Event Review: CSM Renaissance Faire 2016

June 29, 2016June 29, 2016 ~ Cynthia Abernathy

As every vendor at conventions, faires, and craft shows knows, sometimes you just don’t have a good weekend. It’s particularly unfortunate, though, when it’s a show you’ve previously done well at.

CSM Renaissance Faire is a small fair we’ve been involved with since it’s first year. It’s on the same weekend as a lot of other possible shows, but we’ve kept doing it because it’s a fun little thing, and turns a nice profit for the cost. Unfortunately, this year was painfully small. From the outside, it does not look like they’ve really even let the college students know that this event is going on on their campus. There were a tiny number of vendors, so really not enough to keep those who did come out around.

We spoke at length after the last day to one of the organizers, and he seems to want to make this show work and be better. The several of us – vendors and entertainers – that stuck around to talk to him all had ideas and volunteered our assistance to see it happen. So, this show sits at “we’ll do it again if he actually takes us up on the assistance. If not, we’re filling our April another way next year.

So now… photos!

After Show Report: Madicon 2016

June 15, 2016June 15, 2016 ~ Cynthia Abernathy

Well, I’m definitely a bit behind on sharing our awesome show stories, but we’re in a good catch up time, so here we go!

Madicon is a fun little convention at James Madison University every March. It is one of the smallest events we do, but it’s great for getting our year rolling. Plus, we get to reunite with a bunch of vendor neighbors we meet over the year.

This year they expanded the vendors a bit. I’m not sure how that did for others as far as sales, but I liked the feel of the newly set up room. We did nicely, but partially that’s from a lot having been learned working as hard as we have over the last year.

So, without further ado, enjoy some photos from March’s Madicon!

20160311_150748 — We got a table on the end, so I was able to bring my nice new rolling rack for cloaks. Fleece is so cozy for March!

20160311_154116 — Nathaniel has been perfecting his light up blades. I think these are the second and third versions. Plus, experimenting with a dark box to best show them off.

20160311_154125 — We’ve really figured out how to take a one table space and make a whole little booth.

20160312_131749 — Madicon benefits a local wild bird rescue organization. I love when they show off the birds of prey! Here’s a tiny kestrel.

20160312_131829 — Yup, the leather masks still get to come along. And by request, more bracers!

Show Report: Wizard World Richmond Comic Con

August 3, 2015 ~ Cynthia Abernathy

Hello again! It’s a busy time of year for us, and we just got back from our second convention in two weeks. This time, Wyrd Armouries took our wares to Richmond for Wizard World’s Comic Con. This was our first time doing a comic convention together – I have done several as Wyrd and Wired – and it was interesting to see what people were interested in and what they bought.

Overall, I’d put this convention in the “okay” category. Well, once we got past a few car disasters (the first car we packed decided being in gear wasn’t fun anymore) and horrible traffic to get there. We did alright financially, but it was a lot more work to get there and was not quite as fun overall. Getting people to part with money took a lot more work than we are used to at a convention. If I was looking at this convention as an attendee, it seems to be much more about autographs and photo ops than panels and content. Which, if that’s what you like, was fine and there were good guests.

One of the highlights of the convention was watching all of the costumes go by. From an amazing amazon of a Wonder Woman to a tiny Doctor Who teething on his sonic screwdriver, people watching is fun. And seeing many of our favorite fellow vendors! We were diagonal from our old neighbor, Emizart, doing her second show. So many cute little dragons. After doing conventions for a while, each one is a bit like a reunion with old friends.

Here’s some more photographic highlights from our booth:

Poor lonely Green Lantern - you're the only one of my new leather masks that didn't sell! — Poor lonely Green Lantern – you’re the only one of my new leather masks that didn’t sell!

We have the full set now for our favorite amazon. Yes, the rope is tied as an actual lasso.

Hey Spidey! There's a friend here looking for you. — Hey Spidey! There’s a friend here looking for you.

Fun and easy gifts - these steampunk gear, propeller, and old book necklaces are still popular. — Fun and easy gifts – these steampunk gear, propeller, and old book necklaces are still popular.

The full corner table setup. We added the Gleeman's Cloak up high as an attention getter. It worked. — The full corner table setup. We added the Gleeman’s Cloak up high as an attention getter. It worked.

Last minute addition - glowing green axe! — Last minute addition – glowing green axe!

See you again (in this guise) at Wizard World Nashville! But coming up next, Invervention (Internet Convention in DC).

Show Report: Scares That Care Weekend 2

July 28, 2015July 28, 2015 ~ Cynthia Abernathy

20150725_193450 — Wyrd Armouries – all your monster hunter needs!

Wyrd Armouries just got back from our first horror convention, and it will not be our last. Scares That Care Weekend is a small convention as the ones we attend go, but one with an excellent atmosphere, a great staff, and fun people. Plus, they are very serious about the money they make going to charity, which is very important.

We had some minor hiccups as vendors. When we started, our table was kind of tucked back in a corner, and thus people didn’t really approach. It was made worse when one table next to us didn’t show, so people would swing wide and barely look. But the staff was nice and fine with us moving a bit on Saturday, which helped not just us but the other occupied table next to us.

There was also the fact that is was our first time at this convention, and our first time at a horror convention at all. As a result, we tried out several new products, in as a mix with the ones we usually bring. It was very easy by the end to see what sold and what people had no interest in, so we know better what to bring next year.

And yes, this convention is on our “will do again” list. We already have ideas! But until then, visit us next weekend at Richmond Comic Con!