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Dealing at Anthrocon was great and my hotel stay
6 years ago
For those of you who said hi, stopped by, and/or utilized the repair station, thank you! It was wonderful seeing so many folks. I'm going to break down my experience and then a blurb about my experience at the Courtyard.
DEALER CHECK IN:
It was awesome and a pleasure to see friends again. I brought some gifts for Chef Mongoose and Witchie since they're both TMBG fans. Dave got situated as well and we strolled into the room. I said hi to a bunch of the Dorsai I've known over the years.
DEALER SET UP:
I found my space and no problems. Anthrocon had no say in the DLCC refusing the turn on the air conditioning. Fursuit outside during the convention. That's sort of what it felt like, minus the humidity. Instead of taking 2-3 hours to set up I spent 7 because I didn't want to overheat. Dave, my boyfriend and weekend table assistant was a saint and got me cold water and a matcha frap from Starbucks. I love him a lot.
A dealer commented it seemed to take me a while to set up. I'm very hot and tired. Next year I'll bring a box fan.
I got to meet Sarahcat and her friend (please remind me who you are if you read this), spotted a cute pin I later bought from a vender at M14 of Pikachu holding a coffee mug, and swapped cards with an embroider at E2 and Chel at B02/03 who did badge lamination, printing, and repair. In general if I could direct an attendee to someone I would, and if someone needed costume repair, a bandana, or just things in general I had they mentioned me as well. Make friends with your neighbors cause they're awesome.
My one complaint is I found the chairs provided at the table to be dangerous. I got minorly injured and unfortunately briefly yelled out in pain in front of anyone in front of or behind the table. My neighbor thought it was a loud sneeze. No, the chair tried to eat my leg. I still have a mark on my leg and had to be careful any time I moved the chair to any extent, such as standing up or to scoot it in. Maybe it was mine. I plan on bringing my own chairs in the future.
Our power was spotty, but it was resolved by Sunday.
OPEN HOURS:
It went great! I really don't have any complaints. Lots of people complimented my art, stickers and charms designs, bought and traded pins, inquired if I had or was planning on adding to the pride designs, and really loved the bandanas. One attendee bought a bandana for her friend's goldfish suit and came by to show me later. The print had a sea creature theme and was perfect. Two attendees bought my chicken print bandana and shared photos of their feathered babies. Additionally two individuals separately wanted them for their very large dogs (ione is a Newfoundland). I really want to see photos. A lot of attendees asked about custom bandanas and I'm more than happy to create them. I'm still very blown away at how well received the bandanas were.
A few folks ordered commissions that unfortunately took a bit longer than I had planned to while helping people at the pay-what-you-want self service repair station. It was mostly assisted, but some folks did read the sign and helped their selves. There were a few comments such as, "You made my convention," "You saved me!" and a lot of thank yous. Commonly used items were hot glue, safety pins, and sewing supplies. I had four people behind the table at one point helping each of them one at a time on Saturday; torn corner of a bat head, adding snaps where a zipper tore on a body suit, and someone's trench coat needed buttons.
Other repairs I assisted with included disconnected shoes inside feet, torn body suits, disconnected pieces inside fursuit heads, torn seams on fursuit heads, and minor glue repairs to heads and feet. You all kept me pretty busy.
One specific costume I helped with a repair was a young girl who had been accepted into Floor Wars and the Fursuit Dance Competition. She was attending with her mom and had managed to finish her body suit in time for the convention. Unfortunately her zipper came apart and I had brought snaps with me. We tag teamed for a bit until she was good to sew in the rest of the snaps. Her suit held up and her Mom came by to share a video from her passing Round 1 of Floor Wars. I left a note telling her I was very proud!
To avoid bothering anyone in the room who might be sleeping I worked in the lobby, hung out impromptu with Eddie Bear, Ino, Cerrros, and their friends on Friday, and then with folks in the Zoo on Saturday. My roommates ended up coming in later than me during those evenings.
Witchie and I think Chef Mongoose popped by to see how things were. All was well and I really appreciate people caring.
TEAR DOWN AND AFTERWARDS:
By Sunday I was losing my voice and exhausted. A roommate kept waking my boyfriend and I up or preventing us from falling asleep at early hours between 1:30AM and 6:30AM between Friday and Sunday mornings (later Monday as well at 5AM). I kept it together, but I was so exhausted I wanted to bawl my eyes out. I realized with the 4PM close of the room the air conditioning was going to disappear.
After two hours everything was packed and loaded. Dave and I talked to Skippy DI for a bit and I helped the charity separate bills so they could give the convention a total towards funds raised. The lady running the leather mask table helped and taught me how to fold my fitted table cloth. I need to relearn how to again.
The table space was inspected and then I turned my form in. All was well. No complaints and well organized. Good stuff.
Dave and I managed to get my supplies back to the room and flopped for a few minutes. I reached out to Temperance and the three of us met up for dinner at India Palance...which turned out to be closed...as was the second restaurant two doors down, walked in circles, and then ended up at a Mediterranean place across the street from where we originally were. It was nice to relax, hang out in air conditioning, and catch up. We visited friends later on in the evening at The Westin.
THE HOTEL:
I stayed at the Courtyard. If I could give it a hug I would. It's a great place. My only complaints are the closet is tiny and there weren't enough bell carts. Other than that it was good.
Four people stayed in my room. One was my boyfriend Dave and we drove up together. One was a local friend and one was a guy I interviewed that was recommended of a friend's friend's friend. A background check showed nothing odd, good communication, was okay with keeping the room dry, and paid on time. Nothing strange. However Dave and I were woken up in the early hours between 1:30AM and 6AM from either talking, the door slamming, or for whatever reason deciding 5AM on a Monday morning was the best time to pack. We heard every snap, rustle, and items being dropped. By some miracle we managed to get another four more hours of sleep. Dave ended up having to drive us home after I got the car from the garage.
You live and learn. I plan on only rooming with friends, family, other vendors, and staff that aren't party people in the future. No more random people from the internet.
DEALER CHECK IN:
It was awesome and a pleasure to see friends again. I brought some gifts for Chef Mongoose and Witchie since they're both TMBG fans. Dave got situated as well and we strolled into the room. I said hi to a bunch of the Dorsai I've known over the years.
DEALER SET UP:
I found my space and no problems. Anthrocon had no say in the DLCC refusing the turn on the air conditioning. Fursuit outside during the convention. That's sort of what it felt like, minus the humidity. Instead of taking 2-3 hours to set up I spent 7 because I didn't want to overheat. Dave, my boyfriend and weekend table assistant was a saint and got me cold water and a matcha frap from Starbucks. I love him a lot.
A dealer commented it seemed to take me a while to set up. I'm very hot and tired. Next year I'll bring a box fan.
I got to meet Sarahcat and her friend (please remind me who you are if you read this), spotted a cute pin I later bought from a vender at M14 of Pikachu holding a coffee mug, and swapped cards with an embroider at E2 and Chel at B02/03 who did badge lamination, printing, and repair. In general if I could direct an attendee to someone I would, and if someone needed costume repair, a bandana, or just things in general I had they mentioned me as well. Make friends with your neighbors cause they're awesome.
My one complaint is I found the chairs provided at the table to be dangerous. I got minorly injured and unfortunately briefly yelled out in pain in front of anyone in front of or behind the table. My neighbor thought it was a loud sneeze. No, the chair tried to eat my leg. I still have a mark on my leg and had to be careful any time I moved the chair to any extent, such as standing up or to scoot it in. Maybe it was mine. I plan on bringing my own chairs in the future.
Our power was spotty, but it was resolved by Sunday.
OPEN HOURS:
It went great! I really don't have any complaints. Lots of people complimented my art, stickers and charms designs, bought and traded pins, inquired if I had or was planning on adding to the pride designs, and really loved the bandanas. One attendee bought a bandana for her friend's goldfish suit and came by to show me later. The print had a sea creature theme and was perfect. Two attendees bought my chicken print bandana and shared photos of their feathered babies. Additionally two individuals separately wanted them for their very large dogs (ione is a Newfoundland). I really want to see photos. A lot of attendees asked about custom bandanas and I'm more than happy to create them. I'm still very blown away at how well received the bandanas were.
A few folks ordered commissions that unfortunately took a bit longer than I had planned to while helping people at the pay-what-you-want self service repair station. It was mostly assisted, but some folks did read the sign and helped their selves. There were a few comments such as, "You made my convention," "You saved me!" and a lot of thank yous. Commonly used items were hot glue, safety pins, and sewing supplies. I had four people behind the table at one point helping each of them one at a time on Saturday; torn corner of a bat head, adding snaps where a zipper tore on a body suit, and someone's trench coat needed buttons.
Other repairs I assisted with included disconnected shoes inside feet, torn body suits, disconnected pieces inside fursuit heads, torn seams on fursuit heads, and minor glue repairs to heads and feet. You all kept me pretty busy.
One specific costume I helped with a repair was a young girl who had been accepted into Floor Wars and the Fursuit Dance Competition. She was attending with her mom and had managed to finish her body suit in time for the convention. Unfortunately her zipper came apart and I had brought snaps with me. We tag teamed for a bit until she was good to sew in the rest of the snaps. Her suit held up and her Mom came by to share a video from her passing Round 1 of Floor Wars. I left a note telling her I was very proud!
To avoid bothering anyone in the room who might be sleeping I worked in the lobby, hung out impromptu with Eddie Bear, Ino, Cerrros, and their friends on Friday, and then with folks in the Zoo on Saturday. My roommates ended up coming in later than me during those evenings.
Witchie and I think Chef Mongoose popped by to see how things were. All was well and I really appreciate people caring.
TEAR DOWN AND AFTERWARDS:
By Sunday I was losing my voice and exhausted. A roommate kept waking my boyfriend and I up or preventing us from falling asleep at early hours between 1:30AM and 6:30AM between Friday and Sunday mornings (later Monday as well at 5AM). I kept it together, but I was so exhausted I wanted to bawl my eyes out. I realized with the 4PM close of the room the air conditioning was going to disappear.
After two hours everything was packed and loaded. Dave and I talked to Skippy DI for a bit and I helped the charity separate bills so they could give the convention a total towards funds raised. The lady running the leather mask table helped and taught me how to fold my fitted table cloth. I need to relearn how to again.
The table space was inspected and then I turned my form in. All was well. No complaints and well organized. Good stuff.
Dave and I managed to get my supplies back to the room and flopped for a few minutes. I reached out to Temperance and the three of us met up for dinner at India Palance...which turned out to be closed...as was the second restaurant two doors down, walked in circles, and then ended up at a Mediterranean place across the street from where we originally were. It was nice to relax, hang out in air conditioning, and catch up. We visited friends later on in the evening at The Westin.
THE HOTEL:
I stayed at the Courtyard. If I could give it a hug I would. It's a great place. My only complaints are the closet is tiny and there weren't enough bell carts. Other than that it was good.
Four people stayed in my room. One was my boyfriend Dave and we drove up together. One was a local friend and one was a guy I interviewed that was recommended of a friend's friend's friend. A background check showed nothing odd, good communication, was okay with keeping the room dry, and paid on time. Nothing strange. However Dave and I were woken up in the early hours between 1:30AM and 6AM from either talking, the door slamming, or for whatever reason deciding 5AM on a Monday morning was the best time to pack. We heard every snap, rustle, and items being dropped. By some miracle we managed to get another four more hours of sleep. Dave ended up having to drive us home after I got the car from the garage.
You live and learn. I plan on only rooming with friends, family, other vendors, and staff that aren't party people in the future. No more random people from the internet.
On the plus side, it sounds like despite this and a few other issues at times (I empathize with the lack of A/C, we've had a few days like that here), the convention went off OK. Here's to 2020? Or others first, perhaps. :-D
I love staying at the courtyard as well, although our king room had a humongous sofa that we ended up turning on it's end and stowing in a corner so we had room to move.
It was great hanging out in the front lobby with you. The new furnishings there make it convenient to do that, and made for a great excuse not to have to go up to the room.
However, it was still warm throughout the DLCC, especially if you were wearing a fursuit.