Fanime 2024 ✿ Artist Alley Vlog: Uh, What Happened???

This is round 2 at Fanime for me!! Considered to be an S-Tier event, I was sooo surprised with how things turned out this year!

0:00, Intro
0:13, Day 01
05:19, Day 02
11:10, Day 03
12:23, Day 04 & Art Haul!
15:00, Wrapping Up
16:31, Chit Chat & Comparing to Last Year

🍉 Operation Olive Branch: (if you have less than $1k in your bank account, pick a family and donate $5. If you have more than $1k, donate $10! Every dollar matters- we can help together!)

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[allthecolorsinmyhead]

I’m an SJ local, and in addition to layoffs, the cost of living here is one of the highest in the country. Another factor might be that SJMade has been hosting a lot more local craft markets in recent years, so a lot of people go to those to shop since they don’t have entrance fees and you see a lot of the same artists you would at larger cons. Like they just had a huge outdoor market last weekend with live music and a kitten lounge. So I imagine that probably drew some of the sales, since people who mostly go to cons to shop might choose to just wait for the market instead of purchasing a con ticket.

[LucíaGonzálezBárcenas]

Thank you for showing the exact numbers that you made! Few people actually show it on their con vlogs and I find it extremely helpful. We have to help us out between us artists!

[psee]

I bought both of your Snoopy sheets! I was so happy to see them since I loved them growing up. Great to see an artist perspective for fanime :)

Also your aisle display strat was very effective!

[Inkwell]

Great video! Definitely felt that 30% drop from last year, still a super good show regardless. Also I think about the SJ food almost every day

[PancakePaperie]

Thanks for your videos - I love them! I think this year is harder all around for vendors due to the economy.

[GenueRevuelta]

Fantastic vlog and amazing table set up! Love your new items. I also felt that 40% drop in sales in most of my event this year, it's been a rough one. I'm glad you did well regardless!

[Kikopaints_]

Love everything about this vlog! The cuts, editing, vibes, and you sharing your experiences and thoughts. ❤

[LilJBean]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you for making them!

[musegabs]

That intro transition was sooo good!!! Glad this con went well! You're doing amazinggg!! Keep on keeping onn! ❤❤❤

[ChantelleArts]

This is so good, your editing is so good☺☺

[TheYaoiArmy]

Sales are definitely down. We had more items this year and we did about the same (slightly lower). Monday was usually a spike of sales to get deals but it was so dead! (PS: we're in the exhibit hall selling prints and original work)

[juidk]

The Miffy sticker sheets are sooo cute !!! Idk if you’ll be in Montreal for the otakuthon (just discovered your channel) but I’d love to get my hands on those stickers ❤

[chelspanda]

loved this vlog, your reflections and critiques are so insightful for someone new to the con scene 💕

[thispapercloud]

I attended Fanime this year. I did hear of the staff walkouts but I honestly didn't think it impacted attendance numbers simply by how crowded everything was (I could be wrong... only someone with the actual attendee numbers could say). From my personal perspective, Artist Alley was just TOO crowded. I couldn't really stop at many of the tables to see what people were selling (or just... get down an alleyway to see the tables. It was a wall of human bodies in several of them) Plus the prices for products had gone up and yeah, money has gotten tighter overall for many, so at least for me, I had to be more selective with what I decided to buy.

As for Friday, not sure if it's a common thing in anime cons, but there was a long line just... waiting to get into the artist alley and vendor halls before 2PM. I almost thought it was a celeb signing line, but nope. Just general artist alley/vendor halls entry.

[captcrabs]

I'm still amazed how much money you and others pull in from these events. I'm usually lucky to break 2k on a big event.

[misoandtofustudio]

excuse me maam the transitions in the beginning? 😗🤌 and u had two events at same time?! 👏 I noticed its a lot harder this year on traveling cons, but at least u are killing it and made back expenses!

[MakeItMiriam]

This was a good vlog. It really opened my eyes on being a vendor at a con. I've been wanting to sell at Fanime and SacAnime, but I wasn't sure if it was worth it, especially since I'm not from Cali haha

[Tiramzuu]

To add into the final part with the lay offs, I was one of them :')
I really wanted to go this year but decided against it 😭

[Saiyre_Art]

Wish I had stopped by your booth! This was my first time tabling at Fanime and it was amazing for us! But please, could you tell me where the good food is in San Jose? Because we were pretty disappointed by the local options :(

[c_rogue]

shoot, artist alley was so crazy, I never saw this booth