[YES] Ein the Skullcat Head by Conifer’s Creations The item being reviewed is 3 years old and may not reflect the makers current style, or work. Maker Information Conifer's Creations (CONIFER) Based in Cardiff. Crafting since 2005. Year of Project2023 Completion Time (?)4 - 6 Months ETA AccuracyThere was no ETA given An ETA is the Estimated Time of Arrival for a project. In other words, an estimated turnaround time. An ETA is not a deadline. Review Date22 June 2023 RelationshipThe maker WAS NOT a friend when the item was purchased, but they ARE a friend nowThis relationship was indicated by the reviewer at the time this review was written. Review InformationReviewerTwitter: einsquared Prior ExperienceThis is my first fursuit of my own. Wear Time40 Informed Maker of IssuesThere were no issues. Ein The Skullcat Head Positive ProjectThis item was a commission Paid: A Lump Sum of $501 - $999 Initial Contact: November 2022 Completion/Ship Date: March 2023 Shipping Origin: Local pickup Type: Head Style: Toony Padding: None Specialties: None SpeciesName: Skullcat Found in: Felidae, Skeletal(?) Features: None Concept Art Photos of Completed Product Overall Initial ContactI contacted the maker about a quote in late September of 2022, via Twitter, giving general details of my project. I was replied to promptly within 24 hours and I heard back about my quote a week later. Satisfied with the price, I was informed a slot would open within a 4 week period. In early November, I was messaged again and offered the slot. Communication with the maker was polite and easy throughout. Maker CommunicationCommunicating with the maker was very easy. I was invited to a Telegram group chat where updates were provided on the maker's queue, as well as being informed of where my project stood via telegram dms. I was particularly satisfied with the way that the maker always asked before making a non-reversible change to the suit, for example sanding the 3d print base, in order to make sure the project was going in the direction I wanted. Project Completion TimeI was stunned by how quickly Ein was completed. Progress began in November 2022, in mid November, I was asked if I wanted to upgrade the moving jaw's rubber band tension system to metal springs, which I accepted. The maker promptly ordered the springs but unfortunately the project was delayed by about a month due to problems with the shipping of the parts ordered beyond the maker's control, due to issues with Royal Mail and the USPS at the time. The maker kept me in the loop throughout this delay, and was upfront and apologetic about it, even though the delay was not her fault. When the springs did arrive in mid February 2023, progress on Ein was lightning fast and they were completed by the first week of March 2023. As the maker and I are from the same region, the maker offered to drop the suit off to my house instead of shipping it, which I gladly accepted. Ein arrived packed carefully and neatly in a cardboard box. Overall Project QualityI am over the moon with the final product. Ein is a fantastic first fursuit for a beginner, durable as well as fun and easy to wear. Every part of Ein shows quality and attention to detail equal to what I would expect from European luxury car manufacturers. The stitching is first class, and any painted materials, whilst of course not advised for in-rain wear like any airbrushed item, are clear-coated against wear. I'm particularly fond of how the zipper on the rear of the head, which splits the crown of the head down the middle and ends at the base of the neck, is hidden seamlessly under the fur whilst closed. Ein is a perfect fit for myself, with a slightly larger head size than average, and has fit well on a variety of people without problems. No pieces tug or pull on each other except in a single case where it is by design, the previously mentioned felt jaw flesh material is connected to the moving lower jaw, unfurling when it is open, creating a fun exposed ligament/muscle effect. Although Ein is the first skull-based fursuit the maker has worked on, the style is consistent with their other work nonetheless, with Ein's ears matching the style they have used for other feline suits in the past. Components Head Wear SatisfactionBuilt on a 3d printed base by Vortacs3D on etsy, the base was already adjusted in size to fit my head by the vendor, however further foam padding was added to the top of the head and the bottom of the jaw, making long periods of wear far more comfortable than the mask was stock. As the original mask base had a moving jaw, there were a number of gaps & openings in the masks teeth that allowed for exceptional ventilation. Even with the addition of felt mimicking jaw flesh, a tongue and the aforementioned padding by the maker, this ventilation is not compromised. Vision is excellent due to the large eye-holes of the base and is not at all compromised by mesh added by the maker. Any blind spots resulting from the base have a low impact on my vision, and I generally find Ein much easier to see in than other fursuits I've tried. Visual SatisfactionThe suit is perfectly symmetrical, down to the small amounts of foam shaping that help create an equal cheek fluff effect on either side of the head. Shaving and trimming is even and done well, with fur cutting off seamlessly between the skeletal and furred parts, with no visible glue residue or bald spots. The fur is smooth and slick to the touch, and has survived several brushing sessions with no trouble or loss. I requested BigZFabrics luxury eggplant/purple eco shag specifically for use on the suit in order to match a tail I had received previously from a different maker, and this request was acknowledged and honored. I am delighted with the overall look of the suit, and the fine detailing added was beyond my wildest expectations. I provided the maker with an unpainted, unrefined 3D printed base with visible print lines, and this was promptly carefully sanded, adjusted and painted to the point where one cannot tell it is 3d printed at all. The maker kept me in the loop throughout this process, taking care to make sure these were changes I actually wanted, unsure if I wanted to maintain the 3d-printed look for example. I am particularly satisfied with the paintwork on the suit, which adds an aged, stained finish to the bone work. The head matches my characters design and the ref I provided, with care taken with foam padding in order to make the suit resemble my character's facial shape even further. Special FeaturesThe base I provided came with a moving jaw, which was originally tensioned with rubber bands as provided. The maker asked if I would like an upgrade to metal springs in order to improve durability, and when I said yes they were promptly ordered and installed in the suit. On delivery I found these to be fitted well, making use of pre-existing attachment points for the original rubber bands to secure them. They feel strong and durable, and have held up to me incessantly flapping my suits jaw opened and closed during wear very well at time of writing. RatingFursuitReview rates by asking the question: Would you recommend this maker? YES This review has been marked with a positive rating. This means the reviewer would recommend Conifer’s Creations. Final CommentsA stunning first fursuit from an honest and professional maker. The quality of Ein's details matches what I'd expect from German luxury car manufacturers. I am over the moon at how they brought my gal to life, and I hope to commission them again in the future. Very satisfied customer. Are you the maker of this item? Would you like to leave an official response? Click here. In case the button above doesn't work, you can click here to launch the maker response form.
