2026 Omaha Zine Fest

Snow, Sold-Out Zines, and a Reminder That Connection Still Rules.

This year, I crawled out from my little creative cave and stepped back into the world of artist markets for Omaha Zine Fest. And honestly? It ruled.

It’s been a few years since I’ve done an artist market, so I went into this one with a different goal than I might have had in the past. Sure, I wanted to sell some work, get Yeti Creative out there, and see what resonated with people, but more than anything, my main goal was connection.

Connection with people.
Connection with other creatives.
Connection with the weird and wonderful community that still believes in printed things, handmade things, and art that feels like it came from an actual human person with a pulse.

For the fest, I brought a handful of fresh Yeti goods into the wild: the Sketchbook Monday Print Collection, the Doodle Cult Prompt Book, and a Wheat Paste Poster Collection Zine. A nice little buffet of creative chaos.

Going into the day, I’ll admit I was hesitant. There was a snowstorm, and usually that kind of weather makes you start doing the mental math. You know the kind: “Well, maybe no one will show up. Maybe I packed all this stuff for a very chilly personal field trip.” But I was gloriously, beautifully wrong.

People showed up.

And not only did they show up, they showed up with energy. I sold out of zines. I sold out of some prints. I got to talk with so many people who genuinely resonated with the work, which is always the best part. Nothing beats watching someone pick something up, laugh, smile, nod, or say, “Oh man, this is my kind of thing.”

That’s the good stuff.

I also got to meet a ton of other creatives, including some from Kansas City, which was such a gift. One of my favorite parts of events like this is being reminded that there are so many people out there making strange, thoughtful, funny, handmade things because they simply have to. It’s encouraging. It’s energizing. It makes the whole world feel a little less beige.

Omaha Zine Fest reminded me that showing up matters. Even when the weather says otherwise. Even when you’ve been out of the game for a while. Even when you’re unsure how your work will land. Sometimes you just need to pack up your weird little paper creatures, trust your gut, and get in the room.

What I Learned

Set goals, then build around them

One thing this fest reminded me is that your booth should reflect your goal.

My goal was connection and awareness. So I had to ask myself, if I want people to remember Yeti Creative, what am I actually putting in their hands? What are they leaving with besides a nice conversation and a vague memory of some furry little art goblin behind a table?

That changed how I approached everything.

I made a handout that pointed people toward who Yeti Creative is, what I make, and what I’m planning to do this year. If someone bought something, they got a Yeti bag, which meant people were now walking around the fest carrying the name with them. They also got free stickers and another touchpoint to remember the work.

That stuff matters.

Whether your goal is awareness, connection, or moving product, you need to think about what you’re offering people that invites them deeper into your world. Not just what they can buy, but what they can carry with them. What helps them remember you later? What keeps the door open after the market is over?

Have a third element that pulls people in

Products are great. Prints are great. Zines are great. But I learned that having a third thing, something unexpected or interactive, can do a lot of heavy lifting.

For me, that was a little TV on the table playing animations I made.

So many people stopped because of that thing.

They picked it up. They watched it. It created curiosity. It gave them another entry point into the work beyond just flipping through prints or scanning the table. It became a magnet, and once people were pulled in by that, it often opened the door to deeper conversation and more connection.

I also had my sketchbook on the table, which helped people see more of the process, the range, and the craft behind the work. That mattered too. It gave people another layer to engage with and helped point toward where the work could go beyond the things directly for sale.

Sometimes people need one more hook. One more little portal. One more strange glowing object to say, “Hey, come look at this weird thing.”

Create a friendly environment

This one feels simple, but it matters a lot.

I did not sit. Anytime someone came by, I stood up and engaged. I tried to create conversation around them, not just around my stuff. And if there were kids around, I immediately handed them stickers or interacted with their group.

That energy changes everything.

People do not just connect to the product. They connect to the person behind it. If you want people to care about your IP, your art, your weird little universe, the first bridge into that world is you. You are the first impression. You are the invitation. You are the best salesperson your work has, whether a sale happens or not.

That first interaction matters. Make it bold. Make it kind. Make it human.

Because people may forget a price. They may forget the exact name of a print. But they will remember how you made them feel.

And let’s be honest. I know you’ve got it in you, you son of a bitch. ;)

I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who came out, everyone who stopped by the table, everyone who bought something, and everyone who took the time to chat. That kind of support means a lot. Truly.

It was a good day for Yeti Creative. A good day for print. A good day for connection.

And honestly? I can’t wait to do it again.

Stay wild.