Comic Con 2009 Art Show Table
by Kaytee.
(San Diego)
CCI 2009 Art Show Table
I participate mainly in art shows with a silent auction sales process. These shows are at local sci-fi conventions.
Generally, you set up your “space”, then leave until the end of the show, when you pack up whatever is unsold and take down the display items.
The table, cloth and skirt are provided.
You don’t “sit” with your table (unless you absolutely insist…), and you can’t add items to replace sold ones.
Art show staff can get a bit flustered if you do too much “tweaking” and rearranging, too– it causes security issues (possible damage to other artists’ displays, hard to see if things are “missing” if you move other things around).
Comic Con has an international audience, with over 125,000 attendees. Of course, maybe only 10% make it off the “dealer floor” and out of the film and gaming rooms to see the Art Show, but still, 10% of total attendance is still a lot of people!
Pieces or displays are supposed to have a comics, cartoon or movie theme– so I use Hello Kitty and other cartoon/comic/fantasy dolls to hold or wear jewelry, and smaller figures as “decor”.
Many of the pieces I bring have fantasy themes and/or would be suitable for “dress-up” for certain of the fan groups who attend these conventions.
Then, there are the items for the moms who are there mainly to transport their kids to and from the convention….
Kaytee
Comments:
Your Mannequins Look Great!
by: Rena
Kaytee, your mannequins at various heights really give your booth a professional look!
It’s also cool that you can change their outfits to fit your theme, the season, etc.
And I like how you fit the comics / cartoon / movie motif. :o)
Thanks so much for sharing your great looking table – and the interesting way the Comic Con tables are run.
Comic Con Table
by: Kaytee
The “manniquins” are mostly hollow plastic “half torsoes”; when naked, they stack fairly well for storage. Very light weight, and they came with a hanger hook so they could be hung on a rack or wall– I put a brick in the back to hold them to the table. I also have two wire mannequins– even easier to store, but not as good for jewelry.
Most of the white/light ones have to wear clothes now, and so do a couple of the black ones, because of scuffing and/or marks that won’t come off (even with cleanser!). A few have to wear clothes because they have nipples… and the art shows are “family friendly”, so female nipples can’t show (Calif. law… not something the venues wanted). Male nipples are OK, though.
Comic, etc. themes– manequins sometimes wear t-shirts from previous years’ conventions, dolls of cartoon, etc. characters wear or hold pieces, some pieces feature cartoon, etc. characters– the larger Hello Kitty is wearing a necklace with Hello Kitty charms, for example, and near-by are earrings with Hello Kitty on them. Other pieces fit themes popular at the shows– Goth,fantasy (e.g., dragons), pirates, barbarians, etc. Some have other popular “themes”– like Day of the Dead, or “Outer Space”. I haven’t done steampunk, but one jewelry artist this year had mostly that style, and did very well in sales. This year, for me, the two “Goddess” necklaces I put out both sold, both of which had been at several shows before; also sold 3 or 4 items using breast cancer ribbon beads– again, those had been to several venues prior to this year.
lovely booth
by: Bianca
Very nice booth. Could you possible share how having your booth at this type of show works? If you are not at your booth all day how do you actually make the sales? You cannot add new items to replace sold ones? How do you assure your items will not be stolen? Would love to hear more and forward you my email address..do not know if I can post it her it here so Iwon’t unless i knowits okaybut would like to know more. Thanks!
comicon show coming up
by: nupur
Hi kaytee,
I read your post about your experience about the comiccon that you participated in. I have my first of such shows coming up in april and would like to know how the experience was for you. I am creating some victorian/newage/steampunk/industrial pieces just for the convention and was not sure how to charge for them. THey are going to be one of a kind pieces but i still want to offer them at budget friendly price points. Any suggestions as to what the price for say, a pair of earrings should be?
Considering the economy, I would like to offer them at about $15 or so, please let me know your thoughts..
I would appreciate any feedback/help you can offer based on your experience.
thanks and regards
nupur
