JordanCon Young Artists

JordanCon Young Artists

We have exciting news for all of JordanCon’s young artists! This year, the Art Show has designated a panel specifically for the kids of JordanCon. Anyone under the age of 18 can submit their art to be displayed during the event. Here are the details:

  • The artist must be under the age of 18.
  • All mediums will be accepted, ie: crayons, colored pencils, markers, or digital. (We will not accept AI generated art.)
  • All appropriate subjects will be accepted. Please keep it family friendly.
  • Artwork may be submitted at any size, though mats have been donated to be used for any art that is sized at 8.5″x11″ or 5.5″x8.5″.
  • Art on this panel will not be for sale or included in the voting.
JordanCon Kids Art Show

Art by Ava U., Age 3.

Art can be dropped off at the purchase table in the Art Show. Please include the child’s name, age, and a title or short description for their artwork so the staff can make an official Art Show tag for their piece. Art can be dropped off Friday from 10am-5pm or Saturday 10am-5pm. Art can be picked up any time on Sunday. If the art is not picked up by the time the Art Show closes, it will become property of the JordanCon Art Show and they will choose what to do with it.

JordanCon Art Show Kids

Art by Anna A., age 14.

This is a great opportunity for all of JordanCon’s young artists to show us what they’re capable of! Please don’t be shy, and show us what you’ve got! If you have any questions, please email artshow@jordancon.org.

Meet Our 2023 Toastmaster!

Meet Our 2023 Toastmaster!

Halito! Hello! When Jennifer Liang asked me to be Toastmaster for 2023 I said yes almost instantly. Attending JordanCon caused many new beginnings for me. I can’t imagine the last decade of my life without the connections and opportunities stirred by the winds in Dunwoody, GA.

 

This will be the 15th year for JordanCon. The 10th anniversary of A Memory of Light and the first season of the Wheel of Time show were two pivotal moments in the WoT fandom. How will the next few turnings of the wheel change the fandom and JordanCon?

 

JordanCon’s 5th year was a turning point for many fans and attendees, including myself. A Memory of Light was newly published. An ending had occurred. All of Team Jordan and Brandon Sanderson were attending. Leigh Butler, leader of the Tor Wheel of Time Reread, was the Toastmaster. A large number of the Leigh’s Loonies, my online fandom group, were attending for the first time. I told my spouse I had to go, for “It might be my only chance to ever meet them all!” 

 

How I laugh at my “only chance” comment now. JordanCon friends became a new family. Since 2013, I’ve attended all but one year. The weekend energizes me in ways hard to put into words. The friends I have online every other week are next to me and we can just talk, or hug, or chill together in person. This joy is shared by all who post using #IsItAprilYet. 

 

Since the 5th year of JordanCon, the community has grown in multiple ways. I thank the community for enabling my growth as well. The confidence I gained in becoming the (former) Workshop Director and a panelist filtered into other aspects of my life. From sharing my fan art food creations, to sharing my opinions and writings. I went from reading Tor.com blog posts to writing articles for them. I went from entering the costume contest to judging the contest. I went from a book lover to a beta reader for multiple best-selling authors. My younger shy dyslexic self could never have imagined being an active part of creating a novel, let alone over a dozen. Parts of the last ten years boggle my mind, while also bringing me great joy.  

Deana wearing her Veil cosplay.

Now I get to share a part of this joy as Toastmaster of JordanCon. The Toastmaster is the master of ceremonies. They help kick off the fun and welcome everyone to the convention. I remember feeling thrilled while watching Leigh Butler give her welcoming speech. It was the start of an amazing weekend. I hope to start the 15th JordanCon on a similar entertaining footing. JordanCon has found a wonderful recipe for success, and I plan to highlight several flavor notes as Toastmaster. 

 

JordanCon is about welcoming people to the buffet table. This includes our amazing Guests of Honor. As this year’s Toastmaster, I consider it an honor and privilege to be able to interview this year’s author Guest of Honor, Wesley Chu. I’ve been a fan of his for years, since reading his Tao novels and his season 12 co-host role on Writing Excuses. His newest novel, The Art of Prophecy, is his “love letter to the wuxia genera.” It is the start of a very promising journey. 

 

Equally impressive is our artist Guest of Honor Omar Ryyan. His art is full of whimsy, grace, and fantasy creatures. His work reminds me of the best of Romantic era paintings. My costumer’s heart delights in the fine detail he pours into clothing, accessories, and finer details. What a delightful addition his work will be to the Art Show! 

 

Welcome home to JordanCon everyone. I look forward to sharing the community table and ribbons with everyone in 2023. Come talk to me about your favorite flavors, cuisine or literature, your choice. 

 

By Deana Whitney

Badge Ribbon F.A.Q.

Badge Ribbon F.A.Q.

When it comes to badge ribbons there are two common reactions:
Ribbons? Oh yes!  Giveme, giveme, giveme!! 
And…
Ribbons? What’s the deal with ribbons? What are you talking about? I’ll pass for now. 

At JordanCon, many people are of the first opinion. Let me introduce you to the world of badge ribbons and answer the most common questions about them. 

Badge ribbons are a fun way to decorate your badge, declare allegiance to a fandom, or design a moto. The design and quote possibilities are nearly endless. Seeing people walk around with badge ribbon beards might inspire you to say “I want those!” or they might just confuse you, and that’s okay.

 

JordanCon History with Ribbons:

Three JordanCon badges from different years with increasing lengths of attached ribbons.

Attendee Glen Vogelaar shares his badge ribbon collection in an example of the increased availability of ribbons.

There used to be just a few ribbons at JordanCon.  Focused around the official ones given to guests, panelists, and staff members. Then around 2013 or so, someone asked “Can I bring my own ribbons to trade? Saw it at a different convention.” Permission was given, and a trend started.
For a few years people tried to avoid using the colors of the official JordanCon ribbons, but as more people created their own designs, it became harder to track. Now the convention staff just ask people to avoid key word and color combinations (more below in Designs).

There are several friendly competitions among JordanCon attendees to see who can collect more ribbons. The one between long-time attendees Bao Pham and Thom de Simone is the most well known by regular attendees. Authors Gerald L. Coleman and Milton Davis have one they play out on the JordanCon Facebook page every year as well. Encourage them in their antics. 

 

Etiquette:

Follow some simple rules of etiquette at the convention to help avoid awkward moments around your ribbon collecting. Being polite is the best thing we can all do for each other.

Four convention badges hanging from a board with different number of ribbons attached. Top says JordanCon and Gerald L Coleman as Guest.

Gerald L. Coleman showing off a small collection of badges from JordanCon and Multiverse.

First, ribbons cost money. The person who brings the ribbon design sets the rules for their ribbons. They might give them away freely, ask for a trade, or if it’s in support of a cause, even ask for a donation. It is their choice if and how others get their ribbons.

Second, know that not all ribbons are for everyone. Some are made for specific groups: fan groups, people in cosplay, friend groups, participants for a different convention, etc.  Someone might have three ribbon designs, but only one that is available to everyone. If they have ribbons, but don’t offer you one, you might not qualify for that ribbon. No hard feelings, there will be others. Who knows, while talking with them you could learn about a cool new fan group to join and be eligible for the ribbon at another time. 

For those that have to decline a request, remember to be polite as well. Say something like, “I’m sorry, but this ribbon was specifically made for those who participate at ‘a certain event.’” Or you could try, “Sorry but these are for people who are dressed in cosplay.” Being courteous goes a long way to avoiding hurt feelings. Always remember to be polite on both sides of the ribbon trading game.

If you see someone freely handing out ribbons, feel free to approach them and ask, “May I please have a ribbon?” or “What is your design about?” Or best: “Are your ribbons available for trading? Let’s trade!” 

Be respectful of the ribbon designer’s responses by remembering the points above. 

It is polite to not duplicate a ribbon’s design without permission. There are many ways to be inspired by a design, or a similar concept. Duplicating all aspects of another’s design is frowned upon. Look at the ribbons as another artform.

The term “badge beard” is used to describe the ribbon collection on the badges. The style people wear their ribbons can mimic the variety of beards:  Wide and messy, short and trimmed, or long and neat.  Find your own personal style!

Panel of four images. Six people wearing badge beards of different styles. Right to left: Short in cos-play, Long in t-shirt, Long with one ribbon repeated 8+ times, and Wide with many ribbons hanging on the side from the central badge.

Attendees showing off different badge beard styles. From right to left: Asha’man Anthony, T-shirt crew Kalyani, Deana, & Rahul, Author Lyndsey Luther, Tardis Patrick.

 

F.A.Q. – Frequently Asked Questions 


DOES everyone like ribbons?

No. The choice is individual. There is no pressure to wear badge beards. There is no pressure to make custom ribbons. But if you are bitten by the “I want ribbons” bug, this article is intended to answer your questions.

WHAT size ribbon should I make? 

JordanCon badges are 4″ wide.
Most ribbon companies sell 4″ wide ribbons in two heights: 2″ and 1 5/8

The height is up to you. If going with a longer quote or image, the 2″ height gives you more design room.
The other common ribbon size is 3 1/2″ x 1 5/8″. (This is the size of the ribbons used at some other conventions.) The 4” ribbons can be cut down to that size with pinking shears.

WHEN should I buy ribbons?

To be on the safe side, if you want ribbons by JordanCon, order by April 1st from most of the companies listed below. Look at the shipping dates the company provides before ordering. 
Their production time does not include weekends. With the companies that send you PDF proofs, each change to the design is another possible two-day delay.
Each company will have its own “last minute” deadline. Most of them ask when your event date is, so they might tell you themselves if they can’t meet the deadline.
Personally, I try to have everything finalized by March 15 most years. This way I don’t risk having to pay a rush fee or for rushed shipping, which both add greatly to the cost per ribbon. 

Again, for peace of mind, that’s order by, not start the design process by, April 1st.


WHERE to buy ribbons?

There are multiple online companies that make custom ribbons. In Ribbon Companies, I list the most recommended sources with known pros and cons for each. When bought in bulk of over 100, prices for single color ribbons become similar. Shop to compare for your best price. Setup fees and shipping could determine your best price for the quantity of ribbons you plan to order. 
If you want to shop local, look for trophy companies or custom print shops.

HOW many should I buy?

The answer to this question is determined by your personal choices and budget.
As said in the Etiquette section, some ribbons are made for smaller groups, so there is no need to have hundreds made up. Other ribbons are made to be given away to everyone that wants one. Thus the question becomes, how many do you want to give away?
At JordanCon there are up to 1200 attendees, but around half don’t collect the ribbons and the other half don’t collect every ribbon available. The most I’ve given away was 100 ribbons in a year. Other people have given away 30 to 400 ribbons. 

At one larger local convention, there are 80,000 attendees and dedicated ribbon trading times and sessions. Even they say 200 ribbons is a good number to bring for trading, so don’t feel like you have to bring enough for everyone at the con.

If you plan to give away ribbons for more than one year, I’ve found the math works to buy more than I need for a single year. But that’s only if I have the budget for them. Shipping and set-up fees are a factor in the costs not included in the price per ribbon quoted by the companies.

Obviously, vendors or authors who want to make ribbons part of their promotional material, would be wise to order larger batches.

HOW do people walk around with long badge beards?
Roll of ribbons held together with two alligator clips. One showing the backside, one with a heart on the clip.

Decorated or plain clips hold ribbon beards together well.

People have many tricks, but the easiest is to bring a clip with you to the convention. 

Examples: Binder clip, large paper clip, alligator clip, etc.  
Roll up the ribbons as you walk with it in a much neater arrangement. Then you can have a dramatic reveal to show off your impressive collection.

Keeping your ribbons rolled can also help keep the edges looking nicer longer.  If the edges start to look ragged, use a pair of pinking shears to trim them nicely.

MY ribbons keep falling off, what can I do?
Black gaffer’ tape along the center back of a ribbon beard.

Tape for support.

Duct tape, Gaffters tape, or a strong masking tape. Tape is your friend if your ribbons don’t want to stick together. Put a strip down the center backs of them.
You can also decorate the back of your ribbons with stickers or other items. Because your badge will spin around and there’s no stopping it.

 

ARE there forbidden or restrictions on the ribbons? 

The convention tries to be a welcoming place for all ages. Keeping word choices and artwork PG-13 is encouraged. There is at least one “F*** Moash” ribbon that goes around the convention. The asterisks are part of the design, not an edit for this article. 

JordanCon has ten official ribbons. To prevent confusion we ask that you do not copy the Wording & Color combos of the list below. Even the wording should be avoided, since each represents an official group at the convention. Aiel and Jenn Aiel ribbons can be earned by anyone that volunteers to help at the convention. 

Word Fabric Ink
Attending Professional Silver Black
Chair Red Silver
Director Black Gold
Eternal Member Berry (purple) Silver
Guest Blue Gold
Aiel White Red
Jenn Aiel Teal Gold
Media Pink Black
Program Participant Brown Silver
Vendor Green Gold

 

CON is over. Now what do I do with the ribbons?

Some cons have ribbon recycling programs. JordanCon is not one of them.
If you have leftover ribbons to hand out, save them for your next con or bring them back next year. Repeating a ribbon is 100% acceptable. 

Typically people start each new con with a fresh badge, so whole badge beards are not used again. Yet it is up to your personal choice. Reusing selected favorite ribbons is more common.
Some people collect ribbons with the intent to create some larger art project. I’ve seen skirts, vests, hats, and a few other creative crafts made from con ribbons. 
Many just hang them as a fun reminder of their convention trip somewhere in their house.

 

Ribbon Companies:

Below is a list of the best known and most recommended companies that create custom ribbons. Known pros and cons are listed for each. Listed in alphabetical order only, not a ranked order. No one at JordanCon was paid to promote these companies.
*Editor’s Note: These companies were chosen and researched by Deana for the purposes of this article. JordanCon does not endorse these companies or guarantee their services in any way.

Hodges Badge
Pro: Provides full-color ink printing (sublimation). The cost per ribbon is higher than single ink color printing. Need to contact customer service to arrange for full color printing. 
No set-up fees for single color print ribbons.

Con: Text only, no images allowed. Very limited font options.
Does not make
3 1/2″ ribbons (issue for other conventions, not JordanCon).
Type your text, they email you a PDF proof to approve.  

PC NameTag
Pro: Provides full-color ink printing (sublimation). The cost per ribbon is higher than single ink color printing.
The company has a pre-made package of pronoun ribbons.
Offers the option to buy packages of pre-made ribbons of random sayings if you want to get in the ribbon game but don’t have a design in mind yet. Also useful to help create something with ribbons when you don’t want to cut up your own ribbon collection.

Con: Has a set-up fee and a 100 ribbon minimum to buy.  

Marco Promos
Pro: Two color text printing possible. Had a Prism foil print for design. (Could still, I just didn’t see it while checking for this article.)
Clipart printing is possible. Multiple text styles possible.
Widest selection of ribbon colors available, examples: Rainbow, gold trimmed, Netherlands’ flag

Con: Set-up fee. Extra fee, if you order less than 100 ribbons.
Type your text, they email you a PDF proof to approve.

Name Badge Productions
They call them the 4” Stick and stack ribbons
Pro: Can order low quantities of ribbons.
Good selection of colors.

Con: Set-up fee for text and a Logo fee for custom line art. The design is only kept for 2 years after you order, so you need to re-order yearly or pay the fees again. You type your text, they email you a PDF proof to approve.

Ribbons Galore
Pro: Able to see a draft of the ribbon as you design it. Wide range of available clipart and fonts preloaded. Able to upload your own line art.
I personally prefer the interactive design feature on this website. You can see the design and feel confident about the look.
They will email you a PDF proof of the final design to confirm and make suggested changes before printing.
No set-up fee. Can order low quantities of ribbons.

Con: Single color print only. More expensive, per ribbon, in comparison when ordering smaller quantities.  

 

Ribbon Design Tips:

The combinations of colors and inks seem practically endless, though some of the companies have more options available than others. As a general rule, less is more in ribbon design. Keeping artwork lines and text short makes for better visual impact. There are exceptions to the guidelines below, but in general, simpler is better.
After avoiding the official JoranCon ribbon combos, the rest of the world is open to explore and design. Pull inspiration from your favorite things! From food, to books, to super heroes, to sarcasm. Express yourself freely. 

Size:

Remember, just because the ribbon is 4” wide does not mean you have 4” of design space.
The design space is closer to 3 ½” x 1 1/4” on a 4” x 1 5/8″ ribbon. This allows for open ribbon space around the edges and the cut edges. If using Ribbons Galore, turn on the “Print Area” blue lines to see the design area space. For the other companies, to see your design before submitting it to print you can achieve a passable template using Word’s “Text Box” function or one of Adobe’s more powerful tools like Photoshop and InDesign.

Text Length & Font:

It’s a rare ribbon that looks good with three or more lines of text. One or two lines of text is best for readability. If you do plan on a longer quote, the 4” x 2” ribbon is a better option. 

As a general rule, use one font for your ribbon design. The exception is using a different font for a website in small plain text under something more elaborate. Check the fonts available from the company you intend to order from. If you want to use a font they do not offer, you have to turn your phrase into an image and upload it as clipart or a logo. 

The more elaborate the font, the simpler the text should be. Keep in mind font can also convey meaning. The font you select can alter the perception people have of the ribbon. Are you getting the reaction you want? Try altering the font to see how you feel. 
For example:Ribbon sayings in different fonts: It's time to roll the dice!, Roll the Dice!, Book Lover, Exterminate

 

Color Choices:

Visual impact – Color on color printing is valid, but black foil on top of black fabric will not be visible from more than 6” away depending on the viewer’s eyesight and room lighting.

Dark ink on a dark fabric is harder to read.
Light ink on a light fabric is harder to read.
Rainbow ink on a rainbow fabric is harder to read and also a hard to find combination. 

There are many design rules at play as to why black, white, silver, and gold are the most common ink colors seen.
Grab a color wheel and play with contrasting colors. Be inspired by the color combinations of your favorite superheroes or logos! What you see on the screen won’t reflect the finished ribbon, since the printing is normally a foil. The shimmer will help the text pop. Full color sublimation printing is an exception, since those are often printed as a flat color.

Logos, Designs, and Clipart: 

Each printing company listed above accepts artwork as various types of digital files. There is widespread acceptance of JPGS and EPS files. Double check with your printer and ensure the open spaces of your design show as you intend. 
When designing with clipart or custom vector art, again—less is more. Elements with fewer lines and more defined open spaces look great on ribbons., especially at a distance. Too many fine lines in a design can blend together creating an unclear image. Repeating elements can be more impactful than many different elements like an emoji string.

Two ribbons. Black with silver writing: Your Pancakefulness. Has a fork on the left. White with gold writing: Let’s Eat Pancakes.” Has a leaf, stack of pancakes, and fork underneath the words.

Two pancake inspired ribbons. Lower design is too busy.

Example: The “Let’s Eat Pancakes” ribbon shown was one of my early designs. I will not be reprinting this ribbon. The busy font and complicated clipart does not read well at a distance. Narrow gold lettering on white ribbon – not a good choice. It is very hard to read at any distance. Gold on white?  Use a block text.
The “Your Panckefulness” with the simple fork clipart and larger silver text is a more successful ribbon design. Props to Dea Carey for her creativity when creating that one. 

Do not use copyrighted designs that are not your own. If you have permission from the artist to use the design, wonderful! Use it well!

There are millions of “free clipart line art” images available on the internet. Low-resolution files are typically fine for badge ribbons since the artwork size rarely exceeds ½” x ½”.  Are just the lines showing or is everything printing as a block of color?  You may have to adjust the file’s transparency settings before it is usable for printing. The transparency allows the ribbon’s color to show inside the open spaces of the line art. 

Whatever inspires you, have fun with both the design process and handing the ribbons out! We all look forward to seeing what people create every year. 

Join us at the next JordanCon for sharing ribbon fun and more shenanigans.

-By Deana Whitney

 

 

 

Traditions: What have we been doing the past 15 years!?

Traditions: What have we been doing the past 15 years!?

As a new JordanCon Member, you will notice 3 things as you move through the convention space: ribbons, tiaras, and kilts. These are our traditions. I am sure you have already heard talk of ribbons in the group so let’s get started with those.

Ribbons:

Ribbons are fancy accoutrements that are a must-have at JordanCon….now, there seems to be an unspoken competitionRibbons hanging in front of a door  between some in the JordanCon Family to see who can collect the most ribbons.

There are two kinds of Ribbons:

Official Con Ribbons (vendor, director, program participant, volunteer), and then there are a ton of “Fun Ribbons” you can get. From vendors to other attendees, ribbons abound.

Anyone can create a “fun ribbon”. One of the more popular places to get ribbons is  PC Nametag (please note: this is not an endorsement of this vendor).

Ribbons are placed on the bottom of your JordanCon badge using the adhesive on the top of the ribbon. Each additional ribbon is added to the bottom of the previous ribbon.  (see picture)

For some “fun ribbons,” the owner of the ribbons may ask you to complete a task….sometimes it is simply reciting a phrase…other times it might be to pledge your soul to The Dark One, so use your own best judgment in these circumstances.

Tiaras:

Jen in a tiara

 

You will see many members adorned with a tiara or crown of some sort. While this is in no way required it is certainly fun.  Anyone that wishes to wear a tiara or crown is more than welcome to. In the past, we have coordinated a picture with everyone wearing their royal headpiece. I am sure we will make this happen again this year. Keep an eye out for more information on that. This wonderful tradition was started by our very own Creator, Jenn Liang. To get the full story you can check out this blog post.

Kilts:

Not to be outdone by our tiara/crown-loving crowd we have a contingent of attendees that have brought kilts into the fold (and we are so grateful for that). On the Friday of JordanCon, you will find quite a few members sporting kilts. A couple of them will even have a crown on to complete their outfit. You can find out more about the origin of “On Friday We Wear Kilts!” in this blog post.

This year we are adding a new tradition to our list: CouchCon!!

CouchCon:

It started as just some people hanging out Sunday night after all the programming ended and has now grown into an Official “unofficial” part of JordanCon. Dubbed CouchCon because it started in the lobby, this is the time after JordanCon has ended but there is still fun to be had. Nowadays, we usually hang out in the Gaming Hall. We connect with friends we didn’t get to spend enough time with during the weekend. We game, we chat, we laugh, we reminisce, and we bond all over again. It is a wonderful tradition that forges new friendships and strengthens old ones.

There are more shenanigans that exist at JordanCon, some from Jordancon One, some a little more recent. And undoubtedly you and your new family will create some of your own. 

There is never any pressure to participate in any of these extracurricular activities but, all are welcome to join if and when they feel comfortable.

New Member Mondays: 2023

New Member Mondays: 2023

It is February 2023, and I am sure some of you are wondering “Where the heck are the New Member Monday posts?!”

Well, we are finally getting those started!

Now, as a New Member you may be wondering, “What under the Light is a ‘New Member Monday’?”

It is a series of blog posts written by the New Member Services Team (Ebony Adomanis and Arthur Gibson) to inform our newest members (and maybe some of our more experienced members) about the different aspects of JordanCon to put them at ease and help them get super excited about attending.

We will have New Member Monday blog posts about the following topics (in no particular order):

  • Traditions – It is JordanCon’s 15th Anniversary so this one will be fun!
  • Costume Contest
  • Charity Auction
  • Art Show
  • ConSuite
  • Gaming
  • Schedule
  • Volunteering
  • Member Engagement
  • Last Minute Reminders

While these are the topics we have planned, there is definitely room to add some, so let us know if you have a topic or area on which you would like more details!

In addition to our New Member Monday blog posts we will be bringing back Virtual Q&A Sessions. This will be a chance to interact with JordanCon Staff members, other new members, and our more experienced members. For 2023 our Virtual Q&A Sessions will be:

  • Saturday, February 18th 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (EST) 
  • Saturday, March 11th 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (EST) 

(Don’t worry, we will send information out about these as we get closer to the dates.)

So sit back and get ready to learn about all things JordanCon. If you have any questions or suggestions, just shoot us an email at newmemberservice@gmail.com.

 

New Member Monday: The Schedule is Live! Now What?!

New Member Monday: The Schedule is Live! Now What?!

Well, JordanConers, the schedule is out and it is time to start making plans! But, if you are new to Conventions, the schedule can be a lot!!  So, here are some quick terms and notes about all the information that you can find on the schedule.

Terms

  • TRACKS – Track is the name given to a specific room or rooms generally being used for similarly themed panels.
  • PANELS – A panel is a staff or guest-led discussion about a particular topic.
  • MODERATOR  This is a volunteer who helps guide the conversation on panels, makes sure the panelists don’t get too off-topic, and keeps an eye on the time. The moderator often has some additional knowledge of the panel topic.
  • PANELIST – The panelists are who you came to see! They will be the ones discussing the topic of the panel.

JordanCon 2022 Tracks

Main Programming From Opening Ceremonies to Closing Ceremonies, JordanCon’s Main Programming is the centerpiece of the convention. It is home to such activities as the Costume Contest, Karaoke, JordanCon Dance Party, Author Signings, and Q&As

Art Track Our goal for our track is to expand appreciation of art and artists among the general JordanCon membership and also to provide a great mentoring and networking environment for artists, whether they are just starting out or are seasoned professionals.

Fantasy Track JordanCon’s Fantasy Track offers programming spanning a wide range of stories and worlds. From traditional fantasy like Lord of the Rings to more modern fantasy like Harry Potter to Young Adult stories and even Urban Fantasy like The Dresden Files. And they cover TV and movies too.

Gaming Track The Gaming Track Room is constantly bustling with gamers of all sorts. You can always find something to do here! It houses many demo games available to be played on one of the many banquet size tables available for open gaming. Want to bring your own game to play?  No problem!  If there’s an open table, you are more than welcome to come on in and play.

Science Fiction Track JordanCon’s Science Fiction track is dedicated to opening new worlds to you, our members, and letting you get lost in the multiverse. Our guests lead the conversations in a myriad of panel discussions on everything from the earliest days of SciFi, to the modern masters and everyone in between. We have a passion for SciFi and we always seek to spread that passion around!

Writer’s Track The JordanCon Writers track is a place to come learn about the art, craft, and business of writing. We have topics that range from traditional to self-publishing, editing and other aspects of writing, and workshops

Wheel of Time Track The World of Wheel of Time Track covers all the things Wheel of Time from the books to the Amazon Prime TV show 

Brandon Sanderson Track In this track all things Sanderson are discussed.

Workshops Do you like to learn new skills or how to make items? Visit the JordanCon Workshops Track to unleash your crafty side or your unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Here, participants acquire different skills. Sign-ups are located at registration at the beginning of the convention.

Many workshops focus on learning a craft, such as: costuming, dancing, metalworking, painting, woodworking, or even 3-D printing. Some workshops focus on learning more intangible skills, such as calligraphy, copyright rules, running a fan store, or even laying out an eBook. Workshops are announced in advance of JordanCon so anyone can join in the Workshop Track fun!

Speaking of Workshops…

Jordancon is more than just panels; it is also a chance for some hands-on activities. Every year the Workshop staff looks far and wide to come up with amazing workshops for con-goers to attend. The best part about the workshops is that you don’t have to be familiar with The Wheel of Time to enjoy them. It is perfect for those of you that are attending with a fan but haven’t read the books.

While some of the workshops require preregistration before the con, you can register for most at the Con.  The signup sheets for workshops can be found near the registration desk. Be sure to ask when you check in where to go to register for workshops. If there is a cost to a workshops, the fee should be paid directly to the workshop instructor. Exact change is appreciated.

 Workshops for Jordancon 2022

  • Alcohol Ink Pour Painting with Alexandra Klimek ($15) – Create a painting on wood with alcohol ink using pouring and blending techniques.  Class limit 15.
  • Braid Tugging with Melisa Grooms Learn some great hair up-do styles perfect for the JordanCon Dance.  Limit: 12, over 12+
  • Crocheting Doomslug with Karen Ahlstrom ($5) – Learn to crochet Doomslug from the Skyward series. Class limit 15.
  •  Braiding on a Loom: Kumihimo with Deana Whitney ($6) – Learn the basics of 4 & 8 strand braiding. Can create hundreds of cord styles. Class Limit: 8
  • Tarot Reading with Katharine Reid – An introduction to the basics of tarot reading.
  • Make your own Hero of the Horn with Karen Ahlstrom ($5) – As seen on TV!  Make a ragdoll Birgitte. Class limit 15
  •  Cross Stitching with Maureen Carr ($5) Cross-stitch Wheel of Time Characters. Fee $5.00 Class limit: 15. 

Any questions can be sent to workshops Director Amelie Downing at workshops@jordancon.org

 Now that you know a little more about the technical aspects of the schedule, here are your next steps:

  1. Take a look at the JordanCon 2022 Schedule
  2. Decide what Panels and/or Activities you want to participate in
  3. Check out the Volunteer Sign-Up Page to see where you can help.
  4. Get ready to meet the family you didn’t know you needed!

#WelcomeHome #itsfinallyapril

 

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