To keep a long story short (or try to), there is a surgery I have needed for just over ten years - since I was a teenager. But like many people, Iâve never had enough money to afford it, and itâs never fallen under the umbrella of what insurance companies deem as âmedically necessary.â But I decided in January that this was going to be the year. In fact, I made it a promise to myself on New Yearâs Day - no matter what it took, or how hard I had to work, I was going to make it happen.
To help raise the funds, I decided to start selling cosplay gear for Team Skull on my shop over at Etsy. Iâd had the shop for a few years, but had not done much with it yet.
Actually, my original plan was to come up with as many things as I could to sell, in order raise the money. But the Skull Grunt gear became so popular that I havenât had time to try making anything else! Suddenly, I was up to 30, sometimes 50 orders in one week. I found myself having to limit quantities, which was a real shock.
I wish I could say that I sold so many orders that I was able to save up for my surgery in just a few months, or something else like that. Like how it would probably happen in a movie. But in reality, materials cost a lot of money, and there are self-employment taxes to pay. At the end of it all, I only get to actually keep about 20-30% of the money that comes in from the sales. Plus, I still have to work 40 hours a week at my regular full-time job. As much as Iâd love to make thousands of these orders, thereâs just not enough time.
BUTâŠ. Thanks to everybody whoâs ordered from me, I am now a THIRD of the way saved up. And the best part about it is that it was enough to pay for a deposit and secure a date for the procedure. I will be going under the knife on AUGUST 18TH, and will be coming out of it much happier and healthier. Finally.
After following some friendly advice and deciding to make a blog for the shop, I decided that the best first post I could make would be to thank everyone whoâs already helped me by purchasing (after all, I wouldnât be able to do *any* of this without them). And what better way than to show off some of their awesome costumes?
So without further ado, here are pictures that customers have sent in.
(Warning: after 10 pictures, the Tumblr app makes you click on them to expand them - until then, it just shows a placeholder graphic with âExternal Imageâ on it.)
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One of my first customers, a fellow Washingtonian named Josh. He also helped me test one of the first drafts of the wristbands!
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Finley, an early customer who helped me with photo ideas and advice on blogging! Finley has an Etsy shop as well, so make sure to stop by:
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Bryce, another fellow Washingtonian:
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roguefireflyserenity (now thatâs a good username!):
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Sean, another customer with an Etsy shop:
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I also make hats for Splatoon, and one of my customers also made me a custom Squid Kid avatar! Talk about talented⊠Check out his YouTube channel!
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A custom order for âexcusemebuckaroo.â She wanted the hat and tentacles for Marie, and she sent me her wig so that I could sew everything straight into it. It turned out great, and she was such a pleasure to work with!
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A special thank you to Quest, a customer who insisted on leaving a âtipâ on my Paypal for rushing their order. But as it turns out, they heard about my surgery, and decided to leave a generous donation instead. You have such a big heart, Quest - thank you so much for your help!
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And of course, my roommate and best friend, Divinity. Make sure to check out her Etsy shop, too!
Without her input, support, and friendship, I wouldnât even be here. Thanks for everything, Div.
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These are just some of the hundreds of people who have ordered from me and enabled me to come as far as I have this year. I never expected it to be this successful, so I wanted to take the time to truly thank you all. Just know that you have made a real difference in my life, and I couldnât be more grateful.
