September is upon St. Louis quite suddenly this year! We're ready for apple picking, pumpkin everything, fall leaves and getting ready for the convention in November!

We wish all of our friends heading to Dollism lots of fun this weekend! We can't wait to hear about your adventures!

Convention Doll News:

Programming Changes:
This month we have some big programming changes happening as we adjust our schedule to fit the needs of our guests and panelists. We have some workshops and panels that will no longer be available, which will open up opportunities for panels and workshops we had to cut earlier in the decision process due to time constraints.

Changes:

• Opening Ceremonies has been shortened. This means that Denis Bastien’s discussion, ”How I Got Into Dolls,” will round out our Opening so you can hear our captivating Guest of Honor right of the bat!
  
  

“What is going away?” you ask?

• Denis’ Carrying Bag workshop
• Tangerine’s Wig Making workshop
• Tangerine's panel on Dolls on a Budget.

We are finalizing additional sewing workshops, spa workshops and other surprises to fill these spots. Check the schedule on our website in the following weeks. New workshop announcements will also go out on our social media sites, our website, and the next newsletter.

How do I register for workshops?

If you are an All Access Pass member:
Click here to register for Workshops

If you are a Day Pass member:
Click here to purchase Workshops

If you haven't registered yet:
Register Here!

Vending Room Hours:
We've finalized the hours for the vending room!
They will be as  follows:

Event News:
Thank you to everyone that participated at the Game Night Fundraiser on August 22nd! We had an even larger turnout and raised a lot more for the OBC Pantry!

I can hardly believe it is July already! Only four months until our convention. Thank you to all of you who have already registered!
Jenny, StlBJDcon chairwoman

Don't forget!
Registration prices will go up at the end of next month, so now is a great time to register!

Guest News:
Denis will be in the vendor’s room at the convention selling a variety of clothes, shoes, and wigs for Emily as well as some of his other dolls.

Denis also has offered to accept orders for his latest doll release (Cong) and save you shipping by bringing the doll with him to the convention. Cong is a Yo sized doll that has three extra head caps that give him various fantasy ears! You can order Kong through BeJu dolls online.
Click here!

Programming News:
Mary West of Daydream Creations vends and teaches at many BJD and other Doll conventions. She is a gifted couture artist for dolls. This workshop was planned for last year without the added Faerie wings but for health reasons was moved to this year. We did still offer a corset workshop last year  which many enjoyed but I know this one will be popular. Sign up soon to secure your place. Also do not forget to sign up for our other awesome Sewing workshops which are also on the website. More details about them next month.

Pizza Pajama Party
Friday Night of the St. Louis BJD Convention at our official hotel, the Airport Hilton, we will host a Pizza Party starting at 6:30 PM in our private hotel suite. Our theme for this event is “Pajama Party.” We encourage you to bring your dolls in their PJs or nighties and dress for a pajama party yourself. We will have pizza and snacks, beverages, door prizes, bedtime stories, and activities suitable for a pajama party.

This social event is FREE to those with a full membership and $15 to those with a day pass.

Field Trip Sunday: 
The Missouri Botanical Gardens              
Sunday is our traditional group field trip day to give members a chance to visit St. Louis attractions and to have photo opportunities with their dolls. This year we have chosen to go to the Missouri Botanical Garden. This is one of the most beautiful places in St. Louis. We will stroll in the beautiful Japanese garden, tour the Victorian town house of Henry Shaw and enjoy the tropics in the Geodesic Dome rainforest. There are other indoor exhibits too, should the weather be inclement.

Our Sunday field trip is included in the All Access Pass, or the Sunday Day Pass is $25.

Convention Doll News:
Basic Set: $225
Full Set: $340
Several members have already made their purchase of our exclusive convention doll, Emily. Most of the dolls ordered have been full set dolls with Emily’s charming steam-punk outfit. This doll, created by Denis Bastien, is a limited edition. Only 60 full set dolls are available, and only 40 basic dolls! Order yours soon before they are gone.

Click here to view the Doll Information Page.

Click here to view the Doll Purchasing Page.

Event News:
Our Game Day was really fun! We had a nice turnout of local gaming aficionados of all ages.  One of the most popular games was a brand-new card game created by a team of St. Louis game creators, including our own Jen Patton.  She was beta testing the new game to put on the market. (Insert plug for game here?) We had delicious refreshments and great raffles. The prizes were donated by locals businesses and individuals. Food donations were collected for the OBC Food Pantry and we raised funds to help make our convention extra special!

April showers certainly brought us May flowers - and a full set Emily from BeJu Dolls! Join us for our Spring Fling and more!

Event News: The Spring Fling is May 31st!

Spring Fling: Saturday, May 31 and June 1
A St. Louis Meet-Up on Saturday, May 31st and Renfaire Dolly Excursion on Sunday, June 1st at the St. Louis Renaissance Faire. Come and get to know us. Feel free to dress your dolls and yourself in Renaissance costumes. Get the latest information on the St. Louis BJD Convention. Show off your dolls! Enjoy FREE refreshments, raffles and fun activities on Saturday. Join us again on Sunday to tour the St. Louis Renaissance festival.
Click here for more information and to RSVP!
 
Game Day Fundraiser: Saturday, June 21st
Join us for a day of fun games and win prizes! Tickets are $5 per person and you receive 3 raffle tickets. For each game you play you receive an additional ticket and 2 tickets if you win. Use your tickets for raffle prizes. Refreshment stand will be open where you can purchase your favorite beverages and snacks. Fun for the whole family! All funds go to support our convention so we can continue to bring in fantastic artists in the doll industry. Check our website for more information.
Click here for more information and to RSVP!

Convention Doll News: Convention Doll Prices!
Basic Set: $225
Full Set: $340
Click here to view purchasing information.

New pictures of Emily Full Set!
From Denis,
"Hi there!
Here is the very first photo of the EMILY – FULL SET convention doll.  I hope you like her.

The EMILY FULL SET includes :   -      EMILY basic doll
            (with factory face-up, random eyes)
-      Wig
-      Thigh high socks
-      Short gantlets
-      Pantaloons
-      Dress
-      Sleeveless leather coat (real leather)
            with antique brass chains/
            findings/charms.
-      Boots
-      Certificate of Authenticity
 
EMILY FULL SET is LIMITED to 60 pieces."
For more information on Emily, click here.

The Doll Spa:
Here in St. Louis, we have several doll meet up groups. Some groups host meets in their homes, or at in public places around St. Louis, or at special events.

One of the things that The Dolly Playmates group often hosts is a “Doll Spa Day” meet. Those who have Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, high-quality pastels, watercolor pencils, acrylics, tiny brushes, and assorted doll tools bring their “stuff” and everyone has a chance to maintain their doll’s beauty. Some Dolly Playmates might bring Mister Super Clear or other sealants to try, others might bring doll cleaner or clothing cleaner.

It has been suggested that we put together a Doll Spa Room at the St. Louis BJD convention for our members to enjoy during the con.

Therefore, at the St. Louis BJD Convention, we will have a special room set aside with various cleaners, tools and art supplies for anyone who wants to work on their doll. It will be open to any member during the hours of operation on Friday and Saturday of the convention. At least one staff member will be a host/ess at all times in case you have questions, and periodically the Spa Room will also have structured programming scheduled.

So feel free to bring that doll that has a smudged face-up, or the one that has gotten grubby from being well-loved, and take your doll to the spa!


Programming News:

We are excited to announce how busy our Programing department has been. Last month we announced what will be on the schedule. This month we scheduled the workshops and are ready for attendees to sign up.  You can learn and have fun making something special for your dolls!

If you have already registered for the All Access Pass, click here to access your workshop options.
If you have purchased a Day Pass, click here to purchase your workshop options.
If you have not yet registered for the convention, click here to register!

Sign up early to ensure your spot in our delightful workshops - from sewing to knitting to sculpting, and all sorts of other projects!

Are you ready for spring? Here in St. Louis, we are ready for this winter to be over! In between blizzards and ice storms, we have been working hard to put together an amazing convention.

Guest News: Convention Doll Update! We are so excited about having Denis Bastien as our headlining guest for the 2014 convention! His energy and creativity are an inspiration to everyone who encounters him. He’s hard at work designing our convention doll, and the sneak peeks he’s offering are absolutely wonderful. This month, he sent a schematic as a teaser for his latest creation, which is a special release for our convention!


Programming News: Do you have a special skill concerning BJDs that you would like to demonstrate or teach in a workshop? Please contact our Programming Department by emailing Angela at programming@stlbjdcon.com.

We’re planning a programming brainstorming meeting March 22nd, so now’s a great time to give us your input!
 

Cosplaying Opportunities: Want to be in the League of People Who Dress Like Their Dolls? Some of our guests on facebook are planning a CLAMP dress like your doll event. Follow along on Facebook or send us a message.
 

Guest Highlight: Tangerine Willow Have you ever found a friend through photo sharing sites like Flickr or Instagram? Have you ever discovered that your new friend is incredibly talented, has an online store, or is a published author, or all of these things?

This happens to me a lot, and some of the fantastic guests we’ve hosted at the St. Louis BJD convention came to us through an experience like this. Tangerine Willow has agreed to join us for the convention! She’s also friends with Silverbeam, and makes fantastic fur wigs and clothes for her dolls, as well as adorable soft sculpture and plush. She is someone who dresses to match her dolls, so our local League of People Who Dress Like Their Dolls is ready to make her one of our own.

Help Wanted: We are busy planning the 2014 St. Louis BJD Convention. We still have some staff positions to fill. If you would like to be in on the planning for this BJD convention, or just help out at the convention, please send an email to chairman@stlbjdcon.com

2014 Confirmed Vendors:
BeJu Dolls
Crimson Chimera
Day Dream Creations
Karousel Kreations
Silverbeam's Magic
Tangerine Willow
SUScreations

Follow the links to learn more about our vendors!

If you are interested in becoming a vendor, or if you know a vendor you’d like to see at our convention, have them check out our Vending Information!

Our 2013 convention was a blast!

We're currently winding down and taking a look at how we can make the convention better next year (and sleeping. We're also sleeping!)

We're already excited about next year - Denis Bastien has already agreed to be our Guest of Honor for 2014 (and is excited to get started on the convention doll!), our theme is going to be Fantasy, something near and dear to our hearts, and we've got the new mailing list ready to go!

If you'd like to sign up for our email list, click here - we'll keep messages to once a month, with a few more before the convention for any last minute information. We'll also keep posting that information here, on our Yahoo! group, facebook, etc. Click the links page if you'd like to find out where we are!