"THE DOLL ARTISAN GUILD INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION" > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Dollmakers From Around The World Meet at International Convention
Doll Artisan Guild International Convention 2000 Is Huge Success
The Doll Artisan Guild held their International
Convention from June 28 to July 1, 2000 in Orlando, FLA, and everyone who 
attended
agreed it was a fantastic success. Hundreds of dollmakers from the United
States, Japan, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America met to compete, shop,
learn and make new friends at the Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort.
Some of the dollmakers in attendance owned dollmaking workshops, some were
teachers, and many, many students of the craft also attended. The
dollmakers in attendance were overwhelmingly makers of porcelain reproduction
dolls,. but a growing contingent at the convention also makes original dolls out of
polymer clays and other materials.
The convention doll (shown at left) is Eleanor of Aquitaine, which was sculpted by renowned original doll artist Ron Booker. Eleanor was in keeping with the theme of the convention, "The Royal Kingdom." Historically, Eleanor of Aquitaine lived from 1122-1204. She was Queen of France for awhile, and later Queen of England, as she was first married first to King Louis the VII of France, and then, after an annulment, to Henry II who became King of England. The convention attendees were given a mold to create this doll, which has painted eyes created using the Dimensional Doll Painting technique which Ron Booker created. Accompanying the mold were patterns to create the fabulous 12th century costume Ron Booker also created.
The Convention Begins: Business Conference, Lectures, and Seminars!
The first day of the convention was July 29th,
and many attendees attended hands-on seminars (for a fee) on this day, where
they learned all sorts of creative dollmaking and costuming techniques.
Seminars included Sculpting with Lewis Goldstein,
Leather Gloves for a Fashion Lady, Beaded Doll Purse, and Leather Shoes for
Small Dolls.
Also held on July 28th was a business conference of Dollmaking Shop owners from around the world. Shown below are some of the many products and dolls discussed at this Business Seminar, where shop owners and officials of the Seeleys company shared ideas for dollmaking classes. The rest of the day was filled with attendees handing in their completion dolls and registration. In the evening, many conventioneers escaped to the Disney theme parks for some non-doll related fun (although, an argument could be made that those who visited Its a Small World at the Magic Kingdom were, indeed, STILL surrounded by dolls on their outing).
Thursday, June 29th included some fantastic lectures, including "Royal Dress Throughout The Ages" by Ron Booker and "A Visit To The Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, presented by Rosalie Whyel herself. The evening consisted of an auction to benefit the Guild, conducted by auctioneer Harry Metz.
Whirlwind of Activity
The last two days of the convention were a
fast-paced whirlwind of activity--somewhat like a three-ring circus of dolls and
dollmaking! The Show Room, which had suppliers of fine fabrics, lace,
trim, eyes, wigs, bodies, molds and paints from all over the world opened
promptly at 9am on Friday. Those that slept in were amazed to find that
some of the most sought-after and hard-to find items sold out by 10 or
11AM! The Competition Exhibit also
opened on Friday, and dollmakers stormed in, eager to find out if their doll had
won a ribbon, and if so, what color. Dollmakers and members of the public
were also welcome in the Competition Room, and the quality, beauty and variety
of the dolls was a dollmaking education in itself! Simultaneously with the Show
Room and the Competition Room Exhibit were numerous Lectures on far-ranging
dollmaking topics--everything from 
specialty
lectures on Creating Sleep/Flirty Eyes and China Painting on Glazes, to ABCs
such as Firing and Using Brushes.
In the evening, a gala awards and graduation ceremony was held for dollmakers getting advanced dollmaking degrees from the Doll Artisan Guild, and awards were given for the TOP dolls in the competition, as judged by the judging panel. After the ceremony, a desert reception was held, and the Grand Exhibit of Royal Dolls made and costumed by dollmakers Kristin Thor and Ron Booker was opened. The doll you see above, right, was created by Kristin Thor and in the exhibit, as was Eleanor of Aquitaine by Ron Booker.
The Final Day: The Royal Feast
The last day consisted of more show room, more competition exhibit, and additional lectures on topics including Eye cutting, Mohair Wigs and Painting and Presenting Ethnic Dolls. In the evening, the convention banquet was held, and the highlight of the convention was a Royal Feast Costume Parade in which many dollmakers further showcased their creativity.
This convention is held once every two years The Doll Artisan Guild holds many other smaller conventions (called festivals) and several are already scheduled in 2000 and 2001. If you are a dollmaker, a doll costumer, or are thinking of joining their ranks, you should consider attending one of the festivals.
Next Pages > Dollmaking Competition: Quality of the Dolls is Unsurpassed! > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Dollmakers Showcase Their Creativity at "The Royal Feast" Costume Party > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
How To Join the Doll Artisan Guild and/or Find a Seeleys Dollmaking Studio > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Photos From the Grand Exhibit of Royal Dolls > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Did you attend the Dollmaking Convention? Did you wish you did? Have you attended any of the other doll conventions this summer--the Barbie convention, or perhaps you are going to the UFDC Convention? Lets discuss in the Dolls Forum!
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©Denise Van Patten 2000
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