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!

This is the text-only verion of our monthly email newsletter. If you would like to receive monthly updates on our convention, Click here for email updates!

Game on! June brings us gaming, contests, and artwork. Let's have an adventure this summer!

Event News:Join Us for Games on June 21st!

Game Day Fundraiser:Saturday, June 21st, 1pm-6pm

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 get your tickets!


Contest News:

This year the convention theme is Fantasy and this year’s contest will focus on the dolls’ origin and environment. You may enter your favorite dolls in the following categories which can be interpreted many ways:

Earth - Wind - Fire - Water

Each category might have multiple awards, including:

• A “Popular Favorite” by vote of the convention attendees
  
  
• The "Best of Show" award will be a free membership to our next convention
  
  

Our display area will be open to both contestant and non-contestant dolls, so feel free to show off your dolls - we'd love to see them!


For more contest information, and to register in advance, click here.

Display News:Something brand new!

This year we want to try something new:

an Art Show!

It’s another aspect of our hobby - many people plan photo shoots for their dolls or use them as models for other art.


We’d like everyone to bring their sketches, paintings and photos of their dolls.

Panels will be set up for displaying all your 2D art on the lower level.  

For more information, click here to visit our Art Show page.

Other News:A-kon Report:A-Kon is the premier Anime convention in Dallas, Texas, and 2014  is their 25th year. A-Kon has over 20,000 members and hosts a “Mini-Convention” known as Doll A-kon. We were very well received and made new friends. There were some wonderful guests, including local artist DeAnne Stephanic (VampireAngel13), Don Kinney of Bishonen House and Eileen Bowen of Silverbeam’s Magic... Eileen was a strong supporter of STLBJDCON, and constantly told everyone how AWESOME the St. Louis convention is and how they REALLY needed to go. WE LOVE YOU, SILVERBEAM!!!


Overall, we had a great time. I loved interacting with the doll people and meeting new friends and talented artists. If you have the means to do so, I strongly encourage anyone who loves dolls to go to A-Kon and participate in their con-within-a-con, Doll A-Kon.

To see Tricia's full report on Doll A-Kon, click here.


Spring Fling Report:It was a small meet up but still lots of fun! We utilized the space that hosts the Dealer’s Room during our convention. It was a perfect size for our group. We had snacks and drinks to share, and lots of seating and display options. The photo area was decorated like a renaissance garden, and it was filled with many gorgeous dolls. Bast’s Garden sent their hand-crafted leather Masquerade Masks and 3d Printed ears and horns for dolls for sale, and other local collectors had items available for sale as well. The dollar table had all new items, and we raised $60 for the Food Pantry, plus lots of non-perishable foods and toiletry items. Some of the people dressed up in Renaissance garb as well. My Stars Photography brought out their light and camera rigs and took some lovely photos of people, dolls, and people with dolls. We would like to make this an annual event. We look forward to having it again next year!





Registration Pricing:All Access Pass:

Includes 3 day admittance to ALL programming and events, including workshops, the vendors room, special events and meals at no extra cost. Convention doll must be purchased separately.

$125

Jan 1st - Aug 31st


$150

Sept 1st - Nov 7th




Day Passes:

Includes access to demos, dolly spa, vendors rooms and panels. Workshops, food events, and convention doll must be purchased separately. Please visit our website for more details.

$50 Friday

$50 Saturday

$25 Sunday

Note: our convention space is limited to 100 members. Register early to secure your spot.

Register Now!

Click here!

Convention Doll News:Basic Set: $225

Full Set: $340

There was some confusion at the start of the shop last month - we apologize if anyone wasn't able to order their doll!


Click here to view the Doll Information Page.


Click here to view the Doll Purchasing Page.

Thank you for your patience as we figure out this new fangled technology!


Programming NewsClick here to view all of our programming events.


Did you see the list of Workshops and do not know what you want to sign up for?

For the next few months we plan to whet your appetite with a little inspiring taste of them.


First let us talk about the amazing, Tiny BJD Sculpting Workshop given by our own Anna Pope. This is its third time offered and still we have people who see the finished products and say, “Wow, I did not know what that was and now wish I would have gone to it!” You don't have to be a professional artist to create something adorable!


Click here to view a list of available Workshops.


Vending News:The vendors room is filling up fast! We only have a few spaces left.

Click here to join us as a vendor!

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!