Different Types of Cons/ Different Products?

[Former_Member]

I'm still fairly new to selling at conventions (I've only done one so far, which was MagFest in January). MagFest was primarily a gaming convention, which fits well with my shop because most of my products are sci-fi/game themed. Right now, I've got three more cons coming up on my calendar, with AwesomeCon (more comic/pop-culture oriented), Too Many Games (obviously gaming again) and Otakon (Anime) already locked in. My question is this: do you think it's worth spending the extra time preparing new/unique items that fit the specific themes of each con, or have you found that most of these cons fall under the "nerd culture" arch and most people who attend these different types of cons have similar interests? I feel like I'm running out of time for AwesomeCon, as it's in like 3 weeks. I'm trying to figure out if my time would be better spent duplicating bestselling items from my last con, or making up entirely new items that may/may not sell at the upcoming one.

Any help is appreciated =] I make polymer clay/shrink plastic jewelry so I know that my work is a bit different from a lot of print artists out there when it comes to production time. Any advice? =]

[Former_Member]

It never hurts to try to include a little something for specific types of fandoms but in general, gaming is pretty universal. Most of my work is based of video games and I find that there is no lack of fans from anime to comic to scifi cons.

I do also throw in some anime (I don't watch too much but I know enough), as well as popular TV shows for scifi fans. If you don't sell it at one, you'll sell it at another. I do both prints and clay jewelry and video games never fail. Ever.

[Rivercoon]

I sometimes do special art based on the convention I'm attending but can't say it especially helps with sales there. If you can get it in the Con Book however it is good advertising.

[valorandvellum]

I have heard a tip about creating pieces based on who the autograph guests are. Some of my friends have seen people scouring artist alleys looking for pieces to get signed.