Things I learned at Con
This was my first Convention ever - ever ever! And I didn't really want to set any must-do's or time limits I just went. With friends :)
I did however want to set some Must Have's so I didn't spend money all crazy like. This was a good ground rule. So...
Rule #1
Plan your money spending or you will see so much stuff you will want to buy it all!
that being said you should be open to seeing something completely awesome that steals your heart and grab it because you may never see it again. And ask the vendor if they mind holding on to it for an hour or so to think about it (or to check out other vendors for price differences!) I did this with my sweet sweet ASM#42 first full appearance of Mary Jane Watson! Asking never hurts :) And try to remember what you can and cannot get outside of Con because this is a condensed market - you could probably find it cheaper outside of con if its not original art...
Rule #2
Original art is awesome. Buy it.
it's so awesome to find something that you fall in love with like my print of Spidey swinging over Toronto by a local art student from Sheridan College:
It was 12.50$! Score!
Rule # 3
Shoes. Apparel and costumes. Be mindful of the crowds
I noticed that the cosplayers were not so much upstairs in the buying/crazy area and it led me to think that they are in their "Civies" until the masquerade ball (later at night) and that only easily managed costumes like skin tight Phoenix suits and such are what made it upstairs. Remember: crowds are the only thing you can count on (and line ups dear god line ups!* see below) So wear things that you won't get cramps/blisters in. But geek out! This is the land of Nerd! I didn't know half the anime people cosplayers or that big weird robot guy (who was infact the most hilarious thing I witnessed: he was about 4.5ft wide and 6 ft tall and he kept saying "Sorry" with a huge sad face as he tried and failed to walk through the crowds! He should know by now that Rule#3 dictates to be mindful of crowds!) But if you do dress up you will be stopped every 5 ft for your photo! that's why I chose MJ Watson - red head in a black shirt and jeans? Only those hardcore Spidey Fans will know who I am - others will just see a red head in lipstick walk by ;)
Rule #4
Be prepared to WAIT in LINES - yes plural LINES
LOOOOOOONG ass line ups - line ups to LINE UP at one point. So grab some java and wait it out.
Rule #5
By a pass to get into stuff
Now I didn't do this because it was my first con but I'm pretty sure that I want to do this next year because it would be a new thing to experience. There were many "pass holders only" areas that I didn't know existed. So live and learn.
Rule #6
Bring snacks. Food there sucketh.
There was pizza, hot dogs, crappy coffee (with no soy or lactose free milk) and a mirage of a sushi vendor who vanished when I tried to find it again later. Weird. Oh and this brings me to my next rule...
Rule #7
Don't believe them when they say there is Re-Entry. Like the cake, it is a lie.
Make nice with the security guards. They can make your life hell when trying to re-enter. We narrowly escaped non-re-entry since when leaving a secret side entrance through the hotel I said "I only have this cheesy stamp thats fading - can I get back in?"
"Ya that should be fine." says security guard girl
"But its like - faded and crappy?"
"Fine" STAMP STAMP STAMP (yes she stamps my arms three times all the way up my arm!
"There ya go you're fine now!"
And since that interaction was so unique she remembered us that when we came back from lunch and her station was no longer taking non- VIP people back she smiled and let me and my group back in :) horray for sticking out like a sore thumb!!
Rule #8
Friends are awesome - but texting will keep you together.
We lost/found/lost/found each other over and over throughout the course of the day. Remember to charge your phone (AND CAMERA!) fully. It will be so helpful.
Rule #9
Game. It's a fun way to sit.
Now that I am completely wrecked from a day of Con and then prior to that a day of buskerfest - take a seat when you can - it is glorious to sit down! And what better way to do that then game on the first floor?! It also helped that I knew some people in the games room and that friends came with me to play said games - but it is a fantastic way to not go crazy on your feet all day long. Next time I will break up my day accordingly with some sit down game sessions just to rest!
Rule #10
Go with someone who has Con'd before!
Thanks to my lovely companions - Phil, Daisy, and Tammy - I never felt lost or overwhelmed. Thanks to you all!
that's about it.
I gathered some links from the Con of artists and things I liked:
http://blog.inkskratch.com/ Eric Kim whom I bought a Shakespeare book from - hilarious and talented artist!
http://bizarremonolith.daportfolio.com/ Miko - the guy who made my awesome Spidey Print
http://artoflaurieb.com/ artist who I think I have to buy from but didn't at the Con
http://www.heroes-in-tights.com/ a place I think I may have to purchase some tights from some day ;)
http://www.cuminga.com/ artist who I think I have to buy a spidey print from
http://rayfawkes.com/ I could NOT put down "Possessions" by him!!
So yes!
Next year - maybe Rogue will go to Con...
;)
I did however want to set some Must Have's so I didn't spend money all crazy like. This was a good ground rule. So...
Rule #1
Plan your money spending or you will see so much stuff you will want to buy it all!
that being said you should be open to seeing something completely awesome that steals your heart and grab it because you may never see it again. And ask the vendor if they mind holding on to it for an hour or so to think about it (or to check out other vendors for price differences!) I did this with my sweet sweet ASM#42 first full appearance of Mary Jane Watson! Asking never hurts :) And try to remember what you can and cannot get outside of Con because this is a condensed market - you could probably find it cheaper outside of con if its not original art...
Rule #2
Original art is awesome. Buy it.
it's so awesome to find something that you fall in love with like my print of Spidey swinging over Toronto by a local art student from Sheridan College:
It was 12.50$! Score!
Rule # 3
Shoes. Apparel and costumes. Be mindful of the crowds
I noticed that the cosplayers were not so much upstairs in the buying/crazy area and it led me to think that they are in their "Civies" until the masquerade ball (later at night) and that only easily managed costumes like skin tight Phoenix suits and such are what made it upstairs. Remember: crowds are the only thing you can count on (and line ups dear god line ups!* see below) So wear things that you won't get cramps/blisters in. But geek out! This is the land of Nerd! I didn't know half the anime people cosplayers or that big weird robot guy (who was infact the most hilarious thing I witnessed: he was about 4.5ft wide and 6 ft tall and he kept saying "Sorry" with a huge sad face as he tried and failed to walk through the crowds! He should know by now that Rule#3 dictates to be mindful of crowds!) But if you do dress up you will be stopped every 5 ft for your photo! that's why I chose MJ Watson - red head in a black shirt and jeans? Only those hardcore Spidey Fans will know who I am - others will just see a red head in lipstick walk by ;)
Rule #4
Be prepared to WAIT in LINES - yes plural LINES
LOOOOOOONG ass line ups - line ups to LINE UP at one point. So grab some java and wait it out.
Rule #5
By a pass to get into stuff
Now I didn't do this because it was my first con but I'm pretty sure that I want to do this next year because it would be a new thing to experience. There were many "pass holders only" areas that I didn't know existed. So live and learn.
Rule #6
Bring snacks. Food there sucketh.
There was pizza, hot dogs, crappy coffee (with no soy or lactose free milk) and a mirage of a sushi vendor who vanished when I tried to find it again later. Weird. Oh and this brings me to my next rule...
Rule #7
Don't believe them when they say there is Re-Entry. Like the cake, it is a lie.
Make nice with the security guards. They can make your life hell when trying to re-enter. We narrowly escaped non-re-entry since when leaving a secret side entrance through the hotel I said "I only have this cheesy stamp thats fading - can I get back in?"
"Ya that should be fine." says security guard girl
"But its like - faded and crappy?"
"Fine" STAMP STAMP STAMP (yes she stamps my arms three times all the way up my arm!
"There ya go you're fine now!"
And since that interaction was so unique she remembered us that when we came back from lunch and her station was no longer taking non- VIP people back she smiled and let me and my group back in :) horray for sticking out like a sore thumb!!
Rule #8
Friends are awesome - but texting will keep you together.
We lost/found/lost/found each other over and over throughout the course of the day. Remember to charge your phone (AND CAMERA!) fully. It will be so helpful.
Rule #9
Game. It's a fun way to sit.
Now that I am completely wrecked from a day of Con and then prior to that a day of buskerfest - take a seat when you can - it is glorious to sit down! And what better way to do that then game on the first floor?! It also helped that I knew some people in the games room and that friends came with me to play said games - but it is a fantastic way to not go crazy on your feet all day long. Next time I will break up my day accordingly with some sit down game sessions just to rest!
Rule #10
Go with someone who has Con'd before!
Thanks to my lovely companions - Phil, Daisy, and Tammy - I never felt lost or overwhelmed. Thanks to you all!
that's about it.
I gathered some links from the Con of artists and things I liked:
http://blog.inkskratch.com/ Eric Kim whom I bought a Shakespeare book from - hilarious and talented artist!
http://bizarremonolith.daportfolio.com/ Miko - the guy who made my awesome Spidey Print
http://artoflaurieb.com/ artist who I think I have to buy from but didn't at the Con
http://www.heroes-in-tights.com/ a place I think I may have to purchase some tights from some day ;)
http://www.cuminga.com/ artist who I think I have to buy a spidey print from
http://rayfawkes.com/ I could NOT put down "Possessions" by him!!
So yes!
Next year - maybe Rogue will go to Con...
;)