The OC Christmas is coming upon us once again, but I am facing a conflict for my December schedule. Between bringing back this yearly tradition and keeping the door open for the monthly YCHs and standard commissions, I am certain that I'll be stretched too thin to achieve all 3 without some notable sacrifices.

For those who don't know what the OC Christmas event is: it's a daily-art period where I draw people's OCs everyday for December --saving Christmas day for myself to draw Sampson & Jewel (I've attached some examples of OC Christmas art through the years down below). Historically, there was no way for people to request their OC to be drawn, as the art was originally done in the spirit of surprising my Twitter mutuals with gifts. But last year, I allowed 30 slots for everyone to sign-up with their OCs as a special commission opportunity, and it was a major success. This is all brought into question now because another success of my business is rivaling the of the OC Christmas: the monthly YCHs I've been doing since July.

The reason I can't just shelve December YCHs to make room for the OC Christmas is because they offer a much more approachable set of business terms. The OC XMas is limited to 30 entrants; YCHs are unlimited for the month. OC Xmas art may consider unique posing, costumes, props, and colors in accordance to my artistic discretion; YCHs show you exactly what you'll get. OC XMas publishes your piece sometime within December; YCHs might get published as early as later that same day. If people prefer that kind of transparency, turnaround, and ease-of-access for business (especially during the hectic holiday season), I don't have full confidence in dropping the opportunity.

Now there is the option for if I were to close enrollment in the OC XMas. Keeping it closed would definitely make it easier for me to handle (and to get started on it early), but people would no doubt feel left out like they had been every year prior. Especially since there'll be a sentiment of better looking Christmas art that they can't have while they're stuck with much more simplistic YCHs.

And of course, there's also the matter of people waiting to just commission something normal this month, regardless of whatever's going on with all these event periods. If I'm going to entertain these at all, something's gotta give in return. It's all so much to consider!

So I've decided to leave it up to a poll. There's no real guarantee that this is how things will go for all years going forward, but I just need to gauge the interests of my following first and foremost.

The poll will be open until midday this Saturday. If the people vote for open sign-ups to the OC Christmas, the enrollment period will begin next week (Nov 24th-30). 

Hey everyone, quick announcement!

I'll be away for the backhalf of August: I'm gonna be taking some time off for my birthday. After all of stresses this year, I think I need to allow myself this time to recharge.

The comms opening will be paused this month. I'll be reaching out to the patrons that I left hanging from July's opening, and then focusing on my vacation once the time comes. When I return, I'll launch comms properly and just let the period ride into September as well.

Sorry for the delay!

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FOLLOW-UP POST 
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As of last night, the circumstances around my stay have been upended. My stay at my current home has been cut from what was a promise of "however long I need" to an immediate-reversal of "be out in 3 weeks". I have only been here for a month (to the day), and now I am being cast out after I was explicitly invited to come during my time in need back in February.

I was told that I had "done nothing wrong to be kicked out, just that things are different now". But considering everything I went through to reach what's just a dead-end, I was also told that I "chose poorly in taking this help in the first place."

The conversation soon devolved into "in the real world, no one cares about you" talk and philosophies about what it means to be an adult and the obligation to suck it up and deal with an unfair hand, even if it comes from a member of my own family.

I just can't catch a break, it's been years of getting screwed whenever I rely on someone else to follow through. I just want to make art. I just want to live a quiet life. I just want to make Sampson & Jewel. But no matter what I do, I keep getting fucked over like this. Even now, I've been betrayed by those I thought I should trust most.

I do not wish to speak on any specifics of my situation.

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I'm sorry to all of my clients waiting on commissions, but I must prioritize this situation right now. Please allow me the time to sort things out before any further progress updates.

To everyone waiting for Sampson & Jewel. The July re-launch will have to be rescheduled to a later date, but please know that I will never stop fighting to return to making chapters. Your continued patience is not taken for granted, and I have been cherishing the names of everyone who has been cheering me forward.

I will move forward. I must move forward.
FakeryWay

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FOLLOW-UP POST
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With the power of 194 subscribers and the time of 6 months... we have officially hit our $1,200 goal! The Patreon suspension has been DEFEATED! And it's all thanks to you all!

If I may be candid, after the initial scare from my suspension and the very unhelpful "cooperation" from the Patreon Support Team, I seriously thought it would be curtains for Sampson & Jewel. But you guys made the jump to SubscribeStar in DROVES! Not only former patrons making the switch, but plenty of new folks caught wind of my situation and came to the rescue as well. I have been continuously humbled by the amount of support ever since February, and now that we're back to full health... I have to bear my utmost gratitude.

So let's get back in business then! Starting July, SAMPSON & JEWEL IS BACK! Our original reward and commissions schedule will return, and the story will continue! To everyone who held out hope on the promise of the comic's return, I am honored to see you every step of the way all again! 

Thanks for saving my dream again~
- FakeryWay