Here were a few of the highlights:

• The LEGO speed build of the 10221 Super Star Destroyer. This was the 1st known attempt at timing a group build of this masterpiece. Once the pieces were scattered, the games began. The team clocked a final time of 1 hour, 31 minutes, and 38 seconds.

• Sucklord had a booth set up with anime booth babe Gina Darli and a live web broadcast on Toy Break. One by one, various DCon artists swung by the booth, subjected themselves to the Sucklord’s antics, and spilled their deepest secrets.

• Mixo had fashioned stylish storage cans. You never know when you’ll need to stash something inside a Batman, Superman, Wonderwoman, Smurfs, Dracula, or Frankenstein.

• Ugly Doll wind-up toys – The little critters were even more bizarre looking when wound up and strolling across a tabletop.

• Jedi LEGO Mickey – Complete with a lightsaber.

• Pocket Full of Posiez’s collection of “deadly cute” doll characters were strangely adorable and very popular

• Baby Tattoo Books lured people into their booth with their life-sized statue. People posed with the big baby cupid but walked out with purchases.

• Phoenix Zoellick of BeastWares proudly modeled her “furry finery” and helped customers select the perfect skunk tail, unicorn head, and werewolf hat.

• Artists signing stations – At various times throughout the convention, the masterminds behind the strange picked up their pens and Sharpies and signed their creations for giddy convention goers.

• Buffy the vampire stapler notebooks – the perfect place to jot down notes for your new screen play while at your neighborhood coffee shop

• Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School was on site giving drawing enthusiasts the chance to sketch smokin’ hot anime-inspired models. The girl on staff when we passed by had on tall ornate boots that required extra focus and drawing skill.

According to the thousands of attendees, this year’s DesignerCon was the biggest and best yet. The booths were packed, the merch flew off the shelves, and the exclusives were top-notch. “I go to DesignerCon every year,” explains toy collector Justin Kellogg who admitted to purchasing more than he had planned at this year’s event. Kellogg told ChinaShop that he would be lucky if he can fit everything in his home. “I’m gonna have to build more shelves. I sense a trip to IKEA in my future.”

Words by Nicole Pajer (@NicolePajer). Photos by Catie Laffoon (@CatieLaffoon)

On Sunday night, Los Angeles saw a long-awaited re-launch of its Dr. Sketchy’s division at Billy Shire Fine Arts in Culver City. The model: flame-haired fetish darling, Scar. The wardrobe:  deadly  platform stilettos and three changes of sleek latex by Fierce Couture. In attendance: Michael Hussar, Shag, Miss Mindy, Tim Biskup and many talented artists who came to support, drink and draw. Arsenals were mighty and diverse – charcoal,  pastels, graphic pens and watercolors are just some of the trade’s tools I saw brandished in Scar’s direction. Surprises and giveaways helped celebrate the occasion, with a Spencer Davis Booty Babe figurine as the grand prize and Robert of Baby Tattoo modeling for a Michael Hussar-judged contest. Outside, a burlesque cutie tended bar in full costume and impressed guests with her take on the margarita.

I’m left with a reinforced hope for community in the Los Angeles art arena and excited for the rest of the summer: future Dr. Sketchy’s nights are already in the works. On June 21st LA residents can join the excitement  at Medusa Lounge from 7 to 10 PM. Hone your skills and mingle at subsequent Sketchy’s sessions on the first Sunday of every month at Billy Shire Fine Arts, and the third Sunday of every month at Medusa Lounge.

Words and photos by Zoetica Ebb