The Site
Fanime 2009
I always have a difficult time expressing how much something means to me. I think the longer you hold on to a dream the more precarious it becomes and nothing compares the feeling of finally accomplishing something that set your mind on. This year that dream was cosplay. Finally, after years of dreaming I spent the last year accomplishing that goal. I am very happy with the results. What is even more special I got to share it with the people I care about most, Sonja, Sonny and Robert. It’s the kind of memory that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. It was certainly the highlight of this year.
● Music Video ●
It has become a tranditon with my firends to take our video footage and put it together in a montage for our amusement. Enjoy!
● One Piece Cosplay ●
The one piece gathering is what made the experience all worth it. I needed to be at the AA table most of the time so this allowed me to show off our costumes to people we knew would appreciate them. I think the turn out was great!
Sonja - You where by far the hottest Nami there. I proud to watch you stand out. I has so much fun makeing these costumes with you. All that time on the log pose was well worth it.
Sonny - Your swords where mighty and I was glad to find you where not the darkest Zorro there.
Cosplay Couple - What an awesome thing to cosplay with my boyfriend. We got to do a lovely-dovey pose.
Marine Cosplayers - I can’t explain how exited I was to see a group of marine cosplayers known as Suupaa Kaizoku. They had the best costumes there! I really felt honored to be able to pose with them. I mean seriously, they are just so damed cool. Their coolness made me feel cool, even though my costume wasn’t nearly that accurate.
● Artist Alley In depth Analysis ●
Having gained a lot of experience from last year I really wanted to kick it up a notch. My bookmarks where much more appealing and sold better overall; my Homestar Joker was by far my best seller.
The Table - I made our table appear more professional by making a foam core display to show off our bookmarks. I created all my signage in the computer so it would match with the theme of the table, which was red and black. Displaying the magnets was a little tricky, but I ended up wrapping and cookie sheet in last years table cloth. It was a little wonky but at lest it matched the decor. Next year I might use wrapping paper in stead. There are a few things I’d like to improve on, such as displaying the fans and I plan on making more prints so I want to use the traditional pvc pipe display.
I think we got a good location despite the fact that I didn’t get to chose it this year. But, I couldn’t help but feel cut off from most of the AA, because our row was facing the wall and behind us was the monolithic sticker wall. I mean seriously, it was huge! it took up two whole tables. The only good thing that became of it was we had some extra chairs.
I got more commissions then I did last year, but I didn’t charge that much. Commissions are tricky for me because I am never sure what people will be willing to pay. Lets face it, less money sounds better then no money. Also, my favorite part of AA has become interacting with people and when I have my nose buried in a drawing I become dead to the world. So, I don’t like taking too many. I’ll have to do more research and better adjust my pricing to make it worth my time. I also hate coloring in color pencil so I need to gain some marker skillz.
I also wanted to look my best so I put on makeup everyday of the con. I never wear makeup unless it’s a special occasion. In this case I felt needed too. I put my hair up in my “Yumi bows” which I made the night before. That was my favorite part because my hair hasn’t been long enough to make a ponytails in years and it’s something I would also never wear for everyday. I also tried to wear something more appealing then just a baggy sweat shirt. It’s the little things but I felt it might make an impact on people. I think I looked darn cute.
The Guest Book/Death Note was back this year. I made a nice ‘Draw on Me’ sign and had plenty of pens out. Fallowing luises example from last year I interacted with anyone I could make eye contact with and asked them to sign our book. To my surprise 90% of the people where very excited to do so. That made me really happy for a couple reasons. Most of my sales where made from chatting with people and the guestbook worked as a great conversation opener. Also, regardless if they bought anything I consider it a wonderful memento I get to keep and look back on.
Traveling to and from the con was much easier for one simple reason. I didn’t bring any reference with me. Thanks to the glorious iTouch I had all of my photo reference in one small machine. It worked out perfiticly, I just need to remember I need to grab ref of the character I don’t particularly like because a lot of people would ask for characters I didn’t have.
The booth atmosphere was different because we where missing a few people. Kats sister couldn’t make it from New York and Luis could only make it for part of Saturday. So it felt a little lonely. (No music) Although this year I got to meet a bunch of people I met on DA which was the best part.
Over all it was a success! I keep learning so many new things that I can’t wait to try next year. I am also considering getting two tables and I really want to get my friends from so-cal involved. They all really seemed to like that idea so hopefully I have a bigger group next year. We also need to come up with a group name we can umbrella under.
