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Mindy Indy

Independent Cartoonist

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Don Smith Interviews mindy indy!

donsmith_mindyindy

Here's the first EVER article written solely on mindy indy!  I met Don Smith at the Clifton NJ comic con this past June, and he was super excited about my work.  He's a writer at SVT Publishing and writes his own stories as well as interviewing independent cartoonists (among other things).  Some questions he asked me include:

Do you think that independent comic book publishing is the future of the comic book industry?

Do you think the internet has been an equalizer for comic book creators?

What is the hardest aspect of the indy movement for you?

And much more!  I KNOW you're DYING to find out the answers!  Please check it out!

The Daily Misfortune 41

categories: Interviews, The Daily Misfortune
Wednesday 08.01.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

Square!

I got my new Square card reader in the mail this weekend!  This tiny gadget allows me to now accept credit cards when people want to buy my merchandise.  Another small step towards becoming more professional!  Just download and open the Square app, plug the Square into your smartphone, and swipe a credit card.  I made sure to test it out with my own card before using it on others.  Last weekend at the Artists & Fleas market, one guy in particular really liked the Aer Head stuff because he surfed, but didn't have any cash.  Because I couldn't accept credit cards, that sale was lost.  But now I'm more prepared!  I'm glad I got this before the big Baltimore Comic Con coming up September 8th & 9th.  This weekend I made a whole task list of what I need to do to prepare for it.  Many things are in the works!  I was looking up self-publishing, because I really want to collect the daily misfortunes into a very special book (there's a surprise about this particular kind of book).  Also figuring out my travel arrangements and other things.  EXCITEMENT!!

The Daily Misfortune 40

tags: AER HEAD, Artists & Fleas, Baltimore Comic Con, comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, Square, Square Card Reader, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Monday 07.30.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

New Aer Head Sketch and Scanner

Aer Head Warn Yesterday I drew this in the park.  Drawing outside is a great way to enjoy the summer weather and still be productive!

Also, I scanned the new drawing with my "new" scanner that I FOUND ON MY DOORSTEP!  FREEEEEEE!!  This is a HP Photosmart C4280, is in good condition, and works pretty well so far!  Yay for rich people buying the latest gadgets and giving old ones away!  Awhile ago, I bought a complex scanner on sale (Epson Artisan 725) and it was WAY too complicated to use and didn't even print right (jagged lines).  After being frustrated with trying to figure it out and tech support saying it would take months to a year to tweak the settings and learn how to use it, I returned it.  I just want to press a button and have it scan or print!  User friendly is my main priority - I'm picky about colors, but not THAT picky to have the printer be a pain in the ass to use.  As for this new one, I need to get a black ink cartridge to test the printing, so we'll see.  My main need was the scanner anyway.

The Daily Misfortune 39

tags: AER HEAD, comic, drawing, Epson Artisan 725, HP Photosmart C4280, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, scanner, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: AER HEAD, The Daily Misfortune
Friday 07.27.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Daily Misfortune 38

The Daily Misfortune 38

tags: comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Thursday 07.26.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Misfortune Cookie @ AMO Studios

amo studios

One day while going to a cafe in Bushwick, I happened across AMO Studios, a super cool art gallery.  AMO (Spanish for "love") had some books and independent 'zines for sale, and I asked if I could sell the Misfortune Cookie stories there.  Joseph (the gallery owner) and his friend liked my stories and agreed!  This actually happened last Thursday, and they gave me the idea for the new prices I had this weekend at Artists & Fleas, $3 each or two for $5.  Because of the gallery setting, and the fact that other self-published magazines were $10 each, made me think $1 wasn't enough to sell them for.  I asked how much the guys would honestly pay for something like The Misfortune Cookie and the new price was made.

AMO Misfortune Cookie

AMO Misfortune Cookie 2

So please go to AMO Studios at 55 Waterbury St. Brooklyn, NY 11206.  They're open 12p-9p daily (except Sundays closing at 6p).  If you missed buying my comics this past weekend, please check it out along with other cool art!  NOTE:  They're only for sale until August 10th, when the gallery will resume regular gallery stuff instead of this little store.

AMO Studios is across the street from these awesome murals!  Can't miss it!

The Daily Misfortune 37

tags: AMO Studios, Artists & Fleas, comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: Art Shows, The Daily Misfortune
Wednesday 07.25.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

mindy indy @ Artists & Fleas semi-success?

artists_n_fleas

mindyindyartists_n_fleas

The beautiful weekend meant a great turnout for the Artists & Fleas market!  mindy indy was placed next to Tony of "Golly," who makes custom T-shirts out of 70s/80s cartoon character bed sheets (like She-Ra, Transformers, etc).  I think it was a good pairing, and Tony was super supportive of me!  I learned a lot from him too.  I think he's in mid-blink in the pic, but there wasn't much time for pics as there were lots of people visiting our tables.  I also definitely need a huge background poster to attract people's attention!  mindy indy did ok sales-wise for the first time there, but the exposure was awesome.  Paid $90 for the table and only made $74, but that's a much closer gap than when I paid $150 for the Bronx con and only made like $40.

  3or245misfortunecookie

This time I sold The Misfortune Cookie comics for $3 each or two for $5, because of the context of the more artsy environment.  I was the only cartoonist there - that flea market is mostly for artsy vintage clothing.  I didn't sell as many comics, but I made just as much cash as when I sold 75 of them for $1 each.  I think I'll keep them at this price - it will save me lots of trips to Staples for printing, folding, and stapling them all.  Also, in the pic above, I tried to get a poll started asking if people would buy a Misfortune Cookie T-shirt or tote bag (same for Aer Head too).  One of my room mates suggested selling higher priced items at this venue, which is a super good idea.  Once I get a few more Misfortune Cookie stories out, I'll make a real "book" of them, but in the meantime, I'm not sure totes or tees would do that well at this time (although I didn't keep up on asking people about the poll...)

misfortunecookiecard1

misfortunecookiecard2

The cards did pretty well!  I KNEW they were a good idea!!  This time I sold them for $5 each, which is a fair, normal price for a card.  People seemed to like orange that day.

Random fact:  Did you know my drawing table can fold up?  I saved $10 by bringing my own table!

It was a pain in the ass to lug it all the way to and fro the subway stations though.  I mean, it was doable - it has a handle and isn't as heavy as a table could be (being aluminum).  But it was hella tiring!  Luckily some people helped me carry it partially on the way back.  It's hard to unfold too, it requires a screwdriver and it sticks.  Was it worth saving the $10?  Not sure, my arms still hurt :/  But it was an experience!  I think I'll wait awhile to do Artists & Fleas again until I have higher priced items, but I'm learning a lot!

tags: Artists & Fleas, golly nyc, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, storyboards
categories: Art Shows
Tuesday 07.24.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Daily Misfortune 36

The Daily Misfortune 36

tags: comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Monday 07.23.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

Artists & Fleas!

artists & fleas

mindy indy is back on the scene again this weekend, exhibiting at one of the hippest places in Williamsburg!  Artists & Fleas is a weekly artist, designer, and vintage market.  According to their website, "it’s an indie fashion and vintage bazaar, a hipster hang-out and fixture in the Williamsburg neighborhood, and a home to the thriving community of countless designers, creators, vintage collectors and foodie enthusiasts that have passed through since 2003. Established in a warehouse on a then-neglected part of North 6th Street in 2003, Artists & Fleas has been a constant in a changing neighborhood – a community for those who love to sell and a destination for those who love to shop. Open every weekend, year-round."

I'll be there this Saturday July 21st from 10AM to 7PM and it's at 70 North 7th Street between Kent & Wythe Avenues, 3 blocks from the Bedford Avenue L train.  They even mentioned me in an article!  I'm so super excited to be able to sell my comics in areas outside the comics world.  People come to this market JUST to buy cool stuff, so we'll see how it goes!

The Daily Misfortune 35

tags: Artists & Fleas, comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen
categories: Art Shows, The Daily Misfortune
Friday 07.20.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Daily Misfortune 34

The Daily Misfortune 34

Also, my success at the East Village Arts Party got me thinking about different venues around the city that I could sell my comics.  Last night I was applying to flea markets and actually got accepted to Artists & Fleas in Williamsburg!  SUPER EXCITED!!  More details later on that :)

tags: Artists & Fleas, comic, East Village Arts Party, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Thursday 07.19.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Daily Misfortune 33

The Daily Misfortune 33

Coming from a family that enjoys "potty humor," I sent a similar comic on one of my Misfortune Cookie cards to my dad for Father's Day :)

tags: comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Wednesday 07.18.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Misfortune Cookie 2

This is what I spent so much energy on last week.  I'm still recovering from cramming it all into a few days, but I was able to do it!

Misfortune Cookie 2 Cover

misfortune Cookie 2_p1

misfortune Cookie 2_p2

misfortune Cookie 2_p3

misfortune Cookie 2_p4

misfortune Cookie 2_p5

All the Misfortune Cookie stories will feature different characters each time, but the main character is the misfortune cookie itself.  It can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime!  This story started with the image in my head of two friends breaking open all the cookies.  I was watching lots of South Park at the time, so I wanted them to be mischievous little boys!  Oh also, "Diablo" is a computer game that my room mate was playing a lot.

tags: characters, comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Tuesday 07.17.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

East Village Arts Party Success!!

East Village Arts Party 2 peeps at table

mindy indy's greatest success yet was this past weekend at the East Village Arts Party!  So many people came (like 500 people!) and it was super awesome to meet everyone and share my comics!  I made sure to get there early to get a good spot with high visibility, and my table was right when you walked in and it led into the courtyard, where all the bands and performances were playing.  It was also great to get people as they walked out too.  I'm so glad my energy lasted the whole night!  I was pretty exhausted from trying to finish up the sequel to the Misfortune Cookie.

East Village Arts Party 1

A lot of my friends came too, and since many of them already had the first Misfortune Cookie comic, I wanted to have the next one ready to show them new stuff.  I scrambled to get it done in time, and was still drawing it Friday and inking Saturday morning!  I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but I was super focused, making sure to put a time limit on filling in the blacks and typing and such on Saturday, and I was able to get The Misfortune Cookie 2 done, printed, and ready to go just moments before people arrived at the show!  I'll post the comic later this week.

East Village Arts Party 3 table

It was kind of tricky setting up my table this time.  I'm usually sitting behind the table, but this time they were all up against a wall.  Oh and because it was outside, I had some sheets of plexiglass so all my comics wouldn't fly away.  It was pretty effective!

East Village Arts Party 7 coloring cards

This time I actually sold a lot of Misfortune Cookie Cards!  One girl bought a lot for her friend, nicknamed "Miss Fortune."  I colored some in her favorite colors.

East Village Arts Party 4

Notice how I put my sign on the wall instead of the table.  I wish I could've printed out a huge poster or something else to put up!  Maybe next time.

This guy wanted me to draw on his hand!  I loved the randomness!  I drew a little fortune cookie.

East Village Arts Party 5 drawing on hand

All in all, the party was a great success and I made like $50 profit!  Pretty good for only selling comics for $1 each :)  I need to do more events like this where they don't charge for a table!

tags: comic, East Village Arts Party, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: Art Shows, Uncategorized
Monday 07.16.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Daily Misfortune 32

The Daily Misfortune 32

tags: comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Thursday 07.12.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Daily Misfortune 31

The Daily Misfortune 31

tags: comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Wednesday 07.11.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

mindy indy in East Village Arts Party THIS SATURDAY!

East Village Arts Party 2011

mindy indy will be selling and exhibiting mini comics at the East Village Arts Party this Saturday, July 14th!  Starts at 8pm, goes until midnight.  It's at 414 E 14th St., New York, New York 10009, which is the Immaculate Conception Church, but they have a really awesome courtyard where the action is!  There will be live bands, poetry readings, comedy acts, and artists like me with tables displaying/selling artwork.  There will also be booze!  Possibly food, but not sure.  I had a blast at this party the last 2 years, and am super excited to be involved in it!

Here's a snippet from the facebook invite:

Join 500+ again this year, with hostesses Miss Metropolitan Tara Szczepanski and Miss Bronx Nardeen Billan, and check out dozens of artists--dancers, painters, poets, musicians, architects, filmmakers, and more.

Proceeds benefit local soup kitchen www.MeatloafKitchen.org.

** RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/evap2012 ** (no obligation, just for planning, pay only if you come) With RSVP $15 at the door, $25 without RSVP

Includes drinks.

Last year's party pics at http://tinyurl.com/77tmf2s

Hope to see you there!  I've also been working on the NEXT misfortune cookie short, mostly on my plane trips to and from Michigan, so my goal is to have another short story to sell by the party time!  GET EXCITED!

The Daily Misfortune 30

tags: East Village Arts Party, Immaculate Conception Church, Lady Gaga, Meatloaf Kitchen, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, Miss Bronx, Miss Metropolitan, Nardeen Billan, Tara Szczepanski, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Monday 07.09.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Daily Misfortune 29

The Daily Misfortune 29

tags: comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Monday 07.09.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Daily Misfortune 28

The Daily Misfortune 28

tags: comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Thursday 07.05.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Daily Misfortune 27

The Daily Misfortune 27

tags: comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Thursday 07.05.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

The Daily Misfortune 26

The Daily Misfortune 26

tags: comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: The Daily Misfortune
Wednesday 07.04.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 

mindy indy Accepted to Baltimore Comic Con!

Exciting news!  mindy indy has been accepted for an Artist Alley table at the Baltimore Comic Con!  I'm super happy, because this is a big convention and is good for exposure.  And for the first time ever, you can see my name on a comic convention website!  Look for "Mindy Indy" under Guests>Artist's Alley.

baltimore Artist Alley Listmindy indy Baltimore Artist Alley

You need to scroll down a long way, and I missed it at first because I thought it would be under the companies instead of individuals, but "mindy indy" is totally there!  The con is in September, so it feels like a long way away... but it's really only 2 months!  I think I'll have enough Daily Misfortunes to compile into a little book of their own by then :)  I'm also working on my 2nd Misfortune Cookie short story!  I made all the layouts on my plane to Michigan, and will get more done on the plane back.

The Daily Misfortune 25

tags: Artist Alley, Baltimore Comic Con, comic, mindy indy, Mindy Steffen, The Misfortune Cookie
categories: Comic Conventions, The Daily Misfortune
Monday 07.02.12
Posted by Mindy Steffen
 
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