Meet the Vendors Series: An inside look at the fan-run stores for HaloBearerUK Part 2

Meet the Vendors Series Part 2 - hayley @hb0m8

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: Hayley @hayleyhb0m8

OCS: How did you discover Warrior Nun?

Netflix suggested in the ‘We think you’ll love these..” section

OCS: What made you want to fight to save the show?

I love the power of fandoms! Having been a part of the fight for Wynonna Earp, I know just how passionate and powerful fandoms can be. Warrior Nun is an excellent show, with great characters, exciting storylines and important queer rep. We need more of that, and I’m sick of our shows always being canceled. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you should never underestimate a passionate fan base that is willing to fight for the show they love.

OCS: Have you done other conventions before? Which ones?

I have been to conventions before. Halobearer will be my third convention as a vendor, having previously sold my art at Fan Fusion and Earp Fusion.  I also attended Witchbomb last year, as a ticket holder.

What made you decide to be a vendor at HaloBearerUK con?

I love the show, and already had a bunch of art that I’d drawn up for my patreon subscribers, so thought - why not? Conventions are a great way to meet like-minded people, and I’m looking forward to hopefully bringing my art to a new audience.

OCS: What are some of the items you will be selling?

I will have upcycled fan jackets and flannel shirts, prints/posters, stickers, pins and patches.

OCS: Can you talk about the process for making one of your favorite items?

I’ve always been into customizing my own clothing and upcycling (Hooray to saving the planet!) so it felt natural to start putting my art onto the back of jackets and shirts and making them available to others, too - reworking second hand items and giving them a new life.  Once I’ve drawn the art, which depending on the complexity of the image can take a good few hours. I have to source the item that I’m going to rework, and then wash and prep it for sewing. I get my art printed onto organic cotton, which comes to me on a sheet, which I then cut and make into patches, for sewing onto the clothing. It can be quite a long process from start to finish, but the end results are worth it - there’s nothing better than seeing someone walking around the convention space whilst rocking something you made!

OCS: How much time have you put into con prep?

SO MUCH. Most things are handmade, so a lot of work goes into getting everything ready.

OCS: If people would like more information about your products after the con, where can they go?

Follow me across my social media channels or shop online:

Anyone that wants to, can check out my website at www.goodeffortgang.com or follow me on instagram (I am better at posting there than on Twitter!)