Windy City Mr. Snap

Join us for a weekend filled with artists, exhibitors and all things designed to inspire and engage every kind of designer toy fan. Whether you're a seasoned collector, a budding artist, or simply curious about the world of designer toys, CollectedCon will offer something for everyone. Get up close and personal with some of the most talented designer toy artists in the world, and learn about their creative process, inspiration, and backgrounds. Discover new and rare toys, expand your collection, or simply marvel at the unique and captivating artistry that is designer toys. Our convention is not just about buying and selling toys — it's about fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, and community. We are passionate about bringing people together to celebrate the art form that is designer toys, and we can't wait for you to join us. Plus, with Navy Pier as our backdrop, you'll have easy access to some of Chicago's most iconic landmarks, restaurants, and attractions. Create your own designer toy adventure, and experience all that Chicago has to offer. Self-produced art toys are designer collectibles created and manufactured independently by the artist or small teams without the backing of a large toy company or mass-market brand. These toys are often highly personal, artistic expressions and are usually made in limited runs. Key Characteristics include independent creation where the artist is in control of the entire process from concept, sculpting, and painting to production and packaging. These are usually made in small batches, often 10–100 pieces, which adds to their rarity, made using materials like resin, sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl), or 3D-printed components. Jason Forbes is a designer, maker, customizer and mixed-media artist from Seattle, Washington. Often integrating custom designed and programmed lighting and other technology in his pieces, he strives to continually one-up himself always experimenting and learning new materials, machines, methods and techniques. He also finds it strange to talk about himself in the third person, but had to come to grips with that since nobody else would write this for him.