For some, the Artist Alley is just some place for attendees to kill time while the Dealer's Room clears out some space. However, whether its at an anime, sci-fi, comic, or pop culture convention, most people breezing through it don't realize that there just some $#!+ that you don't play with the artists and other creators in there. Here are a few things that you must never ever do ever in the history of neverness...

1. Don't tell the artists that you don't have any money!
*It's okay to not actually have any money. It's your right as a U.S. citizen to be occassionally short of funds. Just don't actually tell us that you don't. We're not your accountants. We don't need to know these things.

2. Don't say that you'll come back and buy something from them later on!
*If you don't have enough money on you right there and then for something(i.e.: art print, comic, sketch, etc.), then you sure is Hell won't have any later on during the convention. Especially after you'd have to pay for travel and eating expenses for the con.

3. Provide a picture of the character(s) you want the artist to draw!
*Don't expect that the artist will automatically know who the Hell you're talking about when you want them to do a sketch of "that guy from that show with that really big sword".

4. Don't stand around in front of their table all day waiting for them to do your sketch!
*If you're like #20 on a list of people that they're doing sketches for during the con, and they're currently on #10, you're going to have to wait a while. So don't block their table for potential other customers during that time.

5. Look through their portfolio, and move on!
*Stop taking forever to look through any portfolio(s) they might have lying out. If you see a print or sketch they have for sale that you want, please buy it, and keep going so the other patrons can enjoy their artwork.

6. Don't whine about how much their prices are!
*Pretty much everything that your regular artist is selling is something they put a considerable amount of their time into making, whether its artwork, buttons, comics, shirts, cosplay items, or other self-made merchandise. They should know exactly how much it cost for them to make, and being fellow con-goers like yourself realize that you're looking for the best deal possible. Haggling is a big "nuh-uh"!

7. Not everything on the table is free!
*Chances are, if there is some kind of a price tag or a sign indicating how much an item costs, then you'd have to pay actual money for it. You shouldn't have to ask if something is free if there's a price marked on it.

8. Don't look at "Above 18" art without permission!
*Most artists don't have the time to check everyone's ID, but if they have a portfolio or some other material that's intended only for adults, they usually make the effort to label it as being so, or cover it up with a warning. So if you're under 18, don't go crying to your mammies that you were permanently scarred for life because you saw some skinpic in a folder clearly marked "For Adults Only!".

adding to

9. Do not lay your drinks, food or bags on our stuff unless you plan to pay for damages.
Many think I"m being nice when I say I'll hold their stuff as they flip through but in truth I dont want to take a lost with un sellable goodes.

10. Get 'rude' when an artist requires money upfront for con commissions.
similar to #2 only that now, I would have wasted time on custom art that you do not pick up/pay for and if its not a fan art, I cant sell it really.

*an addition to 2. say to 'save a copy' and not pre pay for it. Even if its just cause you dont have space to store it/ want to get it at the end of the day. Pay for it first and then I'll consider it reserved.