BJDs, ETC.--GenCon 2007
Back from GenCon (game & other media con) in Indianapolis. I've been going there for a gazillion years (well, at least a dozen consecutive years) to pick up free-lance jobs and hawk my wares to make some money. But last year and this year I've also been working some BJDs into the whole crazy, chaotic business, as well. There wasn't an official meet-up, but just to prove that BJDs are becoming more popular, there were people with them who dropped by my table--and I managed to bring my little ones, at least!
As always, I was totally unprepared... sending six files off to a chromira print service--and having them shipped directly to the hotel because of the tight turn-around. And didn't have time to mat anything or make a sign... In fact, I forgot a sign entirely and had to make one while I was there... gah... Oh, well...
In my haste, I accidentally over-wrote a file I was working on, free-lance--that was due right after GenCon, so out of guilt and worry, I packed up my huge, heavy (and occasionally blue-screening) desk-top replacement laptop (my only computer!) and brought it along--with my other huge, heavy bags full of prints and artwork. That meant I had no room left for dolls!!! Oh, no!
But then I thought--I have Bambicronys!!! I wrapped them up quickly in a little fleece blanket and threw them into my carry-on... And we were off at 1am on the Red-Eye from LAX to DFW and on to Indy--for a 10am arrival. So fun not sleeping for a few days! Barely anyone was there at the Set-Up that early. I think I was the first person to arrive at the art show, aside from Barb and Diesel, who were running it. Diana and Heather didn't arrive until fairly late in the day... so part of the time I was lying across folding chairs behind my table being comatose except for the fact that people seem to love to talk to people who are lying down with their eyes closed... When I was sitting up--no interruptions at all! *sigh*
Anyway--had fun despite the sleep-deprivation, seeing old acquaintances and friends who were also all hot and sweaty and busy setting up their booths... Finally hooked up with my hotel-mates and we went off to our usual dinner of baby-back ribs at Champs.
Thurday we got up bright and early--hit Shula's at the Westin for an expensive, but good, breakfast and got into the Exhibit Hall by 8am. Sales were pretty brisk. There seemed to be more people than last year (which I heard was a bit of a down year for everyone).
nenethomas's husband Steve stopped by and gave me a MS of the book they've been working on--he also checked in on me all week to see if I needed anything... as did hbruton (Thank You- Thank You!). For once, we were all in the same section of the Exhibit Hall.
My Misty Blue Kumi, Snowdrop and my Light Slate Gray Pepe, Nightshade, got to pose around my table during the lulls...
I made her top out of trimming and the skirt is a hair-tie from Claire's, shoes from Luts, wig from Purple Puppet sold by luares on DoA--
Nightshade is wearing a shirt I made, plus a sword from a Dragon/Cyworld type figure--
Going to GenCon for about as long as I have are my hotel-roomies, the wonderful and talented dhstein---
... and hbruton, who share a terrific booth full of artwork in the Exhibit Hall--
Thursday night we just had Chinese takeout delivered to our room. I got to work on my laptop and Diana and Heather worked on some great commissioned sketches.
Friday was Very Slow, business-wise for me... I should have taken time away from my table to shop, but was feeling sleepy, I guess, so I didn't... I did have time to read a bit of the MS, and to do a sketch for fiawol... which I had meant to do for him sometime during the past ten years... *sigh*
So I played a bit with my dolls--
Heather and Diana arranged for Ruth Thompson and Stephanie Pui-Mun Law to come over for more Chinese Take-Out for dinner. Fabulous artists, and terrific fun to hang out with...
Here's Ruth's website, if you're interested--
http://www.tarnishedimages.com/default1.htm
And Stephanie's--
http://www.shadowscapes.com/
Here she is at her booth--
I didn't get away enough to take any photos of the con, sadly, even though there were some great-looking booths! But I was over buying a few things from Stephanie while I had my camera... on the way to the Refreshment stand to grab some lunch on my few escapes from the table...
Saturday was craziness!!! Busy-busy-busy... lots of Magic and L5R cards to sign and play-mats to sketch in...
And some dollies stopped by with their owners to see my kids!
Sorry--my memory of names just sucks big-time... but wow, I loved the wig color with the lovely peach accents on this pretty girl---
And these next two came together--a mini in a pretty Ren-Faire-like outfit--
And a cute tiny who posed with my kids--
And then this sweet boy! I just love his face! ...Heather and Diana sent keicaidoll and her Winter over to see me--
And a lovely L5R-ish costume--
There was an artists dinner and art show reception, but I was being anti-social (and I did need to do some work)--and I can never spend too much time hanging out with Heather and Diana... so I bailed and we just did Room Service for a nice, quiet night in!
Sunday was pretty busy, too... People doing last-minute shopping. I actually sold a few originals, which was nice, even though I had discounted them, since I've got so many lying about taking up space and GenCon is pretty much the only show to sell them at!
My table in the Art Show section--which was in the center-front of the Exhibit Hall this year--a prime location.
And Heather and Diana in their booth, again--
The Hall closed at 4pm and I had to quickly throw everything into my suitcases, trying not to go over the 50lb. limit. I let Mark Poole's two lovely kids choose a couple of my prints, since they'd been across the aisle from me and were so friendly. Said some quick 'good-byes' to folk and headed out to catch a cab to the airport: Another GenCon in the bag!
After all these years, yeah, I'm a bit less excited than I was in the old days, but it's still a rush going to see my friends and all the artists and artwork... and see what's new out... and talk to the players and fans and buyers (so necessary in order to provide the right kind of artwork!!!). So of course I'm looking forward to next year already--even as exhausted as I am.
The plane was delayed, so making the transfer at Dallas was a sprint--but I made it!!!
Now... need to get back to work on the stuff that was due today! Yikes! *____*
As always, I was totally unprepared... sending six files off to a chromira print service--and having them shipped directly to the hotel because of the tight turn-around. And didn't have time to mat anything or make a sign... In fact, I forgot a sign entirely and had to make one while I was there... gah... Oh, well...
In my haste, I accidentally over-wrote a file I was working on, free-lance--that was due right after GenCon, so out of guilt and worry, I packed up my huge, heavy (and occasionally blue-screening) desk-top replacement laptop (my only computer!) and brought it along--with my other huge, heavy bags full of prints and artwork. That meant I had no room left for dolls!!! Oh, no!
But then I thought--I have Bambicronys!!! I wrapped them up quickly in a little fleece blanket and threw them into my carry-on... And we were off at 1am on the Red-Eye from LAX to DFW and on to Indy--for a 10am arrival. So fun not sleeping for a few days! Barely anyone was there at the Set-Up that early. I think I was the first person to arrive at the art show, aside from Barb and Diesel, who were running it. Diana and Heather didn't arrive until fairly late in the day... so part of the time I was lying across folding chairs behind my table being comatose except for the fact that people seem to love to talk to people who are lying down with their eyes closed... When I was sitting up--no interruptions at all! *sigh*
Anyway--had fun despite the sleep-deprivation, seeing old acquaintances and friends who were also all hot and sweaty and busy setting up their booths... Finally hooked up with my hotel-mates and we went off to our usual dinner of baby-back ribs at Champs.
Thurday we got up bright and early--hit Shula's at the Westin for an expensive, but good, breakfast and got into the Exhibit Hall by 8am. Sales were pretty brisk. There seemed to be more people than last year (which I heard was a bit of a down year for everyone).
nenethomas's husband Steve stopped by and gave me a MS of the book they've been working on--he also checked in on me all week to see if I needed anything... as did hbruton (Thank You- Thank You!). For once, we were all in the same section of the Exhibit Hall.
My Misty Blue Kumi, Snowdrop and my Light Slate Gray Pepe, Nightshade, got to pose around my table during the lulls...
I made her top out of trimming and the skirt is a hair-tie from Claire's, shoes from Luts, wig from Purple Puppet sold by luares on DoA--
Nightshade is wearing a shirt I made, plus a sword from a Dragon/Cyworld type figure--
Going to GenCon for about as long as I have are my hotel-roomies, the wonderful and talented dhstein---
... and hbruton, who share a terrific booth full of artwork in the Exhibit Hall--
Thursday night we just had Chinese takeout delivered to our room. I got to work on my laptop and Diana and Heather worked on some great commissioned sketches.
Friday was Very Slow, business-wise for me... I should have taken time away from my table to shop, but was feeling sleepy, I guess, so I didn't... I did have time to read a bit of the MS, and to do a sketch for fiawol... which I had meant to do for him sometime during the past ten years... *sigh*
So I played a bit with my dolls--
Heather and Diana arranged for Ruth Thompson and Stephanie Pui-Mun Law to come over for more Chinese Take-Out for dinner. Fabulous artists, and terrific fun to hang out with...
Here's Ruth's website, if you're interested--
http://www.tarnishedimages.com/default1.htm
And Stephanie's--
http://www.shadowscapes.com/
Here she is at her booth--
I didn't get away enough to take any photos of the con, sadly, even though there were some great-looking booths! But I was over buying a few things from Stephanie while I had my camera... on the way to the Refreshment stand to grab some lunch on my few escapes from the table...
Saturday was craziness!!! Busy-busy-busy... lots of Magic and L5R cards to sign and play-mats to sketch in...
And some dollies stopped by with their owners to see my kids!
Sorry--my memory of names just sucks big-time... but wow, I loved the wig color with the lovely peach accents on this pretty girl---
And these next two came together--a mini in a pretty Ren-Faire-like outfit--
And a cute tiny who posed with my kids--
And then this sweet boy! I just love his face! ...Heather and Diana sent keicaidoll and her Winter over to see me--
And a lovely L5R-ish costume--
There was an artists dinner and art show reception, but I was being anti-social (and I did need to do some work)--and I can never spend too much time hanging out with Heather and Diana... so I bailed and we just did Room Service for a nice, quiet night in!
Sunday was pretty busy, too... People doing last-minute shopping. I actually sold a few originals, which was nice, even though I had discounted them, since I've got so many lying about taking up space and GenCon is pretty much the only show to sell them at!
My table in the Art Show section--which was in the center-front of the Exhibit Hall this year--a prime location.
And Heather and Diana in their booth, again--
The Hall closed at 4pm and I had to quickly throw everything into my suitcases, trying not to go over the 50lb. limit. I let Mark Poole's two lovely kids choose a couple of my prints, since they'd been across the aisle from me and were so friendly. Said some quick 'good-byes' to folk and headed out to catch a cab to the airport: Another GenCon in the bag!
After all these years, yeah, I'm a bit less excited than I was in the old days, but it's still a rush going to see my friends and all the artists and artwork... and see what's new out... and talk to the players and fans and buyers (so necessary in order to provide the right kind of artwork!!!). So of course I'm looking forward to next year already--even as exhausted as I am.
The plane was delayed, so making the transfer at Dallas was a sprint--but I made it!!!
Now... need to get back to work on the stuff that was due today! Yikes! *____*