The Rice Hat Samurai Studio

So, I’ve officially recovered from the silliness that is Fan Expo. I must say, things went smooth. There was a hiccup with the premium booth facing the back of the room, but it looks like that sorted itself out. Didn’t pre-book for next year, however. I can’t support how the con is ran, but that’s a discussion for another time. Suffice to say, the people were great and I had lots of fun. Thanks for my Adrienne, Vikki, and Ryan for your help all weekend. An extra thanks to Amanda of the Mad Hattery for being there. Was lots of fun! Sheesh. Not even done thanking people. The guys over at the Jack and Pookie booth made this great as usual, thanks to them. And last, but not least. Thanks to everyone who came. Without you this show wouldn’t have been the stupendous success it was. I’ll be back next year -if- people ask enough. Will definitely be if Hobbystar turns over a new leaf, but you never know.

So, next show I’m planning to go to is Naru2u in Ottawa. First con I’ll truly have to travel to get to, but I’m sure it’ll be fun. Let’s see how much I can get done in three weeks, ‘eh?

Deviant Art updates coming up later today. Up now.

So, I’d like to thank everyone who’s come out and seen me at Fan Expo this year. I apologise that I haven’t really been doing much in the way of updating as I’ve been busying myself looking for a day job to support my starving artist life style.

So far this weekend.. Well, okay, Thursday and Friday have been amazing. So many supportive people have come out and said many a kind word to me and kept me busy with the constant requests for new pieces.

Some good news: Tomorrow I will be crafting new dice bags since people seem to love these.

The bad news: I have two gauntlets left, it’s a mismatched pair. I will be out of stock until after Fan Expo until I can re-supply metal and rubber rings.

More good news: This means if you’re looking for gauntlets, you can very easily commission me for one or a pair. Well, on that note commissions are currently open. Anyone who’s looking for commissions please, e-mail me at Marc@ricehatsamurai.com. If you have a description of what you want? Great! If you have a picture, even better!

I’m also looking for other conventions across the country to go to since I’ve officially decided this will be my final Fan Expo – unless there’s enough demand that I return.If you wish me to return, again, mail me, add me on facebook – Rice Hat Samurai Studio group will be up as of Monday – or find some other way of letting me know you want me there.

Anyhow. It’s time for sleep. Updates on deviant art on Tuesday. See you all tomorrow at the show! Look for me near the Ubisoft booth!

I’d like to first send a thank you to my neighbours. Jack and Pookie Publishing and the folks down at First Age Studios for being there. Then last, but not least, thanks to the fans for all their support, without it, this wouldn’t have been the best Anime North I’d been to date. I have a lot of work to do now to get ready for Con Bravo.

Now, about that prep work. Anyone have any requests of what they’d like to see in the future? I’m gaining access to a rolling mill, opening up the possibilities of what I can craft. I will be doing more filligree. Y’know that fancy wirework? Yeah. That. Love making filligree. That does not mean I’ll be phasing out my chain maille work, quite the opposite. I want to offer things that everyone wants. That’s why I want your input! If there’s any shows you want to see me at, let me know as well.

I have a large number of pieces to post to Deviant Art. Once I talk to a few friends I will be upgrading the website with a better gallery, until then, go here to look for gallery updates.

Here. Have a blurry image from my cell phone.

See all the fun you missed for not being there? Should be ashamed of yourself.

Good news everybody! I have new stuff to post! Huzzah! I’ll get pictures up later since it’s a beautiful sun shiney day. It’s mostly bracelets.. that has possibilities for rings and earrings as well. How about that? Oh. I’m also talking fine jewellery, not just maille.

Another update is there’s a class I’ll be teaching this Saturday, September 11, 12pm, at Bayshore Hobbies. $20. This week we’ll be learning dragonscale. Pictures of samples to follow later today.

- Marc

Huzzh! Fan Expo is now done, thanks to everyone who came by the table and said hi! An even bigger thanks to all those who continue to help me pay my bills!

So, suffice to say, I’m feeling really positive about the people at the con. They were nice, supportive, and showed a lot of interest in what I’m doing. Good to know I’m doing things right as I continue to carve myself a little niche in the convention/jewellery/independent artist scenes. As of this very second, I’ve practically just gotten home and have sat down to write this which means it’ll be another day before the online shop gets its big update. A very big one. Well, as far as chain maille goods go. I’ll be adding a slew of bracelets and the chain bikinis. In the next little while I’m going to be slowing down with the mailling to do some serious work on jewellery, I’ve got some active commissions at the moment that need attention now that the con is over and I need to go straight into preparing for a bunch of art shows I’ll be appearing at over the holiday season.

I promise there’ll be more pretty shinies. Lots of them.