I used paper mache and chicken wire in an art class to make a traditional ritual dance mask. Surprisingly that is not very applicable to my crafting experience.

johnp

01:31

hmm that would be interesting! it would be really nice to apply the drawing skills i have to something tangible, useful

Matt

I wonder if there are drawing classes in my area now that I think about it.

johnp

most of my life drawing experience is from school and just drawing at home...unfortunately my course was much more focused on advertising, promotion, branding

user132126

I know my university has them, but I don't have time to audit one during the school year.

user132126

I'd pay for a private model if I could afford it, but I don't know how to find one without seeming like a creeper.

johnp

one thing i use for some figure references is Daz3d

it's an app you can use to pose a virtual model...it will try to simulate the anatomy for each pose...it's far from perfect but i have got some very lifelike illustrations from it :)

Erica

01:34

@CreationEdge Craiglist ad. "Wanted: art model. Swear I'm not a creeper."

WHAT COULD GO WRONG

johnp

daz3d.com/home

hehe

Matt

@Erica I am sure you could just copy a template of that exact ad already.

johnp

to learn figure drawing properly though, real life is the only way i think

Erica

@johnp That is cool!

johnp

i really wanna get some anatomy classes, though im afraid to commit to it lol

user132126

01:35

@Erica LOL, so funny.

user132126

@johnp I have so many anatomy books. I love them.

user132126

I can recommend you some books, if you'd like.

johnp

there's a smartphone app too @Erica though ive never tried it

it's by a different company

cool that would be great :) i have one book though it could be better put together...it's hard to visualize the arms and legs when they are bent, etc

user132126

amazon.com/Atlas-Anatomy-Artist-Stephen-Rogers/dp/0195030958

user132126

amazon.com/Figure-Classic-Approach-Drawing-Construction/dp/…

johnp

01:40

great these look good thanks :)

im particularly interested in construction

user132126

amazon.com/Dynamic-Anatomy-Burne-Hogarth/dp/0823015513/…

user132126

amazon.com/Bridgmans-Complete-Guide-Drawing-Life/dp/1402766785/…

Matt

Have you managed to read most of these and retain the information?

user132126

Now, Hogarth's stuff is very stylized and IMO "bulbous", but he explains what the muscles do pretty well, so you know when to emphasize flexion and tension.

user132126

Bridgman is also stylized, but has much better concepts for construction then some other stuff I've read, where he relates it to everyday objects, or more complex shapes than simple boxes and cylinders, which give you a better foundation.

johnp

01:42

@CreationEdge thanks! yeah i recently bought hogarths book on folds and drapery! it looks stylized but very informative and clear!

Kareen

oh, books!

if you had one to recommend for beginners, which one would it be?

user132126

@Matt I have them all and more, and use them quite regularly when I draw. I also have several books by Andrew Loomis, which you can't go wrong by.

user132126

@Kareen Probably the Walt Reed one, I think.

user132126

He does construction and anatomy, but it's not as intense as Peck's or Hogarths.

user132126

For instance, those two have detailed diagrams of muscles and skeletons with the proper names for them, such as extensor carpi ulnaris.

Matt

01:45

Well that seems a little out of my reach right now. I am doing more stuff like this:

amazon.com/How-Draw-Fantasy-Art-Characters/dp/1848584229

Kareen

@CreationEdge Okay, cool, I'll check it out, thanks!

user132126

I know my skeletal and surface muscle anatomy pretty well, including origin and insertion points and what the muscles do. My physicians are usually impressed.

johnp

@Kareen youtube.com/user/ProkoTV These youtube videos are helpful I think! Very easy to follow

user132126

@Matt See, I generally dislike the step-by-step books. You're practically tracing, and it's not too helpful for learning how to create your own stuff.

user132126

Also, this guy "mentler" is amazing, but he has a very analytic system that can be hard to follow. I still get tips from it.

johnp

01:48

haha i now the skull and facial muscles...neck rather well, but I know nothing from the shoulders down

user132126

You can find a ton of his stuff in this conceptart.org thread, but it's full of nude life drawings so NSFW.

user132126

He has his own website and some materials, but I've not bought any yet!

user132126

tsofa.com

Matt

@CreationEdge I do better with examples first. Once I get an idea of how someone else does it I can try and branch out. i have been learning myslef and dont know any better

user132126

user132126

01:50

^^Mentler example. Reading his notes is arduous, but his techniques are amazing, to me.

user132126

I wish I could find affordable parchment paper so I can use white pencils for highlights.

user132126

@Matt It helps learn some techniques, but the figure drawing resources give you much better general construction ideas.

user132126

Then you can draw a picture of someone in cosplay, or something, using those construction techniques.

user132126

Okay, brb!

Matt

@CreationEdge Perhaps then I should look up those books again later!

johnp

01:54

@CreationEdge Ive been looking for offwhite/grey paper recently myself. so expensive

but i just love how it gives you a midtone to work with...one of my illustrator crushes uses it all the time...alexismarcou.com

though he seems to paint with graphite powder and charcoal for this also

user132126

@johnp I bought some grey printer paper from Staples that works well. Not the cheapest, but the bent solution I've found in local stores

johnp

02:18

I don't think we have staples here (Ireland) unfortunately

i may try online

can prob get some at a local store but i find it's hard to get acid free paper cheaply

Matt

@Erica Was there hesitation for you self nomination? I feel you would have surpassed me in votes if you were there earlier.

johnp

@Matt you mentioned woodwork...have you much exp with making furniture? :)

im the kind of person that buys a lot of books and attempts to learn everything theoretically overnight and fool myself into thinking i can do anything xD

Matt

Nothing high end just some basic stuff from pallets. Just started about a couple of years ago.

johnp

cool...some of the upcycling stuff with pallets is very clever

im thinking of learning about upholstery...so i could print my designs to fabric

but maybe that's a bit naive of me

Matt

What you could do is think smaller. Like small jewelry boxes. Material could have your designs and be used as a pin cushion... just a sec i will find pictures.

johnp

02:33

you could be right there...

i thought that if i could find a stronger material than paper for some papercrafting techniques i could print to the material and play with some interesting 3d forms

user132126

@johnp Well, any office supply store.

user132126

To put figure drawing in perspective, in high school I drew from the books I listed (well, some, I didn't own them all back then) and from photos for hours every day, for a couple years, and I'm not sure how far I even am now.

user132126

Granted, in the previous 14 years or so I've practiced very little, but..

user132126

^^ 3 years ago.

Erica

02:43

@Matt A bit, yeah -- partly because I wanted to gauge my busy-ness level before "committing", partly because I'm a relatively junior A&C member going just by reputation.

johnp

well i dunno why you seem so disappointed @CreationEdge the proportions look very well there

Erica

I'm certainly quite satisfied with the mod pool regardless of whether I'm considered, but having mod background can be helpful, so thought I'd throw it out there.

user132126

It's just nowhere where I'd want to be, and I need reference still. 14 years is a long time to learn a skill, but I've made about 1 year's worth of progress due to different health issues.

johnp

i watched an interview with some random comic artist a while back...he said that one way of improving anatomy (or drawing skills in general) is to constantly question each drawing once you finish it

i.e. why is this off? - then solve it

Erica

@johnp have you heard of spoonflower?

user132126

02:45

@Erica I had a feeling that was it. I was wondering if you would, in the end.

Erica

@CreationEdge I secretly crave superpowers ;)

johnp

i bought a lightbox/lightpad recently and though it was really just to trace over work and build up designs, it kind of forces me to look at each sketch with a more critical eye

user132126

A great technique for drawing figures, or stuff in general, is to flip it around if you can.

2

user132126

On digital, that's easy to flip horizontal. But you can turn even figures 180 degrees and see that things are off.

johnp

yeah that's very useful! i always rotate photos and my sheet also to gain a new perspective...

user132126

02:47

These days phone cameras can help you. Snap a quick pick, flip it, look for points where you're off.

user132126

@johnp I've always wanted to get a decent one. It helps for drawing clean figures atop your rough work.

johnp

another thing for angles (drawing foliage natural stuff particularly) is to imagine a crosshair against the edge of a leaf lets say.

user132126

I can't say I've ever finished a piece. I'm an expert sketcher.

johnp

so you can tell if the line should be more vertical/hoizontal...there is a tendency to under/overexaggerate

i can't recommend the lightpad i got enough! wish i got it years ago! it can even shine through watercolour paper at 300gsm and it's flat so i can carry it in my laptop bag

amazon.com/Huion-Inches-LightPad-PadPucks-Tracing/dp/B00ISJG0C2/…

Erica

@johnp Very nice! I usually just end up using the one we have at work (I'm in the mapping department)

user132126

02:51

@johnp Yeah, drawing from reference is so much about geometry.

johnp

sorry @Erica missed you there! lol. I have, i think I'm gunna try it out with this pattern im currently designing :) have u tried it

user132126

I constantly analyze the angle and distance between points, shape of negative space, etc.

Erica

@johnp I've bought a lot of other people's designs, but not printed my own yet. I made some really cute kitchen curtains with a bread "recipe" pattern. Love just browsing and pondering :D

johnp

drawing the spaces rather than an outline helps too...it's funny how it's all about ways of thinking really

Erica

They do wallpaper decals now too.

johnp

02:53

nice one...i have never put this much work into a pattern before so im hoping it works out. it started as a little thing for a business card and now i want to print it as a sofa cover lol

ill post a pic when it's done

the only thing about sites like that is that they charge a lot of commission like society6

and you see little of the profit

Erica

I have a feeling this will become an image-heavy chat room ^.^

user132126

URGH. I hate that pinterest doesn't allow guest browsing.

user132126

Also, I can't tell you how good it feels to just chat about art. I don't get to do that, since I don't know anyone IRL.

user132126

Mentler's Book of Bones work is beautiful

johnp

hahaha stackexchange chatrooms have become my only social outlet since i moved back home to the middle of nowhere ;(

have any of you joined ello.co? it has become a real artist's haven

the wealth of talent there is unbelievable, and most of the content you wont see anywhere else on the web

user132126

02:59

I like ArtStation.com

user132126

I used to use DeviantArt all the time, but now it's hard to find the stuff I like between all the fetish stuff.

johnp

oh cool, i havent seen that one. i have a long list of sites that i use for research and moodboards...i can share it here some time

picdit.net & butdoesitfloat.com are interesting

user132126

Feel free!

user132126

I feel like getting out some more recent sketches, to compare, but I don't know if I have any.

user132126

The Emma Stone one I posted earlier is from August. I'm sure I've done something in the meantime.

Matt

03:05

@CreationEdge I just want to lurk pintrest as well. Lots of inspiration there.

user132126

People compile some pretty nice tutorials, although the links to them can suck (having to click through 4 links to get to the source)

Matt

Yeah or it is just a picture. With nothing else.

user132126

Right now I'm busy using a Chrome extension to DL all the stuff by Mentler from ConceptArt, lol.

user132126

It's great reference. I can't afford the book. Images are public.

user132126

@Matt Yeah, so stupid.

Matt

03:08

If the extension doesn't pan out I could write some PowerShell to download the images for you.

johnp

please don't discuss witchcraft in the arts and crafts chatroom @Matt

:P

user132126

It is witchcraft

johnp

lol

we should set up a tag!

user132126

@Matt It's working. The only issue is that I have to manually click through each page.

user132126

Ugh, net is lagging now :(

Matt

03:11

The internet is the worst

user132126

So, my favorite type of art to do and study is figure drawing, but it's so hard to talk about it with non artists some times.

user132126

Because I use a lot of photos of models, especially nude ones, and so they think I'm pervy.

user132126

At least my wife gets it.

johnp

haha yeah...i was rendering some 3d anatomy nudes in that app i mentioned earlier when my mother and brother entered the room...i felt like i was doing something wrong xD

Catija

@Erica Welcome to the mod pool! :D

user132126

03:19

I know! I'm so conditioned against it, that even though my wife knows what I'm doing, I don't like her watching.

johnp

it doesnt help that you can purchase various genitalia and clothing for the models if you are so inclined

user132126

@johnp I didn't catch the app. What's the name?

johnp

Daz3d

if you have good anatomy experience it's worth a lot more than the app! but it's good for proportions and they try to emulate muscle tension and stuff

bit fiddly to pose with but there are some poses readily available

user132126

There are some sites with great photo packs, but I can't afford them. 3d.sk, artmodels360, posespace

johnp

that app is free with a basic nude model so you prob dont need much more

ooh the 360 one looks cool

Matt

03:25

I just think I am going to be jealous of all the talent that is here

@CreationEdge Lots of people love drawing the human form. Like you know most people just don't get it.

user132126

I can do pretty well drawing nude from reference, but I'd really love to just do figures from scratch.

user132126

I have a graphic novel I want to illustrate some day.

user132126

I've tried writing it as a novel over and over, and it's just not what I want.

Matt

You are more focused on the art than the words then yes?

user132126

A combination, yeah.

user132126

03:34

So much of what I want is visual, using so many words to describe it just doesn't fit well for me.

user132126

Like, I can't imagine reading a novelization of Kingdom Come, my favorite graphic novel.

user132126

Anyway, I really admire some of the sketchbooks at ConceptArt.org, in their forums. You can see how some people have progressed over the years. It gives me hope.

Matt

A lot of that stuff is really good. I'm rooting for you!

user132126

@johnp So, is the app on Android only? The stuff on the website seems pretty powerful for what you described.

johnp

it's on windows and mac

but there is a 3d app for smartphones that i havent tried yet

similar idea but less features

i think you could get a lot out of it as you can apply your own anatomy knowledge to the reference and exaggerate the muscle tension and flexing yourself

user132126

03:47

Is the model pack included or something you download separate?

johnp

i can't remember im afraid...i think you register to get the app and free model

user132126

Ugh, I just spent an hour download pics, and not done, and I could've been drawing. ALright, time to get the paper.

johnp

you may have to download the model separately but it's free for the basic one...prob called something like genesis

Crafts

0

Q: What can we do to advertise between SE sites now that we are in public beta?

I am understand that community ads are available only to graduated sites. However I know that I have seen Woodworking.SE ads/links on places like DIY.SE. I will have to reach out to that community to see what they did. If community ads are not available what can we do to get the word out now be...

discussion advertising

user132126

Our Obie works now!

johnp

04:01

anyway guys :) was nice chatting, but im off. bubye

user132126

@Crafts I just posted it to my Facebook and my wife shared it.

user132126

She has like 10 times the friends I do, so we'll see.

user132126

@johnp Seeya round.

johnp

aw cute, you sound very hard on yourself @CreationEdge I'm sure they'll like it!

chat laters

user132126

I meant, I hope it's effective since she shared it. My list is pretty limited, since I don't use FB that way to have a ton of people.

user132126

04:04

Okay, I gotta close my laptop. I keep editing tags instead of instead of drawing.

user132126

I know I shouldn't spam edits, but we have so few questions I feel that bumping them doesn't really do much harm. The private beta stuff didn't get a ton of attention.

Catija

Meh, did Matt leave?

user132126

04:37

Silently, if he did. We can ping him.

user132126

@Matt You there?

Catija

I wanted to see if my answer to his Advertisement question was what he was looking for.

Matt

10:33

@Catija I silently left yes.

Something went wrong with the fibre connection at my work and I started getting calls when I was thinking of going bed. After a near hour of that I just went upstairs and passed out.

Erica

11:22

@Matt stupid work, getting in the way of SE

can't they just understand THIS IS IMPORTANT ;)

Matt

@Erica I KNOW.... No respect for the craft!

@Catija You could possibly delete your comment on this question now crafts.stackexchange.com/questions/474/… as it no longer makes sense since the comment it was referring to is no longer there.

Matt

14:14

@CreationEdge I am forming a question in my head but I worry it is opinion based. I don't know if people start with figure drawing but I think there might be something to practice on before that something to work on before figures. The question might be like "Figure drawing appears hard. What is something I can do that would be a natural progression to figure drawing." This could easily have a couple of valid answers that are fairly well rooted.

Since that is more up your alley I though you could chime in.

Erica

14:44

@Matt Hmm. Perhaps As a beginning drawer (term?), what exercises can I try to practice for figure drawing? (Also want to see CE's input though, could still be too broad.)

Matt

Yeah. There is going to be a bunch of questions with this concept though. I know I wont be the only one that wants to learn something but isnt sure how. Curious about this one specifically. More I think about it we probably need a Meta for how to approach these beginner/learning questions

user132126

14:58

I can't even imagine, since people will likely tell you anything they tried.

user132126

You could just develop your pencil skills and draw anything and everything.

user132126

Or draw a bunch of still life, getting used to drawing what you see.

Matt

Too broad then.

user132126

Yeah, probably.

Matt

These are going to come up though.

user132126

15:00

Now, if there were a specific technique you were wondering about.

Matt

I might not know them by name. Do you have a couple of examples to get my brain working?

user132126

Nope, lol. I know there are some proportion techniques based on artists, like Loomis, but I'm not sure how to make them more basic questions.

user132126

Without actually looking at their guides and being "Why is it this way?"

Matt

I know I will think of something later. I am usually good about coming up with questions.

user132126

Hope I can answer them!

user132126

15:08

Wish I knew more than just some drawing stuff, though. Some people are pretty well versed in general arts and crafts.

user132126

Oh, I have one I can self answer about paper snowflakes!

user132126

Time to play DinoTrux, BBL.

Matt

I am hoping to see more upcyling questions and even craft based wood ones. There have been a lot of drawing ones as of late and I am at a loss for those.

Oh. Your comment about tubing an protecting your pencils. I thought about it more and I wish I had tubing in front of me for testing but something like vinyl tubing might be stiff enough at shorter lengths. Cut down the middle of it so that it can open over the pencil. If the container it was in was squished they would still move and potentially break but it might save some still.

I think you said that you have a hard case so that might not be an issue.

user132126

15:45

I have a toolbox I use for my supplies I like to carry around, if I can.

user132126

But sometimes I just want a small little pencil case, and mine is really soft.

user132126

The metal caps are neat, I've never seen them before. But spending $$$ on them ATM is probably not something I need to do.

Matt

I had picture formed cardboard so that the pencil tip would be encased and run the length of the container (so as to not move )but it felt too cheesy

Another though would be to brace them in a rubber frame inside your box. That seemed like more effort than it was worth. Also does nothing for a pencil case.

Catija

So... are you two going to mock up some site promotion ads for us?

user132126

Well, my graphic design skills aren't great by any means, but I could try.

user132126

15:51

"Crafting your own weapons? Visit Crafts.SE"

Catija

For SFF?

user132126

Yeah.

user132126

Here's one for Parenting:

Catija

That's a good one. I wouldn't have thought of it.

Need help with that family art project? Ask on A&C.SE

user132126

"Making something besides babies? Come to Arts & Crafts"

Catija

15:53

HA HA HA HA

Unfortunately, they're still in beta, so no post for them.

user132126

Yeah, that's too bad :(

user132126

"Want to make something besides software?"

Matt

@CreationEdge If budget is a concern I will have to look into the pipe more. Should be easy to test.

Catija

We want to be sure not to overreach, I think. I worry that trying to get SO and other huge sites won't necessarily fly.

Matt

Graphic Design: Want to get more hands on?

SO is not a target.

user132126

15:58

@Catija I'm just being goofy.

Catija

@CreationEdge OK! Just making sure. :D

We had a slight issue with this during our earlier phases...

Matt

I want to make a meta with a wiki that we can update with potential targets. I figure if we can get two or three that would be enough.

Catija

4

Please be sure to actually look at the Community Ads Meta posts of the sites you're talking about. Cooking.SE only has three Community Ads with sufficient votes to appear on the site (as of this writing): Coffee.SE (because coffee) Gardening.SE (because a lot of people grow their own food and ...

@Matt One like the M&TV one I linked? I think that's a great idea, as I noted in my answer.

Matt

I would have hoped some of that is common sense. Dont want to spam the system

Catija

As they say "Common sense is not so common".

Matt

16:00

Don't like the RaspberryPI logo? Consider making your own with paper mache!

So I think Graphic Design would also be a good target. Have another freeking meta about CPA's we can do there.

Yes this seems promising. Might not get time to put real effort into it until the weekend. I am also just an amateur graphic artist. While I would love the change to help related meta topics might attract better talent in creating better promotions.

Catija

Graphic design, photography, anime... SFF could make sense to me, too from the right angle. Think about on topic subjects like drawing or costuming.

user132126

"Restoring classic action figures?"

Matt

Woodworking...... not sure what phrase though. I know we considered closing some craft related ones in the past

Gaming could be related as well. "Want to make your own gaming swag"

Just a thought but are CPA's getting the cart ahead of the horse? Should we do some touch ups on the help center first. I imagine it is all fairly generic at this point. Our site is still evolving so if we wait for that to get ironed out we could be waiting a while. We need more questions anyway to help shape that.

Catija

16:24

I feel like these ads will take a while to be created, discussed and approved, so there's no reason not to start work on them now. We can hold off on actually posting them until we get the FAQ and other stuff ready to go.

Matt

@Catija Agreed.

Now that we are Public having the simple questions will be a huge advantage as they can more likely to be shown as HNQ's.

Erica

@CreationEdge OMG PARENTING NEEDS TO GET OUT OF BETA SO WE CAN USE THIS

@Matt RPG (painting miniatures)

Matt

@erica Not only that but things like minature environment design is a huge topic.

RPG: Bring your creations to life!

Catija

@Erica Oooh, nice one.

Erica

@Matt Worldbuilding would be a possibility, too.

Matt

16:38

It just graduated as well

Catija

How long has parenting been in beta?

Woah... 2K days... but your questions/day is so low. :(

Have you heard anything from the CMs about whether they'll consider graduating you all?

Matt

There was a discussion about that earlier. People are hesitant to post those types of questions. They can be very personal

Catija

Yeah. I was hoping to find more questions about pregnancy there but it didn't seem to be very common.

Erica

@Catija No. The questions/day is a persistent issue, and has been for four years. We're comfortably in "permanent beta", and seem to be steady-state.

It's tough to attract new members and also just tough to come up with a lot of new questions.

Catija

That's crummy :( But if they get rid of long betas and start giving full site status, you'll get out of the beta tag, at least... and I think the CPAs are a benefit that doesn't require the custom site design?

Erica

16:45

Yes, I think both CPAs and moderator elections.

I worried a bit about the beta status when I started, but lots of research and discussion led me to the conclusion that there isn't a whole lot that I can do about it so I just work with it :)

I'm terrible at marketing and also don't frequent any other parenting forums

Matt

17:04

Way later down the road but I was wondering if we would start looking on getting real ads on Esty and Pintrest. I think we can actually get budgets for that... Again way later

user132126

19:02

@Matt That'd be a fun topic. I'd like to see those questions

Matt

@CreationEdge Which do you mean?

Erica

(if a chat message has a little arrow, and you hover over that chat message with your mouse, it highlights the prior message it is replying to)

user132126

@Matt Mini environments, like train enthusiasts do.

user132126

@Erica If you click it, it takes you all the way up to it, even if scrolled off page

Erica

@CreationEdge True, I forget about that because I (surprisingly?) don't get pinged a lot

@CreationEdge Also dollhouse furniture and the like. I'm interested in getting into it more.

user132126

19:14

Yes. I really want to see more crafts.

user132126

My mom used to sew quilts and stuffed country style stuffed animals

user132126

She won County Fair blue ribbons

Matt

Well I know we just need to start asking the simple ones and see where they go. At some point we could start art/craft genre focuses. One week every month, like Movies.Se sort of does, we can have a topic theme. Highest rated questions could get bounties at some point. I don't like the idea of bounties this early as we need users with higher rep so distribution might not be good right now.

user132126

But what's a simple one?

Matt

How can I make my own grass?

Answers would be about making your own flocking likely.

What can I use to make tree foliage?

How can I simulate stone without using heaving materials?

I am just guessing as I don't really know. Could easily stalk some sites dedicated to this and reask here.

These are related to miniature environments FYI

user132126

19:34

Yeah. I need to think of my beginner drawing questions. But I don't want this to be a drawing site only!

Matt

Yeah we are very drawing centric right now.

@CreationEdge If nothing else I will keep falling behind in rep if people keep asking drawing questions ;)

I'm sure someone will chime in but if no one answers there is a tonne of useful information here: art-is-fun.com/how-to-sharpen-a-colored-pencil

Just need to verify some of that information

Need to work a little bit today at least. I will be back later this evening.

Catija

20:29

I remember pasta gluing... and I remember that it inevitably fell off over the course of months on the fridge... though I'm pretty sure we used to glue onto construction paper... which is significantly more porous than cardstock.

kids-crafts is probably a meta tag but I think it's worth having...

user132126

21:45

@Catija That's what I thought. I added it to see what people think

user132126

It does imply kid safe and maybe less skillful work

Erica

woohoo, I have a cosplay/sewing question to ask ^.^ thanks, kid's school project!

Catija

@Erica that pet milk answer seems like it belongs on parenting, not cooking... I'm not sure how her (daughter?) surviving on evaporated milk instead of formula relates to the question.

Erica

@Catija True; her answer about diluting is fine, but a child drinking it as a formula replacement isn't evidence that it can replace milk in recipes.

Is "cosplay" or "costuming" a better tag... hmm.

Catija

22:03

I would do costuming.

Erica

Yeah, I think so too. We can always add cosplay as a synonym eventually.

Catija

Are you planning to add lace edging to the square? That would help stabilize it and act as a modesty panel.

Erica

@Catija Yes, but even with that it's going to be cut far too low (only the lace would be covering her breasts)

Catija

Eeep. That's pretty low... Hmmm. Interesting question.

Erica

Yeah, it's sort of designed as a shirt that goes over a tank top sort of thing (I think), it's a fairly low V.

Not that my tween has much to show off yet, but still

I think I'm going to have to cut and merge somehow, and I don't mind if it's mildly sloppy (it just needs to last for a couple hours)

But I want to have an idea of what to do before I start cutting it to bits :)

Catija

22:16

Sure. I wonder if you could not cut the square as deep as the V and then use some of the extra cloth to fill in the base of the V.

Erica

Ohhhhh yeah. That's easier than my idea :)

Catija

... you could even fill in the V with something decorative to accent it rather than trying to hide it.

Erica

Yeah

Catija

Probably not the best example but:

Erica

Well now I want to make that for me

:D

Catija

22:19

HA HA!

You should let us know what you do and post an image later. :D

Erica

Oh, heck yeah

We went shopping last night for materials and spent probably far too much ($25) mostly on pearls and gold ribbon for accents

SO MUCH FUN

I'm currently crimping some of the ribbon for the headband thingy

Catija

HEE HEE! Glad you're having fun with it.

Erica

I usually only do this around Halloween and Purim.

I once had an acquaintance who always made a big deal about how much attention SHE could pay to HER child since she was a SAHM, so that Halloween when the kids were about 3 I sewed this absolutely gorgeous witch costume -- multi-colored skirt, satin coat, and of course the hat

Snooty SAHM dressed her kid in all black with a headband with ears and called it a cat.

I was gloating on the inside.

Catija

SAHM?

Erica

stay at home mom

Catija

22:32

Ah.

Erica

she always felt so sorry for how I couldn't spend enough time with my kid since I worked full time

peeved me endlessly :) I'm not a fan of best-mom wars.

Catija

I should really learn how to sew... I never did but now that I have to think about costumes... But I'll probably just buy them... that's what I do with my renn faire stuff... but it'd be so much cheaper to make, I think... and more customizable... though I'd never try with anything like a corset, just the skirting/chemises/sleeves etc.

Erica

I learned to sew because my kids were tall and skinny, so nothing fit them right -- yet I still needed to put pants on them SOMEHOW

Catija

Awww. I always hated the clothes my mom made for me. They were itchy and you could always tell they weren't manufactured.

The hems are different... I guess they use different types of machines in those big factories.

Erica

There's a lot of better choices of fabric nowadays.

Catija

22:41

That I can believe... unlined cotton dresses with regular hems rather than serged ones ... they itch.

Transcript for