Last Saturday, October 12, 2024, I had the amazing opportunity to set up a table in the Artist Alley at the Santa Clara City Library Comic Con in Santa Clara, CA. It was a one-day event, packed with excitement, connections, and inspiration! I’m thrilled to share the highlights from this memorable experience.
Flora’s First Encounter with New Fans
One of the most rewarding parts of the day was introducing Flora to a brand-new audience. It was exciting to see so many people discovering Flora for the first time! From books and prints to notebooks, stickers, and more, attendees appreciated both Flora’s uplifting message and the whimsical designs. Watching visitors connect with her story and artwork filled my heart with joy and fueled my passion for creating even more.
Old Friends and New Connections
It was such a treat to be recognized by local people, some of whom have been following my creative journey for years, or attended my art events in the past. Seeing old friends drop by to say hi and catch up brought a lot of smiles to the day. At the same time, I had the chance to meet new faces, which opened the door to some exciting conversations and potential future collaborations. Many people even recognized Flora from the utility box painting I created last year for the City of Santa Clara, which was such a fun surprise! I left with my mind, and notebook, full of fresh ideas to explore!
The Energy of the Comic Con Crowd
From the moment the doors opened, the energy at Comic Con was contagious! It was amazing to be in such a vibrant space, surrounded by people of all ages who love creativity and imagination as much as I do. The atmosphere was full of enthusiasm, and it felt like the perfect setting to showcase Flora and everything she stands for.
Flora Raffle: A Lucky Winner!
To make things extra fun and colorful, I held a free raffle for visitors who came by my table. The prize was an exclusive Flora Makes Me Smile backpack! The initiative was a hit, and one lucky winner had this special, designed-with-love item delivered to their doorstep a few days after the event! I loved how it added an extra layer of excitement to the day, and I will certainly keep that in mind for future events.
Visitor Feedback and Ideas
Throughout the day, I received valuable feedback and suggestions from visitors, which is always a highlight for me. Some shared creative ideas for Flora’s future adventures, while others gave insights into what they loved most about my art. I’m so grateful for this kind of engagement - it helps me keep evolving and allows me to stay connected with the people who support my work.
Debuting New Flora Products
Santa Clara Library Comic Con was also the perfect opportunity to debut some new Flora merchandise. I was excited to showcase for the first time a new set of prints and a collection of keychains and necklaces (which ended up being best sellers along with Flora stickers!). The response was overwhelmingly positive, and it’s always great to see how people react to new products in person, from little kids to adults!
Behind-the-Scenes of Preparing for Comic Con
Of course, a lot of work goes into preparing for an event like this. From designing and setting up my table to carefully choosing which products to bring, every detail was thought out to make the most of the day - I also rolled 500 raffle tickets in advance to ensure that everyone had a chance to participate in the fun and enjoy an interactive experience!
It was rewarding to see all that preparation pay off when visitors stopped by to engage with Flora’s world.
Overall, my day at the Comic Con was a huge success. I’m so thankful to everyone who stopped by, and to the organizers for giving me this opportunity (the Santa Clara City Library Comic Con 2024 was presented in partnership with several other Santa Clara City departments and generously supported by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation & Friends).
I left feeling inspired and excited for what’s next - expect more in-person shows to fill my 2025 calendar!
Stay tuned for more updates, new product launches, and plenty of new adventures with Flora!
Love,
Giada
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