Tozo: the LiveJournal - Alternative Press Fair

01:57 pm - Alternative Press Fair

This triple-headed comicbot (or possibly a design for a nerd version of the Charlie's Angels logo) was inspired by a day spent selling comics at the Alternative Press Fair. Myself, jabberworks  and Wes White shared a table and barely found ourselves with a few minutes of quiet all day thanks to a very busy event.

I knew organizer Jimi Gherkin and team had put a lot of effort in the publicity of the event and it certainly paid off, as from door-opening until the end of the day the place was chock-a-block with punters. Everyone seemed to be selling, whatever their style or subject matter, and there appeared to be many people new to the comic and creative arts scene.

Jimi's always keen to have a mix of alternative and applied arts in with the comics at the few events in which he's been involved. It's an area I've personally found hugely interesting and there was plenty of inspiration for future projects on the handmade books and prints side of things, which I intend to pursue.

Couple of snaps:


Punters. The Xmas decorations really add a bit of glamour.



A quiet moment at the table with Sarah and Wes.

People who came and said hello, swapped, gave or sold comics or just waved over the heads of other people: Sue Eves, chamonkee , joedecie , harveyjames , yunni , squirmy , damiancugley , James Nash, David and Martin Lander [myspace music alert]. Erm.. there were others but my brain switched off after a while.

In the evening there was a spot of live music and an open mic session with poetry and prose readings. Something that would normally make the blood run cold - thankfully I fixed this by drinking cider and thus I found myself thoroughly entertained. Jimi's planning another event this year with an anthology in between. I expect there'll be details on his site at some point.

Lost property department: a grey woolly peaked cap and a pair of black woolly gloves were left at our table. Thanks, they look fabulous on me. [Only joking. I'll pass them on to a charity shop if no one claims them.]