Artist Back Alley Resources Blog

Breathe Easy: Your Artist Alley Self-Care Survival Guide Let’s be real, conventions can be a whirlwind of excitement, colourful crowds, and the occasional bout of nerves! If you’ve ever felt anxious about prepping for an artist alley event or wondered how you’ll make it through three days in a row of drawing, chatting, and sitting in the same chair, you’re definitely not on your own. Looking after your mind and body is just as important as having a picture-perfect display or a stack of shiny business cards. We’re here with some tried-and-true tips to help you tackle con jitters and feel your best from prep to setup to the final packdown. Stretch It Out: Keep Your Body Moving Hours of drawing, designing, and manning your table can leave even the bendiest artist feeling a bit like a pretzel. To avoid stiffness and those dreaded hand cramps, take a few minutes every hour to stretch your wrists, fingers, shoulders, and back. Give your arms a shake, stand up straight, and twist from side to side. Even a quick stroll around artist alley before con can lift your mood and get your circulation going. These tiny moments of movement help keep your creativity flowing, too! Stay Hydrated: Sip, Sip, Hooray It’s so easy to forget to drink water when you’re busy with commissions and conversations, but keeping hydrated is your secret weapon for staying energised and dodging headaches. Bring a reusable bottle and fill it up whenever you get the chance. You could even pop in a few slices of fruit for a bit of fun. Hydrated brains are happy brains, and you’ll look extra radiant in all those con selfies. Break Time Is Sacred (Yes, Really!) It’s tempting to power through without taking a break, especially when your table is bustling with customers. But everyone needs a rest! Set aside a bit of time to step away if you have a helper, use the loo, snack on something tasty, or simply enjoy some fresh air. If you’ve got a table buddy, tag-team your breaks so you both get a chance to recharge. Your art, and your customers, will benefit from you coming back refreshed. Step Outside for a Fresh Perspective Prepping for can be a sensory overload with so many sounds, sights, and ideas. Stepping outside during prep time, even for a few minutes, can be a total mood booster. Find a sunny spot, take a deep breath, and give your senses a reset. Sometimes a bit of vitamin D is all you need to turn your day around or help manage those con jitters. Taming the Stress Monster Convention nerves are totally normal. Maybe you’re worried about making enough sales or perhaps big crowds feel overwhelming. Here’s the best advice: focus on what you can control and let the rest go. Practise a few deep breaths, keep a written checklist so you don’t forget anything, and remember to eat proper meals, not just snacks or junk. Celebrate the little wins, whether it’s a smile from someone, a sketch commission, or making a new friend. If you find yourself feeling stressed, reach out to another artist or a friend nearby. The community is full of kind souls, and sharing a laugh or venting a bit can really help. Listen to Your Body (and Your Heart) Some days will be a breeze and others might be more of a challenge, and that’s completely okay! If you need to pause, take a rest, or lose yourself in your favourite playlist for a while, do it. Your own wellbeing comes first, and finding a rhythm that suits you at cons is an art form in itself. Self-care at conventions isn’t just a luxury. It gives you the energy to bring your boldest, brightest self to your table. So, stretch, hydrate, smile, and give yourself the space to enjoy all the magic around you. We’re cheering for you every step of your creative journey!

Hey gang, gearing up for your first artist alley adventure? You're not alone in the excitement (and maybe a little panic) when it comes to ordering stock! Don’t worry, we’re here to help you make confident decisions, set your table up for success, and turn those “what do I bring?!” jitters into pure anticipation. 🛒 Smart Stock Strategies for First-Timers Ordering your con stock can feel like gazing at a blank canvas, full of ideas but where to start? Here’s how to fill it with choices you’ll love (and that your customers will too): 1. Estimate Quantities with Confidence It’s tempting to order everything, but start with a focus on your best pieces. Aim for smaller quantities (10 to 20 prints per design is a solid start) and see what resonates. You can always ask other artists for tips, scroll through photos from previous events, or DM us, we’re more than happy to share some friendly advice! 2. Balance Variety and Quantity Offering a mix of prints, stickers, and trinkets keeps your table exciting, but remember not to stretch yourself (or your budget) too thin. Choose a handful of designs in different sizes or formats, and focus on what you’re most passionate about. Having a smaller, curated selection is totally fine for your first table! 3. Sourcing Reliable Suppliers Picking the right suppliers is part adventure, part strategy. Check out reviews, ask for artist recommendations, and try small sample orders before you go big. Here are a few options our community loves: Vograce: This is a popular charm supplier from China known for their great quality, but you’ll need to plan ahead because orders can take a few weeks to arrive. It’s smart to ask around and see if anyone is organising a group order as joining in can help you save on costs! Tanong Printing (Mascot, Sydney): This print shop is run by artists who truly understand con deadlines and customer priority. They deliver stock directly to conventions and frequently organise group orders through their Discord server. If you prefer, you can also reach out for regular printing services outside of group orders. DM us if you’d like an invite, or connect with them for regular printing outside of group orders. Aussie Con Artists: This is a supportive social media group managed by local Aussie artists. It’s the perfect place to ask questions, get advice, and find encouragement from a truly wonderful community. Join in to connect with fellow creatives and share in the camaraderie!  ArtistBooths (that's us!): We’re here to help you set up shop with booth displays, accessories, and all the bits you need to shine. Right now you can grab 15% off with our SMASH Chibi collab, it's perfect time to dec out your table! Bonus tip: Always order your stock a few weeks ahead to avoid the dreaded pre-con scramble! If you happen to order more than you need, it’s the perfect motivation to set up an online shop or stash those extras for your next event. This is the beginning of your creative journey, so keep that momentum going! Putting It All on Display: Booth Panels to the Rescue Here is the information broken down into bullet points for better legibility:  Key Features of Artistbooths Modular Display Panels and foldable Hooks BOOF modular cube panels (Show-Stopping Presentation): Available in a range of eye-catching colors (vivid pinks, blues, classic black, crisp white, and more). Ideal for turning your table into a show-stopper. Allows you to mix colors or coordinate them to match your signature style. Foldable Hooks (Ultimate Self-Serve Setup): Designed to be paired with the display panels for a seamless setup ( via adhesion strips to panels or via clip onto wire grid panels). Creates a super easy self-serve environment for customers to browse and shop.  Boosts Sales: Helps drive impulse buys, especially with "grab a deal" signs. Improves Customer Experience: Encourages more hands-on shopping, increasing the chance customers will fall in love with your art (e.g., that extra print or keychain). Saves Time: Features a clever foldable design for faster pack-up, smoother bump-in, and no fiddling with bulky hardware. ⋆ Convention Logistics & Inspiration Pick-Up Option (Sydney Artists): If you are an artist in Sydney, you can pick up your panels and hooks ahead of the convention at our Alexandria pickup location. This allows you to skip the last-minute scramble and set up on your own schedule. Inspiration: Check out our Instagram @artistbooths for creative booth ideas, colorful setups, and inspiration from artist alley professionals. Your table could be the next to wow the crowd! Con-quest Checklist Plan your artwork lineup and pick out your star pieces. Think about how many of each item to order (start small and build from there). Choose trusted suppliers and check out their samples. Order early so you’re not caught short, production and shipping can take longer close to con season. Check for any international holidays as well! Make your display work as hard as you do! Our booth panels are perfect for showing off your unique creations, and our handy foldable hooks let you set up self-serve stock so customers can browse and shop with ease, even if you’re busy helping someone else. For bump-in, be sure to pack a hi-vis vest and enclosed shoes. Many venues require these for safety during setup, and they’ll help keep you protected while you get your booth ready for action. Check out our Instagram for tips, supplier spotlights, and endless booth inspiration. Bring your imagination, a positive attitude, and a spirit of adventure! Great Suppliers to Check Out If you’re on the hunt for quality stock and display options, make sure to look into well-loved suppliers like Vograce Tanong, and our own ArtistBooths (that’s us!). We’re here to help with sturdy booth panels, clever foldable hooks, lots of setup ideas, and advice to make your first con a breeze. Even better, we’re offering a 15% discount on all ArtistBooths setups right now if you’re heading to SMASH Chibi, so there’s never been a better time to get sorted. Let us know how we can help bring your creative vision to life! You're Ready, So Go for It! Congrats, superstar! Placing your first stock order is a creative milestone, and we’re cheering you on every step of the way. Remember, it’s all about learning, experimenting, and having fun while you share your work with the world. Free planner resources Don't forget a thing, we created a free downloadable resource to plan your next convention here you can download them to print or draw over on your tablet. https://artistbooths.com/blogs/convention-tips-tricks-australia We believe in you and can’t wait to see your table come to life!