Olympic Collectibles Expo 2023

JD Sweet always puts on a nice little show at the Kitsap Mall. For some reason, it doesn't feel so exposed as so many mall shows do. I think it's because it concentrates in the central hallway, and the tables all come with fitted black floor-length covers. It gives it a concentrated, connected feeling. So here are some of the vendors and tables. 

There are two shows a year, one in April and one in November. Plenty of free parking at the Kitsap Mall. A nice little show, and one that adds to the world of comicons out here on the west end of Washington State.

You can see the artwork I did in thanks for SpankyLoco at Olympic Collectibles Expo, 2023 | Donna Barr on Patreon

SpankyLoco, presenting me with a print I admired. 

Melanie Kohn, the voice of Peanuts Lucy.

Comic.Rat, a good guy!

We lost our Kiki in 2021

Sometimes it just takes a while to post when a loved one passes. Our little cat Kiki passed away in 2021. I didn't even realize until I went back to see the photos, and saw which folder they were in. Kiki's story is pretty complete on Facebook for that year. Her passing was a fight, but she was so happy to Dr. Pat when we finally took her in to let her go. Her little face relaxed, and she smiled and was gone. At least she got to enjoy Halloween with her little rat buddy, and catnip on pressie papers, as is traditional in our household. She was the last of our cats, and we haven't had any since. MAYBE.

SquatchconPA 2023 - the second annual

These all showed up early on my Patreon account, so I can post them now. Here's the link that takes you to the podcast, the basic Squatchcon report, and the photos! SquatchConPA 2023, photos | Donna Barr on Patreon 

This might be a comparatively small even now, but it is a GEM. The plan is to take over the whole town of Port Angeles, Washington, out on the Olympic Penninsula. If you want table space or a room, you'd better get on it as soon as they have the links up at SquatchCon's website. It will always be held on the week before Easter - moveable feast!

Here is where I'm going to post some of my favorites, AND the Ka-Blam shirt, that gets me more print money. This time there are two photos - me showing the shirt at my shirt - and the young lady who bought the shirt! So now I'll have to get another shirt the show off at the conventions, where I tell folks about Ka-Blam being the only real POD printers for floppies (what are usually called "comics," in their earlier staple-spine form).

Me and the Ka-Blam shirt

The Ka-Blam shirt finds a new home!

Olympic Collectible Expo 2022

I only have one excuse for not posting more photos, but I had to drive three hours, mostly in the dark, to get to this little Kitsap Mall pop-up Saturday convention, November 5, 2022. Wait - that's Guy Fawkes Night. Maybe we can do a theme next year. Go get your table at OCE on Facebook.

But I DO use Ka-Blam.com for print-on-demand singles comics (floppies), for nearly '80's prices. And I always show their tshirt at convention, and each time get $10 print credit. It works - I've printed enough book for shows, and am still in the black! So here's my Ka-Blam shirt at the Olympic Collectibles Expo. The guy who took the photo is Steven Valentine, of Comic Rat. Hook up with him and his great art at ComicRat, Instagram.

OCE has comics, publishers, gamers, jewelers, and even a couple of cosplayers - and definitely needs more cosplayers! I had fun saying "Welcome to the comicon!" to surprised mall wanderers. The conversation usually went like this:

"Welcome to the Comicon!"

Startled look. "I've never been to a comicon."

"You have now."

I'll probably podcast more about the convention itself, and the nasty drive home, including getting stuck at the Hood Canal bridge.

I promise more photos next time. 

Emerald City Comicon 2022 Photos

Took photos of all kinds of folks, including vendors featured in the podcast. I've put notes on some of them, especially of the vendors that were part of the Emerald Ghosts episode of A Bazillion Ghost Stories (Spotify, Apple, Google), available August 25. Enjoy. A few things are posted twice, but hey. Better that than accidental deletions.

I always think it's fun when the cosplayers take a break.

The vendor for Ghosts Betwixt.

The girls from Geek Girl Con!

Tattoos appropriate to a ghost podcast.

Are demons close enough for a ghost podcast?

Had to get this vendor, showing solidarity with SquatchConPa.com

My Immortal! The parody Harry Potter fanclub.

This has always been one of my favorite booths, Pop Art Saints

The Maid Cafe - Dark Maids soon?

ShePop represents.

The manuscript in the podcast

They said their dino wasn't complete, because it had no back frill - so I said it was a juvenile, and they seemed fine with that.