1. What was the best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection in 2013?
I've done nothing to my gallery. I really would like to, and had great plans to hire someone to create a new banner for my gallery using one of the commissions I bought from Koge Donbo. However, I, along with the others who all paid for sketches, am still waiting for them. I was really hoping I'd get it before Christmas after a 6 month wait too. Maybe I can make that and a gallery revamp my resolution for 2014?
In regards to my collection, it's been a really good year. I managed to get a lot of sketches and autographs at the conventions that I attended, which made it worth it. The auction scene was also pretty productive for sketches as well, and I was able to acquire sketches from artists that I figured I'd have no chance ever buying anything from as their artwork sells for much more than I'd ever considering paying. But while the sketches were nice, the moments I spent with the artists were so much more meaningful.
2. What was the most surprising thing that happened to your gallery/collection this year?
It's more my collection experience. In regards to the usual collectors I see at most conventions, I think we're at the point where we have a strong and very stable network of collectors that work well with each other. When I first started attending cons for sketches, it seemed that everyone was at odds with everyone else. It was a very dog-eat-dog situation, and I found it rather unpleasant. We have really worked hard at creating and holding together a group of about 10-15 collectors. Kudos to everyone in our group, to everyone that has worked with us and I hope it's been as beneficial to you as it has to all of us. It has not been an easy experience for many of us, and most of us, including myself, have had to learn the hard way on who to trust and who not to. When I see how well we all network, how members of this group will go out of their way to get an autograph for someone who can't attend, it really makes me happy. Had you told me in 2009 that, by 2013, I'd be a member of such a group, I would not have believed you. So, I look forward to working with everyone again in 2014.
3. Which piece were you most proud of acquiring in 2013?
Not so much an acquisition, but rather, the time I spent with the guests. I was really fortunate to be able to get to know several artists on a more personal level. I mentioned that I really enjoyed that experience at AM2 in 2012, and I am quite pleased to say that I was able to build upon that in 2013. I am already looking forward to 2014 and spending some time with them. But to answer your question as written, I'd say my sketches from Kazuchika Kise. He's a really sweet guy and I would attend any convention he would be at again in a heartbeat.
4. What's something that concerns you about your collecting experience?
Trust issues. I know trust is a very difficult thing to come by, and more so among people who are so used to being backstabbed at conventions that your dealings with them are very precarious. I'm always worried that someone will think that they were singled out when it's not the case. Though most of the people I know and work with understand the difficulties involved in collecting what we do, there's always that one person in the group that you know has the potential to be a problem (though it's no one on this board).
This year was also a difficult one in terms of charity auction sketches. Cons just didn't seem to get any sketches, and those that they did get were few, far between, and all ending in the thousands. I did not win any charity auction sketches this year, and had it not been for AX's F up, my purchases at conventions would have been much less. So I guess my concern would be that convention mismanagement is causing prices to escalate due to the shortage of artwork. While certain cons, like AX, have always been problematic, other cons, like Fanime, are going downhill. It's hard to believe that 2 years ago, I had one of the best convention experiences ever at Fanime, and this year I skipped them in lieu of traveling across country for Animazement. I would like to hope that the cons on the West Coast get their act together, get some capable staffers who know what to do, and deliver a better experience for all participants. SakuraCon, AX and Japan Expo USA were all disappointing, and Fanime would have easily taken the prize as infuriating due to their 6 hour registration wait times.
5. What cel/sketch-related resolution do you want to make for 2014?
To keep doing what I'm doing at conventions. I think that working with others is the best way to go about this hobby, and the results seem to speak for themselves. I hope I can remain dependable and continue to help other collectors out when I can. I know it takes some work, but I love being able to pick up autographs for others from seiyuu that they really love, and for whatever reason, were unable to attend that event.
I also want to revamp my gallery. And get my Koge Donbo sketches. Especially the latter.
6. If you posted a cel/sketch-related resolution in 2012, how true did you stay to it?
My resolution was "As long as I can afford to collect, I'll continue to do so". I don't know if I really kept it this year. I spend a lot of money during the convention season, and that always concerns me as I'm a frugal person. I save for 8 months so I can spend it all in 4. I also mentioned that I wanted to work on preservation of my artwork more by buying more bags and microchamber paper, both of which I did do. I also refilled my Copic markers, which is another thing that I mentioned that I wanted to do as well. So on that end, I kept my resolution.
cutiebunny 
for keeping this tradition going. It is a thread that I started in 2006, but she's been better than me about remembering and keeping it up. However, this year I've just updated with my RS "Year in Review," so I'm already thinking about these questions.
But it gives me chills every time I take it out and look at it. Its so awesome, its kinda unbelievable that I own it. Its a pan sketch of Seras Victoria at her best from Hellsing. 
Thanks, Caro! 
