Meet the Vendors Series: An inside look at the fan-run stores for HaloBearerUK Part 1
Meet the Vendors Series Part 1 - Oi Blondie Crafts
This week the OCS Newsletter is highlighting the vendors at the upcoming HaloBearerUK Convention. The goal of this series is to introduce you to each of these #WarriorNun fandom members and the love, work, and dedication that goes into bringing you their amazing creations.
We have had the privilege of getting to know them and see their journey the past few months. Some of the questions and situations they must deal with just to prepare for an event are eye opening. How do you make money when you have to pay to be there? How do you balance attendance numbers and their limited extra funds while making sure you have stock, the right sizes, and other vendors while trying to not lose money. Every single vendor has had to face these questions along with creating their merchandise all while living their full-time life. So, take a few minutes to read about their journey and make sure to check out their tables Feb. 23-25.
OCS: Name/Twitter Handle and a little about yourself?
Oi Blondie Crafts @oiblondiecrafts
I’m Emily, the maker behind Oi Blondie Crafts and I live in Scotland, UK, with my wife, our 2 year old daughter and our dog. I am a huge tv and movie fan, particularly those with positive LGBTQ+ representation and it’s these characters that inspire the designs on my products. After catching up with Supergirl, and suffering the SuperCorp ship that should have sailed, I am very much in my Katie McGrath (Lena Luthor) era!
OCS: How did you discover Warrior Nun?
A friend abroad (affectionately known as Snake Catcher) likes to cause chaos with my free time by suggesting new tv shows for me to watch and then nagging me until I do. It started with Carmilla and Wynonna Earp, then Warrior Nun followed. There's still a long list I need to go through!
OCS: What made you want to fight to save the show?
I loved the show and the unique storyline, but I was also just so very tired of Netflix cutting short my LGBTQ+ faves!
OCS: Have you done other conventions before? Which ones?
I have done craft fairs and a local Pride event, but my first convention was Earp Division Expo 2023 in Niagara Falls, and I am super excited to be heading back there for EDE2024 in May.
What made you decide to be a vendor at HaloBearerUK con?
I really enjoyed being a vendor at EDE2023, and already had Warrior Nun themed designs ready but the event being held in the UK, where I live, was the final ‘pro’ in the column for attending!
OCS: What are some of the items you will be selling?
I will have my usual stickers, badges, and greeting cards, as well as coasters, bottle openers and magnets. Plus Warrior Nun themed baseball caps, tote bags and t-shirts. I am hoping to bring one or two of my ‘In This Life Or The Next’ tree ornaments too! I will also have some LGBT+ pride designs and artwork from other fandoms such as Wynonna Earp, Stranger Things, A League of Their Own, and The Last of Us.
OCS: Can you talk about the process for making one of your favorite items?
I really enjoy making Christmas tree ornaments even though it is a very tricky and time consuming process! I design the artwork myself using Adobe Illustrator and then import the image into Sawgrass Creative Studio. In this software I make sure the sizes are all correct and set the base materials so the printer knows how much ink to spray on the paper. Once it is all printed and the paper is dry, I take my metal blank and create a pocket with the two sides of the design. The heat press is also needed and once it is at temperature I press down onto the blank for what feels like AGES. When that’s done and everything has cooled down, I can take the ornament out of the pocket and only then will I know if it has worked correctly! So many things can go wrong that it’s a great feeling when they work well and I can attach the ribbon and parcel the item up for it’s new home!
OCS: How much time have you put into con prep?
Months! I have a full time job and a toddler to look after, so all my crafting has to be done in the evenings or at the weekend. All my items are designed by me and handmade or hand pressed by me at home, so it takes a lot of time. I'm lucky that my wife is very supportive and helps me find time to be a good parent and work on my craft business.
