Hub City Comic Con!

After a month of prepping getting both ready for my first convention and redoing my online shop, the big weekend finally came. Hub City Comic Con was luckily being held where I lived so the stress of packing everything up and going to a different town was absent, but there was still stress. I ran out of chain and lobster clasps like three times and had the hardest time just getting change. I can't imagine having to do that in a different town. But after very little sleep but pretty easy set up, we were ready for preview night on Friday.

Now since this was the first year they have had this convention and the first one in Lubbock, no one was really able to measure expectations. Friday was for VIPs only, but I kinda figured the people that came would mostly be there for the Dragon Ball Z and Power Ranger signings. Which I was correct on. Also, we were the weird booth apparently. Go figure.

But Friday gave me time to organize and finish anything I hadn't. And it was a chance for the vendors to browse around since it was going to be close to impossible on Saturday. I got to network a bit and kinda made friends with the lovely ladies at another booth over our love of comics and Steven Universe. It was nice.

Day 2 was the big big day. General Public was allowed in at 1030 and by noon we heard there were lines. Big lines. Mind you, the convention center is like a wall-less pit. No outside light comes in so I didn't even know what time it was or how big the line was or what it was like for the crowd out there but I heard it was pretty crazy how long it was. Saturday I sold mostly stickers and charms.

I think I only ate like half a burrito throughout just because I was too busy. I did get a chance to make phone charms though which seemed to do well.

There were a ton of cosplayers though! This made me happy because you hardly see any in town but there were tons and tons! (And our booth seemed to have the most traffic so that was nice to get pictures of them)

I made back my booth and supplies cost and had an overall good time. I did pretty good for my first convention though I would probably tweak some stuff for next time. I ended up clipping displays of my charm necklace to grid and I would have liked to have a jewelry display holder. I was only able to get postcard sizes of my prints done and didn't get to finish them all or my portrait style ones. But I did good and I'm proud of myself for that.

I had Geek Girl Brunch cards out and got to promote the chapter a bit along with one of our other Officers Alex who had a booth selling her custom hats (you can check her out on Instagram and her Etsy will be opening soon!) so we had a few girls interested. We also had a Ladies Night poster hanging up so I got to let more people know about that! (Too many hats on my head but all well)

At the end of Day 1, we were all kinda exhausted. I ended up passing out on my couch before going to hang out with friends. I didn't even get to work because I passed out again as soon as I got back home. We were dead tired on Sunday morning but were much more prepared.

The crowds weren't as big as Saturday, but Lubbock is a church town so we didn't expect to get crowds until after noon. Last minute buyers were grabbing prints that day so i sold more prints and stickers and a few charms. I was even able to go and grab some prints and stickers myself from other vendors. But by 4:00 the crowd had pretty much disappeared.

Lubbock on Sundays closes down very early. Most retail stores are shut down by 6 and everyone knows that. So it was kinda not surprising. We stayed a couple more hours and sold a few things, but after a long weekend, mostly we just walked around the place, checked in with our friends at the other booths (I bugged Star Comics a bit), and packed up.

Like I said, overall my experience was good. Things could be better but it was a first time convention and I was a first time tabler so there are things to be learned. The hard part is over though. Today we are getting everything ready for the shop to open up tomorrow and I'm very excited. All my prints will be available, #Workcomics, my sketchbook, charm necklaces and phone charms, stickers, buttons, everything. One more push and then I will be able to relax for the rest of the week.

At least until we start getting ready for Ladies Night.

Thank you to everyone that came to see me and buy stuff! It was great meeting everyone! And until next time!

-Sam <3

Geek Girl Brunch Lubbock Launch and Arts!

It's been a crazy few weeks and still got about a couple of weeks to go until Hub City Comic Con! #Workcomics is at the printers and so we're anxiously just waiting for it to be done. Lots of art has been finished, sketch to final, but lots more is still being done. Like stickers!!

Sticker sheets and individual stickers will be available at Hub City and then on Etsy afterwards. I have at least 5 sticker sheets planned, but we'll see how many I'll get done considering my digital cutter is being finicky with me. I also have a few more necklaces planned too and I'll update with pictures later!

I had planned on making multiple sizes of prints, but it looks like the budget is only going to allow me bringing 4x6. Once the prints go on Etsy, you'll be able to choose between 4x6 or 8.5x11.

Lots lots lots to do. I haven't slept. Sleeping is for the weak! (I'm so very tired)

But this Saturday is Geek Girl Brunch Lubbock's launch brunch! We're very excited to launch officially and see all the lovely ladies that came to our Prelaunch. It was a blast last time so it's sure to be fun this time around. We've even started planning the next one already (and I may have started planning Ladies Night too, but shhhhhh).

So there's an update. Lots of plans. Lots to get done. If you're in the Lubbock area, come out to Hub City Comic Con and say hi! My side event info has been updated with our booth number!

-Sam <3

Ladies Night 2.0

This past Saturday was once again Ladies Night at Star Comics. Planning this event wasn't nearly as stressful as the last one but that may have been because in between multiple road trips, having Geek Girl Brunch's prelaunch brunch, getting #workcomics ready for print, and getting the sketchbooks done, I was all out of stress. I think the most stressful part was getting the art for the flyer just right. I redid it 4 times in about just as many different styles. I'm glad it turned out so well.

Also I didn't bake this time so that took a load off my shoulders.

With this Ladies Night, we changed the format a bit. We raffled off the posters instead of giving them at the door (there was still a line waiting), snacks were put outside to make room in the store, chairs were put out there so people could sit and chat, at the kids table we set it up so they could make their own superhero masks, and we had two featured artists, Koolaid Girl and Kyanne Birley (she dressed up as Lumpy Space Princess!) Allison Terry Images was our event photographer for the night and did an awesome job, getting us some wonderful pictures. Even the local newspapers photographer came by and took some pictures of the event and its attendees.

With Lubbock being a college town and Summer essentially being off season, we didn't have as many people as our first one, but it didn't really matter. We still had a pretty big turnout and the ladies stayed almost the entire time, more space making it easier to chat and browse. The artists had prints for sale and did sketch requests most of the night while people snacked and found something new to read. I saw a lot of ladies from the first event and got to talk to more than a few. It felt more relaxed and comfortable. More like what I had first imagined: a space where girls can just come and chat with other girls with similar interests and find something new to read.

 I think that's my primary goal with the Ladies Night. To give women and girls of all types, transgendered, and non-binary identified a place to go to relax and talk and not feel like they're outcasts. I want to give female artists and photographers and vendors a platform just like I'm trying to give the attendees. Comics are for everyone, not just boys. Nothing is "just for boys." And if a little girl can learn that later on, maybe that'll give her a little empowerment later on when things get tough.

All in all, the night was a success. I'm happy and tired and forever glad to have been given the opportunity to do these events. Free stickers and buttons were grabbed, the posters were raffled, and there were plenty of cute little girls and awesome costumes through the night. Both our artists did tons of sketches and people walked away happy with some new art. Comics were read and suggested. It was a good night.

Much thanks to Star Comics for supporting me and hosting the event. They are continuously rad and so so so so so awesome and definitely helped me to not stress out too much! Thank you to our incredibly talented artists, Koolaid Girl and Kyanne! People loved you and I am grateful to have you both! Go check out their websites to see some super cool art. Thank you to my former roller derby teammate and awesome friend/photographer Allison Terry! These images are gorgeous! If you are in Lubbock, you should definitely get her to do some pictures for you! And thank you to my boyfriend for being our security again. Sorry you couldn't come inside but I appreciate you!

And now it's on to the next thing. Geek Girl Brunch Lubbock launches August 22nd and Hub City Comic Con is the weekend after that. Working on a lot of art and merchandise to get ready and we're getting the art prepped for #Workcomics to get printed. I'll put up more information about that soon! If you aren't aware, I revived my old Youtube channel where I do vlogs and talk comics and stuff so you can check that out.

Time to get back to work.

-Sam <3

Ladies Night is back!

Ladies Night is coming back to Star Comics! So many people loved the first one so we brought it back and are doing things a bit differently. We'll have two local artists, Kyanne Birley and Koolaid-Girl, tabling with art as well as a few freebies, snacks, a raffle for posters, and of course, comics! It's going to be a ton of fun and we hope everyone will be there! I will be organizing the event along with Star Comics and will be there if anyone would like recommendations!

This is going to be a blast again :)

-Sam <3

Week 8 and Geek Girl Brunch!

#Workcomics have been updated! Sorry I got a bit behind; they pile up if I miss a weekend. I've been doing them daily for just about 8 weeks now which is pretty good for me. I've almost missed a few days so if you follow me on Facebook and don't see one by 530pm (Central) then yell at me to do one before I leave work. This isn't #At-Home-Comics.

In other news, I updated my events on the side with additional places to find met! I added G33k3 in McKinney in December so if you're in that area then come say hi! I'll be updating more events as they get announced and such, but there are a lot! It won't be hard to find me, just look at my comics and find the small child looking girl with glasses.

For now, I'm in the process of moving to a new apartment and getting settled. I've been living with my best friend as a roommate for about 5 years and am now getting my own place so that means new work area and office space! (And possibly a new kitten but that's a different story) Add in a trip to Albuquerque, starting to get ready for the next Ladies Night, a few commissions, and prepping for Hub City Comic Con in August and I've got a full plate.

Speaking of plates (as if I didn't have enough to do), guess whose helping bring Geek Girl Brunch to Lubbock?! Me and four other wonderful ladies are Officers for Geek Girl Brunch Lubbock and are bringing the organization to our little town for our local geeky ladies. Our official launch date is in August but we'll be having a pre-launch brunch in June! Be sure to sign up to get sent the invites for our events! And let your friends know! Our official brunches will be 18+ but we'll be having other all ages events as well!

Lots of stuff going on and more stuff to do! I'm hoping to have the sketchbooks up and listed sometime in the next few weeks after I get moved and settled and maybe some more merch as well. I'm testing a few things out before I list them. If you haven't seen, I reduced the price on my Etsy prints to clear some things out before I move so go buy while they're on sale!

Talk to you guys later <3 -Sam

Star Comics presents Ladies Night!

Save the date for April 25th! Star Comics and I will be bringing you their very first Ladies Night! An after-hours event for women and girls of all ages to come and mingle and chat with other comic loving ladies just like you! If you've never been to a comic shop, didn't know Lubbock had a comic shop, or felt too scared to go into one then this event is just for you! Even if you haven't read comics but are a bit interested in getting started, we'll have a ton of comic recommendations to help get you started!

We'll have snacks and punch, freebies, door prizes, mystery grab bags, and really awesome deals for the night! There will be a free button with any purchase and the first 20 people get a limited edition print by me!

So please come out and support Star Comics first Ladies Night and let's pack the house! Women read comics too and it's time we show them just how many!

I hope to see everyone there and check out Star Comics at their Facebook page!

-a very tired Sam (it's so very late)