If you’re a regular reader you know that I have had a virtual clothing store on Second Life for the past 3yrs. I graphically design clothes in a photo editing program then upload them and sell them in my shop on Second Life for peoples avatars to wear. I was never really into fashion, I just wear the clothes I like and what looks and feels good and never thought I’d do something like actually design and make clothes even if only for a virtual world! So I was surprised when I first joined SL that I quickly got into doing that. It became my creative outlet and I got such a buzz from people (avatars) buying and wearing the clothes I had made.

There were many times where it felt like a full time job. Customer queries to be dealt with, new items needing to be made every week or two to keep them coming back for more. Advertising, marketing, I could go on. Trying to do my real life psychology courses at the same time over the past couple of years made it even tougher to keep up but somehow I managed. Now my last course is over I put more effort into SL, but have been noticing sales have been dwindling down month by month, no doubt as a result of the current economy having an impact. This month has been the worst. I have even done a massive sale but still not many takers. I just don’t get it. After all, most items cost real world pennies not pounds or dollars. Avatars stand for ages in my store just to get a discount card in my store just so they can get something for practically nothing. Then they wonder why all these stores close down on SL. I had been doing well and seen many others close over the past 18mths. I didn’t think it would affect me but now it has.

So, I have decided by Jan, I will be closing my store, maybe in the next couple of months but I would like to make it through xmas and also offer a ‘goodbye’ free gift. Sad in a way, I’ve enjoyed being a ‘ fashion designer’ but I think the time has come to move on. At least this way I will have more time to concentrate on more psychology courses. Hoping to start the next one next month, funds permitting. I may even offer some therapy sessions in SL. Maybe even start enjoying SL for its events and exploring the grid instead of being too busy designing clothes! It’ll be the start of a new chapter.