ART VLOG ✦ MASSIVE show prep for CATCON Meowfest... will it pay off | freelance illustrator

[@eeeeeerika]

Ugggh, it's so disappointing to hear Meowfest didn't go as planned :( I just wanted to say that YOU DID NOT FAIL. You did a tremendous job prepping for this con, which on paper sounded like a slam dunk, but it just wasn't the right fit or vibe. That's not on you! Please be kind to yourself and be super proud of all the work you did to prepare. Nothing was wasted!! Also - I think the idea of printing on thrifted clothing is brilliant :) Can't wait to see more amazing things from you, Tuna!!

[@ChismosaPrincesa]

I FEEL you dude. This year is hard for artists in general but you’re killing it! If I wasn’t so horribly broke I Would snag stuff from your shop ASAP

[@yosapocky]

It's okay, I too have done events where it doesn't go as planned. I vended at a ren festival where the organizers told me they had been doing this event for 8 years and had thousands of people coming, to find out that only like 100 people came in the span of the two days. I didn't make my table and basically wasted $250 including hotel, fees, and food. However, after the event, I started up my online shop and got accepted to 3 other events which I'm really excited for!! I also found a 10x10 setup I'm happy with and traveled to a place I've never been before because I did that event! :)

[@rayne152]

Hey there! As someone getting into the vending business, do you have any legal certification? I think you technically have to have one, but I’m trying to see how far I can get without one 💀

[@yosapocky]

@violetm152 I have an llc for my business, but I don't think it's necessary to have a license. But I do think it makes things easier for taxes or might be required for certain states/countries.

[@anitawalter4439]

Those fashion cats are adorable. Please keep going. Next time will be smashing. Your videos are always entertaining.

[@ArtbyTuna]

thank you so much. I had a little cry about it all but I am ready to move forward to the next one!! 💞

[@SakuraPomeranian]

I liked to block print on paper in HS but tbh never thought about it on apparel until seeing your IG posts. The newish lego print block things are very cool too

[@AnggiSahamCantik]

THE GHOST MUG!!! I need it in my life 😭😍 I'm so sorry the meofest didnt go well. Wish you the best luck for your next market ❤

[@HumdrumCurio]

Oh no! I’m so sad to hear about the convention, if I had my passport I would’ve stopped by. I went to Seameow in Seattle and it was amazing 😍 I went to buy cat themed merch since I’m allergic and must live through others. My friend who went with me was sad that there weren’t very many cats there 😅 My slightly unhealthy way to pick myself up is retail therapy but I’m trying to replace that with urban sketching ❤

[@ArtbyTuna]

I am also a retail therapy person… 😂 maybe I will try more urban sketching too. Thank you so much 💗

[@pierrecassidy583]

Hi Tuna. My wife and I attended the Meowfest and picked up a few of your print items: the jean jacket and yellow sweatshirt thing. Your stuff was really great, and I'm sorry the value proposition wasn't there for you in the final analysis. Hopefully it won't disuade you from finding your way back next year, as we enjoyed ourselves immensely and were very impressed at your wonderful offerings. Glad to see you make a space for upcycling - love that nice things can keep flowing through alternative markets.... We didn't really understand the whole stamp thing either and I often found myself crowded by those just looking for stamps. I won't regret seeing it absent from next year's event in favour of a clearer focus on all the great art pieces, craft pieces, and services.

[@ArtbyTuna]

Of course, I recall you! You and your wife were one of the kindest moments of the show - I have remarked in the past that the interactions are what REALLY make the in-person events worthwhile, and so I always appreciate the good vibes and support people like you show. Thank you 💗

[@Seriinudesu]

The beach fashion cat is so cute 🥰

[@BlkWillow28]

I'm sorry hear that the event didn't pan out. I love the idea of fashion cats and creating your art on thrifted clothing. If I lived in your area (I live in the southern part of the U.S.), I definitely would have stopped by to snatch up some items. To pick myself up, I usually either watch other people create art or put on some music and do some doodling myself. Putting color on blank pieces of paper always brings up my spirits. I enjoy your vids and always look forward to watching you create your art.

[@Christina24life]

Those cats are awesome ❤❤❤

[@mrs.quills7061]

That’s such a smart idea for the sticker sheets and I’m so sorry this didn’t go well for you!! The thing is you took a risk and tried, better than not trying and regretting it later.

[@thecappytrails]

Aw and you worked super hard! I would have gone for the merch tbh. I've had the same thing happen several times. Probably the most depressing was for a zoo art event this year. I always freak and stress prior to every event and though I was trying to make it a "workcation" I was still working on products in the hotel. ANYWAYS it was for two days, I had all new displays, all new products, shirts for the first time etc. First day gets rained out. Placement was terrible at the front of the zoo, where most people just wanted to rush past to get inside, or leave through the actual giftshop. Day two didn't even happen. There was a watermain break so the zoo had no water and thus couldn't open. Not accounting for the products I purchased to have - I broke even. Sad times but at least I got to see some animals while they "attempted" to fix the water 🥲

[@v-gtea5273]

Hi Tuna, with all the impressive prepping job you did with this convention, I'm sorry to hear it wasn't a blast. I didn't hear about that convention, if I'd known I would have defenetly come to say hi and take a look at your latest merch 😍 I love what you do. The thrifted clothes are an amazing idea and your Fashioncat designs are fabulous, my favorite is Opal. I'm a new comer in your community and I'll go contribute on your Patreon this instant, you are so inspiring to me ❤‍🔥 sending tons of good vibes 🌟

[@Vandoe666]

Good gosh you are such a sunny person, despite the little set back, and your art is super cute, sub for sure! Keep doing the good work fam

[@himbeerfalter]

5:22 Maaaaaaaaaaaww… you’re wearing the Soft Boi shirt! 😍💜

[@ArtbyTuna]

took the oppourtunity as soon as it was cool enough hehehe!!

[@TheYoshi3579]

So sad about Meowfest not panning out profit-wise :(( at least there were some really cute kitties there!! 🥺 if I had gone, I would have purchased from you and Kasey, for sure ❤️

[@angelapisano6282]

I think one of the worst feelings is prepping really hard for an event and it doesn't turn out how you envisioned whether it's your personal expectations or expectations based on other people's experience. I'm starting out my vending journey and it is something I'm slowly learning to deal with.

[@MT-hv4rk]

oh man! I'm sorry meowfest didn't go how you hoped! But you're super skilled and things will roll over, you're gonna be back up in no time! You also managed to make this whole ass video after experiencing that bummer, you're mad resilient too! Also unrelated to that but if you want a superglue alternative, it comes in a much more manageable gel form lol

[@TonyTylerDraws]

Sorry to hear that, but luckily all the stock rolls forward. I know the feeling of spending time in a shop update and then nothing happens.

[@wwm84]

Still a good video. Need to see the Ls and realize they can happen and that not every fest or con will go smoothly.

[@ChantelleArts]

I've never heard of this con before, but I think I spotted kasey golden so that's pretty cool 😊 sorry to hear it didn't go so well ❤❤

[@ArtbyTuna]

Kasey was the one who recommended it to me, too! We went down, but we went down together 😂

[@LionAroundSewing]

All the stuff you made is so cute and will def sell in the future so just think about it like you are really prepared and stocked for your next event. Also thank you so much for sharing about block printing! I’ve never heard of it but I think it’s a better alternative than me getting into screen printing 😂🐾

[@brandikoby7192]

Aw, sorry to hear it wasn’t too great. We used to do shows in Vancouver too and have definitely had some flops! It just goes that way sometimes, but I’m sure the next few shows will be better. Events are so much work! You really did such an amazing job with all the prep. ❤

[@maxyanimashons5085]

im so exitedd

[@TeacupGirl]

Ugh- that sucks that Meowfest didn’t work out the way you were hoping for Tuna, it’s such a let down to work so hard and not see the payoff. For what it’s worth, I think your booth was super cute and I love, love, love the block printing on thrifted clothing idea- so unique and cool! ❤

[@misoandtofustudio]

ahhh sorry that u had bad con! i had a string of bad ones as well! its so hard to gauge it but ur set up and everything is so so so so cute!

[@vidotter]

😢 yeah it can be so up and down at times but a new show can take a few tries to get the ball rolling - maybe? My first time at this farmers market the booth next to me blew over and I was lucky enough to be standing and holding on to mine for dear life when the winds hit - theirs came crashing down and hit a patron square on the forehead and crashed down on her 😮 - such a lesson to always have plenty of weights around. 😅 take care it can always be so much worse 😊

[@jasminefayeart]

I block print on totes using very detailed Lino and a note to anyone who may want to try it out - I’ve used the ink tuna used and it didn’t work great, totes have a pretty rough texture and Lino requires a lot more pressure than the rubber stuff and that ink just didn’t do the trick. I use speedball fabric screen printing ink so if anyone in these comments tries block printing using actual Lino and it doesn’t work try getting the screen printing ink instead. (T shirts are easier to print on but I still had trouble with that ink too)

[@ArtbyTuna]

Oooh, can you expand on this? I tested the screenprinting ink as well and I noticed it would leave streaky, brush-stroke-like lines when printing an area with black fill due to the thinner nature of it. Do you have a way of applying that might mitigate this? 😊

[@ColzoArt]

Block printing on paper has become one of my fave things to be doing recently!! 1:42

[@ArtbyTuna]

so awesome! isn't it satisfying?! making stuff with your hands just hits different 🤌

[@himbeerfalter]

3:41 😆 We’ve got the same book…

[@ArtbyTuna]

love atomic habits!

[@CatCake579]

oh man i'm so sorry to hear about meow fest. it always seems like such a big event, i usually see ads for the Toronto Meowfest so i don't know if its any different from Vancouver.

[@ArtbyTuna]

For what it’s worth, someone I know runs a cat item business and went to that one, and said it was a stinker for them too… 👀 but they DO do good marketing, so I wonder why ticket sales were lacking!!

[@IzzyLo]

Superglue. Ew. I somehow superglued my shorts to myself once and only realized when I tried to take my shorts off and had to rip them off my skin bc welp superglue. My fingers also got effed. Screw superglue. Edited: I’m sorry about sales!

[@ArtbyTuna]

amen! screw superglue!! no matter how careful I am it always gets all over my fingers and nothing but time will remove it 😭

[@Lisasplace]

to bad they didn't have to buy something to get a stamp

[@ArtbyTuna]

THIS would have made much more sense 🤦‍♀️ 💗

[@sakurasharks]

So disappointed to hear it was a flop! So weird they pushed you so hard to do this apparel leaning merch when the vibe of the show did not match that at all. At least you have cute merch to sell to the rest of us! Silver linings 😂

[@ArtbyTuna]

Right!! And actually like, TONS of other booths had tshirts… I was thinking ??? why did they insist!! I was really the only person with sticker sheets, I could have just had that be my niche 😭

[@tinaciancone4810]

Hi how are you