THE COMICON ADVENTURESSSS

I'm finally actually making a journal about this thing... hahha about time.

I actually have gotten some questions about how it went, so thanks for those watchers that actually showed interest in how my experience there as an exhibitor went! like that one person on Joinmechat! thank you. I thought no one cared heh. so it means a lot guys thanks.

SOOOOO uh, back a while, back a while on the 5th of June through the 8th, there was this wondrous occasion I was preparing for for about a year, and thus only ONE reason why all the fanart in my gallery, one reason, not all, and obviously it was Pheonix Comicon. :V This would be my third time to comicon and my first time as an exhibitor, and I really had little to no idea what I was expecting, and boy it was awesome! and very tiring! but first I'll start off with the beginning of beginnings, hmm yes. and by beginning I mean a few weeks before Con.


Like a lot of cosplayers scrambling around to get their costumes done (whiicchh I was one of those people) I was doing the same to get paper work, prints, supplies, change, cosplays, and so on and so forth before the convention. and MAN! The FREAKING FREAKIng freaking FREAK! Alphagraghics was the place that I went too for my prints right? never going there again, everytime I've gone there, say with my friend Hannah to get the rp books done, they always mess up at LEAST once and this time it was no different. I ordered I think on the 5th of may and got everything like freaking only a few days before con on like the first of June! when it should have only taken a few days to a week at most, at least according to those fine people. So a whole month before con, and they KEPT messing up my order! I had 22 pictures, and I ordered 8 of them to have 25 prints each, while the rest would be 20 prints each of each picture, Matte paper, none gloss, full color, and sizes depended on each one. Well!.... they got the color right, to a point... and the sizes... and the number of prints each eehhh sorta. They couldn't even email me for some reason mrrr so I had to keep calling them which was a bit of a pain because their hours seriously conflict with mine. but oh well, so When I got my prints, because of delays that they had due to someone messing up on the printer machine at the store, I got my prints, and I was really happy at first! but with further inspection I realized that heh well, for some odd reason cyan didn't seem to like to come out on their printers, and my Dark Zero Suite SAMUS picture is like... basically monochromatic with that color so it seriously trashed the picture, so I voiced my concerns to them and they said they understood and tried to fix it but they couldn't. XC and I'm not talking about a little discoloration, like I wasn't being nitpicky on this, it seriously was a different picture bleck! Well the rest of the pictures were pretty fine, but after counting some pictures they didn't give me all of the quantity I ordered on some of my pints, so I had to call them baacckkk  agaiinn and I'm not experienced at this at all! and GUH mrrr, They printed all of my prints on Photopaper...... siigghh.. oh well soo I took it anyways mrr because they took so long and I needed material of course! I'd have to say though what really sucked the most though was the waiting process, for my prints, my display grids, and the business cards I had to order and makng sure everything was good an that I had things to prop up my pictures with, because when you wait you can't keep preparing until the people you are waiting on are done with their job, yeah the worst. I was very limited but pretty prepared I would say for my first con when all said an done.

I also was haha like sewing the night before con to get my Fado costume done, but sadly enough I made a miscalculasion on the sleeves and messed it up and ran out of material! GAAH!!!! SOOOOO unfortunetally, I was only Ciel for the convention, which.... was still kinda really awesome because I really adored that outfit a lot! made me feel... Fanccyy~~~~

BUT ANYWAYS I'M NOT GONNA COMPLAIN ANYMORE!!!!

SO hahah day before con was pretty neato! my buddy Forrest helped me out with this convention and stuff, and so he mainly served as my transportation, and so we go there and everyone is setting up and it is SO weird to like.... I mean DUDE! LiKE!!!.... see what everything looks like before everything is set up, and you aren't just there but you look around at the artists, both big and small, experienced and new like me, and it's just like.... DUDE... I'M ONE OF THEM!!! I'm one of these cool freaks that make up the con! I am apart of the convention that gives to it and make it possible as an exhibitor! 8D DUDE what a feeling man! And so, I don't know how to make sales, I've never been like a salesman-lady or something ever and I wanted to know how to be successful, so after, on the first day of the con when everyone is setting up and it' a few hours before the con actually starts, I go around looking at prices to get an idea what people will expect as a price range, and I ask around and talk to the my neighbors and some artists at the con to get some tips, and everyone was pretty nice! I learned a ton! listening to everything they had to say and writing down scribbles on my mental brain notepad in my head. Very helpful.

So con began and heh... heh.. well! let me tell ya... IIIIII REAALLYYYY underestimated how busy you would be at con! like HOLY FREAKING CHEESE NUBS!!! serisouly! when I was just a dude person nerd walking around the two times before, I would see some artists looking bored out of their minds waiting for someone to walk up saying "HEY I LIKE YOUR ART!!!" only to have them walk away and not buy anything, or buy, either or, but man like, NO! Not how it is at all! it was a constant GO GO GO GO GO !!!! even on Thursday which is the weakest day of con, the slowest and least amount of people roaming around in their cloaks and scantily clad outfits I was still crazy busy. Or I thought until... the day after when there was more people. By the  time Friday ended, I was kinda terrified of Saturday because that is the biggest and most popular day 8< I was constantly drawing commission sketches and I got a pretty big waiting line for them, and faces coming and going, coming up to me and you have to engage them or they leave!!!! stop drawing, talking, getting the picture out and getting the money, Forrest and Connor helped which was nice. thanks guys! Man it was crazy go go go. but in a good way. Like haha I Didnt' even eat! Forrest, his brother and my friend Connor, and RJ and his brother would switch off days with our extra exhibitor pass, and they would just be like "... Alyssa. have you eaten anything today? it's 6 o'clock in the evening" "... no..." "...dude  :V"  (that's sorta how the conversation went) and Forrest got me food and I Would just nip at it through out the day, so bad haha I ate like maybe 5 chicken nuggets and a few fries through those four days I think hahaha. yeah HEALTHY! Just get so insane with focus on multitasking to the ultimate max of maxes. The original plan was that me and Forrest would take shifts, he'd watch over the table as I check out the con, and while I'm at the table he would check out the con. NO! NOOPPEEE!!!! The artist has always gottah be there. Phoenix comicon has really gotten bigger since my first time going in 2012, and there was a ton of panles and actors I would have love to meet, but heh nope. On the last day of Sunday, I LEFT my table for only 20 minutes, that was a mistake, because people want to meet the artist and so the table was silent, when I get back to the table suddenly people swarm haha. Oh well.


I'd really feel bad sometimes because some people would come back to the table and be like " REMEMBER ME 8D" and I'm just like "no I'm sorry I see a hundred faces a minute DX" However there was a few people I would start to recognize, and they would return back to say hi and it would always be nice to see them again XD I met a lot of really cool friendly people, it was awesome, I don't think I met any like rude or irritated people or something. AND This one chick, haha (I'm so sorry I have to call you out haha) but she (This awesome person  was cosplaying as none other than that fabulouse freak I'm so obsessed with, and we started talking of course, and she made mention that she recognized my Ghirahim Glorified picture and that she had seen it on Tumblr and this and that, and I said something along the lines that I was PikminAAA on Deviantart and SHE just STOPPED! like jaw open and like kinda leaned forwardly with her hand on the table like, "8O.... You're that artist?! That's YOU!? YOU'RE PIKMINAAA?!" BEST REACTION THING EVER!!!! it was So cool! like hahaha SOOO Awesome! that someone recognized my work and have heard of me, even though at the time it was really her friend that was more a fan of my work than her which is totally cool but it was SO awesome! I'd have to say out of one of the things that made that day (I think it was Friday?.... I can't remember, the days kind of mush in a pile), THAT really made my day! THE BEST!!!!

I also had a very conserved heart attack too... becaussseeee uuh, well lets just say at a convention the number one biggest issue there is theft, anndd umm my wallet went missing, which has like all of my valuables inside of it! SOOO 8U AAHHH!!!!! and I only realized that I didn't have it till after the night ended on thursday and all the night I was freaking out silently to myself hoping, preying that maybe the person who found it was like the One good person that would turn it into the lost and found and heh not take anything from it heh. I kept checking my bank account to see if someone used my card, and it didn't change, and I thought "oh maybe I left it in with my bag, or with the box of pictures under the table in the closed off exhibitor hall?... maybe?!" Friday comes and it isn't in either!!! AAHG!!! and I didn't have time to leave for the lost and found DX AAHH!!! So when I got home that night I checked my bank account and still there was no change so I didn't panic yet, just very very uneasy about it, and then saturday I finally checked the lost and found... just kinda awkwardly stepped up to the service guy and kinda mummbled "... hey dude umm... so uh.. rrm. this is a bit of a horrible thing to ask if you found it in the lost and found but, didn't you happen to come across a wallet?" "With a black buckle on it?" "YESSS 8U" and THERE WAS MY WALLET!!!! nothing taken out of it! YESSS!!!! safe!!!! GUUH!!! the relief was like an angelic choir raising up to the heavens. man! SIGH!!!! 8U So that was interesting!!!!

Before I got my prints I did a lot of searching and asking around on the internet and some places said 10 to 15, some said 15 to 20 of each print that you have, and well, I wanted to make sure I wouldn't run short, but not too much that I would waste money ya know on prints more than I would earn at con? so I got the 20 to 25 as I said above, and BOY AM I GLAD I GOT THAT MANY!!! because most pictures were shaven down. by the last day, I had sold out of several pictures. Wolf Link was the first to go, Chest Cavity, the next and then Spectrum M, Steampunk Link, Attack on Titan 'I won't leave you', mini Kirby, Mini portal, Hoothoot used Fly, were either sold out, or I had only like, one or two left by the time con ended, and some of the others got sold a lot too but not like those ones. So I pretty much had the perfect amount really, it was awesome! for my first convention I feel VERY SUCCESSFUL!!!! and SUPER happy with how it came out! I got to get a new laptop with my con money and still have half left! and the computer I am using now is not cheep! It'S GREAT!!!  Maybe next year I can get a new Violin finally! hahah who knows (I've been dying for one X<)


SOOOOOooo!!!! When the Exhibitor hall would close and I no longer could be at my table, that was NOT the end of my night,or at least for Friday and Saturday. (I didn't do this Sunday or Thursday) So, me and my friends Alex and Zach are in a little string Trio together, and we will play at parties, wedding receptions, wedding ceremonies,baby showers, for the elderly, or simply go busking, or in other words, we mainly are street performers, . and well I was alone this time without my buddies, and so when the Exhibitor hall closes, the con is still very much alive, but outside and among other buildings. Well! I decided to busk (play for tips on the street) of course, as Ciel. See... now last Con I played violin a little inside the con, but MAN!!!! does dressing up as a character who actually playes the Violin, and can pull him off to a slight extent! OH MAN! it grabbed people's attention like no other! especially when you are playing music from games, and movies, or even classical stuff that people really like and are fans of. People would come up and be like " OH MY GOSH!!! CIEL ACTUALLY PLAYING THE VIOLIN!!!!" and take pictures and videos and junk! it was awesome! In fact! I actually googled out of curiosity and I actually found this on someone's tumblr. --> CRAZY!  The camera really makes my violin sound scratchy and squeaky eewwww and heh I kinda messed up like 3 times, UNEXCUSABLE DX!!!, so I'm not super happy that this is the video that is on the web but hha oh well XD still super neato burritos, hahaha BUT! still awesome! but anyways FFFfffFFFFFF YES SO I'm experienced with playing on the streets, even when it's really busy, but I HAVE NEVERRRRR SEENNNNN so many tips in my case before ever! even when I put part of it away!!!! INSANE!!! AAH! Super cool, When I got home I was SOOO exhausted and I had no time to count all those ones and fives, and ffttt I even got some tens and TWO TWENTIES WHAAAA!!!??, so I just put it in a bag in my room to count in the morning only to say to my sister "This is literally a bag of money, don't touch it lol" "what?! hahah ok" "thanks" haha, I did the same thing the next day and man was it a blast. I got so many tips on my own in a few hours that when I was playing, I made mention that I was kinda dying of thirst, and haha as a tip, some people got me a water bottle, and a lemonade, and at that point especially I'd rather take the water over a one dollar bill anyday WHEW!!!! 

because it was hot, and when you play, no body thinks of this because Violin doesn't take air to play obviously, but when you play the violin, and actually... like... actually play it, you breath with your instrument and you don't swallow when you play, and so your throat gets SUPER dry and you'll cough sometimes. lol dang it haha

freaking hot though 8U idk if any of you people know Arizona in the summer, but it gets deathly hot, and I think it was in the 90s low 100's or something at night, which isn't too bad, but when you are in like a double layer outfit, with boots, a wig, and an eyepatch which is sweaty and gives you freaking rub burn on your eye lid, but most of all WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING THE VIOLIN!!!! it's hot! like HOT!!!! but I was more able to focus on the music and talking to people so haha it was pretty ok, and very enjoyable. lol 

So I mainly know videogame music, but I'd have to say one of the most enjoyable thing about busking, isn't getting the money, or even seeing the crowd of people that will stop and watch you play, but people's reactions when you play a song they know and love. The best! Like I started playing the main Theme to Zelda, and hahaha this Link cosplayer and some other dude started jumping around and acting as Link with the music hahah so great. or I started playing the over world theme from Super Mario Bros 2, the classic, and some guys called out in "OOHH!!!!! YESS!!!! " and like put his hands in the air because he loved this old classic game, or when you play Let it go and people will sing along with you or something, and then the conversations that come along after that. it really is a treat.

Speaking of my cosplay though, there was quite a few Ciel's at Con this year (none with my outfit though l:>) and I got a lot of comments that I didn't just look like a person that dressed up like him, but that I actually kinda looked like him. I disagree, but it was super cool to get the comments, that my more round face shape, and small tiny body fir his look, haha. some Guy even came up to me saying "My friend is a photographer and he's been looking for a really good Ciel, and he hasn't found one yet but I'm gonna send him your way!" and heh later that day, someone came to my table with a fancy camera and took some pictures of me. If you ever get a table I would highly suggest that you dress up as a person, because, a lot of artists don't dress up or cosplay, but I got people coming to my table only wanting a picture and it was kind of funny too because some people would be afraid to ask for my picture unlike with other cosplayers because I was behind a table haha. but anyways, being a cosplayer brings attention to your table, and when people at first aren't looking at your art but at you, having them come to you to ask for a picture gives them the opportunity to see your work, and then they get interested. it happened a lot and really helped me out. but it was great. Had loads of fun. super cool to get those compliments too, especially later on in the night when I was playing my violin only adding to that small trait to Ciel Phantomhive's character. 

By the end of con, I was warn out and incredibly tired, I had blistered on my feet, rub burn on my right eye, cramped fingers, and the back ach of an old lady. but also, a happy bank account with the most cash I have had inside of it yet which I definitely feel like I earned. As exhausting as it was to get up at 8, and charge on none stop until about 2 in the morning only to get a few small hours of rest, it was definitely worth every second and it was golden. I honestly can't wait till next year, got my table for 2015 all paid for, and this time my wonderful sister Caitlin, is gonna have a table too! not to mention she was the lovely photographer in this journal, THANK YOU CAITLIN!!! also her like second or third day at con I really eel bad for her because some guy umped into her and accidently like gabbed her in the eye with his like idk prop weapon thing D:> but don't worry she's doing better now.

Everything is definitely rewarding, already got some commissions over email of people taking my business cards and everything it is wonderful! What a success for a first timer and I have plenty of advice and tips I can give to people who need it if you ask.

But for now (other than Commissions) I AM FREE!!!!! even though I don't have a ton of materail it clearly worked very nicelly, and right now I don't want nor do I feel like I really need to make more fanart for next year. I'll do it if I WANT to, but not for the con, only for me, and right now what I want to do in terms of art is something I haven't really been able to focus on at all because of Comicon and personal projects such as the RP books, and THAT DRAWING MY OWN ORIGINAL STUFF!!!! WHOO!!! BE THE ARTIST I TRULY AM!!! and That's not completely a fanartist like I've become on DA, but an original artist with some fun fanarts on the side! if anything my project for now is to make my gallery on DA full of ME!!!! not thing I draw from other things.

That's my goal for now. Draw my stuff.! YES!!!!

ps. I'm a cosplaying turnip.