Missy at BronyCon THE MERCHANDISE · 1:12am Aug 27th, 2019
Next I absolutely want to talk about the merch. Not just because there was a lot, but because I really do think that this stuff needs to be better appreciated, given how much work goes into the art, plushies, et cetra. Of course these people make a butt-ton of money at these things, but I really do think people need to show off all the stuff they got and let people know just how much love went into the merchandise they got.
[FIRST OFF! Umm, apparently, the entire rest of the final season was leaked?? Not in English, but that's apparently coming out sooner than expected, too? So, uh, be careful with those guys. Me? I already kinda sorta looked at a shit ton of stuff. Put simply: me like :33333. But uh, that was just a small thing I wanted to mention since this whole thing happened while I was writing this stupid thing down. Like, listen, I'm aware very few people are going to read this and I do not care. This is basically for my dumbass so I can keep all of this put together and so in the future I can think back to this stupid experience and remember that time I was still happy. Ayyyyy.
Now, when I first stepped into the vendor by myself, I spent a good chunk of time just taking in everything. I wanted to see everything that was available and see what caught my eye the most before buying because I gave myself a very small budget (as in, overall I spent about $75 on merch, which isn't a lot considering how expensive things are there, and how much my friends spent on stuff). I wanted to look at something and know I just HAD to buy it.
And there was one thing that I saw and literally gasped out loud and knew that, yes I am going to look around the rest of the vendor before buying anything, I had to buy this:
You know, different kind of pillows from the ones my friends got. More wholesome and cute, and yes, smaller, but so worth it. I loved Discordant Harmony and how fucking shippy that entire thing was. And those pillows were just a tiny scrap of that cute fluff that was the entire episode. So the second I saw them available at the convention, I gasped and felt a sweep of pure joy upon first sight.
They were made by Stars and Spikes. Unfortunately, after some attempts to search for them, I found no results? I even checked them on the Bronycon site with a site that doesn’t work anymore. So if anyone does find them let me know. Because they should totes be supported because stuff like this is not exactly easy to make. And they’re SO SO nice!! I am so glad to have supported them
Speaking of Fluttercord, this lovely piece of art caught my eye and was at a good enough price for me to buy:
Listen, I have a simple, one-track mind. Leave me be.
This fanart was made by Dogstomp (twitter & tumblr). Aside from this, he has very adorable, very fun art. Honest to god when I get my own desk at my new job, I'm genuinely going to post this against my wall. I'm a girl so I can get away with it.
And who could go wrong with stickers!
What adorable little stickers, with such a nice, distinct style. The artist's style makes you go squee and want to buy fifty of them. But I had only enough money for three. These were made by the talented Karzii (Deviantart & Patreon). I noticed a bunch of their other work which are also incredible.
This entire convention had some incredible stuff offered up for fans. Not just MLP fans, but everything from furry to other fandoms like Steven Universe, Aggretsuko, and so forth. So much variety, so much of everything, it was awesome, and it was all made by people who all enjoy the same show as we do. It's incredible. There was a really cute piece of Aggretsuko art I saw that was sadly, was already sold out. Not surprised, given how gorgeous it looked.
Alsoooo, someone had a picture of Speckle from Tuca and Bertie on display, but when I asked about it, it wasn’t for sale?? How dare they allow me to fall for such slander?! I’d definitely put one of those up on my wall!
Now… as much as I loved the entire convention, there were some issues I had. Probably not what people think I’m talking about. Most importantly, I think the entire vendor needed to be better organized. Why? Put simply:
Body pillows.
(I do have a picture of myself surrounded by a bunch of them at my friends' hotel room. But I couldn't bring myself to post it here due to how, well, suggestive the art is. It's great art, don't get me wrong, but I feel like the rule should be is that if you hesitate to want to post something, don't friggin' do it. Plain and simple, unless my friends goad me to do it because peer pressure is healthy and good for the soul.)
Anyway, there were at least a dozen, give or take, vendors entirely purposed for body pillows. That alone isn't the problem; I have no problem with people buying body pillows—well, as for ones including characters that are children characters—if they're aged up, it's one of those things I raise my eyebrow at but begrudgingly accept because it's by all technicalities fine—that's one I'll never accept, sorry, suck it. But otherwise, I laugh at the idea but not in a mean way.
The problem is that they were placed all around the vendor hall. One in one section, two more in the next. And you know, if this were an exclusively adult-demographic event, that wouldn't be a problem. But I'd see kids walking around the hall, parents in tow, and I can feel the secondhand disgust, confusing, and/or horror. Or all three. Kids should not have to see these kinds of designs and art of cute, cartoon characters if it can be helped.
If there was a sort of after-dark event sometime during the day or even just an adult-only section, that would have solved what had bugged me at the time upon my first arrival there. But no, it was just... part of the convention alongside all the other artists who just had cute plushies or great art. Sure, the art on the pillows were also nice, but I'm sorry, I do not condone having children walking around a convention hall and seeing their favorite characters in vulnerable positions and with sultry/seductive/submissive looks. Do they know what this means? Maybe not, but... I do, and the idea of a kid seeing that horrifies me. Plain and simple.
I think that was the only thing that really, really unsettled me at this convention. Like, a lot. Everything else is sort of just something I anticipated upon arrival.
Now, overall? Great convention. Merch? Awesome. The panels? I didn't really go to any, but the one I did go to was fun. Baltimore? Scary, don't plan on visiting again, really. But c'mon, the main reason I went to this disgusting thing? The people. I'm literally going to spend an entire blog just shouting out people who I met and hung out with, and posting what very few pics I have of them.
PEER
PRESSURE
POST THE DAKI PILE
DO IT OR I WON'T BE YOUR SIDE HOE ANYMORE
For real you spent like 3 hours cuddling with my Gallus daki and it was one of the most precious things I've ever seen in my life. And I didn't realize how big into Fluttercord you are. I see you are a woman of culture as well.
5112190
Daki pile? Now this, I need to see. I’ll post a pic of my Glitter Shell Daki if you doooooo.
Also, Flutterchord is the creme de la creme, upper, upper class high society.
5112190
DANG I REALLY NEED MY SIDE HO AT MY SIDE! It kind of defeats the purpose of having a side ho, you know? Also shut uuuuuuuup,
I'm not precious or cute. I looked... so, so manly with that pillow.
Also, hooooh my god. You have not heard me squealing like a little bitch at the little shippy moments between those two. It's kind of pathetic. Season nine premiere? When Discord took that attack to shield Fluttershy? I died. Like hnnnnnnng!! I have the shipping bug bad, though I try to keep my cool because I got a reputation to keep up, you know?
5112195
Lmao, now I just might. Eye for an eye, you know.
And I think we can all agree on that. I want them to kiiiiiiiiiiiiss but the writers are cowards. 😭
5112216
Still a few episodes left...
Those pillows are precious!!
I also hear you about the dakis; sorry and rep to my dude 5112195, but I kinda wish they were more over in an area rather than just everywhere. Though tbh most weren’t too bad, and I’m not super worried about them scarring my kids when we do pony cons.
I’ve heard rumors that there’s unconfirmed but heavily implied Fluttercord at the show’s end. I don’t know if this is true but I will join the chorus of squees if it happens!