🌷 AWA 2024 Artist Alley Vlog 🌷 (it was questionable) 🌷

[@DiaAndPekoe]

As another vendor, I took one look at that map and KNEW that side row next to the wall would be a dead zone. Glad you got switched out!

[@madewithapril]

It was SO BAD, I couldn't imagine being stuck there! 😭

[@Justcetriyaart]

these cons and many crafts shows are making money off us vendors with out much consideration to us actually needing to make money off this. As for being an attendie, the programing isn't cutting it either. its all a very expensive vibe session

[@madewithapril]

I've seen it in craft shows but it was my first time seeing it so blatantly at a con 😭

[@Mualcaina]

Heavy on the dissociating through slow cons 😅😅 you managed to capture it perfectly too. Sorry you had to experience AWA’s growing pains, hopefully they get it together again soon

[@Pawsandstitch_]

That walk JUST from the entrance. WTF. All of the unnecessary spacing for the isle walkways though 😔😔 Also I think someone mentioned that 4 days was also unnecessary since most people will not use the PTO right before Christmas. I do hope the organizers take everyone’s opinions and concerns and plan better for next year. AWA is also on my mainland convention list but now it’s questionable 🥲🥲 I hope you at least enjoyed yourself and know your people are still here rooting for youuu 🫶🫶🫶

[@madewithapril]

Right?? So much wasted space! I would definitely wait another year or two before going again 😭

[@charlotteeardly7235]

I did a couple of craft fairs before Xmas and the weather was so awful not many people turned up. We lost money. I am only going to make crochet flower earrings from now on. Love your videos and your vibes and your flowers xxx Happy New year ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@aquare9ia]

those wing stars are sooooo cute (theyre giving ccs >>) i wish I could've picked one up back at awa ;-;

[@lukap7297]

my biggest gripe with awa is like, less than the number of vendors, since everything were soooo wide so far apart like if i wanted to walk down one side of 700 i have to cross all the way over to the other, or go back and forth, etc it was hard to have a plan like if they were closer itd be easier to turn around and see but it was a mess.. my feet were in a lot of pain and i made it a point to see every shop, not everyone i knew did bc it was such a big ask and even after seeing everything it was hard to remember TT i do remember you though

[@lilmizwicked]

I volunteered for Momocon and AWA for years (at Momocon as a Director of one of their departments, and at AWA as a lower level volunteer). Whenever I've spoken to Artist Alley people year after year in the GWCC at Momocon, I've heard major complaints. It took them years to get to a point of being organized enough to have most of those complaints mitigated. I'm not at all surprised that AWA is having similar problems with laying out their Artist Alley in this new space. I run my own crochet business, so I totally sympathize with the problematic set up and frustrations you experienced! Hopefully your next event will go significantly better

[@thethreepotatoes7269]

This was my first away from home con, And my god was the vendors hall HUGE. Id see one table and think it was cool and when id come back I straight up wouldn't be able to find it :[.

[@lukap7297]

my strategy (going to cons in gwcc where its always Huge) i take a photo of the booth and then take a photo of the aisle so i know relatively where it is? like if i take a picture and i know what the booth looks like + that its far from the 800 sign, its usually easy to find

[@codeimagine]

I've been to both MomoCon and AWA before they went to the convention center as a con-goer. I think I enjoyed MomoCon than AWA, but obviously they've both gotten bigger and moved to the big convention center. Bummer you didn't get to go to the Coca Cola or the Aquarium. Though if you had to choose, the aquarium is better.

[@madewithapril]

Maybe another year, I've always wanted to try momocon too!!

[@lisaregis666]

Tbh I wish I was able to shop this kind of con, as the ones I’ve been to are too small and too crowded and are complete sensory-overloads. That being said, it would absolutely make me question how it could be worth it to the vendors. I wouldn’t want to vend at a con too large or even too small/too busy as that means fewer ppl will visit. It all just seem too stressful!

[@ChantelleArts]

That is one massive con ☺

[@SalviAlmighty]

Yeah I never attended AWA, but just from a logic point of view it made no sense to me to make that many changes all at once and expect it to work? These were all good changes for a growing convention, but they should have been spread on a 3-5 years period. The attendance is not gonna magically increase 4-5fold in a single year.

[@amyk6710]

you were at awa??? i would have gone if i had known T_T

[@littlebigkicker]

It was better at the galleria although they kinda wet cashless which was stupid and i heard now the price to get in is more than last time sry u had to go tbrew that

[@joestoppable]

I guess it all got cut. Hopefully they were at least happy.

[@madewithapril]

I WAS SO SAD I collected so many "HI JOE"'s but I will recollect them at ALA >:(

[@marcusice5400]

so what made this convention questionable for you in ur opinon?

[@madewithapril]

The poor organization of the con and a lot of important information wasn't communicated to the artists! I feel like such a large increase in vendors is definitely something to share because we will know it impacts sales! Plus, most attendees didn't even know when the AA was open 👹

[@marcusice5400]

@ yeah I’m sorry you had this bad experience at this con , no one likes a unorganized con especially when not a lot of attendees come to artist alley and this needs to be addressed going forward

[@amcast562]

Sounds like they need to better organize. I definitely understand you being a vendor and all other vendors are making a long trip and a big investment to sell your products at this event. Are you coming to California next year?

[@PacksMozart]

Nics