I got my new Square card reader in the mail this weekend! This tiny gadget allows me to now accept credit cards when people want to buy my merchandise. Another small step towards becoming more professional! Just download and open the Square app, plug the Square into your smartphone, and swipe a credit card. I made sure to test it out with my own card before using it on others. Last weekend at the Artists & Fleas market, one guy in particular really liked the Aer Head stuff because he surfed, but didn't have any cash. Because I couldn't accept credit cards, that sale was lost. But now I'm more prepared! I'm glad I got this before the big Baltimore Comic Con coming up September 8th & 9th. This weekend I made a whole task list of what I need to do to prepare for it. Many things are in the works! I was looking up self-publishing, because I really want to collect the daily misfortunes into a very special book (there's a surprise about this particular kind of book). Also figuring out my travel arrangements and other things. EXCITEMENT!!
The Misfortune Cookie @ AMO Studios
One day while going to a cafe in Bushwick, I happened across AMO Studios, a super cool art gallery. AMO (Spanish for "love") had some books and independent 'zines for sale, and I asked if I could sell the Misfortune Cookie stories there. Joseph (the gallery owner) and his friend liked my stories and agreed! This actually happened last Thursday, and they gave me the idea for the new prices I had this weekend at Artists & Fleas, $3 each or two for $5. Because of the gallery setting, and the fact that other self-published magazines were $10 each, made me think $1 wasn't enough to sell them for. I asked how much the guys would honestly pay for something like The Misfortune Cookie and the new price was made.
So please go to AMO Studios at 55 Waterbury St. Brooklyn, NY 11206. They're open 12p-9p daily (except Sundays closing at 6p). If you missed buying my comics this past weekend, please check it out along with other cool art! NOTE: They're only for sale until August 10th, when the gallery will resume regular gallery stuff instead of this little store.
AMO Studios is across the street from these awesome murals! Can't miss it!
mindy indy @ Artists & Fleas semi-success?
The beautiful weekend meant a great turnout for the Artists & Fleas market! mindy indy was placed next to Tony of "Golly," who makes custom T-shirts out of 70s/80s cartoon character bed sheets (like She-Ra, Transformers, etc). I think it was a good pairing, and Tony was super supportive of me! I learned a lot from him too. I think he's in mid-blink in the pic, but there wasn't much time for pics as there were lots of people visiting our tables. I also definitely need a huge background poster to attract people's attention! mindy indy did ok sales-wise for the first time there, but the exposure was awesome. Paid $90 for the table and only made $74, but that's a much closer gap than when I paid $150 for the Bronx con and only made like $40.
This time I sold The Misfortune Cookie comics for $3 each or two for $5, because of the context of the more artsy environment. I was the only cartoonist there - that flea market is mostly for artsy vintage clothing. I didn't sell as many comics, but I made just as much cash as when I sold 75 of them for $1 each. I think I'll keep them at this price - it will save me lots of trips to Staples for printing, folding, and stapling them all. Also, in the pic above, I tried to get a poll started asking if people would buy a Misfortune Cookie T-shirt or tote bag (same for Aer Head too). One of my room mates suggested selling higher priced items at this venue, which is a super good idea. Once I get a few more Misfortune Cookie stories out, I'll make a real "book" of them, but in the meantime, I'm not sure totes or tees would do that well at this time (although I didn't keep up on asking people about the poll...)
The cards did pretty well! I KNEW they were a good idea!! This time I sold them for $5 each, which is a fair, normal price for a card. People seemed to like orange that day.
Random fact: Did you know my drawing table can fold up? I saved $10 by bringing my own table!
It was a pain in the ass to lug it all the way to and fro the subway stations though. I mean, it was doable - it has a handle and isn't as heavy as a table could be (being aluminum). But it was hella tiring! Luckily some people helped me carry it partially on the way back. It's hard to unfold too, it requires a screwdriver and it sticks. Was it worth saving the $10? Not sure, my arms still hurt :/ But it was an experience! I think I'll wait awhile to do Artists & Fleas again until I have higher priced items, but I'm learning a lot!
Artists & Fleas!
mindy indy is back on the scene again this weekend, exhibiting at one of the hippest places in Williamsburg! Artists & Fleas is a weekly artist, designer, and vintage market. According to their website, "it’s an indie fashion and vintage bazaar, a hipster hang-out and fixture in the Williamsburg neighborhood, and a home to the thriving community of countless designers, creators, vintage collectors and foodie enthusiasts that have passed through since 2003. Established in a warehouse on a then-neglected part of North 6th Street in 2003, Artists & Fleas has been a constant in a changing neighborhood – a community for those who love to sell and a destination for those who love to shop. Open every weekend, year-round."
I'll be there this Saturday July 21st from 10AM to 7PM and it's at 70 North 7th Street between Kent & Wythe Avenues, 3 blocks from the Bedford Avenue L train. They even mentioned me in an article! I'm so super excited to be able to sell my comics in areas outside the comics world. People come to this market JUST to buy cool stuff, so we'll see how it goes!
The Daily Misfortune 34
Also, my success at the East Village Arts Party got me thinking about different venues around the city that I could sell my comics. Last night I was applying to flea markets and actually got accepted to Artists & Fleas in Williamsburg! SUPER EXCITED!! More details later on that :)