So Many Conventions; So Little Time

All you need is time and a lot of money and you can spend the next few months going from one doll event to another. There is something for everyone.  A few events are just one day luncheon gatherings. Others are five day marathons.

The upcoming Star Trek convention is not on the list but I've always wanted to go.

I have compiled a list of most of the upcoming events with links to information and registration. There may be others so if you know of something, please post it in a comment with name, date and link to registration.

Italian Doll Convention - May 16-17 - Milan, Italy
http://www.italiandollconvention.it/index.aspx

Anime North - Canada North - May 22-24 - Toronto, Canada
http://animenorth.com/live/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=69&layout=blog&Itemid=148

Jamieshow Gene Celebrating 20 Years - May 22-24 - Chicago, IL (Sold Out)
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=jjhzy9n6&oeidk=a07eak7e079b30ea7d9&oseq

Tonner Doll - May 29-31 - Dallas, TX
http://www.tonnerdoll.com/2015-tonner-convention-guilty-pleasures

Pullip & Dal Doll Lovers Event - Jun 6 - Elk Grove Village, IL
http://www.puddlestyle.com/

International Fashion Doll Convention - Jul 8-11 - Las Vegas, NV
http://www.ifdconline.com/

Superdoll USA Collectors Convention - Jul 16-18 - Beverly Hills, CA
http://www.dramaqueenproductions.net/index/BHX.html

United Federation of Doll Clubs - Jul 16-19 - Kansas City, MO
http://ufdc.org/convention/

Madame Alexander Doll Club Convention - Jul 29-Aug 1 - Dallas, TX
http://www.madc.org/calendar/2015-madc-convention.htm

National Barbie Doll Collectors' Convention - Jul 29-Aug 1 - Arlington, VA
http://www.barbieconvention.com/

Ball Jointed Doll Collectors' Convention - July 30-Aug 1 - Austin, TX
http://bjdctexas.com/schedule.html

Blythe Con - Aug 9 - Vancouver, Canada
http://blytheconvan.com/

Sandra Stillwell Presents - Aug 20-23 - Chattanooga, TN
http://sandrastillwellpresents.blogspot.com/

Volks LA Dolpa - Sep 5 - Los Angeles, CA
http://volksusa.com/event/2015dolpala/

Madrid Fashion Doll Show Convention - Sep 11-13 - Madrid, Spain
http://www.madridfashiondollshow.com/

4th Annual Ken Doll Mini Convention - Sept 17-19  - Chicago, IL
http://www.hesadoll.com/2014.htm

Modern Doll Collectors' Convention - Sept 16-19 - Reno, Nevada
http://moderndollcollectors.org/?page_id=2726

Sybarites in London Oct, 2015
To Be Announced
 
Blythe Convention - Oct 18 - Chicago, IL
http://www.blytheconusa.com/ 

Integrity Toys - Oct 21-24 - Long Beach, CA (sold out)
http://www.integritytoys.com/instructions/2015conventionreg.php

MetroDolls Celebrating 10 Years - Oct 4 (Luncheon) - Iselin, NJ
http://metrodolls.blogspot.com/
 
Wilde Imagination Convention - Oct 16-18 - Framingham, MA
Link to be announced as registration has not yet opened.

Tonner Con UK - Oct 30-Nov 1 - Lincoln, UK
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tonnerconuk-ghouls-and-glamour-tickets-16102044649

St. Louis Ball Jointed Doll Convention - Nov13-15 - Overland, MO
http://www.stlbjdcon.com/

Roma Fashion Doll Convention - Nov 28-29 - Rome, Italy
http://www.romafashiondollconvention.com/english/home.htm






Can't help it. I love these guys. RIP Leonard.

Sir Patrick Stewart, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy

Shantommo Couture: Dark Fantasy Collection for 12" Dolls

In the endless pursuit for edgy and fashionable and affordable fashions for my dolls, I have become enchanted by Ryan Liang's creations. This is his latest collection called Dark Fantasy Collection 2015.

Description (each dress is pictured two times in the photo above.)

Raven Rouge: A one-piece bell-shaped high neck dress.

The Paris Affair: A two-piece outfit. Peplum top and pencil skirt.

Midnight Tangle: A one-piece dress and leather belt.

Dark black fabric with shiny faux fur. Accessories are not included.

Each fashion is $58. plus $8. postage.

Visit the Shantommo website to see many photos of his stunning work. 

http://www.shantommo.com/

The Next Kingdom Doll is Eira

Alexandra posted Eira's photo on Prego earlier today and the reception is, not surprisingly, very warm. I love this doll already.

Here's what Alex said:

Her name means Snow in my native language of Welsh (as many of you know I am from Wales) Amanda and I think she has a Snow White quality to her face/look hence the name......hope you like her.

 No other information was available.

Why Buy Anything?

Tomorrow, April 15, the Little Red Dress Barbie Doll will be released for sale @ $75.  I am impressed with neither the fashion nor the price.

Here is Mattel's description:

Barbie doll is simply stunning in an ensemble with dramatic details and highly detailed accessories. Ready to make a grand entrance at the next soirée, Barbie doll wears a coral satin evening coat with a cape-like collar over a lipstick red cocktail dress with tiers of flirty chiffon. Star-worthy accessories include a coral satin cocktail hat with feather trim, black stretch charmeuse shirred evening gloves, along with golden rhinestone earrings and a matching floral cuff. The finishing touches include a pair of glossy d’Orsay stiletto pumps and a glamorous updo. Doll is cast in Silkstone and features the original 1959 Barbie face sculpt.

For the first time since I've been a Barbie Collector member, I did not use the $20 quarterly credit. I tried, believe me. There is NOTHING that interested me enough to spend $ in order to save $. Ridiculous, isn't it?

There is a Silkstone coming in August called Lavender Luxe. She may join the tribe...or maybe not.  For an additional $24.95 (compared to Little Red Dress) you get a long-haired redhead wearing a gown that looks like it took some thought.

The jury is still out on Boucle Beauty, left.

I do like the suit, her cute face and the hairstyle and while they certainly don't look alike, Boucle immediately reminded me of Afternoon Lunch.

Silkstone "Blush Beauty" is a pretty doll however her outfit is, again, unremarkable and nothing new.

 She can't compare to the 2001 "Ravishing in Rouge," whose fashion is similar but so much nicer.

Like several other companies, the cutbacks in quality become evident when one compares the dolls produced 5 or more years ago. Diehard Silkstone collectors need to tear themselves away from the fantasy and take a long hard look at what they're buying now. I had to do that with certain segments of my collection and it wasn't easy but why buy anything less than great?

Announcing 2015 Luncheon - Celebrate 10 Years of MetroDolls!

I've attended several MetroDolls events over the past few years and I have always had a great time. 
Here is the club's announcement about their upcoming luncheon:

We are pleased to announce our next event "MetroDolls...Celebrating 10 Years" will be held on October 4, 2015 in Iselin, New Jersey. 
Robert Tonner is creating a beautiful 16" fashion doll souvenir for the event and we will be holding an OOAK auction to benefit St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

REGISTRATION PAGE


Hope to see you there!

"Grey Lady" Gets Her Man

The Grey Lady Gene Marshall doll was featured in a design contest held at the November, 2007 Gene Convention in Pittsburg, PA. Entrants were required to create a fashion for Gene using only shades of gray so that she would appear to be a 3D image from a black and white movie. Contestants did not see the doll until the event when they were given the doll to dress. Wayne Nilson was one of the talented designers.

Grey Lady Gene became one of the most sought after Gene dolls ever produced. Last September (2014), one sold for $2027.02 on eBay. 

Yesterday Wayne posted photos he called "Grey Lady Gets Her Man," showing both a Grey Lady Gene and Trent! 

 I asked Wayne to explain how he painted Trent. Here is his response:

Well, the most I can say about Grey Trent is that he was done using ordinary acrylic paints.  You need those, a good variety of brushes, some color sense and a steady hand.  That's really all it takes.  I only painted his head and arms up to the elbow.  No need to do any more than that because it won't show.  I did seal him with a coat of Mr. Superclear when I was finished.

He's been on the back burner for a long time.  I'm very happy to finally have him finished.  So is Gene.  She was quite lonely.

 He made it sound so easy that I might try it on a doll that isn't too important first.

Have you ever painted a doll?