“Have you ever had a dream that you wanted so badly, that dream was simply not even for yourself, but instead others? Well that is this dream.” ~Dani
What is Deadly Creations Fursuits? Well if it wasn’t obvious by our name, we are Fursuits makers. Or should I say a single maker.
Where did I start? Where am I now?
My name is Dani, and I am the sole owner of Deadly Creations Fursuits. I began this business in 2017 when I got this crazy idea to try making fursuits out for myself. I had no idea how to do any of this nor did I know what I would do with it in the future. Originally this was going to start with, what is now our mascot, Eathron. (Eathron is a original species by myself known as the Demention and no, it is not open for public use and has no intentions on being open.)
This being in 2016, I had researched very little, mostly on how to sew and make a realistic jaw set but beyond that I had nothing. It wasn’t until I created my Dutch Angel Dragon (species created and owned by Deanna Biesemeyer), RadioActive. He was inspired by my very first MSPaint drawing called 'Toxicity' which was literally just an abstract of black, purple and neon green lines. The creation of this character inspired me to make my very first suit.
This being in 2016, I had researched very little, mostly on how to sew and make a realistic jaw set but beyond that I had nothing. It wasn’t until I created my Dutch Angel Dragon (species created and owned by Deanna Biesemeyer), RadioActive. He was inspired by my very first MSPaint drawing called 'Toxicity' which was literally just an abstract of black, purple and neon green lines. The creation of this character inspired me to make my very first suit.
Of course, like majority of new makers, I hardly had any funds. So I put faux fur on my wish-list to my grandparents. However, you cannot make a suit alone with fur. So I made it my mission to begin building the foam base for my suit, in the middle of my ceramics class. My teacher, being a huge cosplayer, loved the idea as long as I finished my class projects and allowed me to work on him in the supply closet. By the time I had finished the base I had purchased white faux fur from a local craft store and within a short period my grandmother, who was thrilled to know I wanted to sew, had gifted me the remaining fur I needed. A year flew by and soon came December. I spent all night working on my suit just in time to go to a local furry meet. And when the next day came, RadioActive was finished.
Looking back, for a first he wasn't too bad all things considered. I don't believe I took huge pride in him but of course I knew all of his flaws and could see them. From the shagginess to the very crooked snout and asymmetrical face. However this would be only the beginning of my journey. And with the support of my friends and the local community, I was able to gain the confidence needed to continue. |
That summer in 2018 I was commissioned for a couple of tails. On my birthday I got exactly what I wanted; a lithium ion pet groomer set. At the time, my biggest commission yet had been a 5 foot tail (I later learned that this tail is still very much loved today). This tail went down 3ft and extended another 2 feet out making it the first floor-dragger as well. Three shades of purple and bright green stars. It was this tail that made me truly fall in love with the art. It was entirely hand-shaved and seamless which was a huge accomplishment in my eyes. This is when I knew I could bring Deadly Creations Fursuits somewhere.
It wasn't long after that my closest friend, the one who has continued to encourage me throughout this journey, came to me trusting my ability and asking me to remake one of her suits named Spider. I was shocked and exited for this would be only my second time working with a head. It was also what lead me to be so open and willing to do refurbish work. I had taken him apart all the way to the base only to find that it was improperly mixed and a literal fire-hazard to wear with unprotected wiring. After that I had ordered the Dream Visions Creations foam head base back in 2017 and I remember setting him aside until I was absolutely ready to work on him. It wasn't until October 2018 that I began working on him after I had gained more confidence with smaller commissions. Whatever I felt had been wrong with my own head was non-existent on Spider 2.0. Virtually seamless with electronic eyes, trimmed ears, properly shaved face and even hand-painted markings; bringing to life a character who was originally dangerous to wear. At this point I had felt so extremely proud of what I was able to do. Despite not being in a great home situation, I felt happiest when I was making suits. Fursuit making was more than a hobby, more than a job, it became my passion. If I needed an escape, I immediately went to sewing.
And this was my entire 2018 into 2019. New year, new me, new products. And boy was it a year of progress. I had gotten so much done including a true refurbish of my very first head. I took the exact same 2017 head base and began working. I replaced the yes, made the cheeks symmetrical and fixed up that horrid crooked snout. Then I furred him using all of my newly found skills. The difference had been night and day. And this is the head I still use today, though I am always thinking of ways I can improve on it.
It wasn't long after that my closest friend, the one who has continued to encourage me throughout this journey, came to me trusting my ability and asking me to remake one of her suits named Spider. I was shocked and exited for this would be only my second time working with a head. It was also what lead me to be so open and willing to do refurbish work. I had taken him apart all the way to the base only to find that it was improperly mixed and a literal fire-hazard to wear with unprotected wiring. After that I had ordered the Dream Visions Creations foam head base back in 2017 and I remember setting him aside until I was absolutely ready to work on him. It wasn't until October 2018 that I began working on him after I had gained more confidence with smaller commissions. Whatever I felt had been wrong with my own head was non-existent on Spider 2.0. Virtually seamless with electronic eyes, trimmed ears, properly shaved face and even hand-painted markings; bringing to life a character who was originally dangerous to wear. At this point I had felt so extremely proud of what I was able to do. Despite not being in a great home situation, I felt happiest when I was making suits. Fursuit making was more than a hobby, more than a job, it became my passion. If I needed an escape, I immediately went to sewing.
And this was my entire 2018 into 2019. New year, new me, new products. And boy was it a year of progress. I had gotten so much done including a true refurbish of my very first head. I took the exact same 2017 head base and began working. I replaced the yes, made the cheeks symmetrical and fixed up that horrid crooked snout. Then I furred him using all of my newly found skills. The difference had been night and day. And this is the head I still use today, though I am always thinking of ways I can improve on it.
Unfortunately, life wasn't all too kind to me. Mid to late 2019, shortly after I first created this site, I was placed into foster care. Originally I didn't have access to my supplies as due to the circumstances leading up to this event I had sent all of my supplies to my friend to hold onto. Thankfully it wasn't too long before I was able to get my supplies and begin working again. I was terrified to take on commissions so I focused mostly on premades. Most of this can be documented through my TikTok account where I advertised and posted my works in progress. Unfortunately everything leading up to all of this was traumatic and had severe effects on my mental health. There was even a point that, because I was depressed, I nearly lost my sewing supplies because I wanted to see about getting anti-depressants. So instead I chose to keep my supplies so I could continue doing what I loved.
In 2020, shortly before graduation (in the middle of the pandemic) I signed myself out and have since been learning how to live on my own. I still completed some works in 2021 though progress had slowed due to mental health and taking on a full-time job outside of fursuits. However I am still making suits though I am not taking commissions again until I 100% my queue once and for all. |
Why DCF? Why the Motto & the Use of “we” and “us”
Why the name Deadly Creations Fursuits? - Simple, Deadly Creations was one of the first names that came to mind when I was trying out a fitting name for my business. I always had a connection with macabre aesthetics and when searching for the copyrights it had been available. But why did I specify "Deadly Creations Fursuits"? Well at the time I had built up my business I had come to find out that there had been a taxidermy shop in Canada under the same name and it had apparently been confused for my business at the time. (some people had reached out to them regarding suits only to have the shock that their artform was preservation and an artwork of nature rather then wearable costumes made of faux fur.) So upon discussion with the owners, I agreed to be more specific to avoid further confusion. Unfortunately upon recent findings it looks that they may have closed down. However I have no intentions of dropping "Fursuits" from my business name. Plus there is a beautiful Australian artist by the name and since DCF has been our iconic branding there is no need for the change.
The Motto “Where Dead Things Come to Life” - This motto actually came from the Spider Refurbish. When I sat back and compared 1.0 to the new 2.0, I just felt a sense of restored life for this character. And that is true for all fursuits. Fursuits are, in a way, the “living” form of drawings as they are wearable piece of art in which a person can be that character in real life. It's not saying or implying that characters are dead if they are not made suits. Its a play on words while also showing our passion. "Dead things" is a play on Deadly Creations. And "come to life" is simply showing our love for bringing characters to life through our art. It's also in place for not just the characters being given life for the first time, but as its origin portrays, represents our love for refurbishes. Sometimes suits needs extra TLC. Whether it be a quick fix or a whole refurbish like RadioActive. We want to be able to offer our services to restore life to those suits as much as new suits.
We and Us - This may or may not have stood out upon reading that DCF is currently owned and operated by a single person. The reason I choose to use plural pronouns is because while I am alone physically in this adventure, I am not truly alone when it comes to the true aspects as to the existence of it. I never wanted DCF to be about "me and only me". I always wanted it to be for the community and for the love of this art. If it wasn't for others and the community I would not be writing this. Of course I do in fact switch between singular and plural pronouns, however this does not ignore the community and what lead us to this point. While we are not all running the business, we are all here for the same reason: the love of fursuits and wanting to make this dream a reality.
The Motto “Where Dead Things Come to Life” - This motto actually came from the Spider Refurbish. When I sat back and compared 1.0 to the new 2.0, I just felt a sense of restored life for this character. And that is true for all fursuits. Fursuits are, in a way, the “living” form of drawings as they are wearable piece of art in which a person can be that character in real life. It's not saying or implying that characters are dead if they are not made suits. Its a play on words while also showing our passion. "Dead things" is a play on Deadly Creations. And "come to life" is simply showing our love for bringing characters to life through our art. It's also in place for not just the characters being given life for the first time, but as its origin portrays, represents our love for refurbishes. Sometimes suits needs extra TLC. Whether it be a quick fix or a whole refurbish like RadioActive. We want to be able to offer our services to restore life to those suits as much as new suits.
We and Us - This may or may not have stood out upon reading that DCF is currently owned and operated by a single person. The reason I choose to use plural pronouns is because while I am alone physically in this adventure, I am not truly alone when it comes to the true aspects as to the existence of it. I never wanted DCF to be about "me and only me". I always wanted it to be for the community and for the love of this art. If it wasn't for others and the community I would not be writing this. Of course I do in fact switch between singular and plural pronouns, however this does not ignore the community and what lead us to this point. While we are not all running the business, we are all here for the same reason: the love of fursuits and wanting to make this dream a reality.
Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. 5 Years and Counting