Artist Alley Recap - Holiday Matsuri 2024

Hello! I was debating how best to introduce myself as an anime artist who has also sold my art at conventions since 2006 - cough, yes I'm getting old - I thought perhaps doing a recap of my last convention! Holiday Matsuri is one of the larger anime conventions in Florida at over 30k+ attendees and is especially known for it's festive vibes being just before Christmas. I've watched it grow and this year they had to move to the Orlando County Convention Center. Sadly a lot of us really missed the cozier feels at the Marriot Hotel (blow up Christmas Trees just aren't the same, I'm sorry). This is the same convention center Megacon Orlando is held.

As you can see, I have a LOT of cool anime and kawaii chibi art merchandise goodies so I went for a full premium artist booth. Even though I've been doing cons for over 15 years, it can cost me close to $1,000 in expenses to do a con like which even makes a veteran like me nervous. This between between booth fees, hotels, travel costs and buying some anime goodies for friends who helped me. Does not include merchandise restock and buying new display items... ( ´•̥̥̥ω•̥̥̥` )

The number of artists was a bit overwhelming! This was largely thanks to the the move and an oopsie (the convention meant to charge us $200 more for tables but forgot to update the application...they decided to honor it but doubled the number of artists to make up for it.) I had a decent spot but just LOOK at this map. The little star is me. This doesn't even include the vendors / exhibitors room!

I went all out and updated my display for this year. I decided to keep it more open, added some pretty purple backdrops and lots of lights. The shelf featuring my engraved acrylic LED desk lamps turned out great I think! I also love that it's an origami shelf so folds together easy peasy.

I was using an 8 year old Christmas tree every year for my hand painted ornaments. This year I bought a pink tree and I'm in love with it! Added new lights and my husband even 3d printed the Mario star for me on top.

Our couple keyholder sets have been very popular since my hubby has been helping me make them. I design, he makes. He spends a lot of time on each one, but I think that's what makes them special! Recently we've been using a poplar hardwood and they hold up even heavy sets of keys very well. I've had a ton of fun coming up with different designs or taking custom orders.

This was the first year I hand painted a few special ones. (´∀｀)♡ When I get a chance to take better photos, the ones I have left may find themselves up in my shop soon.

Even though I'm stuck at my booth all weekend, I always love seeing all the cosplayers! I try to make it a habit to get a photo of some of my favorites during the show. There was so many Delicious in Dungeon cosplay and surprising number for Final Fantasy 7! Other of my favorites you see here are from Konosuba, Trigun, Evangalion, Mario, Bernard from the Santa Clause, the Grinch, Tinkerbell, Fairy Tail, and Over the Garden Wall.

In the end, this is what all my stuff looks like packed up and ready to go into our poor car lol. Was it a success? The move and doubling of artists definitely was negatively felt (most artists did about half their usual for this con) but it wasn't a total loss, we just had high expecations. When I got home, it was just days until Christmas and then I recouped by enjoying my Christmas tree and relaxing more with the family playing video games -- something very hard to do amid crazy con prep.

I hope you found this post a bit interesting! I look forward to sharing more of my art, creations, and experiences. Feedback means a lot to me! Any comments, questions, or what you'd like to see more of is always loved (ノ゜▽゜)