San Diego BJD Convention

San Diego BJD Convention, a photo by alington on Flickr.

This year's theme, for the fifth annual San Diego BJD Convention, was Naughty Nautical. As you can see, only two of my girls were dressed to the theme--and they were in the beach-y category.

The turnout was really good--my guess would be close to 75, though I don't know the official number.  We packed in that room pretty well. The $10 entrance fee gave us a goodie bag and all-we-could eat chicken nuggets, tater tots, sun tea, and non-alcoholic grog, which was excellent.

It was great to see all the various vendors, and especially to see Ms. Cholong with DollHeart. I also had a great time after the weekend with Megann of MegannArt.

You can see additional photos on Flickr.

There will be a convention next year, too--and the theme is Feisty Fairytales. Start planning your outfits now!

Lauren's Poem

Atlanta BJD Convention, a photo by alington on Flickr.

The Atlanta BJD Conventionby Lauren Rasmussen
At the airport we were late.
The airlines made us wait!
I didn't know I'd miss the cats.
But I did see a lot of hats!
I helped set up the table,
But the BJDs weren't very stable.
Despite counting sheep
I still couldn't go to sleep.
There were lots of people in the hall.
I dressed up like my doll.
I saw a person wearing a wig
And a doll that was very big.
It was full of noise
And I got some toys.
Grownups played games--
They acted insane!
I had a great time,
And that's the end of my rhyme.

See you in Atlanta!

I'm on my way to the Atlanta BJD Convention, where I'll have a table. Please stop by and say hello! I'm easy to recognize, and I don't (usually) bite, even with jet lag.

I'll be teaching two panels while I'm there:
2:45 pm and 7:15 pm on Friday (one on how to write a book, and one on basic photography).

I'm bringing along a little helper (my doll enthusiast daughter) and also a precious goodie from Peak's Woods--a generous donation you won't want to miss--and you'll want to stop by to check out Peak's Woods' wonderful dolls in person. I can't wait to see you there!

Registration is live: Atlanta BJD Convention!

Atlanta BJD Convention registration site

Registration is open now!

Atlanta Ball Jointed Doll Convention
October 18-20, 2013
A doll convention for the fans by the fans
Eat. Sleep. Play. BJD.

It will be held at the Holiday Inn Atlanta Perimeter in Atlanta, GA. Room rates are $79 per night, with up to four people in the room, and this rate includes breakfast.

Tickets for the convention are just $30 when you purchase them now through June. Rates go up to $35 when purchased July through September. At the door, tickets are still only $40.

Guests include:

• Perish Dignam (model and performer--one of his amazing performances was in Kerli's video, Tea Party)
• Berdine Creedy (doll artist)
• Lady Saiyuki (doll artist)
• Ashbet (doll artist and one of my favorite BJD photographers--OMG!)
• and me (I'm hoping to have my next book finished, A Little More BJDs for Beginners, finished by then, too)

Follow this convention online via Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. I'll hopefully see you there!

Dollism exclusive Peak's Woods Goldie BJDs

If you follow my blog, I'm sure you know I'm not only a fan of Peak's Woods, but I also love Alice in Wonderland. Dollism Tokyo 2012 featured two OOAK dolls by Peak's Woods and DollHeart - just fantastic.

You can see the Red Queen (Goldie) here. According to DollHeart's page, she included:

• Goldie Head + Body (white skin)
• LE Clothing
• LE Wig 
• LE shoes 
• LE face up
• Eyes 
• Hand Parts : 2 pairs of hand parts (basic, special) 
• Foot Parts : 2 pair of foot parts (flat, heel) 
• Cushions, box and CoA

Additionally, another one-off doll was created in collaboration with Peak's Woods as well. She is called the White Queen, and you can see more photos here. She included:

• Goldie Head + Absolute Beauty body (white skin)
• LE Clothing 
• LE Wig
• LE shoes 
• LE face up 
• Eyes
• Hand Parts : 2 pairs of hand parts (basic, special) 
• Foot Parts : 2 pair of foot parts (flat, heel) 
• Cushions, box and CoA

You can see the list of items offered for this Tokyo doll convention here. Photos are property of DollHeart, and as both of these items were created as OOAK pieces, they are no longer available. However, visit their home page for additional One-off creations.

Meet Me In St. Louis - really!

The Kickstarter project is now live for the Meet Me in St. Lousi BJD Convention in November. Even if you can't attend in person, you can contribute (and be rewarded) for your generous support!

To find out all the details, you can visit the Kickstarter project page and also visit the St. Louis BJD Con website.

Pacific NorthWest BJD Expo in 2012

This just in from Den of Angels' news forum:

Come with us
~ Through The Looking Glass ~
Pacific NorthWest BJD Expo for 2012 
When: Saturday, May 26, 2012
Time: Noon to 6 PM; Early entry 11 AM
Where: 18891 Front Street NE, Poulsbo, Washington U.S.A.
Admission: $10 at the door
A one-day annual event featuring, but not limited to, Pacific Northwest artists and all things BJD oriented.
Free Parking ~ Handicap Access ~ Door Prizes
Event will include:
Shopping for ball-jointed dolls, clothes, wigs, shoes, furniture and accessories
Photo Dioramas including detailed sets in which to photograph your BJD
Meet-up areas to socialize!
Themed café on the premises for bottled drinks and finger foods
Costume contest appropriate to theme for BJDs and guardians
Prize for Best Artist Alley Display
Silent Auction for themed items
Event photo corner; bring your camera; make a memory.
Come meet our Pacific Northwest artists including the person behind the artwork for this PNW BJD Expo, Jade Gordon. 
You will find Jade and others in the "Artist Alley" with items to help you remember 
your trip "through the looking glass" in 2012.

For more information and to register, check out the registration site. (I wonder if I can justify a road trip? It's Alice-themed, after all!) Some additional information about travel is here.

Zombie Wake-Up Cue

Wake-Up Cue "Zombie" 

As you all have seen, the Third Annual BJD Convention took place on Saturday, November 5, 2011. There was a pretty nice turn-out this year--I'd guess between 50-60 people. I really hope that's enough to schedule another one next year.

The theme: Supernatural Orleans: a tribute to vampires, zombies, voodoo, witches, and all things eerie and magical. Here are some photos of my entry, Zombie Wake-Up Cue. (Check out the difference between this girl and her default make-up!) Her zombie body make-up will be a tutorial in my next book, The BJD Enthusiast.

She has a limited edition face-up by Peak's Woods, based on the Two Sisters Lottie and Wake-Up Lottie girls. Unfortunately, Peak's Woods is no longer offering repeats of limited edition make-up, unless it's listed on their site. I was very fortunate that they honored my request for this gorgeous girl.

Wake-Up Cue's outfit is created out of the fake spiderwebbing that you can hang outside your house during halloween and ribbon.

Her jewelry by Tonner Doll Company, and is, believe it or not, from the Fashion Zombie Death Becomes Her.

You may wonder what will become of Cue after this? Well, body make-up is a cinch to remove, but I think I may do another freaky body blush on her next. Her face will eventually be perfect, I think, for Rococo styles. She's so haughty and lovely.

Arm "stitch" detail. Purple "bruising" part of her blush

The lovely, inviting Wake-Up Cue

Stitching on her leg, plus more blush detail.

Dirty toe pedicure

Overall look

Update on 3rd annual San Diego BJD convention

San Diego BJD Convention
Supernatural Orleans
November 5, 2011
11AM-3PM
Marina Village
Terrace Room
1936 Quivira Way
San Diego, CA  92109

Please come! Introduce yourself to me. I'll be there with dark brown (or black) and turquoise or blue hair. And the Peak's Woods dolls. Or ask JennyGrey (she'll be selling) who I am, and she will point me out.

Check out the website for more information, directions and a schedule. This is a great opportunity to get connected to other collectors, see more dolls, buy some outfits (they will have something for everyone), wigs, shoes, and maybe some eyes and there will be a resin BJD dealer there, too. Plus it's only $10 at the door.

For more on the theme, this is what I found on the website:

This year's theme is 'Supernatural Orleans', a tribute to vampires, zombies, voodoo, witches, and all things eerie and magical.  There will be doll costume contests, games, prizes, and raffles, plus refreshing drinks along with many of your favorite dealers!

Third Annual BJD Convention in San Diego

According to a post on Den of Angels:

The Third Annual San Diego Ball-Jointed Doll Convention will be held at the picturesque Marina Village on the waters of Mission Bay on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 11 AM to 3 PM. We'll be located in the Terrace room on the south end of the Marina Village complex at 1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, California. 

This year's theme is 'Supernatural Orleans', a tribute to vampires, zombies, voodoo, witches, and all things eerie and magical. There will be doll costume contests, games, prizes, and raffles, plus refreshing drinks along with many of your favorite dealers!

$10 per person at the door. Please note that anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Some doll nudity is likely. 

Dealer and Sponsor inquiries welcome.

You can find the DoA discussion thread here. I'm planning to attend--I'll let you know what color my hair is before I go--but probably black and blue or purple--so I'll be easy to spot. Come say hello!

Save the date: BJD Convention 2012

Save the date:

August 2-4, 2012
BJD Convention 2012
Theme: The Enchanted Sea
Where: Austin, TX

Hooray!