6/12/2012

More Upcoming Conventions

MADC (Madame Alexander Doll Club) convention "Winning the West" is in a few days - June 20—23. It will be held at the Marriott in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Find out more at this link:  http://www.madc.org/index.htm
National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention will be held in Garden Grove, California at the Hyatt Regency Orange County from July 11—14, 2012.

UFDC (United Federation of Doll Clubs Inc.) is calling their event "A Jambalaya Jubilee. It will take place July 24—27, 2012 in New Orleans, LA at the Sheraton New Orleans.
Here is more information: http://ufdc.org/convention/

IFDC (International Fashion Doll Convention) will again be at The Orleans in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dates are July 25—28, 2012. The theme is "Shock, Rattle N' Roll" and it is the IFDC's 10th Anniversary. This convention celebrates a variety of modern fashion dolls such as those from Integrity Toys and the Tonner Doll Company. There is a large group of BJD collectors who also gather during the event.
Find out more at this link: http://www.ifdconline.com/

The inaugural Ken Doll Convention will take place on September 13—15, 2012 in Chicago, IL at the Sheraton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel.  The theme is "Space-Age Bachelor Pad."
Click on this link to get more information. http://www.manbehindthedoll.com/
Look for the part of the page that says Kenvention.
MDCC (Modern Doll Collectors Convention) The theme for this year's MDCC "What Happens In Vegas." The dates are September 19—22, 2012. The hotel is Harrah's in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click here for more information:  http://www.moderndollcollectors.com/
The 14th Annual Dawn Doll Convention takes place on September 29, 2012 on Hyannis, Cape Cod, MA. The theme is The Wedding.
More information: http://dawnoncapecod.com/index.html

 There are several BJD regional conventions in the USA which I found in my search. I don't know if any of these groups are well-established. I recommend you do a search on Google to find groups for your specific needs as a BJD collector. In addition, on-line fora such as Den Of Angels (highly recommended and supremely well-moderated) and Zone of Zen (boardhost.com layout) can offer a great deal of information about this type of event worldwide. Click on either logo below to go to the site of your choice. Both require registration.







6/09/2012

News About Upcoming Conventions


I have more information about the Jamieshow Convention which will take place on September 28-30 in Canandaigua, NY.
There are three workshops which will take place simultaneously on Friday. George Gonzales is doing Photography, repainting eyes and lips is being taught by Peg Stroud of PegFamousGirls and Styling Doll Wigs and Hair is being taught by Michael Scott. Attendees will be divided into three groups and will rotate through the classes so everyone will get a chance. The groups will be small enough for all to get personal attention. The workshops will take place in the Angelic Dreamz  historic firehouse building, the loft of which is above the shop. I've been there and it's a wonderful setting.

More about the teachers:
—You all know George's photography from the business and from his posts on the doll boards. They speak for themselves.
—Peg has been repainting and designing 12 and 16 inch dolls for more than 12 years.http://www.flickr.com/photos/89211057@N00/sets/  She is an accomplished tattoo artist and owns a business called Lady Luck Tattoo. http://www.tattooladyluck.com/
—Michael Scott designs and creates doll clothing.  http://michaelscottdesigns.blogspot.com He is also a professional cosmetician/hairdresser and he will demonstrate techniques to style the Jamieshow wig caps.

During the day on Saturday we will have a guided tour of the Strong Museum of Play's extensive doll collection and doll houses. http://www.museumofplay.org/collections/doll. Transportation and lunch is included.
  
Here is the outline of the schedule:
Friday: 
-Opening breakfast reception and registration and Inn on the Lake.
-Workshops
-Angelic Dreamz will be closed to the public but open to convention attendees for VIP shopping.
-Cocktail Reception on the Veranda of the Sonnenberg Gardens overlooking the formal gardens.
Saturday:
-Trip to Strong Museum of Art and Toy Hall of Fame. Lunch
-"Speakeasy" Costume and Cocktail event at the Loft with live jazz and a few surprises.
Sunday:
-Closing Brunch with presentation of event doll.

There are still a few openings. Click here to go to Angelic Dreamz web page.

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Sandra Stillwell announced that her August 9-12  Radio Days convention in Cincinnati, Ohio is now sold out! She is taking a waiting list from which spots may be filled if she can increase the numbers or in event of cancellations.
If you have never attended one of Sandra's events, get on the waiting list. You won't be sorry.
You can call Sandra at 502 377-5153.

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The Wilde Imagination event sold out almost immediately but I've noticed several offers from people who are willing to proxy for those who can't attend. There is probably a waiting list as well. Go to the Wilde Imagination site for more information.
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The Integrity Toys event is always a big, exciting convention with lots of attendees, doll swag and more. This year it's in Orlando. There are spots remaining if you want to attend. Here is the link.
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Yes, there are other conventions taking place between now and the end of October and when I get more information, I will post it. 

If you've never been to a convention, you might want to look back about one year on my blog for my post which discusses how much it costs to attend a convention.  

This was based on past experience and attendance at an Integrity Toys/Fashion Royalty convention. They have changed the format this year: one less meal, higher convention price, more expensive hotel - so the numbers aren't exactly accurate but you can get a good idea. As they get closer to the date, a detailed convention packet will be issued with specific prices for convention collection dolls and other events.


6/07/2012

Tatyana Alexandrova Nouveau Regime FR2

The new FR2 Tatyana arrived today. She photographs beautifully.


Her dress and purse are lovely and well made. The jewelry consists of earrings, bracelet and ring.

Her shoes are a total nightmare. It took me nearly 45 minutes to get them on properly and buckled. I only opened up the top two buckles. The buckle opening is barely large enough to get the strap through and the strap is fragile so you have to be very careful not to pull hard or it will break.
On top of that, the shoes are too wide and slip around no matter how tightly you close the straps. If that weren't enough, the soles are not made properly to contact the ground.

For $175. I need better. Here are unretouched photos of the doll's face and hair. Her bun can be smoothed down with some gel so that's not a big deal.

But look at the lip painting. The dark shadow line extends further on one side than the other.

She is a pretty doll but the quality control is not there. I am not going to ask for a replacement because I know the doll is sold out and even if they have replacements, it's liable to take months to get it. 

I would love to change her hairstyle. Rerooting would cost another $100. Not worth it.