The event has quite a zero-to-hero origin story itself: the first Def-Com was planned as part of a grant application that was, unfortunately, unsuccessful.
“We thought, ‘Hey, why not throw a mini-con anyway?’” said Angela Powell, branch manager at Johnson Memorial Library and one of the event’s founding organizers. “We had one without a budget that year, using just our local artist friends and musicians, a few crafts, a cosplay contest, and the library’s side yard.
“Fast forward to 2020—unfortunately cancelled—when we had signed on the Farscape actress to join us. [In the past] we’ve even had famous cars from Supernatural, Jurassic Park, and a TARDIS.”
Steve Miller
Local artist Steve Miller will return to DefCom with his orignial art.
Stephanie Leming
Stephanie is a cosplayer with 12 years of experience. She specializes in handmade cat-related items, resin crafts, Pokemon necklaces, & worry stones.
Jacob Minick
Jacob is a professional artist who has worked for publishers such as Action Lab Entertainment and Devil’s Due, as well as a vendor of collectibles and comics.
The Kawaii-est Little Stationery Store
A veteran con vendor with an eye for detail, ‘The Kawaii-est Little Stationery Store’ will bring bookmarks, sticker sheets, washi tape, notebooks, and more.
Jelani Maliik
Maliik is CEO & Director of MVNIFVST LLC, a multimedia company and lifestyle brand with a team of artists specializing in pop culture art.
Lesley Zimmerman
Zimmerman is a cosplayer and artist returning to Def-Com for her fourth time! She’s selling resin art, cosplay prints, and small trinkets.
Craig Graham
Artist Craig Graham will be on hand selling his pastel chalk paintings.
Cecelia Muehlfeld
Muehlfeld is a self-taught artist who will bring her illustrations, prints, stickers, and pins.
Katie Perrine
Perrine of Patsy Cakes & Confections will vend her fun and fantastic pop culture-themed treats, including cookies, cupcakes, brownies & candies.
ReyneSong
ReyneSong is a digital & traditional artist bringing stickers and prints for sale.
Frank James Bailey
Bailey is a voice actor and writer bringing his Tercona book series for all ages to the Con.
The Losers Club
Horror and Nostalgia! That’s all you need! Collectibles! Vintage Toys! Art! We love it and it’s a bonus if you do too.
Renee Schneider
Schneider creates resin goodies, including keychains, phone grips, painted tiles and coasters, paintings, jewelry, & more.
Benjamin Rodriguez
Rodriguez specializes in laser cut, engraved, and painted 3D art, and will offer home decor and gifts for sale.
Caden Morgan
Morgan of Moose Rabbit Makery is about cute, low-key ways to showcase your nerdy side, and will offer embroidered patches, hats, & keychains.
Matt O'Connor
O’Connor is an independent artist specializing in anthropomorphic cartoon animals.
Simply from Scratch Bakery
Simply from Scratch Bakery is bringing flavor to Def-Com with decorated sugar cookies, marshmallows, cupcakes, puppy chow, & more.
Loading Crew Crafts
Specializing in Dakimakura (anime and video game body pillow covers), plushes, charms, keychains, lanyards, pouches, buttons, & pins of their original artwork.
Jamie Craig
Jamie is a scultptor and illustrator specializing in small, handmade polymer clay and resin sculptures.
Creambi Arts
Bethany Black of Creambi Arts makes & sells zines, necklaces, keychains, charms, needle-felted figurines, & stickers.
Rachel Richardson
Rachel will be offering her resin-made keychains, coasters, earrings, & more.
Madalyn & Kasey Hedge
These young entrepreneurs will offer their perler bead jewelry and printed book pages.
Hannah Zedaker
Wearable and practical art with nature, spiritual, & macabre themes, including candles, masks, jewelry, & accessories.
Aaron Auzins
Auzins will have a variety of retro video games on offer, as well as video game & anime collectibles.
Isaiah Stottlemyer
Stottlemyer specializes in crocheted stuffed animals, blankets, & kitchen items, plus sewed rice bags and paintings.
Angela Mendoza
This Holgate-based artist will bring prints, stickers, & original art as well as anime fan art to Def-Com.
Ezekiel Tracy
Tracy is an artist and author, and will be bringing YA fiction books as well as monster and dragon coloring books, stickers, pins, & keychains.
Julianna Berger
Stop by Julianna’s booth to get your nerdy wreaths from Fantastic Little Wreaths by Jules.
Midwest R2 Builders Club
Come meet R2-D2, and learn about various parts and tools used to build and maintain a ‘droid!
Alyssa Wells
This full-time artist and harpist is bringing a selection of handmade books, sketchbooks, journals, pocket books, & bookmarks.
Haley Breckler
Treat yourself to a wiener! Breckler’s Wieners on Wheels will be serving up their hotdogs to hungry con-goers.
Silas Sanchez
Returning vendor Silas Sanchez is a young artist with a passion for all things pop culture.
Atom Ball/Oxizero Design
Oxizero Design will offer enamel pins, prints, stickers, & shirts, all of original artwork.
Marsh Kaleido
Artist, writer, and creater of the webcomic Blank Eyes, Marsh will bring digital art, stickers, pins, & earrings.
Friends of Johnson Memorial Library
Stop by the Friends booth, where they’ll have water, chips, and stickers for sale.
