Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(0 votes) 
Offline
Okay, I have a question. Why is it that furs have such a problem with Pawstar?
I mean, they provide people with tails, ears, hats, whatever. But I always get a glare or always get told by people that they hate Pawstar. I really don't care if I get the dirty looks, but I wear pawstar, but I only do because I lack the nessicary tools and resources to make my own tail and ears.
In the future I plan to make my own and be proud of it, but until then, I'm a pawstar guy.
Any thoughts, insight? Reasons you dislike them? I'm curious.
Offline
I can only assume it is the same reason why some folks dislike Anime Conventions, Sci Fi conventions, and upper-end Furry Cons (e.g. AC). They all start to cross the line into serious commercialism, and there are a chunk of folks that feel that it takes away from artists and others in the community by it being as commercialized.
Offline
Pawstar make some good stuff.
I got to meet and hang out with one of the owners at Anime Detour. They are very cool people who are managing to make a living by making and selling very "furry" cosplay items. They are pretty much the reason that there were so many people running around in ears & tails at Detour. (or any other non-furry con for that matter)
Offline
pawstar, or another off brand…
It is in essence "commercialism",
I did not make my ears, or tail.. and am still looking to have a suit made… unless i have the initiative to learn how to make quality items myself, i will continue to commission these items…
So.. someones frustration with "pawstar" could one of the following only…
1) they had a bad experience themselves with the business.
2) they wished you had considered their business, or associated business in your purchase…
3) they are super-elitists who feel people should be restricted to wearing only what they themselves can create without the luxury of introducing "commercialism".
4) the people you are speaking with about it, sporadically and spontaneously developed symptoms of indigestion, causing a look of discernment to cross their face systematically at the same time, producing the perception that there was a legitimate problem with the business…
What ever the case be, one should always draw their own conclusions… i assure you your "pawstar" gear will look no less appropriate than my own custom patterned and sewn ears/tail.
Offline
Cence summed it up in a nutshell.
Pawstar is seen as cheap, one size fits all store bought costumes by many fursuiters.
Many fursuiter feel their products lack individuality. Since Most fursuits represent a particular Fursona, Pawstar's mass market products can seem counter productive in their eyes.
Having said that, I like Pawstar because I understand they are not "entry level fursuites".
Instead, they actually are more like Kemonomimi manufactures in Japan, but they have incorporated a few ideas from American furry to better make and market their products.
Their objective is not to make entry level fursuits, but it is to help people discover and "inner furry" through use of accessories in the Moe'ish approach you see in Japan. Just like the hallmarks of the genre: It's cheap, cute, spontaneous, and Fun.
Personally, I see both methods as valid, if different.
Offline
Well, I -did- buy ears and a tail from them this year at AD for about $50 as a cooler, lighter alternative to my partial suit because I have a very low tollerance for heat and my suit (esp. the head) gets incredibly hot very, very fast. It's true that they lack uniqueness to ther products which are mass produced, but they can work nicely at times and I'm happy with my purchase from them.
Offline
Well, I thank you all for your input, and insight into this area. I don't see it as a bad thing, it's just a good place to get started. Their prices are reasonable.
I started out looking for a commissioned tail, but the prices are ridiculous!! Not to mention the wait time, and the people I was looking to buy from had…well, n00b-ish quality goods. It looked like stuff I could make, by myself in less than 20 minutes, and I have no expierience in tail making, just sewing.
Pawstar is an inexpensive start to getting off on the right hind. When I find an artist that can make better quality (such as pawstars quality or better) and still have it look like a tail at a reasonable price, I will GLaDly take the offer.
Offline
I talked a bit with Pawstar at the Detour and I appreciated that there was a furry presence in the dealer's room, since as it was stated above, Pawstar helps people discover their inner furry and be attracted to the fandom. Looking at their website theres only 1 furry con (Midwest Furfest) per-say they attend (they otherwise attend sci-fi/anime genre cons) but I think thats a bit good since their store is more about finding people who may not be into furry or just getting into it and want some gear.
That being said if *finger's crossed* a furry con in Minnesota does happen id encourage the leadership to invite Pawstar as a dealer (assuming they arent already committed to a different con for that weekend) but im sure considering they go to MFF, Detour and Animinneapolis, they would love to be at our con.
I really dont feel so much that they compete against local fursuit makers as its only gear thats general and its nice to be able to buy a paw or tail or ear thats made already and this again appeals to newcomers and non-furs interested.
Fact is as well that fursuit making and even art is a business venture for furry, most of the artists probably in our group im guessing make enough from their art that they need to have the proper paperwork for being a small business.
edit: plus its a bit inevitable that commericalism in furry fandom will happen, theres a market for it and people will take advantage of this by making a business to fit the needs of the fandom and sell goods.
my 2 cents
-Sky
Offline
True to Skystriders comments, but I've found that no one local wants to make suits. 
Offline
I really have nothing against suiters, I just would prefer to make my own, but not the big bulky, one facial expression kind. I also know it takes a LOT of hard work and talent to make the masks themselves, but I'd just prefer a tail, ears and paws untill the day my full body is made.
Offline
A friend bought a paw star tail, however she never really liked the way the tip pointed. I ended up seam ripping the entire thing apart and trimming it slightly before sewing it back together. She liked the results so all is well.
I think Paw Star is a great way to start, the material is better than what's at wallymart and it can serve as a starting point.
Most Users Ever Online: 59
Currently Online: Yarrick, Pepper, Zepaw, Aribelle, Auron
18 Guest(s)
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
The business fox: 424
Procyon: 385
Pepper: 289
Skystrider: 266
Aerak: 252
argouru: 250
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 0
Members: 615
Moderators: 1
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 10
Forums: 59
Topics: 957
Posts: 7087
Newest Members: Izzy The Sheppy, Mastel, picklejuice, AquaRegiaAg, AquaRegia, Damien Darkblood
Moderators: MNFurs (3)
Administrators: Kurst Hyperyote (443), ℳøuring (234), Ridayah (32)
