Hello From Ohio
Hey everyone!
My name is John and I have happened across your site while resarching fursuits.
It started out as a research into Mascot design in preperation for Halloween for myself and my family.
I have dealt with clay sculpting in the past to create the Latex Mask, but most information on that scale is in the horror field. Which I really have no care for. And a Latex mask doesn't hold form well when you want to deal with complex shapes. At least it is not cheaply done.
So as I am looking to create a Chinese Dragon Head and hands to go along with a Chinese Dragon Jacket I will be wearing to give that Anthro feel, I was fortunate enough to find a great community willing to share their knowledge of their designs and experinces.
I also find it sad that your community is plagued with individuals who feel you would benefit from their rage and misguided views. Being a father of a transracially adopted family I can understand to a degree what you may be going through at times. I also see many of you approach it peacefully and with tolerance, which is more than I can say for myself when my children are the target of racism.
It is truely saddening that the world has to be filled with small minds, but it's part of the price of coexistance.
My research would normally just go to general curisotiy and gathering of information. But as I get to read about the Anthro-community I have found a fun bunch of people who just wish to enjoy their craft and lifestyle.
I just want to say don't let the outside world bother you or dictate to you what 'right and wrong' may be in their eyes.
I have always learned that ignorant indviduals lash out due to fear and the lack to comprehend.
And thank you all who share their knowledge so freely with the rest of us. I have tons of info to get started and the wife has voiced a desire for a Scotty Head (in honor of her Scotty pup) and my 10 year old son wants to be a tiger.
Now to see if I can get all of that finished in a little under 2 months. 
I do love challenges. 
Oh yeah, I am an avid Juggler and Yo-Yoer and I have scratch modeling experince and I have sewn as well. A quilt and some clothing to be precise.
I second that! Conventions in general are fun in and of themselves! Whether you are a fan of the subject or not, there is fun to be had and many interesting people to meet!
Good luck on your project!
That would be fun, but I would be conscious standing next to the pros.
Our DR site is in Philadelphia...I could make it a working vacation and head up there to do some drills. 
We're actually in pittsburgh these days, not philadelphia, but that would just make it an easier trip for you, no? 
Personally, i think you should absolutely come and bring the wife and kids along, too; the fursuits people wear range from the very basic to crazy professional complicated, and only 10-15% of the attendees wear them at all, so there's no need to feel self-conscious. We even have some special programming available that's specifically geared towards kids under 11 and their parents.
Come play with us next summer! We'd love to have you.
Nice to see other ohio-ins out there! Your son is just acouple of years younger than me! (im 13, 14 in october)I hope you'll come to AC 2011, let my mum see other parent furs out there :dance:
I live by the motto from Sheryl Crow.. "If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad..". As long as it doesn't hurt anyone else.
My job is to make sure my kids don't get themselves killed or hurt anyone else. Beyond that I try not to hinder them in their likes and dislikes.
You should totally bring those costumes out to Anthrocon next year, ya? The community's just as fun and colourful in real life as it is online. :]