Soooooo…
I’ve been asked to follow up my youtube video with a blog, which isn’t a bad idea as I do seem to ramble on somewhat (was original a live on facebook).  I am listening to myself with the video on in the background as I type (cringe), so here goes…

Big news (or not)… dun dun dun…
I’m not doing Comic Cons Anymore!!

It was a long and though out decision, that’s been in the back of my mind for the past year.  I’ve been doing them for 15 years, so was a little heart breaking, but needed to be done.  It will mean things change quite a lot.  Usually at this point in the year, I’d be starting to get into panic mode, thinking what new stock I could make for spring comic con.
For the last decade and a half, I’ve done a minimum of 2 shows a year.  A fair few years it was ridiculous amounts, with some months having one nearly every weekend.
As most of my items are handmade, it’s very stressful, and not sustainable long term, if I want to do other things too.

I’m not just a comic con trader

Just that!! I found doing a lot of shows, meant I was ignoring online sales, not being able to make new things.  Put it this way, there was stuff that NEVER made it onto the website, as I just didn’t have the time.  It then ended up being sold off in a sale, as I needed the space!!
If I was just doing comic cons, it would be different, but again that comes with it’s own issues (I’ll go into that later).

Different Shows

I’m not going to name names, but I can tell you I’ve done a show with most organisers, and those I haven’t I know people who have.  There are some that have stuck, some I wouldn’t touch with someone else bargepole, and some I did once and vowed never again.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some great ones, but there is a huge difference between attending a comic con as a customer and as a trader… a huge difference.

The reasons!

Well, I think the main one has to be stress levels.  Like I’ve said, it’s not the only thing I do.  I also sell online, and have another business (Hollow Oak Stores, go check it out).  I enjoy making new things, and engaging with customers to create cool products, and feel even at 2 shows a year, a huge amount of my time is spent planning, stressing and churning out huge amounts of stock to take with me.  It kinda stifles the creative process.
And let’s not forget, once you’ve made everything, you then need to spend a day packing it, loading the car, the hours to drive to the show, just to unpack it at the other end.  Oh and then set it up all pretty, and ensure everything is priced.  It takes me a minimum of 5 hours to set up Goblin Dreams stall.  A far cry from doing craft fairs many moons ago, when I’d rock up and be ready in less than half an hour.  I guess that’s the issue when everything you make is every so slightly different from the next one.
Again, if I was ONLY doing shows it would be quicker, but I’m not!
Then it’s back to the hotel, with likely an early start the next morning to finish off the stall, as I would have lost the will to live at some point the day before. Then 2 days trading usually (sometimes 3), only to pack it all down again, load into the car and start the long journey home.
The morning after I was often greeted with the dreaded con flu, meaning a week of go slow.
But that’s not all folks… Then I need to unpack everything, work out what’s sold and take of the website and etsy…. I could go on, but you get the idea.  It’s not just rocking up with stuff to sell.
For each big show, I would say it’s a minimum of a month out of my life!! Then you get to the end of the year and think… I didn’t get round to making that again, or doing this… I seriously have a list of makes that has had stuff on for over 5 years!
Any then there’s the anxiety of will I make any money???? How many nights have I not slept, thinking what if I don’t make the sales I need.

Now let’s get to the ugly word.. MONEY!
It’s not cheap to do shows.
You usually pay per table, which, for a big show is around the £300 – £400 mark.  You pay more for a booth (with sides to hang things).  I have a minimum of 2 tables.  I tried one table at a show, and it just doesn’t work for me.
Then add hotel, food and drink, staff costs (or at very min feeding them), fuel to travel there and so on. So, as a very generous estimate that’s the best part of £1000 before I’ve even left the house (It in in fact usually quite a bit more).  That doesn’t account for materials, and any stock you’ve bought in.  But basing it on the £1000, because it’s an easy number, that means I need to sell at least £1000 of items, before I’m even thinking about making a profit… It’s very difficult for me to work out actual profit as each item includes materials and time and has a different profit margin. However, I know for sure, that the cost of doing vs the amount taken as a percentage, generally works out higher than any online selling platform.  Ie.  A show costs me £1000 to do.  I take £5000, that’s 20% commission essentially, and that’s not working out materials time etc.
That’s more than etsy and they have high fees!!
And remember there is no guarantees.  You could turn up and take no money, or take less than £5000 (likely), which if you actually work it out (don’t, you’ll cry), will likely bring you under than min wage when you add in your time.

Which leads on nicely to….No guarantees
Pretty straightforward, you cannot guarantee sales.  Although you have essentially a captive audience, so many factors can effect sales.  You could have a sold out show, and it’s too busy and chaotic for people to even get to your stall (been there).  People could have spent their money on guests and have little money to share around traders.  The weather can affect it, guest cancelling.  You just can’t guarantee anything.
One thing I do stand by is the amount of customers.  If you are an organiser charging a significant sum for someone to trade at the event, you are offering a service.  This means you should be pricing the tables according to the estimated footfall, and attracted the right kind of buyers/booking traders to match.  I’ve seen too many traders say, well, it can’t be helped, you win some you lose some… errrmm, nope!! You have paid for a service!

Consistency… if only there was some!  You can have an amazing event, and same event next time is a awful.  There is zero consistency.

Stock… hmmm, firstly you tend to make very specific stock for shows to align with guests.  Sometimes, get the violins out, you are left with a lot of niche stock, with no where to sell.  It’s a fine balance of what to make and how much.  I jest, but it’s very depressing to be looking at shelves of stock that’s cost you money and time, and you have no idea how you are going to get a return on it.

Over saturated.. just that.  There’s no room for more comic cons.  Stop adding more!! The market was over saturated and you’re just making things worse.  Customers haven’t magically got more money for each new show you announce, you are essentially diluting the money available with each show added.  Plus in long run, it dilutes the whole industry and makes all events poorer for it… STOP IT!!!
Hotel conventions are the anomaly, they are generally awesome and a good vibe and not over saturated at all.  Unfortunately no good as a trader as most don’t have stalls 🙁

Smaller comic cons.. Well, what about paying less and doing smaller shows I hear you cry?  I’ve tried smaller ones, and tbh they are a bit meh!  They still cost 100s usually, and work is the same for set up, though less overheads for hotel etc, most you end up with an even smaller profit margin.  Contrary to this is non comic con events.  Local events, where the tables are low cost, it’s a chilled out atmosphere, and there is tea and cake!
However, the most of my Goblin Dreams set up doesn’t suit those sort of shows, I will however be doing some local shows with soaps and natural cosmetics, so yay!

TOXIC.. I feel I have to touch on this, even if it may upset some people.  There’s a very toxic, bitchy behind the scenes.  There’s a fair amount of back stabbing.  I’ve had traders try and slag off other traders (and customers) to me, and all I can think is.. dear gods, what do you say behind my back?
The customer side is morally just awful.  It makes me feel physically ill when I see customers going over to them, and they are smiling sweetly to get their coin, when last week they were making awful comments about them.
From a trader point of you, I’ve had many occasions over the years when comments from other traders have come back to me, and more than a few occasions of people saying, basically, oh you’re really nice (Not a bitch like I’ve been told).  Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of fantastic traders, but as with anything, there is always the group of bullies.
Although you laugh it off, it’s really unpleasant, and I’ll be honest, there have been several shows I haven’t even walked around as the anxiety of bumping into certain ‘other traders’ wasn’t worth it.  You won’t change it, as they don’t care.  You can’t defend yourself, as you look guilty, so all you can do is carry on and do your best.
This brings to the ‘booking a table anxiety’.  Oh gods, what a place of power to be in.  To decide if someone gets a table, what their position will be (good or bad).  Basically, I think organisers need to understand that they are providing a service to traders, and charging a lot for it.  However, unfortunately what happens is, people are terrified they will lose their slot of they are too pushy, don’t brown nose enough, are awkward etc. It’s horrible really!! People are relying on shows to pay their bills, and there is no guarantee you’ll get a slot, and if you do, that you won’t be shoved in a corner with no footfall.  Writing it down in black and white has made me quite cross.

So what’s changing?

the good thing is about letting comic cons go, is TIME! I will have way more time.  Already this year I’ve done loads of things that have been put on the back burner.  I need to grow my business, rather than just panic making from one event to the next.  I actually feel like 15 years of shows has sucked the creativity out of me.
I started Goblin Dreams many moons ago, as I wanted to make goblins, dragons, fae, toadstools (i loooooooove a toadstool), little creatures, steampunky bits.. basically all the cool stuff.  I feel the journey of comic cons, whilst fun in the main part, has side tracked my creativity and taken me off on somewhat of a tangent.  So, it’s back to basics and doing things I want to do.  It’s starting a new journey on youtube, please go subscribe to the channel!!  It’s doing more blogs like this, more makey doey videos…
It’s realising that being self employed, is for a reason, and on my own terms, and to actually enjoy what I’m doing.  I really hope you will join me in this new chapter!

Videos

I’ll be doing regular talky ones, and showcasing making things, but please feel free to suggest topics for vids and blogs

Workshops

I did start doing these before the covid years, and may start them up again, but I’m not 100% sure.  I may just add an option to book me for the day as such.  However I was thinking I could do some zoom workshops, or commissions.  Lots of thoughts and things!

The year so far

I’ve done loads of admin, and managed to get all figures on the website and will endeavour to keep it up-to-date.  I’ve had a cull and clear out of stock to make space.  I’m forcing myself to do boring things now, or they will get forgotten about for the rest of the year.

The year to come

I still have some admin to do.  The website has had a quick tidy up but needs some more work.  I need to do my annual (well, what should be annual) check of materials prices, product prices, and if they can stay the same price, need to go up, or just go!  I have a list, and a notebook and I’m making myself work through it.  But for now, I’m feeling I need at least a few days with the clay. I need some creative time!

If you’ve managed to get this far, well done!! I know it’s been lengthy, but I think I got everything.  It’s taken several cups of tea, and a few get up and walk around for a bit.
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For now, I am going to make pancakes, then collapse on the sofa 🙂

Big loves as always

Nici
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