[Dark Spellmaster]

So this is our first year in artist Alley, Yay for that. Anyway I'm curious as to how much people normally buy of bookmarks and postcards of characters that have been drawn. Any suggestions?

[Voxx]

I buy random items like bookmarks and such if I find the art to be adorable/awesome. Pretty much anyone will buy something with their favorite character on it. ^.^

Congrats on being in AA! Words of wisdom: Make friends with the tables next to you!

[ranefea]

I've noticed that character based bookmarks and such sell pretty well. Like Ska said, if something has someone's favourite character on it, they usually want it. Especially if it's an uncommon character. =) I do both character bookmarks and graphic design bookmarks but the character bookmarks sell much, much better.

And I can't agree more with what Ska said - making friends with the people around you is a must! You'll have someone to talk with, share snacks and sometimes keep an eye on your table for the occasional bathroom run. =D

[Dark Spellmaster]

I will certainly keep this in mind! Thank you guys.

Um question though, what is considered unsual characters? Older series or just the random cool character from the more popular ones?

[ranefea]

Uncommon characters can be more obscure characters from a popular series, characters from a not-so-well-known series or characters from a long-forgotten series. For instance I do a lot of Fushigi Yuugi stuff (It's been my favourite series for many, many years) and the fandom is diminished. Every year I get people who want my key chains because they used to love it FY (or still do) but very few people have anything from it. =) Does that make sense?

[AgentHazel]

I definitely agree with Ska also!
I would be more likely to buy a bookmark, button, or something small with a favorite character on it.
I think it's also fun to find something that's not necessarily anime related just out of the blue.

[Voxx]

Think outside the box. For personal experience, I was looking through vendors and saw a Trigun TOWEL! Boy was I giddy. I didnt even ask for a price. I was like GIMME!!! And it was at a good price too, but I mean...a Trigun TOWEL! It was (and still is lol) awesome! I didnt see it anywhere so I had to buy it and thats pretty much how every anime/manga fan is.

If you create something out of the box with characters that people love they will buy it! =3

Also I find that another thing that sells well are the custom pillows just to give you an idea.

[Christy]

I think that the main gest is to make the book marks and post cards the very best you can. Do what you love but also look at your art with an objective eye to select the very best, most polished peices you have for reproduction. If you are still working on your offerings, put every effort you can into the artwork that you plan to bring to your table. Make sure your reproduction methods allow you to price the items reasonably for what they are.

Bookmarks and post cards are popular because they can usually be had for a cheaper price than a poster or expensive print. Plus, they're portable which is also appealing. But in the end, a person will buy something in the artist alley because it speaks to them - be it because it's a favoriate character, it's from a series that's hard to find, they have a fond nostalgia for the series, or it's just a really good peice of artwork.

[Voxx]

SongstressLenne, on Apr 21 2010, 04:47 PM, said:

You know what I would love to buy?

An anime or gamer eyeglass case!

Now THATS a great idea! I'd love one too! (technically I dont even have a case for my glasses ^.^')

[Dark Spellmaster]

You guys are giving me some really good ideas that I will be looking into in the next few days.

Out side of eyeglass cases what would people like to see? I'm curious now.

I was thinking head bands or like a wallet?

[Lina]

Wallets and change purses would be awesome! I could use a Sgt. Frog one! =D

Tote bags would be cool too, but might be expensive to customize. Or even wristbands.

If I come up with more ideas, I will post them here. =)

[frzndaqiri]

Small lesser-priced items are good for impulse buys. People think less of handing over just a few dollars vs a $5 or more. So yeah, if it gets enough attention it should sell well. Have a nice stand-up display so people can see it from a good distance away, and hopefully draw them over.

I've seen bookmarks, but not many postcard sized art. For that matter, playing card / trading card size could be cool. Even for your own original characters. Name on the front, and maybe fun facts on the back.

[Dark Spellmaster]

frzndaqiri, on Apr 22 2010, 09:07 AM, said:

Small lesser-priced items are good for impulse buys. People think less of handing over just a few dollars vs a $5 or more. So yeah, if it gets enough attention it should sell well. Have a nice stand-up display so people can see it from a good distance away, and hopefully draw them over.

I've seen bookmarks, but not many postcard sized art. For that matter, playing card / trading card size could be cool. Even for your own original characters. Name on the front, and maybe fun facts on the back.

That was something we were thinking about doing. I'll talk it over with my artist and see what she thinks. I'm the writer of the group.

These are all tremendous helps. Thank you guys.

Do people normally buy Orignal art? I thought it was more favorite characters and such rather then characters that are not well known.

[frzndaqiri]

Based on other people asking that question: I'd say it's 60/40 - fanart/orig with most of it depending on
A: how good your artwork is (which is of course subjective) and
B: how well you sell yourself - presentation of your table, getting a good rapport with customers that stop, etc

Everything else is the whim of the crowd coming through.

[Christy]

We specialize in orginal art and sell pretty good all things considered. There are people who will only buy fanart but then there are also people (myself included) that specifically comb the AA for orgional stuff.

Really, it is all about quality. And it's about making sure that the price and presentation matches the quality and are presented at a price somebody would pay. People are willing to pay more for really great art so you can go with better printing and a higher price. But if your artist is still developing and evolving, you may want to do inexpensive "ashcans" just to get a feel for the crowd.

[jhim43]

I will likely buy anything additional, but only if it is original work, and it appears to be something I think I will like.

Fan art, I can see on DeviantArt, and I can buy in the dealer's hall merchandise with already-known characters.

[tatterpillar]

SongstressLenne, on Apr 21 2010, 05:47 PM, said:

You know what I would love to buy?

An anime or gamer eyeglass case!

Lina, on Apr 22 2010, 04:17 AM, said:

Wallets and change purses would be awesome! I could use a Sgt. Frog one! =D

Tote bags would be cool too, but might be expensive to customize. Or even wristbands.

If I come up with more ideas, I will post them here. =)

Yes, yes, YES! Yay for accessories!
I love phone swings too ^_______^

[Lina]

tatterpillar, on Apr 22 2010, 08:41 PM, said:

Yes, yes, YES! Yay for accessories!
I love phone swings too ^_______^

Accessories are an unhealthy addiction for me. lolololol

Phone charms would be awesome!!! =D

If you have anything that is Sgt. Frog, I will buy it from you. I LOVE SGT. FROG!!! I will also buy original artwork if it appeals to me.

[tatterpillar]

Suigetsu, on Apr 23 2010, 01:22 PM, said:

Would this work for this year though?

The necklace/pouch is probably the best idea since many cosplays have such items already worked into them. But this also leads me to think of a new merchandising opportunity... $_$

I found this (Suigetsu's) idea in the "Carrying Important Objects" thread. Awesome, yes?

[Voxx]

tatterpillar, on Apr 23 2010, 12:28 PM, said:

I found this (Suigetsu's) idea in the "Carrying Important Objects" thread. Awesome, yes?

Lol I posted that before hers ^.^ but we both had the same idea. I'd definitely want one...but they are pretty easy to make.

[tatterpillar]

Oops, sorry Ska. You both had an awesome idea

[AgentHazel]

Ska_Toranpetta, on Apr 21 2010, 04:54 PM, said:

Now THATS a great idea! I'd love one too! (technically I dont even have a case for my glasses ^.^')

I've totally done this for my own glasses case and it's actually kind of fun!
I think it would definitely sell also.