Just back from FanExpo '09.

Absolutely amazing. As soon as I get resettled and work out the exhaustion, I'll start pimping the new artists I've met.

Saturday was insane. So many people there just to see and meet Bruce Campbell. Never mind the lineup for Leonard Nimoy and Billy Dee Williams. On top of that, the convention was oversold.

Friday was great, I got a tonne of free stuff, including three free shirts from the "Rue Morgue" magazine. All of DC's stuff was free, the booth guys basically told everyone that "everything on the table is free, but you have to line up." On Friday, it took me five minutes to make the round, but Saturday would have been at least 20 minutes.

I had considered getting into the line for Emma Caulfield on Friday, but I wasn't really there for the celebrities.

Costumes were amazing, of course, and there was a shadow cast and play of Repo! The Genetic Opera. Midnight Syndicate was there, so I finally managed to pick up a CD, and I talked to them. Very cool guys.

Artists' Alley was my favourite place, but the amount of fanart was disappointing. I met Heather Burton () and bought a bookmark. There were prints, of course; and while there was a deal on the bookmarks, I only got the one.

As soon as I find my business cards, I'm posting to some of the most amazing artists I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Incredibly nice people, beautifully original work. It was refreshing to see some real creativity. A great change from the people who just photograph other people's work and act like the one photo pf someone else's work is their own.

Very good weekend.

Just very exhausting. Lots of free stuff, lots of amazing steampunk stuff. Bought some beautiful art, and had a blast with family.

As soon as I find those cards in the bottom of my giant Silver Snail bag, I'll post links to some great artists. In the meantime, check out and support her work. I miss seeing some creative dragons.

The 501st Legion is always fun to see. My mother convinced them to shoot me.

ETA... Artists from FanExpo: (all underlined names are links to external sites)

Monster Kookies: These girls had some adorable statues, pins, and steampunk-ish pendants and clips.

Repo Shadow Cats: Very good actors and singers. Their Graverobber is a very amusing fellow who likes to push "zydrate" on unsuspecting convention goers.

Jaded Dragon: Some of the nicest people I have ever met. The website doesn't do it any justice and half of what they had isn't posted. Check out the sculptures, though, they do things in clay that I usually only see on paper.

Nerd Girl Pin Ups: Always good. Also check out the Nerd Girl movement. Proves that smart and geeky women are hot.

Imaginism Studios: Interesting, and nice art, but the people were... average? Nice enough, but not really sociable. I recommend the art, but not the sellers.

Quacked! Plush: Adorable, but you see it everywhere now. Good quality, though. And I recommend the Tofu Bunnies.

SkyeFish Sushi Bar: I rather like these folks. Nice, fun, and more than willing to chat about their art. The heat packs are neat, since it comes with the pillow if you buy the sushi products on whole. You can get just the heat packs for cheaper, but still. A chat on Friday resulted in one artist making keychains for Saturday, so they're very open to suggestions. Excellent quality for excellent prices.

PodgeHodge: Proving that plushie food is still adorable. Very good quality-- and great for decoration, pins, brooches, etc. Great prices too. The girl at the booth said that commissions are possible.

Mad Hattery: Don't let the unfinished site fool you, the range and quality is amazing. This artist made an identical Tim Burton Mad Hatter hat. She even worked with moleskin. All hats are custom made, and small ones start as low as $35. For a handmade top hat? That's amazing. All prices depend on material and decoration. She uses top notch feathers and decorative materials, but still affordable. Incredibly nice woman, too. I highly recommend interaction with her-- she'll be more than happy to answer any questions regarding how her ordering process works. I can only sing this lady's praises.


More links may be added as I find my mass of business cards and adverts.