Who works for you?
The Grotto is run by one person, Willow. My username is CoralSky in most places. I prefer they/them pronouns.
What do you offer?
I currently make fursuits, heads/masks, tails, and props on commission. I also have adoptable designs available, as well as occasional artistic freedom slots.
Full suits?
Yes! Right now I am feeling confident enough to take on one or two full suits per commission batch. Who I pick will depend on factors like 'Do I have these colors or will I need to order them?' or 'Will the design look good as a full suit, or better as a partial?'
How long have you been doing this?
I've been active in the furry community since 2004-05, and made my first fursuit in 2008. Since then, I've been building things off and on until 2014 when I decided to make my hobby into my job.
How long does it take for a commission to be completed?
This depends on what type of project it is. Tails usually take only a day or so depending on complexity. Heads are 1-3 weeks, partial suits are 2-4 weeks, full suits can take a month or longer. This all depends of course on complexity of the design, and my own schedule. I always do my best to keep commissioners informed of progress and potential completion dates once I start on their commission. (Commission start times depend on their position in my queue) As of right now, I am also keeping up with a part-time retail job, so some projects might take longer than others.
I'm not 18 now, but I will be this year, can I buy a suit from you?
You must be 18 at the time of filling out a commission form in order to make a purchase from The Grotto. You must have a parent or legal guardian contact me to purchase a commission if you are under 18. The only exception to this rule is purchases made at conventions when I am selling items at a table. This exception cannot be used to buy a commission however, only premade products on my table. Anyone can get a quote however!
Why won't you make a commission for minors?
It's mostly a liability and legality problem. It's illegal where I am located for a minor to agree to a contract of any kind without parental consent.
When do you open for commissions?
I usually try to open for a few slots a couple times a year, and all opening announcements are posted here on my site, and on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram etc
What currency are your prices in?
All prices are in USD (United States Dollar)
How are your suits made?
This is a pretty broad question, but I get it a lot. But for a general description on heads, I build the face using upholstery foam, line the inside with spandex, pattern and cut the fur for placement, then add the details like eyes, tongue, teeth etc. There are of course many other steps within this, and there's lots of tutorials and step-by-step demonstrations online to search for. I highly recommend checking out Matrices.net for tutorials and guides!
What materials do you use?
Upholstery foam, faux fur, fleece, and other related materials. I do my best to work with easy to use and clean materials when making my products.
Where do you get your fur?
Mostly from places like FursuitSupplies and Mendels, but there's dozens of resources I use.
How do you see out of a fursuit head?
Primary vision is through the eyes of the character. I use a vinyl mesh that allows the wearer to see while wearing. More unique suits may call for vision through the mouth or neck.
Can I really wear glasses inside a fursuit head?
Technically yes, and I can build a head to fit around glasses. Though I would not recommend it since your glasses can fog up while in use.
Can I have my suit done in time for a convention?
Yes and no. Typically I do not work with deadlines that are within three months of ordering. Your project will be done when it's done. Exceptions can be made for small projects, but this is strictly on a case-by-case basis. If you want your project to be moved to the top of the queue to get it completed faster, a rush fee of at least 40% of your total will be added. If a rush fee cannot be negotiated, then your project will be finished by the original completion time. If multiple people are asking for a rush order for the same deadline, I will have to limit the amount to a first-come-first-serve basis.
Can you make my really weird and unique design?
I'm always willing to take on an odd challenge! Feel free to send a quote request for whatever critter you're interested in.
What if it's a very abstract design that isn't quite furry?
Things like robotics and armor might be a little tough. The best products for those would be 3D printing, resin casting, and worbla. None of which I have the experience with, or access to. But I can usually think of some fun ways to make these features work with fabric. If that sort of look is not what you want, I know a few people I can send you to instead. Keep in mind, they're prices will not be the same as mine!
I have a head base I made myself/bought from someone, can I send it to you to be completed?
Unfortunately I no longer do this. I want to mostly stick to my own foam work to continue practicing and further developing my own style. I might occasionally make an exception if the base is in good condition or from a maker I've collaborated with or bought from, but this will be on a case-by-case basis. (I've worked on foam bases from Stuffed Panda Studios and Dream Vision Creations. I have little experience with resin bases and would prefer to avoid working with them for now)
I have a fursuit part made by someone else that I want to match materials with on something from you, is this possible?
Possibly yes! Sometimes fur quality and colors can vary, so I can't always guarantee this can work. Your best option would be to contact the maker of your part, and ask if they can provide information on where they purchased the materials from, then relay that information to me.
Why use magnets for some of your parts?
I've tried using other options like snaps and velcro, but they just don't work for most of these additions. Snaps can't be hidden in fur, and velcro gets clogged easily. Magnets were the best option for my preferences.
How durable are your fursuit heads?
Some suits more than others, but for the most part I build the heads to be very forgiving! I work with foam bases, so they're softer, and won't break, scuff, and crack like a resin based head could. All of them endure a rough 'dog toy test' after shaving, which means I shake them out thoroughly to get excess fur particles off. I've tested dummy heads with being compressed for travel, dropped from a great height, tugged and pulled, and they've held up pretty well. Of course this does not mean do these tests yourself, purposefully using your suit for anything other than personal wear will void your warranty and I will not do repairs. The only thing I have not tested yet is a washing machine, so just rely on hand cleaning suit heads for now.
The Grotto is run by one person, Willow. My username is CoralSky in most places. I prefer they/them pronouns.
What do you offer?
I currently make fursuits, heads/masks, tails, and props on commission. I also have adoptable designs available, as well as occasional artistic freedom slots.
Full suits?
Yes! Right now I am feeling confident enough to take on one or two full suits per commission batch. Who I pick will depend on factors like 'Do I have these colors or will I need to order them?' or 'Will the design look good as a full suit, or better as a partial?'
How long have you been doing this?
I've been active in the furry community since 2004-05, and made my first fursuit in 2008. Since then, I've been building things off and on until 2014 when I decided to make my hobby into my job.
How long does it take for a commission to be completed?
This depends on what type of project it is. Tails usually take only a day or so depending on complexity. Heads are 1-3 weeks, partial suits are 2-4 weeks, full suits can take a month or longer. This all depends of course on complexity of the design, and my own schedule. I always do my best to keep commissioners informed of progress and potential completion dates once I start on their commission. (Commission start times depend on their position in my queue) As of right now, I am also keeping up with a part-time retail job, so some projects might take longer than others.
I'm not 18 now, but I will be this year, can I buy a suit from you?
You must be 18 at the time of filling out a commission form in order to make a purchase from The Grotto. You must have a parent or legal guardian contact me to purchase a commission if you are under 18. The only exception to this rule is purchases made at conventions when I am selling items at a table. This exception cannot be used to buy a commission however, only premade products on my table. Anyone can get a quote however!
Why won't you make a commission for minors?
It's mostly a liability and legality problem. It's illegal where I am located for a minor to agree to a contract of any kind without parental consent.
When do you open for commissions?
I usually try to open for a few slots a couple times a year, and all opening announcements are posted here on my site, and on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram etc
What currency are your prices in?
All prices are in USD (United States Dollar)
How are your suits made?
This is a pretty broad question, but I get it a lot. But for a general description on heads, I build the face using upholstery foam, line the inside with spandex, pattern and cut the fur for placement, then add the details like eyes, tongue, teeth etc. There are of course many other steps within this, and there's lots of tutorials and step-by-step demonstrations online to search for. I highly recommend checking out Matrices.net for tutorials and guides!
What materials do you use?
Upholstery foam, faux fur, fleece, and other related materials. I do my best to work with easy to use and clean materials when making my products.
Where do you get your fur?
Mostly from places like FursuitSupplies and Mendels, but there's dozens of resources I use.
How do you see out of a fursuit head?
Primary vision is through the eyes of the character. I use a vinyl mesh that allows the wearer to see while wearing. More unique suits may call for vision through the mouth or neck.
Can I really wear glasses inside a fursuit head?
Technically yes, and I can build a head to fit around glasses. Though I would not recommend it since your glasses can fog up while in use.
Can I have my suit done in time for a convention?
Yes and no. Typically I do not work with deadlines that are within three months of ordering. Your project will be done when it's done. Exceptions can be made for small projects, but this is strictly on a case-by-case basis. If you want your project to be moved to the top of the queue to get it completed faster, a rush fee of at least 40% of your total will be added. If a rush fee cannot be negotiated, then your project will be finished by the original completion time. If multiple people are asking for a rush order for the same deadline, I will have to limit the amount to a first-come-first-serve basis.
Can you make my really weird and unique design?
I'm always willing to take on an odd challenge! Feel free to send a quote request for whatever critter you're interested in.
What if it's a very abstract design that isn't quite furry?
Things like robotics and armor might be a little tough. The best products for those would be 3D printing, resin casting, and worbla. None of which I have the experience with, or access to. But I can usually think of some fun ways to make these features work with fabric. If that sort of look is not what you want, I know a few people I can send you to instead. Keep in mind, they're prices will not be the same as mine!
I have a head base I made myself/bought from someone, can I send it to you to be completed?
Unfortunately I no longer do this. I want to mostly stick to my own foam work to continue practicing and further developing my own style. I might occasionally make an exception if the base is in good condition or from a maker I've collaborated with or bought from, but this will be on a case-by-case basis. (I've worked on foam bases from Stuffed Panda Studios and Dream Vision Creations. I have little experience with resin bases and would prefer to avoid working with them for now)
I have a fursuit part made by someone else that I want to match materials with on something from you, is this possible?
Possibly yes! Sometimes fur quality and colors can vary, so I can't always guarantee this can work. Your best option would be to contact the maker of your part, and ask if they can provide information on where they purchased the materials from, then relay that information to me.
Why use magnets for some of your parts?
I've tried using other options like snaps and velcro, but they just don't work for most of these additions. Snaps can't be hidden in fur, and velcro gets clogged easily. Magnets were the best option for my preferences.
How durable are your fursuit heads?
Some suits more than others, but for the most part I build the heads to be very forgiving! I work with foam bases, so they're softer, and won't break, scuff, and crack like a resin based head could. All of them endure a rough 'dog toy test' after shaving, which means I shake them out thoroughly to get excess fur particles off. I've tested dummy heads with being compressed for travel, dropped from a great height, tugged and pulled, and they've held up pretty well. Of course this does not mean do these tests yourself, purposefully using your suit for anything other than personal wear will void your warranty and I will not do repairs. The only thing I have not tested yet is a washing machine, so just rely on hand cleaning suit heads for now.