Dragon lovers unite! St Louis convention BJD prototype is unveiled!

Spark the Wyvern 

The St. Louis Convention BJD exclusive prototype has been posted on the website - and is now available as a preorder as part of their Kickstarter package. Don't miss out on this wonderful, adorable doll. You can preorder him with your registration at just the $200 level.

According to designer Sarah Seiter, "He may be available in a few different resin colors. I am considering blue, pink, and green."

Don't delay, though--you can get lots of goodies through this Kickstarter program, now. It's a great deal, both for you and the convention planners. And it ends soon--August 31, 2012. Only a couple more days!

Photos property of Sarah Seiter.

Barbie Con fashion show

This year's Barbie convention fashion show had a Parisian "young debutante on a grand tour" theme, live piano music provided by Paul Bruce, and was narrated by Robert Best. Modeling replica's of Barbie's Pan Am Stewardess uniforms (designed and sewn by Tamara) are, from left to right, Tamara, Valerie, Alicia, & Kathie.

Worth the Wait

Here are the OOAK Matt Sutton dolls Valerie and I waited in line for two hours for the opportunity to purchase. For me, this was a several year quest so I am thrilled. From the left: Dark Romance, Citrine, and Benefit Luncheon.

Barbie Con Golden Ticket Drawing Winner!

This year's Barbie convention included a "Golden Ticket Drawing" at the opening night reception. 20 one-of-a-kind artists donated beautiful dolls that they'd created and all conventioneers were given 20 complimentary tickets for the drawing. You could place one ticket in each box or distribute the chances amoung a few or just one doll. (The tickets were actually golden in color and were pre-printed with our names)

My fellow blogger and roommate, Valerie, won one of the dolls. We were so excited for her.

This doll was designed by Natalia Sheppard of Natalia Designs.

You can view the entire line-up of Golden Ticket dolls here.

First ever JAMIEshow Convention!

JAMIEshow Premiere Convention
"Prohibition"
September 28-30, 2012
The Firehouse
Canandaigua, NY

This sounds like a really fabulous event for fashion doll and resin fashion BJD collectors alike. Registration is $475 and includes convention doll, events and workshops. Check out the website to register today (deadline and payment must be received by May 31, 2012).

Events include an opening breakfast, three workshops (photography by George G, repainting eyes and lips by PegFamousGirls, and styling doll wigs and hair by Michael Scott), all-day VIP shopping at Angelic Dreamz, a Sonnenberg Gardens cocktail reception (on the veranda of the mansion!), a trip to the Strong Museum of Art & Toy Hall of Fame, a Speakeasy costume event, and a closing brunch.

A special convention rate at The Inna on the Lake has been arranged (between $134-204 per night), including rooms, suites, and jacuzzi suites (!!!). Plus, there are lots of bed and breakfasts and hotels in Canandaigua. The closest airport is Rochester International.

I'm trying to figure out how I might be able to talk my husband into attending!

IFDC Registration!

Susie, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Are you registered?

2012 International Fashion Doll Convention
July 25-28 2012
The Orleans Resort & Casino
Las Vegas, NV

Shock, Rattle 'n Roll
10th Anniversary

This fun, laid back convention is really a blast, and is a celebration of all fashion dolls. The $295 registration fee includes:

• 1950's Rock Around the Clock registration
• 1960's Aquarius opening reception on Wednesday
• 1970s I Will Survive Thursday luncheon
• 1980s It's Raining Men Karaoke American Bandstand dance and dance contest Thursday night
• 1990s Believe dinner on Friday
• 2000s Nickelback's Rock Star dinner with Integrity Toys convention doll

Plus, you'll have access to the salesroom, competitions, raffles, exhibits, steam punk rock bowling tournament, slot tournament, workshops and seminars, gallery, treasure hunt and more. More information and registration information can be found IFDC's website.

Tonner's convention blog!

Don't forget to subscribe to Tonner Doll Company's convention blog--it's up and running on Wordpress this year. You can follow all the excitement online, even if you can't be there in person.

Grant A Wish Convention 2011 Centerpiece

Here is the GAW 2011 convention centerpiece from Saturday's luncheon. (Yes, I  won!) It consists of a reproduction American Girl Barbie and Ken. Barbie's dress was created by cutting down a repro Wedding Day Set gown which was dyed a mint green color. Ken's fashion was a repro Victory Dance fashion which was restyled to resemble a Captain's outfit. Fashion restyling by Janie Hunt, Linda Carter, and Dwayne Addle. Miniature food, ice bucket, champagne, and glasses by Chef Gina. You can  shop for Chef Gina's realistic food for fashion dolls here.

Grant A Wish Convention 2011, Convention Doll

This year's Grant A Wish convetion doll is called Romance on the high seas. She is former Palm Beach swimsuit silkstone doll repainted by Melissa Windham. Her hair has also been restyled. She wears a teal and black strapless ruffled gown and black open-toe shoes with black bows. Her accessories include earrings, necklace, and a purse with beaded strap. Fashion designed by Linda Lackie.

Grant A Wish Convention 2011, Table Gifts

Here are a few of the table gifts from the hosting club of this year's Grant A Wish convention. First is Ken's Wave Runner fashion designed by Linda Carter. It consists of a a top and matching shorts, white board shorts, a duffel bag, and shoes.

Next is Ken's Captain Carson fashion designed by Paul Bruce. It includes a Captain's uniform, cap, and shoes. Both of these Ken fashions were presented at the Friday dinner.

At Saturday's luncheon we received this adorable deck chair. Check out the detail and embroidery on the pillow. Too cute!

Next is Barbie's Sea Breeze fashion designed by Linda Carter. It consists of a matching top and shorts, a lace handbag with anchor accent, a skirt and halter top, a headband, and two pairs of shoes.

Grant A Wish Convention 2011

One of the bulletin boards
announcing room sales

This year's Grant A Wish convention theme is Romance on the High Seas and it is being held in Livonia, MI at the Marriott Hotel.  On today's agenda is lots of room shopping. For those of you unfamiliar with room shopping at a doll convention, it is a blast. As you shop from room to room you make new friends and search for items on your dolly wish list.

Here is a shot from Hilda Westervelt's room sales of Bellissima couture. Hilda is selling a number of silk and brocade sheaths, suits, and fashions for silkstone Barbie dolls and Fashion Royalty. The sofa and backdrop in this display were made by Maryann Roy. You can shop for Hilda's fashions here and Maryann's doll furniture here.

 
One of the treasures I've found while room shopping is this Momoko doll and fashion, Danse Rouge, a OOAK by Rob Thompson. She is very sweet. Her hair has been rerooted in red and she has tiny braids on both sides. Her two piece fashion is frilly and very feminine. She's also had a complete repaint. You can shop for Rob's dolls here.

Sybarites to Show at IFDC

Good news Sybarites fans! You won't have to travel very far to see your fashion doll of choice this year. Jim Faraone announced to the IFDC YahooGroup this past week that Desmond of Superfrock will attend IFDC (International Fashion Doll Convention) this July. Attendees will definitely get to see the new line up close, but it is not yet known at this time if any Sybarite dealers will be selling at the convention.

The IFDC is held annually in Las Vegas, NV. This year it runs from July 6th through July 9th, 2011. Registration information can be found by clicking here. Also, if you'd like to catch up on all the news regarding this year's IFDC, sign up for the IFDCinfo YahooGroup by clicking here.

Registration is open for the 2011 Tonner Convention

Next year's Tonner collector convention, Pure Imagination, will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Tonner doll company. The registration fee of $349 will include two souvenir dolls, three meals, a late night event, a cocktail party, and many more surprises. Tonner will accept "layaway" payments for the convention with a $50 deposit.


Details:

When: May 19th - May 22nd
Where: The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center
70 Yorktown Center
Lombard, IL 60148

You can find further information here.

I must admit that this one is really tempting me!

IDEX Online Registration Open

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of IDEX and they're celebrating with the theme "20 Years of Friendship".   It will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida from January 27 - 30, 2011. Some of the exhibitors expected to attend include Tonner Doll Company, Alexander Doll Co., Inc., Lasher Studios, Berdine Creedy Originals, Inc., and Maggie Iacono. Additionally, the 5th Annual Debut of Dolls/DOTY and the 2nd Annual BJD Mixer and Meet-Up will be held at IDEX.  Each of those events incur a separate fee.

For more information or to register visit Twenty Years of IDEX.

Table decorations at IFDC

One of the fun contests at the International Fashion Doll Convention (IFDC) is the table decoration contest at the various meal events. Each table has a table host or co-hosts and those hosts either create displays or coordinate with their other table mates to create displays for their table. The displays usually try to illustrate the theme of that particular meal event. Prizes, which are given to each table mate, are awarded at each meal event for the best table decoration.

At the end of last year's convention, my friend, Tamara, convinced me to sign up as a table host for this year's convention. I ususally don't do very well under pressure and the thought of possibly winning a prize for my table mates was high pressure for me. I was hesitant at first, but Tamara promised to help me so I signed up. Well, let me just say that Tamara is a fount of wonderful ideas and, more importantly, knows how to execute those ideas. As it turned out, I ended up more the helper and Tamara the creator, but that was more than fine for me.