To Spellbound & LL from our hearts...

Good Morning all,
It is "the morning after" the final day of the Neverland project, and we would like to say some things to our group, to the Lindens, and to the SL community at large.

As we have said before, we have so much to be truly thankful for. The members of Spellbound and most especially those on the Neverland team are the most special of people. What began as such a small group to produce some small special events at the early stages of our world has become truly a creative excitement that we have never known.

During 6 weeks of October & early November, they worked tirelessly to produce Neverland. Their dedication did not stop there; they were called upon again and again for the next 5 weeks to role-play, guide tours, answer questions, and generally be what they are - AMAZING. So much of their first and second lives were spent in this effort. They did it generously and with a spirit that is hard to beat. Those members of Spellbound who wear the "Neverland" ring designed by Stampshady Grimm do so with a great measure of pride. The members of Spellbound are our SL family; we reach out and "group hug" to you all.

Our thanks also go out to the Lindens. Yes, the Lindens were "our partners" in the Neverland project. We believe that their motives were as clear as ours; we wanted to bring you something special, something memorable, & something unforgettable. In addition, the Lindens were participating to see if a partnership like this could and would work.

We have heard so many wonderful compliments, received IM's and letters, and seen all these charming forums posts. The outpouring of love at the "photo contest" last night was even more than we could have ever imagined. Over the weeks folders have been passed to us with literally hundreds of photos. We have received lovely gifts from so many residents. Each has been saved in our hearts and our memory books. In addition, we have had so many lovely offers from people, including offers of entire sims to house various pieces of the project on. But it is time now to "Close the Chapters" and move on. All is not lost, the project is being saved in its entirety.

We have read and digested the criticism and responded where we felt it was warranted. For there to be change in any society, "someone" has to be first. The Lindens took the plunge with us after "much" prodding. The reason, by the way that there was such concern over doing any projects in duo like this was that they had so many worries over undue criticism. We dare say that the thought of "Baccara is on the phone"can put shivers in any Lindens heart. However, prod we did, because the result was so important to us.

It is our hope that other groups will be given this chance. Several of the members of Spellbound are owners of private sims, this project could have been done differently. If so, however, the "world" would not have been invited to come and enjoy it for no charge; we would have had to "price" our work and perhaps made the experience less enjoyable. While we know there has been public commendation for our work, we also know that there has been much behind the scenes grumbling. We are happy to listen to constructive criticism; the thought of mere complaining because we were given this wonderful opportunity is not constructive. Before starting this project, we expected and discussed negative reaction. The members and the Lindens thought that it would be worth it because we believed in what we were doing and this ultimately decided it. This is not the kind of reaction that will spur the Lindens on to enter this kind of program again. This would be a shame. Each of us would love the opportunity to watch another group enjoy the same excitement that we did. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the same amount of energy spent in these forums on complaints were harnessed into a creative force within our world?

Spellbound is a creative community within itself. Artists of all kind long have the reputation of being mavericks, the type of people who cannot work together but rather have to be off to the side on their own. No so here. Egos are thrust aside; collaboration and cooperation are the keynotes to our work. Everyone has learned throughout this process. We have taken the best from each other. The talents of the members of Spellbound have been generously shared and circulated freely among our group. While in some ways we do have a "hierarchy" we are more so a democracy. Each artisan is given a basic idea of his or her job, no one is dictated to. They are free to interpret the task, and adjust it where necessary. This way the project is truly collaborative and not just the vision of one mind. The same holds true for our "regular" work within SL. Your social or business event is handled with the same loving care as Neverland. Each project is meaningful to us and worthy of our complete attention.

We hope that you will all remember to "thank your local Lindens" for their participation in the Spellbound project, and hope that it is not too late to convince them to support a group again. As for us, it's time to take a rest, enjoy our holidays, and step back to remember. We have regular SL business to attend to. We will however be back. Thank you to all who have sent us "ideas" for the next go round.

Thank you all again for coming to live the dream...

We hope you enjoy the most Joyous of Holidays

With much love and respect,

Baccara and Fey

Excellent!


Thank you for your amazing gifts to us!!!!


Baccarra and Fey and
Azrazeal Maracus
Azreal Rubio
Athos Murphy
Evie Fairchild
Ferran Brodsky
Garth Fairlight
Gaudeon Wu
Madison Gardner
Mash Mandala
Nexeus Fatale
Nyna Slate
Panthar Orlowski
Pituca Chang
Taigh Murray
Yadni Monde
Zana Feaver


And to

Phill Linden
Robin Linden
Catherine Linden
Ryan Linden
Ben Linden
Caroline Apollo
Damien Fate
Francis Chung
Johnny Bunderfeld
Mickey Roark
Sensual Casanova
Sinatra Cartier
Valfaroth Grimm

and others I don't know about...

Beautiful post Baccara!! Thank you again so much to you, the spellbound team, and to the Lindens for this wonderful experience! As always, I look forward to your next event no matter how large or small! *HUGS*

We wandered around Olde London and Neverland late last night, milking every last magical moment we could out of such a wonderous build. And on our travels, with much picture taking, we were delighted by how many others were also there saying goodbye, after the final event, and getting a last glimpse of the marvelous sights.

Once again, Spellbound and crew set the bar for what is possible in SL; anything! I await with eager anticipation, thier next creation.

Thank you all for bringing smiles of child-like joy to our lips and inspiring us all!

Excellent work, everyone!
Thanks for creating and sharing your amazing work.
It will be missed, but I'm already looking forward to upcomming creations.

~Olympia

Congrats on a job extremely well done! Neverland was a great addition to the world and your effots were noticed and, more importantly, appreciated by all those who visited!

*raises glass* Cheers to you all!


Lindens, you already know you guys rock!

I went there this morning to say goodbye to such a fantastic place, saddened that at the very least Olde London is just going to go into some database somewhere collecting dust. While there I took a picture of the "credits" sign as I for one want to keep that reminder forever if I can. I am really gonna miss Big Ben....... Yo also named the group perfectly, because I am sure even the 'critics' agree, we were all Spellbound!!! Thank you one and all again for the honor to witness and be part of such wonderous work's of creativity.


"Well, if you knows of a better 'ole, go to it." - (Charles) Bruce Bairnsfather, Fragments from France, British Cartoonist, creator of the character Old Bill.

The Never Land crew did a fantastic job. Linden Lab picked an amazing group for this venture. The amount of time and effort put into the project is amazing. I have not heard any negative criticism about the quality of the final product.

On the other hand, I have heard much criticism about Linden Lab choosing of one group to partake in such a venture without giving others a chance to do the same, and I believe this criticism to be justified.

Second Life is a world in which the majority of users pay to create and build. To have some of the wealthiest and most successful residents chosen to do a project at no charge from Linden Lab was bound to bring the critics and was perceived as a slap in the face by those who actually pay to do the same. Other projects have been done without thought to financial gain and without Linden support, even when that support was requested and denied.

In your initial post, you wanted quell any complaints that you were given this wonderful opportunity, but that is the general complaint that I have heard. People feel slighted because they where not given the same opportunity, and were in fact had their requests for projects refused. The reasoning for all of the refusal letters: "It would not be fair to the SL community. We must present equal chances for everyone."

Spellbound is a commercial venture. This project generated a huge amount of free advertising and notoriety both in Second Life and in the real world press. You did not walk away empty handed from this project.

The fact that this was initially done in such a secretive way hurt the good natured spirit with which this was intended. That you were aware that people would have mixed feelings about this should have been a red flag that community input should have been solicited. I suspect the reason there wasn't more criticism is because the project was so successful, and others do not want to be blacklisted from possible future projects.

Please remember, the critics are not judging Spellbound or the work done on Never Land. They are criticizing the precedent it sets and puts into question the viability of privately funded commercial and non-profit operations of this scale.

The Never Land crew has proved they were up to the challenge of this project. It would have been more above board if it had been done in open view of the rest of the community, and others had been presented the opportunity to participate.

I am pleased to see that credit was given to everyone that participated, I didn't get to see the completed version of neverland... my enthusiasm and participation ended when I found out that alot of the project was being built by a Linden alt..anyways to make a long story short... I am glad everyone enjoyed and I hope to see big and fun projects in the future done by the community Congrats to everyone involved... I know as well as others you guys worked hard for it.

Why would that end your enthusiasm? You don't like the Lindens? You don't think they should be able to create in-world on thier own time? You don't like that Linden-Alt in particular?

I don't like the fact that the project was misleading... the alt was made specifically for this project and I feel that if the Lindens are going to help with such things, they should make it public, and give credit to them as Lindens not as an everday SLer. Long time Spellbound member/members (without mentioning names) were also thrown on the back burner so that this Linden alt can sorta run the show, and I felt it was not fair to the long term Spellbound member/members that showed long term dedication and great skills... and no, I am not referring to myself.

Awww hun I am very sorry you did not get to see it.

You should have IM'd me (I would have IM'd you if I had known) as I would have been very glad and honored to have shown you around hun. I do not work for them in any way (unfortunatly lol) but I have given dozen's of tours of both places many, many times to both old players and newbies alike. Heck once I even brought a whole club on a tour of the place (Boy was that fun! )

So anytime you need to see anything, and need someone to perhaps acompany you, then don't hesatate to give me a ring....... I am here to help...........


"Stand firm in your refusal to remain conscious during algebra. In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra." - Fran Lebowits (Tips for Teens)

Thanks Adam that is sweet

HUGGERS Sen............


"What's the use? Yesterday an egg, tomorrow a feather duster." - Mark Fenderson

Superb --- I was a little girl at times with '' ooohhh' ' ahhhh' and great admiring for the detail of the wonderful streets and houses.

i enjoyed the wonderful old cars and drove one all round and missed several times to collide with the tram car only by inches, ha ha, and i didnt even run anyone over..I took some photos of myself in one of the old cars...in my japanese hat... like an eastern Mary Poppins....

I met the vampire in the ' East End' with his black cloak and knife and blood dripping and he was really cool... was he 'an American Vampire in London?.. dunno.. but 'his hair was perfect' ahh ooh.... ''

I walked in the so so amazing graveyard which I thought was one of the best Fx things ive seen in SL and i loved the ghosts and bats and the rising mist, it was truly spooky with the lights off,, such superb fun...i was in there for ages...waiting for Christopher Lee...

I found the watch and the key and the dynamite and I played being a ' robber' at the Bank... ha ha...'gord lumme,,,it's a fair cop guv'nor..' and I still have the funny outfit for a party one day...

I didnt meet Sherlock Holmes but if I ever get to Sl London again maybe some day maybe he will be there.....

Then I explored the amazing side streets...and wonderful history objects inside and utside the real looking houses and just thought it was so much fun.... In Neverland i liked the crocodile with his speech bubble like a comic and the amazing prim trees... and scenery and i rode on the really great coal truck ride TWICE cos it was so much fun....

Then I went back into London and saw the pavilion and lots of people and Peter Pan and Wendy and Fey who looked like the Queen of England in a HUGE red dress and tiara...
and I must say it was all MOST impressive and such good work.

I am not at all interested in the politics about who got chosen to make it or why.. for me I was a little japanese girl in famous London, wide eyed, and laughing, and had a great fun time. For me that was more than enough, and truly what SL is about.

Great great work all of you who did make it, you excelled in your dedication. It may be gone from SL grid... but it will never be gone from my memory.

Domo arigatou gozaimasu

Baccara,

Many thanks to you and all the crew for such a wonderful creation.

I have never enjoyed myself so much in second life as the time I spent exploring and playing, and marvelling, in olde London and Neverland.

This is surely what second life should be all about.

Thank you.

I visited it a couple of times and thought it was magical. Thank you to all the team, with or without alt Linden

Snakekiss - the black figure was Jack the Ripper - a murderer of prostitutes in London about a hundred years ago. He was never caught.

Latonia

PS - The idea of vampires originated in Transylvania, Rumania in the 15th century, and there was a Count Dracula at that time.