After A-Kon Is Over

Angel Elf Soo in her pirate garb

Mariann in Renaissance garb

A-Kon passed in a blur or 3 1/2 days. We met at the hotel on Thursday evening to set up our tables; however, everyone was running late. This convention reminded me that someone has to make the list of who brings what and who needs a ride, etc. Sad to say, we spoke to each person in turn -- and no one made the connection that Person A could pick up Person B (and goods) so we didn't have to wait for Person C to finish her errands in order to bring Person B ... Oy!! But it all was done ... This year, I didn't have school stuff on Friday -- in 2012, alas, we go back to the first weekend, when I will have end-of-year checkout to finish before I can turn into a fangirl.

Friday sales were steady -- and, for most of the con, sales stayed steady; however, we didn't make any really big sales. We did sell 3 out of 4 Hestia dolls ... and only 2 people recognized them as Tuesday Morning close-out items. A few people bought Obitsu dolls, but no one wanted a OOAK.

Dollakon started on Saturday ... Joy got to see a few panels, and she bought tickets in a raffle to benefit Japan relief ... She also won first prize for the Angel Elf Soo that Sara costumed this year as a pirate wench. We have to plan for 2012 in order to compete once again. One lady brought her daughter to us -- the little girl wanted a BJD, and we told her how much she'd need to save for one. She had the money, but we didn't have the dolls. We sent her to the other dealers ...

Saturday afternoon also marked a performance by the ballet company. Steph worked sound tech & video while I oversaw the costumes. Hope's MC this year had prepared patter, so the quick changes weren't totally insane. Still, there were costume pieces all over the section of the restroom where I stored our costumes. The con patrons just had to move through the section -- It seems that there was a Japanese fashion show rehearsing at the same time as we performed ... and no one from Department A had communicated with Department B. We managed, but it left a sour taste ... luckily, we were able to pass the hat and collected around $100. Erin, our youngest dancer, said that there were some scary-looking people at the con ... and she didn't see the worst offenders!!

Sunday afternoon was the first slow period; we signed up for A-Kon 23 ... Joy discovered that she'd won a doll and a Gracefaerie pattern. We said good-bye to our out-of-state friends ... and A-Kon 22 was history. How time flies when you're pushing dolls & baubles.

On a side note -- about a dozen Sunset students who were my original anime club members showed up for A-Kon 22 ... My mundane soccer niece came with a friend ... but the biggest surprise was finding out that 3 other teachers had worked the con! I knew one was supervising one of the games on the 3rd floor, but 2 others had worked for a games exhibitor. At first, I thought I had imagined seeing them ... but on the second trip to the frieght elevator, we spotted each other. How weird ... I guess SHS is a better fit for my personality.