Artists Alley Information Thread

Selling at Cons is best during the...

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[DarkishStar]

fanartist

Hmmm... I'll need to try those some day...

Should I write about my experience staying in the Artist's Alley until 10 PM almost every night at AX...? ^^;

CRAZY! xD I couldn't bear to stay beyond closing time of 6. But yes, I'd like to hear that experience. Maybe it'd convince me to try again next year. D:

[[Kako]]

You SHOULD try again next year, Darkish. X3

[LilythescorpioDA]

P h 1 s h y

lolhay guyz.

So a few updates.. I guesss.

I just came back from a con yesterday and learned quiiiite a bit.

First, and although this has been heavily emphasized already, PRINTS ARE GOOD. Most of the artists around me were selling prints or had portfolios of their CG art, which was considerably more popular. I was doing on-the-spot commissions in colored pencil and didn't do so hot. =/ People do like portraits or OC art, though, as it's something more personal.

Also, being in a group or organization helps. THe people next to me were in a group called BAAU (Bay Area Artists Unite). I think there was one guy in charge of most of the stuff. It was nice because there were people to go in and out and watch your stuff while you were on break or whatnot.

Talking to people is good too. =D Most of my fun consisted of talking to different people and such. Be friendly. =]

Yo, what con did you go to? I'm part of BAAU too. Are you refering to Alfred when you said one guy in charge of most the stuff? :p heh. I may be selling BAAU at some future cons smile

[[Kako]]

Hrm, I've never heard of Bay Area Artists Unite. Do you have a website?

[fanartist]

[Kako]

Hrm, I've never heard of Bay Area Artists Unite. Do you have a website?

RAWR.

[k8zer1]

thx this info. is awesome

[[Kako]]

Glad the thread could help out! biggrin

[Moe SahChan]

LilythescorpioDA

P h 1 s h y

lolhay guyz.

So a few updates.. I guesss.

I just came back from a con yesterday and learned quiiiite a bit.

First, and although this has been heavily emphasized already, PRINTS ARE GOOD. Most of the artists around me were selling prints or had portfolios of their CG art, which was considerably more popular. I was doing on-the-spot commissions in colored pencil and didn't do so hot. =/ People do like portraits or OC art, though, as it's something more personal.

Also, being in a group or organization helps. THe people next to me were in a group called BAAU (Bay Area Artists Unite). I think there was one guy in charge of most of the stuff. It was nice because there were people to go in and out and watch your stuff while you were on break or whatnot.

Talking to people is good too. =D Most of my fun consisted of talking to different people and such. Be friendly. =]

Yo, what con did you go to? I'm part of BAAU too. Are you refering to Alfred when you said one guy in charge of most the stuff? :p heh. I may be selling BAAU at some future cons smile

It was SacCon last year. I'm pretty sure I was sitting right next to you guys XD And yeah, I think that was him. He was selling really cute wooden dolls of characters.

Do you remember the Yoruichi and white mage that you did a commission for at SacAnime? I was the Sasuke with them. ^^ I recognize you from your DA name. :O

[LilythescorpioDA]

I remember Yoruichi =D
yay emotion_hug
and yeah, that's alfred : )

P h 1 s h y

LilythescorpioDA

P h 1 s h y

lolhay guyz.

So a few updates.. I guesss.

I just came back from a con yesterday and learned quiiiite a bit.

First, and although this has been heavily emphasized already, PRINTS ARE GOOD. Most of the artists around me were selling prints or had portfolios of their CG art, which was considerably more popular. I was doing on-the-spot commissions in colored pencil and didn't do so hot. =/ People do like portraits or OC art, though, as it's something more personal.

Also, being in a group or organization helps. THe people next to me were in a group called BAAU (Bay Area Artists Unite). I think there was one guy in charge of most of the stuff. It was nice because there were people to go in and out and watch your stuff while you were on break or whatnot.

Talking to people is good too. =D Most of my fun consisted of talking to different people and such. Be friendly. =]

Yo, what con did you go to? I'm part of BAAU too. Are you refering to Alfred when you said one guy in charge of most the stuff? :p heh. I may be selling BAAU at some future cons smile

It was SacCon last year. I'm pretty sure I was sitting right next to you guys XD And yeah, I think that was him. He was selling really cute wooden dolls of characters.

Do you remember the Yoruichi and white mage that you did a commission for at SacAnime? I was the Sasuke with them. ^^ I recognize you from your DA name. :O

[R a i r e n]

hmm i'm not sure if this was answered, since it's probably a pretty obvious question yet I'm totally oblivious... :

how do you go about taking commissions? do you have them pay first or after the work is done? (I get a bit confused with how that works..)

sweatdrop

[Vicemage]

I personally ask for the money up front, but won't press it if they ask to pay when they pick it up. The reason for doing that is a concern over someone not showing up--which would mean me not getting paid for the work I put in on the drawing. Luckily, I only had that happen once, and the girl got in touch with me later through another artist who knew me, so I was able to mail her the drawing.

[DarkishStar]

rairen

hmm i'm not sure if this was answered, since it's probably a pretty obvious question yet I'm totally oblivious... :

how do you go about taking commissions? do you have them pay first or after the work is done? (I get a bit confused with how that works..)

sweatdrop

I take the payment upfront. Most people are willing to pay for it upfront if you ask for it. =) I didn't have a problem with that. I get worried that a person won't come back to pay for it.. or pick it up.. so usually when they pay.. they usually remember that they have a commission. xD I think it works better that way.

You also don't have to take the commission if you can't do or it's a subject matter you don't like.

[tirbutt]

Another thing about taking money up front is... it's very easy to spend money at a convention :F... a lot of people are actually happy to pay first so that they wont have to worry about it later as they buy other stuff.

[tirbutt]

o3o;; this is my first year attending conventions, but here's what I learned so far... XD!

Quote:

Part A- Getting the table:
1. How many months in advance do conventions usually release tables, in your experience? Early... for big conventions it's usually several months to half a year before the actual convention... so keep an eye on their website!
2. How much does a table usually cost? Usually it's around $50 for a full table.. though I've heard variations from 40-150.
3. How quickly are the tables reserved? VERY FAST... as in they're sold out the same night they're open for registration.
4. What complications should one be prepared for? Continuously delayed alley opening dates... not getting a table because they were sold out too fast... etc.
5. Anything else? Have friends to watch out for tables with you... (I got a call at 4am for AX <3) Also if you don't get the table they can hook you up later smile .
Optional: What skill level would you suggest entering the AA at? Ummm... skill is always a good thing, but if your skill isn't as high as you want it to be, playing on popular things or cute/shiny things can also be successful.

Part B- Preparing to sell:
1. What sort of merchandise would you advise selling? Prints, keychains, stickers, cute merchandise.
2. What sort of merchandise would you advise against selling? Stuff that costs a lot to make, or is hard to carry.
3. What sort of stuff sells best? Fanart does tend to sell better, but very well done original art can also sell if it plays to a wide audience. Small cute things if well executed.
4. Where would you suggest going to get things printed? Online print stores offer more variety and sometimes better quality, but you run into the risk of waiting for your order and you need to have your files ready a lot earlier.... so I usually just do the local printing places :/... kinko's is expensive, costco/staples is cheaper... I actually print everything 8.5x11 and smaller myself cuz I have a nice photo printer.
5. If printing at home, what preparations should one make? LOTS OF INK AND PAPER. And do it early in case you run into printer troubles.
6. How far in advance should one have one's merchandise finished? ... a day or two is enough imo XD.... I usually pull all-nighters though >_>
7. Anything else? Don't count on the printing people at staples or wherever to be too bright... have everything labeled with the size and number of copies... make written instructions if necessary! @_@;; Also bring a disk drive of your files to the convention in case you need to reprint.

Part C- At the Con:
1. How early should one arrive to be sure of reserving a good table? As early as you can?
2. When setting up one's table, what sort of layout would you suggest? A binder, and a vertical stand of some sort so you can put up your prints for easier view from afar... (you can also double side the prints you put up so people who are walking behind your tables can see them too).
3. There are some pretty bratty congoers out there. How would you suggest dealing with assholes? smile and nod?
4. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. What issues should one be prepared for when running a table at the Artists alley? inept staff. Seriously. No one knows where the alley is or what the rules are. Be prepared to argue for yourself >3>;; I actually got locked out of the alley at Otakon because they locked the doors early -__-;;
5. Anything else? Have friends nearby so you can have them watch your table while you go grab lunch or wander around ... also bring snacks and water... AND DONT FORGET TO HAVE FUN biggrin

[0000loser00000]

Mmm... I've got a couple of questions for those of you who have gotten tables before~~

Now, I've only been to two conventions before [[AX&&Kumoricon 2006]], and this year I've got a table at Kumoricon.

I'm planning on selling a few prints, but I'm making the main focus of my merchandise sculptures.

So, I was wondering if you think these'll sell good, or not so good.

Also, I can't decide on my prices... I'm thinking somewhere between $5-10, but I don't wanna overcharge or anything. sweatdrop

These are what they look like--->
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/60393108/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/60194887/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/60244279/

They stand about 3-4 inches tall including the height of the base.