Novata : FREE GIFTS Valentine Shop & Hop 2024 | ALL 14 SIMS | Free Gifts Senra Avatar Second Life
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14965-novata-free-gifts-valentine-shop-hop-2024-all-14-sims-free-gifts-senra-avatar-second-life/

"Valentine Shop & Hop Second Life 2024. Let's unbox ALL the Free Gifts from the 14 Sims" Watch the video on YouTube

Love is in the air! Join us for these 2024 Valentine’s Events & Activities!
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14968-love-is-in-the-air-join-us-for-these-2024-valentine%E2%80%99s-events-activities/

The Isle of View is our annual tribute to all things romantic via four regions filled with forested walks, cozy nooks for cuddling, and romantic swan boat rides.



Visit one of the Love Pavilion gift kiosks to browse through a variety of gift selections that you can send to your friends and loved ones on Valentine’s Day. The selection of gifts includes heart lollipops and balloons, an adorable teddy bear, a chocolate box with rings, cutesy cupcakes, love lanterns, and, of course, romantic roses. We even have a special limited edition Boopie you can have sent to your special Valentine or just get one for yourself! To select and send your free gifts, follow the directions on the sign adjacent to the kiosk. Or alternatively, click on the help buttons on the gift kiosks.



VALENTINE'S LOVE TRAIN







Our special Bellisseria Valentine's Event returns this year. "Love Train Trolleys" operated by our own LDPW Moles depart from the station on the Welcome Hub every few minutes starting at 12:30pm PT. The 30 minute ride ends with a teleporter that will take residents directly to Dunk & Hug a Linden or Mole, but residents can hop on at any point as the trolleys go by! Learn more about it from Patch Linden's forum post with a map of the route.



DUNK & HUG A LINDEN OR MOLE EVENT







Are you feeling “some kind of way” about the Lindens or Moles? Show your love (or friendly aggression) for the makers of Second Life at our annual Dunk & Hug a Linden or Mole Event, held this year on February 14th from 1pm to 3pm PT at the Isle of View. Come early for some fun conversations and plenty of soaked Lindens!



Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Hug and dunk some Lindens & Moles,
At the Isle of View!



NEW LAST NAMES







Additionally, we have just released new last names for the season!



The following Valentine-themed names are only available for a limited time:
Bae
Flirt
Lovelace
Lovingood
Simp
Snuggler
Sweetheart
Trueheart



These names for Valentine’s Day are seasonal and may come back around this time next year, for a limited time.



We will continue to make additional updates to the available last name pool, so if these options aren’t for you, stay tuned for future updates. You can also suggest your favorite name on our suggestion form, the new names were chosen from there!



For more information about the costs and how-tos involved in name changes, read the Changing your username FAQ. Click to change your name now!



2024 VALENTINE SHOP & HOP







The 2024 Valentine Shop & Hop returns with 280 participating Merchants across 14 shopping regions, bringing their best to inspire your Valentine's fantasies from a romantic evening with your bae, to a party with your friends, and everything in between. You will definitely find something to suit you! Every store will have at least a 20% discount on all items and a free (non-group) gift for shoppers or a gift certificate valued at L$300 or above! Check the Shop & Hop blog post for a full list of all 280 merchants with slurls!



ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS




Pictured: Crystal Line Romantic Ballroom



Are you looking for even more romantic destinations to explore this season? Grab a loved one and go on a date at one of the many beautiful places listed in the Romance category on the Destination Guide.
We’re adding new regions daily, so if you have a spot you’d like to invite other Residents to explore, make sure to check out the submission guidelines and submit yours today!



Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️

Corsica South Coasters : ·.♥ 1st Anniversary of =little Whiskeria= ♥.·
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14969-corsica-south-coasters-%C2%B7%E2%99%A5-1st-anniversary-of-little-whiskeria-%E2%99%A5%C2%B7/

"𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 1𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 =𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖=! ❤️🥂
𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟎𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
𝟏𝟏𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐋𝐓 (𝟐𝟎:𝟎𝟎 𝐂𝐄𝐓): 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄
𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰: 𝐋𝐢𝐓𝐨 𝐃𝐉 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌"



Read more on the blog

Adianna's Addictions : “MadPea ~ Cards Against Cupid”
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14970-adiannas-addictions-%E2%80%9Cmadpea-~-cards-against-cupid%E2%80%9D/

"Spice up your Valentine’s Day and get ready for some fun, a ton of laughter, and a bit of blushing when you play this new card game by MadPea. 3-6 people are needed to play. I fortunately have some really amazing friends to help me out with this shot." Read more on the blog

Kaelyn Elara : ♡
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14971-kaelyn-elara-%E2%99%A1/

Style info on Flickr

Mr. Wolf : Tale as old as time 🐺🎧
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14972-mr-wolf-tale-as-old-as-time-%F0%9F%90%BA%F0%9F%8E%A7/

Style and decor info on Flickr

Bambi : Shapes and sizes
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14973-bambi-shapes-and-sizes/

Decor info on Flickr

Rou Aurelia : Well done is better than well said
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14974-rou-aurelia-well-done-is-better-than-well-said/

Decor info on Flickr

My Fashion World : Easy Sunday
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14975-my-fashion-world-easy-sunday/

Decor info on the blog

Inara Pey : Checking out the Second Life Community Exhibition
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14976-inara-pey-checking-out-the-second-life-community-exhibition/

Info on the blog

Bay City Studios : NAMARA Season 1 Episode 2: Close Encounter (FULL EPISODE) Second Life Machinima
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14977-bay-city-studios-namara-season-1-episode-2-close-encounter-full-episode-second-life-machinima/

Watch the video on YouTube

Bay City Post : Annual “MOLE Day” Celebration Coming February 4
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14978-bay-city-post-annual-%E2%80%9Cmole-day%E2%80%9D-celebration-coming-february-4/

"Bay City will once again hold its annual “Mole Day” event to salute the The Linden Department of Public Works' Moles and their many contributions to Bay City and the rest of the Second Life® Grid. Traditionally, the Mole Day event is held on or around Groundhog Day: for 2024, it will be held on Sunday, the 4th of February, beginning at 11:00 a.m. SLT. This year’s event will feature DJ GoSpeed of KONA stream followed by a live performance by Evee Blackstar (user name Harleen Jester) at 12:00 p.m. SLT." Read more on the blog

The Gazette : SL Community Exhibition | Events & Announcements | New Locations
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14979-the-gazette-sl-community-exhibition-events-announcements-new-locations/

"Many of the Lindens' recent initiatives fall into the category of "onboarding"; helping new arrivals find their way and increasing the chance they decide to stick around. The latest idea is a new part of the Welcome Hub called The Second Life Community Exhibition." Read more on the blog

iDaisyRay : 1600L FREE GIFTCARDS, FREE GIFTS, & MASSIVE SALES!!!
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14980-idaisyray-1600l-free-giftcards-free-gifts-massive-sales/

"I know a lot of people have already put out their shop and hop videos, but we know I'm slow. So hopefully mine will still give you something new and at the very least, may it entertain you. Thank you for watching and have a very blessed day!" Watch the video on YouTube

Do you have a background in 3D content creation and what kind of tools do you use to create your content?
Being on SL pre-mesh body days (omg crazy right) it was much easier creating BOM texture clothing back then and even texturing full perm mesh. In 2021 I decided I wanted more control over my brand, no longer wanting to rely on commissioning other 3d artists to complete my vision. I opted to take mesh classes hosted by some of my fellow residents. I can admit it was very intimidating learning programs that I’ve never heard of or even seen before. Blender, Zbrush, and Substance Painter were all foreign to me at the time and seemed nearly impossible to master. Had a few hiccups, tons of failed lessons, and even quit a few times, but in January of 2022 all the hard work paid off and I released my first 100% original mesh item all done by me. It was such a rewarding feeling. Like omg, I did this! And I owe it all to an extremely talented artist, friend, and teacher Kitti Softpaw. She’s taught me everything I know about 3D modeling, and I am forever grateful.







Your role as a mentor and teacher is quite inspiring. Could you elaborate on the community work you do and the 3D modeling classes you offer for budding creators in Second Life? Where can interested Residents sign up to learn from you?
I wouldn’t refer to myself as a teacher but more so someone you can look to when you are in need of help. Whether it be providing a discord server to come together and house fellow creatives, providing resources, helping with a HUD, setting up vendors, rigging clothing, texturing in substance painter, marketing, or fixing that little hole in your mesh lol. I will soon be embarking on a more focused mentor program where I’ll be taking a few aspiring and small creators and guiding them on their journey into 3D content creation and running a successful brand in Second Life. Most of us are either self-taught or learned from other residents. If I can help in any way, I always try to because these are things I wish I had access to and knowledge of when I first started creating.







Can you give us an overview of the Shoppe BLK initiative? How can designers who meet the criteria get involved?
Shoppe BLK where do I begin? After browsing on social media, the question was always asked “how do we find black-owned businesses in Second Life so that we can support them”? The idea was brought to me by a dear friend Daisy (owner of 28LA). She suggested it would be good if I started a directory of Black Owned Businesses within Second Life. I’m all about community and coming together so why not ya know? From that Shoppe BLK WKND sale was born. Its sole purpose was to highlight, showcase, and support black creators like myself within the grid. Shoppe BLK runs the first weekend of every month (Thursday- Sunday) you can find items from our featured designers each round for 75L. We are always looking for talented designers to join, all you have to do is add your brand to the directory and fill out the designer application to be considered.



Shoppe Black Business Directory
Shoppe BLK WKND App
Shoppe BLK Facebook







Tell us about some of the other Residents in SL who inspire you and whose work you admire.
Second Life is full of so many amazingly talented creators and just people in general. I’m always in awe every day seeing how creative everyone is.



Kismet Chrome from Rosary is someone who has been creating amazing clothing for a very long time. I have admired her work for years. And anytime I have a question or run into an issue, she has no problem answering or helping me solve a problem.



My dearest brother CzarFenris of Animosity Poses, I don’t know anyone who has his work ethic. From blogging, and photography, to pumping releases nonstop.



Vive Nine, Merch, Rowne, Majesty, and so many others! It’s an honor to be among so much talent.

Where can people see your work? Please share links to your sites and social media accounts.
You can find all of our work on Flickr
Vague Mainstore
Vague on Marketplace
Follow us on Facebook



Thank you, Winter, for being an inspiration for all aspiring creators and community builders in Second Life.




Each of our Spotlight posts features a different Resident to showcase the spectrum of experiences and personalities found in our virtual world. If you have created something inworld that you’re proud of, or have had a deeply meaningful experience that could brighten someone else’s day, please sign up! More info here: https://second.life/spotlight-signup

Gem's Finds : Horsing Around @ The SL Living Expo
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14981-gems-finds-horsing-around-the-sl-living-expo/

"The SL Expo, an American Cancer Society Event, opened yesterday. It replaced the SL Home and Garden Expo last year. This event boasts music events/performances, events, art walk, street market, Vehicle show, decorating contests and shopping." Read more on the blog

InWorld Films : Little, Big Designs at FunZone Second Life
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14982-inworld-films-little-big-designs-at-funzone-second-life/

"Come see the new attraction at FunZone (part of Timeless Seasons) in Second Life.
These beautiful miniature creations have been lovingly built by CassieEldemar Writer and her RL Hubby. Together their collection of creations at their inworld shop and market place will wow you with the amount of details in each build. Touching roofs, walls, windows, doors, bell towers will open up sections for you to take a much much closer look inside !!!! Be prepared to be AMAZED." Watch the video on YouTube

The Kendra Project : Second Life ✨Kendra the Explorer ✨ The Lost Unicorn
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14983-the-kendra-project-second-life-%E2%9C%A8kendra-the-explorer-%E2%9C%A8-the-lost-unicorn/

"This is the most beautiful and magical sim that I have ever seen. Travel around the magical land of the Lost Unicorn. I hope you fall in love with it like I did." Watch the video on YouTube

Virtual Hotels : Wandering New York Unveiled: A Trio of Must-Visit Bars
https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14984-virtual-hotels-wandering-new-york-unveiled-a-trio-of-must-visit-bars/

"Wandering New York is an immersive Manhattan-themed community sim curated with meticulous attention and owned by Kaiden and Pandora Tray. This bustling hub boasts frequent live events and captivating art gallery exhibitions that beckon further exploration. This is a place where hours can easily drift away." Read more on the blog