After wrapping up things from the convention a couple weeks ago, I conducted a little business research (mobile credit card readers, online marketing & sales, etc.), to see how I could keep improving things. Then I resumed work on previous projects I’ve mentioned–Aerth (board game) and Detective Butler (visual novel), for instance. Now that I am slowly getting back into the swing of things, I am thinking about how to incorporate a few other projects–one new book collaboration and two other stories that really ought to come off the backburner–in a balanced way. This might end up being as simple as giving each one 15 minutes of attention a day (because once I commit that little amount of time, it’s easier to continue longer or to stop if it feels forced), or maybe alternate projects every day. At the same time, I sometimes feel that by spreading out so many projects at once, very little progress is made on all fronts. Game plan to be determined.

If you have not yet read about my adventures at Kawa Kon 2016, click here to read that post. (Or if you are already on the Captain’s Log page, scroll down 1 post.)

For my next post, I’m thinking about writing an explanation of how I design tiles for Aerth. A couple people have also been interested in a compendium of all the little things I’ve hid in Cartage. Is there anything you would like to see or to read about? Feel free to share your ideas by commenting below.

This is Genevieve, reporting back from Kawa Kon 2016! After last year’s anime convention, I had a lot of ideas and improvements to implement. Alliteration almost always intended. Knowing what to expect, I felt more prepared this year. For example,

1. Books: Last year, I was racing to finish a book before the con (and didn’t–too many things to revise); this year, I finished (Cartage.)

2. Display: Last year, I wasn’t certain how I wanted to display anything; this year, I already had an idea–and new, laminated signage. No big paintings or anything behind me this time; the vendor space was too small for that.

3. Commissions: This was the biggest surprise last year; I hadn’t known attendees often request commissions at conventions, so I was pleasantly surprised when asked to do one. The bigger surprise: these are generally same-day commissions–a kid makes a request and picks up the completed art later. I hadn’t brought any drawing supplies with me, and I didn’t know who the character was, so I expected to do it overnight. (Fortunately, she was a multi-day con attendee.) As it happened, the girl was worried about having enough money to pay me at the con, so we arranged for a mail exchange afterward: she sent me a check; I sent her a drawing.

This year, I was ready! I brought drawing supplies and had upgraded to a snark (smart) phone so I could look up characters. Below: my one commission: Fenris (left) and Cole from Dragon Age.

4. Cosplay (Costumes): Like many people, I enjoy dressing up as characters for these events. Last year, I wore my May outfit (black & orange pirate garb from Guilty Gear) on Saturday, the longest day, and spent way too much time pushing my hat back up my forehead. This year, I wore a different costume without a hat (Yato from Noragami), and my pants–which I had never worn before–were super comfortable!

I am very grateful for increased activity this year. To compare, last year on Friday (the first day), I sold one 3″ Pandagram painting for $2. That was it. I was so grateful! This year on day one, I sold almost enough to pay off the table fee. Saturday and Sunday saw even more sales. (Well, only 50 cents more on Sunday, but Saturday was fabulous!) It was much busier for me, partly because of the vendor space: smaller space, fewer artists, more attention. Also, I was placed near an entrance, rather than a far corner. Some people remembered me from last year, too. 1 individual said he had seen Pandagrams last year but hadn’t any money then. (I’m also glad for continuing connections from last year; in fact, one of the couples I talked with several times last year had a booth across from mine.)

After the dealer’s room closed, I had the opportunity to attend evening events. A group called Lonely Mountain performed; they do bluegrassy/mountain music, and most of their works set J. R. R. Tolkien’s poetry to original music. I also attended the cosplay masquerade; it’s fun and inspiring to see people’s costumes/handiwork.

All in all, Kawa Kon 2016 was great! If you have questions about anything I mentioned (or didn’t), please comment below so everyone can read my response!

A year ago today marks my first day hosting an art booth at an anime convention (Kawa Kon 2015). Today, as many days before, I am in the midst of preparations for the next one (Kawak Kon 2016). This year’s convention is a bit later than last year’s: March 18-20, a little less than 2 weeks away. The first big item of preparation  for this year was getting Cartage printed (check it out!) Since then I’ve focused on preparing elements of the booth display: laminating Pandagrams, creating signs, organizing and pricing artwork, etc.

I’ll post again in about 2 and a half weeks to share how this year’s convention goes.