Artists Alley Information Thread

Selling at Cons is best during the...

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[Vicemage]

Starre257

I'm sorry if I'm not supposed to ask this here... but my friends and I are going to get a table at a small convention near where they live (they live pretty far away from me). The thing is, I don't think I'm good enough. And I wouldn't tell them this, but I don't think most of them are good enough either. Should we still get the table for experience, or for the hope that we'll improve between now and then (it's in January), or should we just not get it?

If I waited until I thought I was at the level of the other artists, or "good enough," I probably still wouldn't be doing tables, to be honest. Every artist is their own worst critic (well, in general anyway); sometimes you just have to jump feet-first into the pool and do your best! If you don't do well, take what you learn from the weekend and use it again next time, but go out, try it and have fun!

Rosealee: I can never emphasize talking enough... not counting the last con I did (where the whole Alley was cursed, I swear), my worst single day of sales was also the day I somehow came down with laryngitis. ^^

[mimi5x104]

Thanx U ! heart

[[Kako]]

Legal Bump!

[R a i r e n]

so my local con is in a day, I'll let you know how it goes D:

I DOUBT I WILL BREAK EVEN LOL I spent a little too much on getting materials I didn't have that I needed.. But at least in future years I'll be able to make it back?

[[Kako]]

Well, as long as you don't go totally into debt I don't see not breaking even as a big deal. smile You'll be getting experience and exposure as an artist, and both of those are invaluable.

[Hi no Neko]

OH MAN, THIS BUMP IS SO LEGAL! :[]

Artist Alley, Artist Alley!

[[Kako]]

Legal bump!

[Moe SahChan]

Rosealee

This is a great thread! That being said..there is one thing about artist alley that has always bothered me (and it worth mentioning).

As an artist, I am observing the behavior of other artist who have tables at these convention. Most seem to be very enclosed - as in..they don't interact with the people who visit their table. Some don't even look up (understandable at some lengths if your sketching - however eye contact / lifting your head / acknowledging the visitors is important).

TALKING with people is important. This is your chance to get VALUABLE input about what people think of your artwork. Not only that but it makes your art more personable to the people who buy your work and it increases your reputation.

People love knowing the history behind a piece - how it was made - what inspires you - what artists you enjoy - etc.
Bonus: They feel more inclined to purchase.

Part of being prepared is being ready to talk about your work. So start practicing. You need to learn to be social in the art world.

On the flip side of the extreme - I have ran across people who act as car salesmen with their work. MAJOR TURN OFF. People don't want to be sold on a piece or feel its being forced..a good salesman knows that the costumer either already feels incline to buy a piece or not - it's just giving them the extra push/smoozing.

Just sharing my experiences as an artist. If you are truly serious about being a successful artist you want people to remember your artwork. You want them to remember you. People talk. People spread the word (and I have gotten a lot of my business through word of mouth). These people are your patrons. And you want repeat business!

Summarize: Your behavior and how you come off to other people is important. So start understanding how you are interacting with your audience and those who enjoy your work.

Quoted for emphasis/truth. Also, to add in, it's way more fun when you talk to people. ^^ If you sketch/draw all day, it can be a huge drag, and some human interaction will kind of ease that.

One of the most memorable artists at my last con was a Naruto cosplayer with the greatest personality ever. She was in-character without even trying, and was so bubbly and sweet that I was kicking myself for not having money to buy her stuff. D: Her art could've been better, but I think she sold really well.

[R a i r e n]

Part A- Getting the table:
1. How many months in advance do conventions usually release tables, in your experience? my con released table reg when they released their pre reg registration, about 7-8 months ahead of actual con days.

2. How much does a table usually cost? It was $40 for a full table, $20 for half.

3. How quickly are the tables reserved? Pretty fast, but that depends on the con and how big it is. I was able to get mine without any trouble~

4. What complications should one be prepared for? I guess only complications would be that you shouldn't get a table and then back out later / find out you can't attend the con, make sure you are able to?

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

I would say that you should be decent enough to be able to draw decent proportions and color correctly. However you could always get away with just doing chibi art...

Part B- Preparing to sell:
1. What sort of merchandise would you advise selling? prints, bookmarks, keychains, stickers, and if you have time and are good at sewing: hats.

2. What sort of merchandise would you advise against selling? canvas paintings, sculptures, anything big and bulky.

3. What sort of stuff sells best? bookmarks and prints. people tend to buy those more because they can use or put them up in their room.

4. Where would you suggest going to get things printed? I printed mine at home, but my table mate got hers printed at Staples and they came out really nice. (Course she knows someone who works at staples who has a discount)

5. If printing at home, what preparations should one make? Have enough ink, paper, and spare time. Be prepared to mess up a couple sheets, I know I did. Make sure your pics are in CMYK lol.

6. How far in advance should one have one's merchandise finished? Well, I'd recommend at least a week before, but aha I was up doing things til the last minute.. (But that's only okay for me, since I need to do things last minute or else I worry even more.)

7. Anything else? Don't oversleep.

Part C- At the Con:
1. How early should one arrive to be sure of reserving a good table? Well my con had placements for the people who reserved a table, but sure ppl could always change the names around but yeah..

2. When setting up one's table, what sort of layout would you suggest? Prints on the outer part of the table, don't put too many similar colored prints near each other (spread them out) Group similar sizes together.

3. There are some pretty bratty congoers out there. How would you suggest dealing with assholes? I didn't really meet any super bratty ones, however there were some that just looked angry all the time which scared me.. so I didn't try to talk to them D:

4. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. What issues should one be prepared for when running a table at the Artists alley? Running out of change, needing someone to watch your table, things falling off the edge of the table..

5. Anything else? MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE OTHER ARTISTS AROUND, if they're cool you could exchange art!


+How many prints should I have? More than 4, (not in number of actual prints of different sizes, but of the design)

+Should I have a display? you don't NEED a display, since people do well just having their prints on the table, but usually having a display attracts people from far away.

+Should I have numbered prints? if it's easier for you and if you have enough, but it's not really needed either. it might actually make you seem less attached to your art because it'd be like your selling them like fast food..

+What sort of prices are people usually willing to pay, IN GENERAL? Of course this depends on how good you are, but usually 4x6 prints shouldn't be more than $4 or $5, 5x7 - $6 or $7, 8x11 - $8 to $10.

Sometimes 8x11 should only be $5 too.

+Glossy or matte paper? Personally, I like matte paper because the color looks more like how it is on the computer, since for some reason glossy makes my stuff kinda more yellow. But that depends on the paper. Glossy is nice too because it's shinnnnnny.

[[Kako]]

Thanks for filling out the form! How was the con?

[R a i r e n]

it was fun biggrin

i'm totally an artist alley seller addict now tho D: WILL BE DOING THIS FOR A LONG LONG TIME woooo

[[Kako]]

Really? Wow, it must've been a good alley. X3 I'm not sure if I want to go back again, after the pushy people and hot sun and noise and having my table shoved into my ribs repeatedly. XD

[R a i r e n]

ahaha

i guess i didn't enjoy carting my stuff up and down the stairs (there wasn't a ramp ANYWHERE) ... and bringing prints in the rain even tho i had a case for them D: