[ Poll ] Artists Alley Information Compilation

Most intimidating thing about your first AA?

What if I don't sell anything?		23.5%	[ 133 ]
What if I don't break Even?		12.0%	[ 68 ]
What if they HATE my work?		26.6%	[ 151 ]
What if I sell out of prints too soon?		4.1%	[ 23 ]
All of the other artists are going to think I suck!		21.9%	[ 124 ]
Other (Please share!)		12.0%	[ 68 ]

Total Votes: 567

[Kaxen]

Vicemage

BJDs on the left set fairly far back to help deter grabby-hands.

I brought my BJD too. No one really touched him. Well... I saw way more BJDs than I did at previous AXs. Yay for conversation starter! My dolly got an ego stroke. xD

Though it felt kind of weird not selling anything even vaguely BJD related. Though someone else had the clever idea of offering BJD portraits. (which is a good commission suggestion).


I need to work on baiting people. I usually say hi and try to talk them into a sketch card since they're free.

Though some people perplexingly love the sketch cards or at least giggle at the jokes, but then never take one. O_o

[Vicemage]

For the most part, no one touches any of my resin crew... though when they do, they tend to be the smaller (but not smallest, thank God) ones. Which wouldn't be such a problem if the smallest ones didn't represent both the cheapest AND the most expensive of my collection. ($100 ResinSoul 1/6 vs $305 Fairyland LittleFee; well, okay, most expensive that I have HOME.) So my reaction ranges from, "Those aren't for sale, please do not touch," on the low end, to "PLEASE PUT THAT DOWN THE SIGN SAYS DON'T TOUCH!" complete with reaching for the doll, on the high end or if it's my first one (to whom I'm particularly partial).

But they also make nice ice breakers and attract other dolly people. I sell some clothes for them, too, so there's also that. Gotta get back to working on some pattern drafting for them for the next con, which at least isn't until November.

Try holding something out to them. I found the suggestion in the marketing/con section of a webcomic book, and it's actually worked surprisingly well when I've tried it. People will just naturally take something that's offered to them most of the time (some do still refuse though). Refusal often seems based on the amount of freebies you're handing out, I've noticed, too. People are more likely to turn me down if I only have a couple of bookmarks in my hand than if I have a pile in one hand and one for them in the other.

Eh... I hope this is all making enough sense. I'm ever so slightly nicely drunk. -.- (Which is why I can't remember the name of the surprisingly helpful book I mentioned above, I'll try to find it tomorrow or something.)

[Konbanwa_megami]

muffin babie

Oh! I remembered my other question!

I'm planning on making little clay charms/earrings/cell phone jobbers/etc. Would you guys suggest buying colored clay, or just buying a bunch of white clay and painting it? It one significantly nicer than the other? How about cost-effective. Also, I was planning on buying Sculpy. Is that a good choice? I haven't done much clay work since I was younger, and I've never bought it myself.

I have colored clay and also bake charms then paint them. If you're using lighter color clay it can pick up lint from your hands easily so I usually paint instead. It does look smoother if you use colored clay and it's harder to paint even lines. The brand I use is sculpy. Sculpy III for the color and for my painted pieces I bought a package of super scuply which is a peach color.

[CuteyHoneyChan]

Vicemage

Apologies for double post. ^_^

Wire boxes: I think we had a ton of links to them a few pages back... I have a ton of them so I don't actually know what they're really called or where to buy them these days, I've had these things since college. (That's a long time ago.)

Clay: Colored polymer clays will probably be quicker. Polymer clays also tend to be a bit more durable than basic Sculpey. Sculpey III, Fimo, and Katoclay are all brands of polyclay.

Found 'em....dang, and I just got back from Wal-Mart a few hours ago....oh, well...

Got to get up early so I can work on my cover art....'Night!

[Adhara]

Starre257

Bleaching seems to have mostly worked... and the wire crates i set up have yet to fall down, so I think they're working.

Hey, these look familiar.. XD These are the ones we use, and they are quite sturdy.

I would suggest having the little plastic connectors on all four corners of the bottom, even if you're not connecting anything to those other two corners. It'll provide a bit more stability to the whole set up. I would also suggest that if you're using any of the shelves to display merch, the back be open as well so that you can reach everything yourself, unless the displays will be secured down in some fashion--so that they won't fall over or be easily nicked by people. ^^

[muffin babie]

On the topic of references, one thing that worked well for me was this:
Before the convention, I looked up all the popular anime and games I could think of on wikipedia. Then, I saved a bunch of images of each character to my computer, and then to my iPod. That way, I have a ton of references on both my computer and my iPod, so I can look at the picture less obtrusively. I always feel bad sitting behind my computer at an alley. Also, if they're all saved to your computer, you won't need the internet to get to them. Never assume you'll get the internet at a hotel.

[Kushou Yoru]

Part A- Getting the table:
1. How many months in advance do conventions usually release tables, in your experience?
Well, the one I attend is in late May and they release tables in mid-February.
2. How much does a table usually cost?
$15-30 depending.
3. How quickly are the tables reserved?
Really quickly! Like same-day in some cases.
4. What complications should one be prepared for?
The biggest thing is to get there first and have a credit card to pay with.
5. Anything else?
Nothing comes to mind. Reserving it was like the easiest part.

Optional: What skill level would you suggest entering the AA at? If possible, please provide examples.

Well, a lot of my friends and I are in school for art. We've been drawing for over eight years each and we still didn't quite break even at our table. It was sad. I'd say the biggest thing is to have something the other tables don't. There are a LOT of good artists at cons. You have to have something to set you apart. That's more important than skill level.

Part B- Preparing to sell:
1. What sort of merchandise would you advise selling?
Jewelry is quite popular. Hair clips or decorated cat ears and collars. I did tattoo-style art and that sold really well.
2. What sort of merchandise would you advise against selling?
Just regular OC artwork. I mean, if you do that then you're competing against just about every other artist there. So if you are not the best artist in AA, then you're going to have trouble competing with people better than you.
3. What sort of stuff sells best?
Stuff that's original and stands out. Stuff that you don't see on other stands.
4. Where would you suggest going to get things printed?
I just used Kinko's. But if anyone knows anywhere better, I'd like to know. razz
5. If printing at home, what preparations should one make?
idk. Again, I went to Kinko's. But I guess, make sure your printer is good quality and buy some higher-quality paper that's a bit thicker than normal paper.
6. How far in advance should one have one's merchandise finished?
Well, I did mine last minute. I see no reason not to do it last minute really. So long as you have time to organize it.
7. Anything else?
ORGANIZE YOUR STUFF! Especially if you're sharing a table. Make sure you know how many prints you have of everything. Have a sheet detailing each thing. Have people mark off when some get sold. Try to have something like a divided trapper-keeper so you can keep each print separated and not be digging through all your copies to find one print. Also bring sheet protectors to give away with each print.

Part C- At the Con:
1. How early should one arrive to be sure of reserving a good table?
In my experience, tables were assigned by number and getting there earlier wouldn't have changed which table we got. But I don't know how other cons do that.
2. When setting up one's table, what sort of layout would you suggest?
Everyone should have a binder with examples of their work in it. If you have the ability to use those 3-piece poster boards like they used for science fair projects, those are great for displaying art and posters. Keep remaining prints as well as the money under the table in trapper-keepers or something similar.
3. There are some pretty bratty congoers out there. How would you suggest dealing with assholes?
We actually didn't have any trouble with ours. I guess just try to act friendly and professionally. Try to avoid drama, and if things get really out of hand, then go to someone who looks authoritative (like someone helping man the con) and ask them for help with someone causing trouble. But that would only be if things get really serious or worrisome.
4. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. What issues should one be prepared for when running a table at the Artists alley?
Conventions are fun. And you don't want to miss everything because you were stuck behind a table. Sharing a table is a good way to help with that, but you have to do a lot more organizing if you're splitting the table. Write it out ahead of time who's going to get shifts at what time. Make sure people stick to that.
5. Anything else?
The economy isn't at its peak right now. Our table did a lot worse than last year. So if this is your first AA at a con, don't think that sales are always going to be as bad as they may be this year. People are just a little stingier since times are tight.

[DarKlawStudios]

muffin babie

On the topic of references, one thing that worked well for me was this:
Before the convention, I looked up all the popular anime and games I could think of on wikipedia. Then, I saved a bunch of images of each character to my computer, and then to my iPod. That way, I have a ton of references on both my computer and my iPod, so I can look at the picture less obtrusively. I always feel bad sitting behind my computer at an alley. Also, if they're all saved to your computer, you won't need the internet to get to them. Never assume you'll get the internet at a hotel.

That is a really good idea. My laptop is broken, but maybe I can convince my sister to bring hers.

I can get references of classic stuff, but, what's popular now?

Bleach, Naruto, Guuren Lagan (sp?)... Vampire Knight? I have noooooo idea. sweatdrop

[ninniku]

Kaxen

Selling my books, I mainly had the biggest problem of getting people to look at it.

At first their were stood at the back of the table, but then I put the whole stack in front after a while.

I even had to put neon green post-its that said "FLIP THROUGH ME"

I took all the commissions I was suggested minus some Naruto one because I like... completely forgot how to draw Naruto... Most people seem to come prepared with reference pictures. @_@

I just uploaded the Spike Spiegel one onto my DA http://zekarmisama.deviantart.com/art/Swordfish-128544510

The best way to get one's book noticed, I have found is to have a book stand! In the efforts of frugality, I made mine out of a wire coat hanger, thus making it free. It's not very pretty, but it's covered with books so no one sees it except me! = )

If anyone is interested in the coat hanger/book holder idea I can try to diagram one. = )

[shiroiusagi]

DarKlawStudios

muffin babie

On the topic of references, one thing that worked well for me was this:
Before the convention, I looked up all the popular anime and games I could think of on wikipedia. Then, I saved a bunch of images of each character to my computer, and then to my iPod. That way, I have a ton of references on both my computer and my iPod, so I can look at the picture less obtrusively. I always feel bad sitting behind my computer at an alley. Also, if they're all saved to your computer, you won't need the internet to get to them. Never assume you'll get the internet at a hotel.

That is a really good idea. My laptop is broken, but maybe I can convince my sister to bring hers.

I can get references of classic stuff, but, what's popular now?

Bleach, Naruto, Guuren Lagan (sp?)... Vampire Knight? I have noooooo idea. sweatdrop

I'd suggest looking at certain anime torrent places and check out the seeding/leeching to see which are the bigger numbers. XD Aside from those who watch whatever is on Cartoon Network. rolleyes I haven't been up with anime at all so I wouldn't have a clue what are the big winners this year. XD

Possibly this place can be of help too. But I don't think it is about what's totally currently the rave is all about. XD
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/ratings-anime.php

[Fiammetta Rey]

ANN must have something helpful. ANN is god. To me, anyway...

[Seijaku_Ishida]

How much do keychains usually go for?

I found these really nice photo-insert keychains that are $1.50 each. They're durable, and the plate that snaps in to keep the photo in has yet to come off after all these months for the keychain I made that my g/f stole for her keyring, and she drops and throws them a lot. >_> With the cost of the prints in addition to the keychain, I couldn't sell it for less than $2, but I was thinking $3.

[Seijaku_Ishida]

They're 1.75" x 2.75" ^^ A pretty decent size.