RECAP: 2024 ARTIST ALLEY & MARKETS

22 December, 2024

I considered this my first year of taking my art business seriously after graduating college and having the post-graduation blues. Here's how I tackled that:


MY FIRST TIME TABLING & GRADUATING COLLEGE


My first tabling events were in April 2023, where I did ISG's INKFest and C2E2 Artist Alley sharing with friends on a whim during my senior year of college. I was bare bones in setup and merchandise while painfully busy during finals season, but it was the perfect first-time experience that made me think, "let's take this seriously!" After graduating college in May with a bachelor's degree in Illustration, I took the rest of 2023 to finally relax because drawing 5 different projects at once for 4 years took a toll on my creative process. I really needed to experience life outside of school, so I applied for a part-time job at a flexible 9-5 and found a daily routine with all the free time I finally had.


PREPARING FOR 2024 EVENTS


I spent August 2023 - March 2024 making a new batch of animal-themed illustrations, researching conventions and local events, applying to said events, rebranding to something less "graphic design" and more "illustration," and designing my table setup. I preordered my ArtVend back in 2023 when they first launched, but it didn't arrive until March 2024.

At this stage, I invested well over $1,500 into:

  • Epson ET-8550 Eco-tank printer + printing supplies
  • A Square Terminal (not necessary, but extremely helpful)
  • A 3-pack of suitcases
  • A button maker
  • The majority of my table display (signage, nail polish display, tablecloths, etc)
  • Folders for print storage
  • Business cards
  • Clear bags
  • Sticker manufacturing
  • Keychain manufacturing

Later in October - December 2024, I invested another $290 in:

  • A good paper cutter
  • Glossy thick paper for bookmarks
  • A cold/hot laminator + laminating pouches
  • More sticker manufacturing (including sticker sheets)


ANGENARTS 2024 ARTIST ALLEYS & LOCAL MARKETS + SHORT REVIEWS


Would go again | Would NOT go again

  • Yollocalli's Art Market - National Museum of Mexican Art [December 2024] | Free, 1 day
Decent turnout! The hosts were great to work with and checked up on us throughout the event. I had a lot of fun at this event, made profit despite gas and food, and it was easy setup and teardown. 

  • Anime Magic INK'D - Hyatt Regency O'Hare [November 2024] - $195 ($150 table, $45 helper), 3 days, 1st year
Average turnout in general due to this being its first year, though it was bad turnout for Artist Alley. They overbooked Artist Alley, there was no signage, and it was difficult for multiple artists to break even. 

  • Cafe Comic Con - October Cafe [September 2024] - Free, 1 day (they host many small business days a month!), 1st year
This event was great! I made okay profit, but this was more to catch up with friends. It was curated by my friends and the customers and family who visited were so nice to talk to. If you would like to visit a cafe that is queer & family friendly, has delicious food/drinks, and supports local artists, this is your place to be!

  • miniPOP - Andersonville Galleria [July 2024] - 20% consignment fee, 3 days, 1st year
A great local galleria that hosts booths for consignment, though this event was specifically curated to be a pop-up mini-Artist Alley. This event was small, though I still would go again because I met some great artists and got to explore the 100+ booths throughout the building. 

  • Umbrella Arts Festival - Evanston Fountain Square [May 2024] - $50 donation, 1 day
Definitely one of my best events! This event was outdoors, so it was an extreme learning curve to setup in high winds. Evanston ASPA were great hosts and provided tents, tables, and chairs. The turnout was great, the people were so fun to talk to, and it was a great opportunity to learn about AAPI culture.

  • Strawberry Art Market - Daboba 2142 S Archer Ave [May 2024] - Free, 1 day, 1st year
Another small pop-up curated by friends; it was so cool having my table setup in a boba shop! The turnout was your average boba shop customers coming in, and most were not aware of this event. 

  • Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) – McCormick Place [April 2024] - $285 split table ($475 total), $202 hotel split, 3 days
To be fully transparent, I broke even with a small amount of profit this year, but due to this being my first year after preparing, I consider that a success. I believe there are multiple reasons for this result, such as the table/hotel costs being higher, my work being 80% original with a smaller following, my setup lacking a table runner, most of my larger prints are older pieces that lack subject focus, and my newer work is smaller-sized merchandise that's harder to see. I plan on creating a table runner, finding my print style again, making more bookmarks, and possibly making big ticket merch if I get the budget for it. 

  • Karoshi-Con – NIU Holmes Student Center [April 2024] - $30 table fee, 1 day
Definitely would go again! This is one of my most profitable and enjoyable events. The turnout for Karoshi-con is busy but not overwhelming, so this is a great con for beginners who would like to make decent profit. 

MY ARTIST ALLEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS YEAR:


My goals for this year's events were to experiment with events of different scales and demographics, invest in merch production materials, make more art that I enjoy, and make more connections with both customers and other artists. I nailed all of the above. I didn't expect to make any profit in my first year due to spending on high investments all in one year, but I did make more than I expected to.

  1.  REST and nourish yourself. Conventions are stressful and tiring. Know your needs and take your breaks!
  2.  Keep track of your finances and inventory! This is the most important part to be able to do taxes properly and know your best/worst sellers.
  3.  Not everything needs to be a certain type of merchandise. I made some of my sticker designs into prints, and I think it's time to cycle those out to make space for more art.
  4.  Your booth does not have to be full, just organized and cohesive. A full, unorganized booth can be overwhelming for customers, and they likely won't flip through your stuff if it's too crowded! Keep it open and simple.
  5.  Organized storage is a MUST to save time and make quicker sales.
  6.  I like to create work that I enjoy and have a hard time hopping on trends I don't relate to, and that's okay. One of the biggest reasons I sell in Artist Alley is to find connections with other people, and geeking out together over the subjects in my art is perfect for that. There's no need to force yourself to create art on trending fandoms for the sake of selling it. 
  7.  Cycle out merch you don't want to create anymore. This one is more preference, but I have a lot of merch that I don't like anymore, so why would I display something I don't want to keep creating? I threw a lot of things into my discount bin and online store clearance to make more room for art I'm making now.

Thank you so much for supporting me and taking the time to read through my thought processes and experiences! 

I hope that this blog helps anyone who needs it. 

Happy Holidays <3 
- Ange

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