San Diego Comic Fest - October 19-21, 2012

October 19-21, 2012 is San Diego Comic Fest at the Town & Country Hotel here in San Diego. From their website the describe SD Comic Fest as "An old-school comic con brought to you by some of the same folks who produced Comic-Con in the 70's"

We'll be set up in the Dealer's room for the three days of the event, so please stop by and say hi!  Ticket information can be found on the SD Comic Fest website.

Sunday we'll also have a special guest, Tawmis from Neverending Nights will be spending the day with us in the booth.

Come out and support SD Comic Fest in it's first year and help us to make it a con that will be held for many years to come!


Hope to see you all there!

~Colleen

Guest Interview & Giveaway from OriginalCin

Giveaway is now CLOSED!!!

Our second giveaway running until the end of March is from my dear friend (and partner in crime for some of the shows I do), Cindy from OriginalCin. She's a fun loving person and a great artist to boot!

Here's my interview with her:

Colleen: What got you started in your business ?

Cindy: I always was an artist, since I was a kid. I remember being eight years old and selling hand drawn greeting cards in my front yard to my neighbors. Some kids sold lemonade. I sold drawings. I began drawing character sketches for gamer friends when I started on the internet, just for fun.  After a while, when I started to develop a skill, I thought "huh, People are always asking me for art, why not start selling commissions and prints?"  And much to my surprise, people were willing to pay for it.

Colleen: How long have you been in business?

Cindy: I started doing art commission work back in 1998, when I was introduced to the internet. I had so many gamer friends who had other gamer friends that wanted sketches of their RPG characters. I didn't start selling my craft work until 2010 when I wanted to expand what I did. I started making hair clips and other sundries.

Colleen: What are you focused on right now?

Cindy: Right now? My art. I love to draw. Its what I always have done since I was little. I try to improve myself with every sketch I do. For a while there I was falling into some lazy habits with my work. But for the last two years I have been trying to push myself further and further towards improvement. Its an eternal process.

Colleen: Where do you get your inspiration and ideas?

Cindy: My friends. Seriously. I have tons of creative friends who inspire me everyday; crafters, illustrators, writers, and costumers. The list goes on and on. When someone gets bitten by the creative bug its infectious. I need to be a part of that as well and share with them.

Colleen: How would you describe your personal style?

Cindy: Quirky. Definitely quirky. I have a weird sense of humor and I tend to paint the world in broad colorful strokes.

Colleen: What does the handcraft/DIY movement mean to you? Where do you see it going?

Cindy: For me its a sense of community. The DIY crowd have been so warm. Everyone wants to share with everyone else and everyone revels in eachother's work. Its nice. Its like a huge think tank...but with more hot glue.

Colleen:  How do you balance things like family, work and your crafting/art business?

Cindy: Well, I don't have children. I have a husband, two cats, and about 12 fish in a 100 gallon tank. My husband supports my crafting habit. He knows its my way of unwinding and tends to get out of my way when I'm on a roll. Not to mention he is a bit of a DIY guy himself and loves woodworking. Its easy to balance your habit when you live with another "user".

Colleen: Do you have specific things you do to keep yourself motivated or things you do to handle the stress?

Cindy: I make lists. LOTS of lists. I also find other friends to create with. Arting in groups! It keeps you focused, not to mention helps if you need a little girly bitch fest WHILE you are working. Doing art is my stress relief. Sitting and sketching or sewing focuses me and helps me keep my "normal" life under control.

Colleen: Are there any local businesses or artisans that you are exited about right now?

Cindy: Oh GOD I am addicted to etsy. Seriously. How awesome is that place? Its not really a local business but it really excites me to see other people and their work.

An artisan I am particularly inspired by these days is Shing Khor form Sawdust Bear (http://www.sawdustbear.com/). She is amazing with what she does. She has a thriving business but is always 100% true to who she is as an artist. I admire that. I hope someday I can be that.

Colleen: Any tips for setting up a table for vending?

Cindy: Make friends with your neighbors! Seriously. They will help you out. We're all in this together!

Colleen: Do you have any upcoming shows that you are doing?

Cindy: I'll be doing Artists Alley at Anime Conji in San Diego March 16th - 18th. I'll have prints and will be taking commissions! Also, Colleen, from Wyng'd Lyon is kind enough (AGAIN! I owe her a HUGE BEER!) to have some of my clips and prints at Gaslight Gathering May 11th - 13th.

Colleen: Do you have any suggestions for getting your name out to the public?

Cindy: Hell, I'm still working on that myself. Right now what is working for me is always keeping my blog current. Showing people what I do, how I do it, and just talking about what I love keeps an interest and most of all  keeps me motivated.

Colleen: What is one thing you would like people to know about you or your Art?

Cindy: I do what I love. Period. Granted, it might not be a mass market type of deal but dangit I have so much fun!

Colleen: Do you have a website, blog, store front ?

Cindy: You can find my art blog at www.originalcin.net I also have an etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CinsAngel

Colleen: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Cindy: I...got nothing. CHEERS!

Giveaway is now CLOSED!!!

And now onto the giveaway! Cindy has so graciously offered up two prints for us to giveaway.

We're proud to present Lord & Lady Cthulhu

REQUIREMENTS:

To be entered in the giveaway, leave a comment on what type of costume or character you would like to see Cthulhu in or dressed up as.

Please note that your entry is null and void if I have no way to contact you. If you have your profile set to private or if there is no email or blog connected to your post, you must leave an email address with your entries. If there is no way to contact the winner after they are picked, a new winner will be selected.

Please note that contest is open to US & Canadian residents only. 


Giveaway is now CLOSED!!!

 OPTIONAL ENTRIES:

For extra entries, you many do any or all of the following.  Each requires a separate post in the comments.

*Visit Cindy's  Etsy store, Original Cin, then return here and leave a comment about your favorite item from her shop.(1 entry)
* Blog about this giveaway (1 entry), with link back to this page.  Leave a comment to this post with the URL of your blog post.
* Become a follower of this blog. New followers only.  Leave a comment stating you have done so. (1 entry)
* Become a follower of  Cindy's blog. New followers only.  Leave a comment stating you have done so. (1 entry)
* Tweet about this giveaway, with a link back to this page.  Leave the URL of your tweet in comments.  This entry is available daily (up to 24 entries; leave a comment for each individual tweet).
* Make  Original Cin   a "favorite" on Etsy. Leave a comment here stating that you did so. (1 entry)
* "Like" Original Cin Art on Facebook - New followers only.   Leave a comment here stating that you did so. (1 entry)

PLEASE NOTE: Comment moderation is on.  You will not see your post immediately, but it is there - please do not repost. Duplicate posts will be removed.  =)

Contest ends March 31, 2012 at 9:00 pm  Pacific time, with a winner selected by a random number generator and announced shortly thereafter.

Entries must be in English.  Entries containing URL links not connected to this giveaway will be considered spam and deleted. Please note that contest is open to US & Canadian residents only. 

Whoa boy!

It's been a bit since I've done an update, life has been busy on multiple fronts.


Between the website redesign, hacking fabric into ascot shaped bits and various other projects, not to mention chasing two kids, the blog got a little sidelined.

But I'm back and I promise to get more frequent updates out in cyberspace.

We're at it again with Dark Goddess, this time we're doing a daytime event from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday March 19th at 1774 Kettner Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101

Come on down to Little Italy for the Farmer's Market and swing by and see us afterward!


In May we'll be at Gaslight Gathering, San Diego's first Steampunk Convention.We'll have a wide variety of items from clothes, hair accessories, hats, t-shirts, shoes and other fun items.

Tickets are selling out fast so if you plan on going, buy them soon.

As I said above, ascots have been a main focus, right now the count is at about 40 of various colors and patterns. We're also got some vest in the to be sewn pile and the next item on the docket to be cut out is bloomers! We've gotten some really fun fabric patterns for those along with some solid colors too.

There are also some wooden boxes in various stages of painting and staining as the ones in my Etsy store seem to be selling pretty quickly.

I'm going to be doing a guest blog spot some time this summer over at the Creepy Kitch podcast, which should be a ton of fun. I'll also be teaching a pillbox hat making class at our local SCA Branch's Middle Eastern Guild meeting in June or July as well.

And I committed to put together 25 samples for a wedding sampler box for my friend Kelly over at Ms Formaldehyde's.

Of course somewhere in all of this I'm planning on getting more of the studio organized and in a more workable format, of course as I type this sentence my husband is rolling on the floor laughing at me, that's ok, I'll just threaten him with buying another sewing machine. ;)

I'm also putting together a giveaway, details to be announced once I figure out what sticks. =)

 Until then....Take care and be well!

Guest Interview - Pat Turpen from GCat Studios

 
Today's interview is with Pat Turpen from GCat Studios. Pat has been playing with photography for over 20 years, but just recently started his business around it. He's been my clothing photographer for the last 10 years.

What got you started in your business?

     
Basically being unemployed got me to start up. I had no revenue coming so it was time to buckle up and see if I could actually sell my services.

How long have you been in business?

Not very long. Maybe a year.

What are you focused on right now?

Mostly scenic shots around San Diego. People love this city and it shows. I have sold a lot of cityscapes and random abstracts that people can identify with.

How do you balance real life, work and your business?

This is my work and real life at the present. I'll go out for a couple of hours just looking for things to shoot if I don't have an idea already lined up. I'm working pretty much all the time when I have a camera in my hand.

Are there any local businesses or artisans that you are exited about right now?

I love working with Dark Goddess crew and I feel lucky to be the only guy in the group. I hope this group can go further with this endeavor too. A lot of great gals are putting a lot of hard work together for people.

Any tips for setting up a table for vending?

In photography a table is all about getting your work seen. Also letting people know it's OK to look through books and pictures that are there. Pricing is also key, you want to be able to have a price available so you don't have to think one up on the fly or if you're away from the table someone there can handle a transaction for you without having to wait for you to return.

Do you have any upcoming shows that you are doing?

Hopefully a January Dark Goddess show.

Do you have any suggestions for getting your name out to the public?

The internet. It's the best and most widely accepted way to get your name out. Plus leaving your card in local shops is a good thing as well.

What is one thing you would like people to know about you or your business?

I take requests.

Do you have a website, blog, store front ?

The main site is www.gcat-inc.com and it will be up before the end of Jan. Meanwhile, I'm going to be doing a lot of advertising and showcasing on my Facebook page. I have a raffle going on right now till the end of the month (December). www.facebook.com/pages/Gcat-Studios or just look up Gcat-Studios. I'll also be looking into an Etsy Store as well.

 Is there anything else that you would like to add?

While I don't do events or weddings I am looking to start some portraits. Mostly of children and pets because they're a lot easier to work with and for some odd reason kids love me. I also do product photography. If you need your merchandise shot for a website I can do that as well. I'm very open to creative shoots that a lot of people stray away from. So if you need something done drop me a line and lets see what we can do.

Like Pat said he's available for portrais, product shots or other ideas that you may have. If you interested in getting in touch with him, he can be reached via email or on his facebook page.

Guest Interview- Kari Niebell

Today is our first guest interview in a series and we're talking with Kari Niebell, the founder of Dark Goddess and owner of Biejo by Kari.


What prompted you to start the Dark Goddess event?
 I think cross-promotion is a powerful tool. I felt that each of the entrepreneurs that I invited to join Dark Goddess had a commonality in their client base. This commonality being individuals who prefer their fashion and art a little dark of center. It has resulted in increased exposure for each of us. Not to mention, the events are a lot of fun!
   
How long have you been doing the Dark Goddess events?
Dark Goddess launched on 6-6-2010.
 
Where do you see the Dark Goddess event going?
I would like to see Dark Goddess Events expand. We are outgrowing our current location. I would like to see it become a traveling event; taking place at other various locations such as night clubs, hair salons, even homes. I would also like to see additional Goddesses get involved.

How frequently do you hold the event?
Dark Goddess events typically occur every two months. This schedule has changed from time to time to accommodate holidays and special guests.



What got you started in your business?
I was working in the tech industry for 17 years and was recently laid off. I decided I wanted more control over my future. In parallel to that, a friend of mine was carrying this beautiful handbag; when I inquired, she explained that it was a company called "Beijo" and it is designed to be a work-from-home business.
How long have you been in business? 
Since April 2010

What are you focused on right now?
I am focused on establishing and maintaining a customer base as well as creating an on-line awareness.

How do you balance real life, family, work and your business? 
Currently, Beijo is my full-time job. Also, my showroom is a short walk from my home, so it is very easy to work whatever hours I choose, and still be available for customers when they need me.I am fortunate enough to have an incredibly supportive boyfriend who not only attends and helps at most of my events, but also shares his Real Estate office with me and my business. Beijo is very integrated in both of our lives.

Are there any local businesses or artisans that you are exited about right now? 
I am very excited about a boutique hand-made jewelry line that will soon be integrated exclusively into my business. Details will be announced soon.

Any tips for setting up a table for vending? 
It's not about covering every possible inch with merchandise. Less is more and makes it easier to shop. It is also good to utilize height whenever possible.

Do you have any upcoming shows that you are doing? 
I have a few home parties scheduled. They are always a lot of fun!

Do you have any suggestions for getting your name out to the public?
Create a facebook page for your business and always carry business cards. There are also many good networking groups.



What is one thing you would like people to know about you or your business?
You will always get more for your money with Beijo. If you were to buy a comparable handbag at a department store you would spend at least 3 times as much. Also, Beijo Bags are extremely durable.


Do you have a website, blog, or store front ? 
www.sdcondo.com/beijo.
I also have a showroom inside Lew Breeze's Real Estate Office in Little Italy: 1774 Kettner Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101.

Is there anything else that you would like to add? 
My business is flexible and adaptable. I am available to share my Beijo collection with my clients at my showroom, private parties, or events.

Kari is available for home parties and other vending opportunities and can be contacted via email at beijopurse@gmail.com, via twitter , or on her facebook page.

Thank you to Kari for taking the time to answer my questions.