Nerdy Arts and Crafts at Fan Expo 2019
If you live in Toronto and are interested in fandom and nerd cultures, you probably know that Fan Expo 2019 is coming up. For those not aware, Fan Expo is Toronto’s largest annual convention for all things nerdy! Think comic books, science fiction, anime, fantasy and steampunk. It’s a chance to meet your favourite celebrities, attend interesting panel discussions and purchase memorabilia. Plus, there is some truly excellent people watching! The cosplayers will be out in full force, dressed as their favourite characters, and most are happy to pose for photos — just be sure to ask permission first.
All of these things are great but, in my humbly nerdy opinion, Artist Alley is the best part of Fan Expo. This is where hundreds of artists and crafters display and sell their nerd-themed artwork. Amateurs and professionals alike are welcome to apply for table space so you’ll find an eclectic mix of styles, subject matter and art forms. Posters and prints of artists’ work are the most common offerings but if you look closer you’ll also find embroidery, knitting, ceramics, metalwork and so much more. If you’re in need of Star Wars embroidery, knitted hats in the Hogwarts House colours or a baby-Groot-shaped plant pot, Artist Alley is the place for you!
It’s also a great place to get inspired to try out some nerdy crafting of your own. But where to begin? Do you knit yourself Hobbit feet slippers or cross stitch a Super Mario character? Should you use Perler beads to make a Buffy portrait? And what exactly is amigurumi? Fear not, young padawan, for I am a Jedi Master of nerdy crafting and I am here to help.*
This is a library after all, so let’s start with the basics: books! TPL has a ton of great resources to start you on your crafting journey. Here are just a few:
If fashion is more your thing, try adding a touch of steampunk to your style:
Or try your hand at cosplay:
Once you’ve mastered your craft (or run out of friends and family to give your creations to as gifts), consider turning your hobby into a side gig. Maybe we’ll even see you at a table in Artist Alley one day!
Fan Expo runs from August 22-25, 2019, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. If you are attending this year, be sure to stop by the Toronto Public Library (TPL) booth. We’ll be promoting many of the digital and creative resources that TPL has to offer, including the new Fabrication Studio at North York Central Library. Did you know that the library has sewing machines? We do! The Fabrication Studio has regular and serger sewing machines, as well an embroidery machine and a vinyl printer/cutter that can make stickers and iron-on transfers. Plus, lots of great classes on sewing, knitting, crochet, clothes mending and more. So if learning techniques from books isn’t your style, come see us for some in-person crafting. The best part is that the classes are all free!
Happy crafting, fellow nerds!
*Besides, we all know that fear is the path to the Dark Side and we at TPL do not want to be responsible for you starting the next galactic war. (Although I have heard that the Dark Side has cookies!)
One thought on “Nerdy Arts and Crafts at Fan Expo 2019”
This is great! Haha.. “make it so”.