I didn't get a lot of photos from @houstonarcadeexpo this year but perhaps that's just because I was having too much of a blast with new and old friends. Also beers. Lots of beers.
Thanks to everyone who came out to hang with the TX crew a couple of weekends back. Let's do it again soon!
I may not get everyone but you know who you are @brokenarcade @gackattack_arcade @thedaringdirk @mokthemagicman @eightballpaul @baberuthless100 @__34k
And special thanks to @timerunner88 and @horde5150 for opening up their home arcades for even more fun!
Here's a group shot from the arcade expo last night. Got to last minute see these lovely people 2 days in a row to celebrate the birth of @tsharp3d!! ❤🎈🎉🎁🎂 #museumofpinball #arcadeexpo #arcadeexpo2017 #arcadegames #pinball #gamers #nerds #love #friends #birthday #birthdayboy #goodtimes #drinkdrankdrunk #fun (at Arcade Expo)
Good morning everyone! I figured I'd share some "aftermath" from the Arcade Expo this past weekend. This was my first time legit vending a large event/convention, so I was pretty excited. There are some gripes, of course, but overall, I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next vending opportunity (probably the upcoming Menagerie run by KYAS).
Booth Placement
This was my absolute biggest issue. I had some friends/co-workers that came to the expo mention that I was very difficult to find...if they found my table at all (one co-worker advised me this morning that he went but couldn't find me). I was nudged in a corner...which wasn't supposed to happen. When we set up on Thursday, it wasn't too bad as the table on the adjacent end to the left were pushed back against the wall. Once they came in and set up on the day of the event, they push the tables too far forward, which cut half of my table off. Attendees had to go between the walk space (that was used to get behind the tables) to even get to some of my booth. I rearranged my booth so that the important, eye-catching stuff like buttons, badges, stickers, and my prints that are specifically for this fan-base were in the light and on the easily-accessible side of the table. I used grid panels to line the front of the table, like a gallery sort of set-up.
I wasn't the only one that had issues. Another vendor had to be moved entirely as she was placed on the other side of the expo, in the dark, between pinball/arcade machine areas. Vendors/artist alley were originally supposed to be in one room, and they had a sign directing attendees in that direction. We were told that there wasn't enough space when setting up so they started spreading vendors out in the main area...which we looked in the vendor room...it probably would have been fine (there was plenty of space).
In hindsight, I wish I had asked to be moved as well considering half of my booth was cut-off, but there were other reasons I decided to stay where I was.
Networking
To my right, I was placed next to a double-table booth that was shared by three other artists: a crotcheter, a chainmail crafter, and an artist with multiple talents (pixel art mostly). Their booth completely out shined mine by a million percent, but they have been doing conventions for a while and have more experience. Because of my booth placement, attendees were going to their booth, then going to the vendor table to the left and completely skipping over me entirely...so I moved my banner so it would be seen easier and that really helped. I also got asked a lot about the crotchet items on a shelf next to my booth and had to direct them to the other artists. Good thing I loved their stuff so much I always commented on how adorable the little jellyfish were (and ended up buying one!). @_@" Anyhoodles, we exchanged business cards and got chatty mostly on the last day of the expo, and actually bought things from each other. They also gave me some tips and information for upcoming conventions, getting tables for next year, and other nifty things. My fiance and I also talked to the other artist that had to be moved earlier on and she was also super helpful! That's one thing I like about this sort of thing: everyone is super nice and helpful. (well, so far) I decided not to bother moving and just trying to make my space work, and maybe try to direct people to my table a bit better. It was a nice challenge in booth construction I guess. I ended up moving my basket of discounted prints to the side of the table where the crocheter was on, so when attendees were done looking at her shelf of goodies, there was something to catch their eye. Nothing catches attention like [b]DISCOUNT[/b], haha! With that being said...my discounted prints sold more than anything else.
Also; Please be sure to check them out!
@apunchintheart
@yattacreations
@bardickitty-loal
@mimosastudio
Constant Workflow
Throughout the expo I did take traditional commissions at my table. I always had something to work on...which was nice. I was thrilled that I had time to sit down and just hammer away on art for three days straight, which I don't normally get to do. When I didn't have a commission to work on, I made badges and other original art to sell. I would pin these up at the top of my grid panels to grab more attention. Someone asked my fiance while I took a short break if I had any Overwatch art (which I didn't). So I took the opportunity to draw a 4x6 of Tracer. Once I pinned it up, there were a few attendees that made their way over to my table just because they saw the Tracer art. I also made 4x6's of Wreck-It Ralph and the ghosts from Pac-Man.
New Projects!
After seeing what other vendors had and what attendees were interested in, it inspired me to create more things and expand/alter my inventory. I really want to learn cross-stitch so that might be on the horizon. My fiance wants to learn crocheting. I'm going to start making bookmarks and bring my focus to just 5x7 prints, buttons, and badges. Those seem to be my strong suits and my bestsellers; the smaller things. None of my larger prints sold. Some of my original art sold too (including an old sketch of Wall-E. I was surprised that one got snatched up). I will be posting all of my extra stock on Etsy this week. I'll make another post when that's available, and also when I post my new designs over to TeePublic.
TL;DR: The Arcade Expo was successful for my first time in an artist alley setup. I have some major gripes, but I dealt with them because #adulting.
If this Neo Mini that's here every year is ever up for sale, you're gonna have to fight me #neogeo #mini #cabaret #arcade #retro #retrogamer #videogames #acoriginals #events #haag #houston #tx #arcadeexpo #frenzy #mspacman (at Houston Arcade & Pinball Expo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4725u5nNE8/?igshid=l57iwkgn0kpn
Good to be back in H-town for the annual Arcade Expo, even if only for a little while. Now, will I bring anything home? 🤔 #arcade #events #haag #arcadeexpo #pinball #retro #modern #ironmaiden #stern #houston #texas #videogames #acoriginals https://www.instagram.com/p/B467dfwnCCq/?igshid=m4jzabba91xo
Elvira's House of Horrors was definitely the star of the show this year, I think. I'm not much of a pin guy, but I enjoyed it. #haag #arcadeexpo #pinball #modern #acoriginals #elvira #houseofhorrors #events #houston #tx #stern (at Houston Arcade & Pinball Expo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-cy1wHMhb/?igshid=6ymwmsso0bii
Despite being right by the front door, the Joust pin didn't get a lot of love this year #arcade #retro #retrogamer #pinball #haag #arcadeexpo #houston #tx #acoriginals #joust (at Houston Arcade & Pinball Expo) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-aSI5H8Zc/?igshid=142gzn0t3sfvw
