SPS and Con Review

Hey all! Sorry this review is so late. It's been a very busy week as I have been setting up my two classrooms for the coming school year. It's been especially difficult to get everything done, because I have limited time during the day, and one of the schools, the classroom is shared with two other classes, so I have to be mindful of that. But, without further ado, let me give my review of Tiny Paws Con and show off what is new!

So, let's start with the con review. Now, there's a part of me that wishes I had known that this con was still in it's early stages--I think this was like it's 3rd year or something, someone said. But, normally for me, that's not an issue. I think the con needed to see if any bigger cons were happening, because both TerrifiCon and Liberty City Anime were happening the same weekend, both at least 30-50 minutes from the location of Tiny Paws. So, I feel like that affected people coming in. Now, is this to say I didn't appreciate the con? Heck no! This con really makes sure to take care of it's vendors, and made sure to provide a variety for their guests. I think in one of my previous blogs, I mentioned that they had a time frame for when the vendors could take a lunch break, which is something that I, as someone who has to solo a lot of the time, fully appreciate. They also had water, tea and snacks for the vendors in the vendor hall, so the vendors didn't have to go far for anything. This is very much appreciated. Also, for me, it was only a half hour away so I didn't need to worry about hotel overhead. And one of the best parts? My table was HUGE!!! Check out the new set-up I was able to try!

My downside of the con? I didn't sell ANYTHING! The con chairs were FULLY supportive of me selling a fair amount of my MLP stuff (the con chair herself said she loved a lot of my work), and honestly, a good amount of the furries I knew were also Bronies, so I thought I was good. And even if they weren't Bronies, I had enough crossover stuff that I thought I could at least make back table. It was very depressing to end my con season on this sort of note. Coming home was just really sad for me.



OK, enough wallowing. On to SPS! So, I have been working like a madwoman as I try to get as much done as possible before the end of the summer. I am hoping to finish up a lot of my McDonald's minis soon. But in the meantime, here are a lot of my latest pieces:

To Honor BronyCon

Recently, BronyCon, one of the largest MLP cons in the US, announced that they would be closing their doors next year. Next year will be the last BronyCon. Now, this is extremely sad for a lot of people, and I would think it's very sad for those of us who can't really go to any of the other MLP cons. There are a fair amount of MLP cons in Canada, as well as on the West Coast. The closest con that I will be able to get to will be TrotCon, and that will still be 13 hours away. BronyCon was 4. There used to be PonyCon, no more than 2 hours away, but that con is no more either.

Now, why would this be a big deal? BronyCon was definitely not my first con, but that's not the point. BronyCon was the con I went to during my troubled relationship. BronyCon was where I found friends, and in a way, a family. When I first went, granted, I had been introduced to the MLP universe by my ex husband (probably the only thing I have been thankful for). I went to my first BronyCon in 2013, where I actually did vend for a day, but I was only able to sell for one day, due to my job at the time. But I remember it very well, because on my last day, I got some of my first autographs--from the voice actresses of Spike, Zecora and Princess Celestia. The following years, I would either sell or attend BronyCon and make friends, go to panels, learn new tricks for my own figurines, and meet some epic VAs. This past year was the first year I was unable to attend BronyCon due to my graduate school, but since the announcement, I fully intend to make sure I go.

Since hearing about the closure of BronyCon, I wanted to find ways to show my appreciation. This led to doing some digital designs. Now, many of you may know, I am not a full print artist. I am more of a sculptor, which is ironic since in college and my first grad school, I sucked at sculpture. I even had a professor tell me I have two left thumbs. So, imagine my surprise when, as I have become a vendor, I have become known for my figurines rather than drawings and paintings. However, I decided to try my hand to make something to honor the con that has basically been a life saver.

New Digital Pieces and Prep Work

So, I have been on vacation since Saturday, which is why this is all late. I've been enjoying some well needed time away from thinking about the new job and the prep of that beginning soon. That doesn't mean I haven't been working hard. As TinyPaws Con approaches, I am trying to make sure I have enough in terms of stock, as well as getting a few new prints done. Some of these were old sketches that I put on hold for a while, and finally got a chance to finish up. Here are a few new small prints you can expect to see at TinyPaws Con:

SPS, Tiny Paws Con and More!

Hello everyone! So I know I meant to post on Wednesday for a WIP but as the new school year is fast approaching, I got caught up in setting up my two new classrooms. Yup, you heard me right! I am in a new job, doing a split position for two elementary schools in Bridgeport. These two schools are part of a network of schools that often share their resource teachers. So for them, it's not uncommon to do this. It's new for me, but I am excited. However, I have limited time when I can go in and set up the classrooms, so I have been focused on that a lot lately. Last week, I just about finished up the 4-8 classroom. Hopefully, this week, I will get the PreK-3 classroom done.

Aside from that, I am FINALLY done with that mess of a grad school program. Now it's just sending off everything this week, and be done with it.

Now, onto the good stuff! So, before I show you what I have been working on, let me let you know about where I will be next: Tiny Paws Con! I had never heard of this con before, but apparently, it's been around for a while. I've only done one furry con before this, and that was AnthroCon last year. Since then, I have sort of been turned off from most furry cons, because they take their design from AC, which is a b**** for artists like me, who have a lot of 3D stuff and not a lot of 2D stuff. Lottery systems are annoying for someone like me, and I dislike the whole payment system they have set up. So, imagine my surprise when I saw that THIS con didn't do anything like that! In fact, I will have my tables all to myself for the whole 3 days! Check the map below to find my tables!

It's going to be epic! And this will probably be my last con of the season. DerpyCon waitlisted me, but I never heard back so I guess I didn't get it. Same thing with AnimeNYC, but I knew I was taking a shot on that. So, I am going to just look ahead to next year. If you know of any cons around the CT, NY or NJ area, and you'd like to see me there, make sure you mention it in the comments, and link to it!

Now, onto the good stuff! So, because Tiny Paws is coming up, I have basically been like a machine, trying to get as many figurines done as possible! Just recently, I finished up 13 new figurines! However, many of those were duplicates, so it may not seem like a lot. Take a look at what is up on my Etsy Store!

First up, a LOT of ponies, or MLP inspired characters, just finished, and ready for new homes!

Next, we have a new Pokemon figurine, a Mudbray. I have been enjoying doing some of the more obscure Pokemon characters from time to time. I still do Eevolutions (I have a few figurines waiting to get turned into Eevees as you read this), and I have some adorable Butterfree pins!

Then, we have a Robbie Reyes inspired Ghost Rider figurine. I had this random Flash Sentry Equestria Girls figurine lying around, and I had no idea what to do with it, and finally, it came to me. Ghost Rider! And I honestly think he came out pretty well! I'm actually very proud of the face!

Last, but not least, this lovely Monster High doll. First, I cannot take credit for the rehair of this figurine. I cannot rehair to save my life. It's very hard, and I get frustrated way too easily. But, I did repaint the face, paint and sculpt the entire outfit onto the figurine, as well as the hooves on the shoes. The horn is from Plastic Curves. This was inspired by the outfit worn by Todrick Hall for the music video "Dem Beats."