#this ESPECIALLY goes for tails like if you want to own real taxidermy it's important to know what you're buying and where it's coming from

[sable-dream]

I've been thinking about this addition to my aesthetic post from @milesmeles and I wanted to point out that if you do want to buy gear then it's always a good option to support independent sellers!

(It's often cheaper to get stuff from Amazon/Walmart and I understand the need to do so.)

Masks are a great example of this, because they are very elaborate art pieces and by purchasing one from an artist you help support them! And there's nothing against changing or editing a mask you've bought, add a cool chain or an earring or a flower or change up the fur, etc etc etc.

This kind of goes against the anti-consumerism point but I wanted to bring it up anyways because I see a lot of people purchasing gear off of amazon and being upset at the shitty quality when you could be diying it or buying it from an artists who individualizes their pieces :)

[Image ID: a tumblr post from the user milesmeles, which reads: "To add to this, similarly, NEEEEVER feel obligated to buy things because other people have them. You should NOT base therianthropy on possessions and the latest gear you've bought. That being said, it's okay to buy gear, but I've seen that some sides of the community have really pushed for consumerism and it's just awful to see. DIYing things like patches, pendants, yarn tails (like the OG post says), and other things is so easy and rewarding!!! If you're into masks, I think it's very meaningful to craft (paint, add fur, etc) your own. Even if you think it looks bad, at least you MADE it and it came from you. It's okay to buy things though. Some people can't physically sew or paint and that's okay! But I'd really like to see less consumerism in the community this year!!!". End Image ID]