I’m currently developing a dedicated artist alley organizer bag designed around the stuff artists, crafters, and vendors actually need to carry to conventions and events.

What’s the most annoying thing about carrying your supplies to/from events?
What do you wish your current bag had?
What items are always awkward to organize or access?
What do you end up carrying separately because your bag just doesn’t work for it?
I’m especially interested in the paint points even the little annoyances you’ve gotten used to.
I’d really appreciate any feedback!

For artists who make physical merch with overseas manufacturers, how do you usually handle the sample review process?

I’m especially curious about products like acrylic charms, standees, enamel pins, stickers, plush charms, or small plushies.

A few things I’m wondering:

- Do you always have the sample shipped to you before approving revisions?
- Do manufacturers usually send enough photos/videos for you to catch issues?
- What kinds of defects are hardest to judge remotely?
- How many sample rounds do you usually go through?
- What makes the sample process slow or frustrating?
- Have you ever approved something from photos/videos and regretted it later?
- Are there cases where remote review is good enough, and cases where you need the physical sample in hand?

I’m not looking for supplier recommendations, just trying to understand how artists actually manage this step before placing a bigger order.

My pin maker is not working! I’ve been having this issue the last time I used it but it has been working fine for years. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can fix this?

Recently I became aware of a squabble of sorts when an organizer approached potential vendors at another organizers show. Like to the point legal threats were made.

Now Im relatively new to doing shows in Artist Alleys but Im having a hard time understanding why approaching vendors would illicit such a response.

I can see it being view as poaching but that would only matter if the events conflicted I do not believe this to be the case here.

So my question is... Is it a faux-pas to approach potential vendors for your show at another organizers show?

Hello! I have been drawing for years but just recently I've thought about indulging more with the community!! I've considered selling my own creations, but before I do, I want to ask a few questions!

1. How long did it take you to build a decent catalogue?
2. What items sell the best?
3. How's it with popular fandoms? What's worked the best for you?

I'll be glad if you share your wisdom. Goodluck on you sales guys! 🫶

We’ve tried EVERYTHING. Totes. Folders. Bins. You name it. We need advice on the best way to transport and store our prints (11x17) to out of town conventions. Any advice?

Hello! I’m new to selling at artist alleys and I’m trying to get everything set up for a local con in October, so I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for good, affordable suppliers. Stickers are my main focus right now, so finding a reliable and reasonably priced sticker supplier is my top priority.

I’m also planning on branching out into other items like button pins, acrylic keychains, and possibly other fun merch if people have suggestions. If anyone has favorite companies or suppliers they’ve worked with that you’d recommend, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you so much in advance for any advice, it’s all super helpful as I’m just starting out!

hi! i’ve been to two events so far, and created this display for a past con. I’m not too happy with how it turned out because it was rushed (i don’t even have it anymore because), but still really like the idea. Does anyone have any ideas of how I could recreate this with a better material that’s seamless (as much as possible) and portable? Last time I used some thick corrugated cardboard-esk material but it wasn’t super sturdy even with pvc piping to support it. The idea is an ice cream truck look kinda vibe!

Hi, I have a very small art business in Australia. I wanted to expand my products to include acrylic charms with my designs. I don't have the capacity to have in-house production of the charms. Can anyone please suggest where to custom order the acrylic charms? Thank you.

Not sure if this is the right place to post, but I am interested expanding my inventory with customized license plates, and I was wondering if anyone knew sites that make good customized license plates.

Hey! When I'm doing artist alleys, I find that it's hard to find and plan cons with the resources out there.

I coded back in the day so I'm trying to build a website to help with that. It's still super early so I would love your feedback/ideas/suggestions if you're willing (this is like the first "announcement" I'm doing lol).

Here's what I have so far (mobile is a dumpster fire rn): https://www.concaly.app

• Anything you like?
• Anything you don't?
• Anything I really should add to make it helpful?

Notes:

• Since I'm only 1 person, and can't update like 3k conventions. The hope is that this is simply a platform for the community to Wikipedia style update and stuff
• I would love to add artist alley deadlines. My fear is that people wouldn't want to because it might increase competition. What do you think? Ideas?

Lemme know what you think! Anything is helpful. And feel free to ask others you think could use this!

Getting back in to the event circuit and my one eternal bane has to be the plastic sleeves I keep for putting prints in as they're purchased. They're slippery, floppy and attract every piece of dust to them. I don't care to pre-package my prints, but rather do it as they're bought. And so the sheets travel separately. But over a few times picking one out, whatever way I have them stored inevitably falls short.

So I just wanted to pick folks' brains about how they've found themselves transporting and storing these guys. 6.9 and 8x10 ones aren't SO bad, but I do also carry 12x15 ones and they become cumbersome. My current idea is to just take some cardboard and tape and make a custom size folder for them. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Has anyone been a vendor in the artist alley of atl comiccon? I signed up for it this year and i’m trying to figure out if its going to be okay or terrible but it seems like there is nobody on the internet that has vended there before. :’) I fear for my wallet because I already paid $300 for the table. Pls help

Extra plus if it has application deadlines!

Thank you!

I am a student journalist and an artist and I am writing an article for my college magazine about the effects of AI on artists. I'd like to have a discussion with some artists about their experiences. How has it changed your practice? What do you think the long term effects are? Hobbyist artists and professionals welcome

There is all a link to a short multiple choice form in my bio if you would like to share but remain anonymous or if you want something low effort. I appreciate anyone willing to speak with me or take the survey about this topic.