~`This thread contains information for the artists tabling at Artist Alley. Some is REALLY basic info for those artists who never worked an Artist Alley before, but the information is still beneficial to everybody.

As for the forums, they will be cleaned up soon. We had a major accident with them a few weeks ago. Also our website will be updated soon~

Please ask questions here, I will answer so everyone can see them.

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What is an Artist Alley:

At conventions such as ours, it’s a place that artists can set up a table to display and sell their art.

Click here to see what google images produce when you search Artist Alley. You see lots of tables, colors, displays, ect.

The best part about being in an artist alley is not to make money but to show off your skills and network~ [Well in my opinion :3]

This is your chance to get your name and art out there. Be sure to bring business cards with all your websites (personal, etsy, dA, etc.) and contact information. This way people can find you after the convention and either network or buy from you later.
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Table Set up:

You want your table to stand out; well actually you want your table to blend in with the others that stand out. You don’t want your table to be empty and sad looking, because that will stand out the most and no one will want to go over and see what you’re about! :(

The best way to make your set-up stand out is how to display your stuff. There’s several ways to display your stuff. A nice way is to use thin pvc pipe to make an overhang on your table, and then display signs and art from that. Here’s an example of that.

Anther easier and probably more preferred way to make a great display is to bring storage crates/bins with you to set up on your table. You can pick some up at Walmart or Target. I see people use wire ones more than plastic ones, probably because they look nice and are stable. Wire shelves are awesome too. Here’s some examples.

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It's great to stack them up on the sides of your tables to make shelves to display your stuff. Also you can then tie a string across from one to the other and clip doodles and signs from there!~ This is my favorite way. It's easy, looks really good, and gives you the most display option.

Also, you should bring a table cloth or a big enough piece of fabric to lay down on your table. It makes things look a lot nicer. Putting your artist name/company on the front of it to hand down the table is a great way to display who you are.

Here's some helpful links for artist alley tabling too:
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What to display/sell.

You can display anything of your own craft that meets our requirements of staying PG-13. If you have something that's clearly not PG-13 you can still have it but it must be covered/censored. Ask me if you're unsure.

You can sell what is of your own craft. You cannot sell, for example, store purchased items. You can't sell mass produced merchandise that isn't your own. If this is what you want to do, then you need a table in the dealers room, not the artist alley. Again, ask me if you're unsure. Now if you say, modify/repaint transforms for example, then this is "of your own craft," and it may be sold in the artist alley. Also you can only sell your own work. Please don't display/sell anybody's work not your own unless you have explicated permission to do so, such as you are helping them, work for them, etc.

Items that you have not made but are special or old, rare and unique to the sub-culture are also welcomed, such as LARP props.

A good guideline is that if you can sell it on etsy.com, you can sell it in our artist alley.
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What will sell best at this particular convention:

This convention attracts people with interests that pertain to gaming, anime, sci-fi, and fantasy. UBCon has a particular nitch for role-play gaming--table top and live action. People use props/items/costumes/accessories for this. Items of a medieval, Gothic, vampire-esque, fairy-tale theme will do very well. Those not in that nitch typically fall under anime. This means things of a cute/Japanese nature will be very popular. Lastly (but not least) is the video game nitch, which almost feels like a combination of the old school role-players and the anime folk. Items that are Nintendo themed, old school game themed, tend to be popular with the crowd. UBCon has a very vast interest base, but it all falls back under a "geeky/fantasy" category.
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Now for some Q&A.

~Do I have to table all three days?
No, you can table half of one day up to all three days.

~What are the Alley hours?
Friday 4:00-8:00
Saturday 10:00-8:00
Sunday 10:00-4:00

This is our plan of hours, if I get enough feedback from the artists to change/make them longer, I will.

~What's the earliest I can set up my table?
The earliest you can set up is Friday at 2:00.

~How big are the tables?
I was told they are going to be 8 feet long and 4 feet wide.

~Where will the Artist Alley be?
It will be in the Flag room, on the 2nd floor of the Student Union.

~Can I have more than one table?
If we think you can use really utilize another table and have an impressive enough display, yes of course.

~Can I share a table with a someone?
Yes, that would be wonderful as it would save us space.

~Can I have my table next to my friend?
Yes just tell me who in the "special requests" section in the application.
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Hotels:

Lastly, we're trying to work out a discount at the Red Roof Inn for hotels.

It's VERY close to campus and we will have people to shuttle the artists to and from the hotel and convention.