Anne Donze's Kansas City Convention Blog

Thanks to Anne (above, with some of her paper doll creations)  for posting some fantastic pictures from the Kansas City Convention on a new blog, "The KC Convention According to Anne Donze." Congratulations to Pat O'Rourke who organized the event--sounds like a great time was had by all. 

Convention 2010: Dress Up Night

UPDATE: Be sure to visit Marge Schaffer's blog for many rare and wonderful comic strip paper dolls.
And be sure to click image above to see detail.


For those of you who might be new to the site: The International Paper Doll Convention will be July 1-4 in Kansas City, Mo. Click on the link to the left for more information. I've been running updates for those who are attending. Hope this piques your interest for attending future conventions!

Dressing Up
Dress is casual at convention but one night is usually reserved for a themed dress-up party.
Saturday, July 3 is that night this year, and the theme is "Paper Doll Ladies and Gents of the Comics." Your inspiration can come from a comic strip or comic book: Boots, Jane Arden, Brenda Starr, Winnie Winkle, Tillie the Toiler or Archie, Betty and Veronica--and dozens of other possibilities. If only I could find a frock as fetching as Fashion Fanny's (try saying that three times!), I'd be set...  

Above: "Fashion Fanny and Her Friends/ The Paper Doll that Sets the Styles," drawn by Winifred Goodsell, appeared in the Detroit Free Press in the 1920s.

Fashion Fanny is part of the Virginia Crossley Paper Doll Collection which is being auctioned by Theriaults on June 21. Click here for more information.

Here are some other comic strip dolls from my collection that I've featured in the past:

Convention 2010: Hotel Shuttle

 

More excerpts from the Garth Lax convention e-mails. I never rent a car for convention, so I was happy to hear about the free hotel shuttle to some very interesting sites:

 

THE HOTEL SHUTTLE

 

The Convention Hotel has added a free shuttle that will take you anywhere within a three-mile radius of the Hotel, including:

 

• 45th and State Line Antiquing area
• Nelson-Atkins Art Museum
• Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art
• Kansas City Art Institute
• Thomas Hart Benton Home
• Crossroads Art District
• Toy and Miniature Museum
• World Wat I Museum
• Union Station
• Hallmark Visitor Center

Featured above and below: one of the fabulous cut-outs in the Agence Eureka paper craft Flickr set

Convention 2010: Raffles

Raffles are an important part of every convention, helping to underwrite the cost of the convention itself. Organizers depend on collectors donating items that inspire a frenzy of ticket buying, like this Fashion Dressing Doll from the Crossley collection surely would. But it doesn't have to be this old and rare. It could be a Merrill paper doll book,  a Brenda Starr comic strip paper doll, or a handmade paper doll -- these are all items that I've seen on the raffle table over the years. Many people who are unable to attend the convention donate raffle items, a wonderful gesture that helps keep these grand parties going.

If you're attending the convention, you can just bring the donation(s) with you and make sure Lori Lawson or Sondra Leeds gets it.

If you're not attending, but would like to donate, mail them to Sondra Leeds, 2122 W. Minnesota Street, Indianapolis, IN 46221. Include your name, contact information and description of item(s)

Convention 2010: Pub Crawl

For those arriving too late Wednesday, June 30 to join the caravan to the UFDC Doll Museum, there's another activity planned for that evening that's sure to be fun: a Kansas City pub crawl, organized by Garth Lax. Chances are good we'll hear some great jazz, too.

Above, Blondie as nightclub singer, from the Crossley collection.

Convention 2010: Dress-A-Doll

Gregg Nystrom's lovely Betty Grable is the Dress-a-Doll for the convention. Design a costume for Betty, print your name on the back (or on an extra long tab) and return it to Anne Donze (her address is in your registration packet). All costumes will be displayed at the convention. A raffle will be held for the doll and all the costumes, but only those who have designed a costume will have their names entered in the raffle.

UPDATE: You can also bring your costume to the convention, but make sure you get it to Anne Donze as soon as you get there, so she can arrange the display board properly. 

Here's Betty Grable in the movie Coney Island (1943), with a stunning gown. Perfect to copy and embellish with feathers and sequins.

Convention 2010: The UFDC Museum Tour

 

THE UFDC DOLL MUSEUM (The United Federation of Doll Clubs)

 

There's no easy way of getting to the museum via mass transit, so a carpool is being organized. Contact Sandy Vanderpool at Sndyvanpool(at)aol(dot)com before June 28 if you're interested in driving or riding along. Sandy needs to know how many cars will be available so please contact her as soon as you can.

 

The plan is to have all those going assemble in the hotel lobby at 9:45 AM on Wednesday, June 30, with the car pools leaving at 10 A.M. sharp.

For more information about the museum, check out the  UFDC web site.

Above, Betty Jane by Fern Bisel Peat from the Crossley collection.

Convention 2010: Airport Shuttle

It's that time of year! In less than 4 weeks paper doll collectors from around the U.S. and the world will gather at the Embassy Suites Country Club Plaza in the heart of Kansas City, MO. Over the next few days, I'll post excerpts from Garth Lax's highly informative e-mail messages. For those who haven't registered, it's not too late. Click on the Paper Doll Convention icon to the left of your screen for the registration form.

THE AIRPORT SHUTTLE

 

For those flying to Kansas City International Airport (MCI), your most sensible transportation to the Convention Hotel is  the Supershuttle (which holds up to 10 passengers). The current price between airport and hotel is $18.00 one-way, $36 round-trip.

 

If you make a round trip reservation by telephone at 1-800-258-3826, and pre-pay it, the round trip fare will drop to $31.00.

 

Above, another great image from the Theriault's online auction catalog of Virginia Crossley's paper doll collection. These are the calendar dolls from 1917. They remind me of the large Woolworth dolls of the same era.

Convention Preview and Update

Good news: the $220 registration fee has been extended until May 1. The convention, July 1-4 in Kansas City, MO, promises to be outstanding.

Here's a taste, courtesy of Garth Lax's e-mail blasts; registration form is at the bottom:

2010  INTERNATIONAL PAPER DOLL CONVENTION                     POTPOURRI OF PAPER DOLLS !                                         Email # 8                THE WORKSHOPS AND PROGRAMS!!     Among the most popular attractions at any Convention are the Convention Workshops and Programs, and KANSAS CITY 2010 has arranged an incredible set of sessions that will inform and delight every attendee. They include intriguing informational sessions, fascinating insights into seldom-seen paper dolls, and workshops that will cause your creativity to bloom,    There are lots of great Workshops, and lots of great Programs, but in order to offer this many, it's necessary to run them in parallel, so you'll have to make some hard choices. However, this particular set is so good that no matter which ones you choose, you can't go wrong!   Regardless of whether a session is limited or unlimited in attendance, you must sign up for it if you wish to attend. Chairs and handouts must be arranged in advance, and they’ll be based on the sign-ups.   Let's see exactly what Kansas City will offer.   FRIDAY, JULY 2   2:30-3:30 PM      VICTORIAN PAPER DOLL ALBUM OF THE 1880s   This Workshop, led by Patti Fertel, is FULL. Sorry.   SATURDAY, JULY 3   9 AM - 10 AM      ARTICULATED PAPER DOLL   Here, you'll create a paper doll with moving head, arms, and legs, under the expert guidance of Sandy Vanderpool. The full color collaged paper doll on card stock, the decorative brads, and a selection of embellishments will be included in the Workshop fee.   You'll need to bring two pairs of scissors - - one regular pair for general cutting, and one pair for the fine, detailed cutting. Careful, skilled cutting will be needed to produce this fine Paper Doll that you'll cherish as a fine addition to your collection.   Creating a paper doll with the guidance of a world-class artist is very popular. I suggest that you sign up quickly.    The Workshop is limited to 15 participants. Workshop fee is $10 US.   9 AM - 10 AM    DRESSING A PAPER DOLL WITH CREPE PAPER    Remember the Dennison Paper Dolls with the crepe paper that would be fashioned into dresses?  Well. Martha Davis is the reigning expert and leading artist in the creation of crepe paper dresses. Under Martha's guidance, you'll learn to pleat, gather, and flute the crepe paper - - just the way your grandmother or great-grandmother did in the 1920s - - and create a child's dress on a Dennison-type paper doll. Martha will provide the doll and the vintage crepe paper (the paper will be aqua). You'll need to bring small, sharp scissors; 10" - 12" (25 - 30 cm) of trim that would go well with aqua and that can be curved; and any little decorations of your own choosing.   The result will be a Dennison-type paper doll with a costume that is the result of your own unique creativity and decoration sense - - and one of which Grandma or Great-Grandma would be proud.   There is a strict limit of 10 participants.  Workshop Fee:  None There are only 3 openings left in this one.     9 AM - 10 AM  PAPER DOLL CLASSICS FROM THE COMIC STRIPS   Peggy Ell may well be the foremost collector of Newspaper Comic Strip paper dolls in the world, and from her fabulous collection, she has created a Power-point presentation of Comic Strip paper doll art and artists.   You may be familiar with Jane Arden and Mopsy, Brenda Starr and Tillie the Toiler. But how about Etta Kett, or the Toodle Twins, or Scissor Sketches? Well, you're going to see them in this great presentation - - the famous, the seldom-seen, and the rare !   There's no Limit on attendance, but you MUST Register. Fee: None     9 AM - 10 AM     3/4 OF A CENTURY OF PAPER DOLLING   Helen Johnson is going to show you examples from her collection, beginning with a hand-made, created by Helen's Mother in 1915. You'll see Helen's complete Dolly Dingle collection, her newspaper paper dolls from the 1980s to the 1920s, and her extensive collection of the work of the legendary Queen Holden.   You'll also be able to see many pieces of Helen's own artwork, and Helen is an excellent artist. In fact, at the 2008 New York Convention, a piece of Helen's original artwork, "A Touch of Glass", was entered and took the coveted Blue Ribbon against very strong competition.   This Program is limited to 10 participants.                Fee: None The Program is 40% full already.   So, in the 9 AM - 10 AM time period, you'll have to choose among four fabulous experiences. Note that this is the ONLY session available with Helen. Helen's afternoon session filled very quickly.   10:15 AM - 11:15 AM   MAD ABOUT MARKERS   Design may give the paper doll substance, but color gives it zing ! And Markers, with their broad range of vibrant colors, have been the choice of artists for many years.   In this Workshop, you'll be led by artist and Professor of Art, Tracy Williams, in the use of markers to add color to pre-printed paper doll and costume sheets, experimenting with three different paper substrates. In addition, you'll use color pencils in conjunction with the markers to achieve texture and details. In brief, you're going to learn a great deal about color, paper, and application, and from then on, your own paper dolls will come alive as you've never seen before.   There's a strict limit of 30 participants.    Workshop Fee is $ 8:00 US. This Workshop is half full already.   10:15 AM - 11:15 AM               DRESS-A-DOLL   If you can't draw, or believe that you can't draw, then THIS is the Workshop for you!   Led by Deanna Williams, the participants will receive a doll, and then will use patterns to create several collaged outfits for the doll.   If you register for this Workshop you're going to be thrilled with your creations and your new-found confidence! Trust me on this one.   Limited to 20 participants.                     Workshop Fee: None The Workshop is 60% full as of last night.   10:15 AM - 11:15 AM           PAPER DOLLS A LA MODE   If you like fashion in your paper dolls, you'll enjoy this Program!  Conducted by collector and author Cynthia Musser, this Power Point presentation will take you through the world of fashion as portrayed by Paper Dolls in 19th and 20th Century fashion publications.   You'll study the famed "Psyche" from Journal de la Mode, the dolls of the Sunday Supplements from the Boston Herald, Demorest's Magazine, and others, advertising for patterns, antique fashion plates, and other ephemera. There will be a discussion following the presentation.   Limited to 25 participants.                                     Fee: None The Workshop is 60% full.   10:15 AM - 11:15 AM        THE GREAT WHITE WEDDING   I've never known a Carol Sullivan presentation that was not fully subscribed and the talk of the Convention! Carol is going to do it again this time!   In this fascinating talk, Carol will separate wedding fable from fact, while historical bridal fashions are modeled by original artist paper   dolls. While every attendee will receive a hand-out, one very very fortunate person will win a paper doll set, designed by a great artist especially for this Workshop !   This Program is strictly limited to 20.                        Fee:  None Carol's Program is 40% full as of last night.     11:30 AM - 12:30 PM      A STAR PAPER DOLL BOOK IS BORN   Have you ever wondered how a Paper Doll Book is created? Wonder no more.   Artist David Wolfe will use a PowerPoint presentation to let you follow the creative process from start to finish. Beginning with concept formulation; moving to licensing, contract, and research; continuing through drawing and painting, editing and test-cutting, to proofing and printing, you'll be witness to the entire project.   And by the way, we're talking about a real Paper Doll Book.   You see, David recorded all the steps, every procedure, as he created a brand new paper doll book starring Donna Reed as a Hollywood Movie Star (The book has been published by Jenny Taliadoros' Paper Doll Studio Press.)    There's no Limit on attendance, but you MUST Register. Fee: None     1:30 PM - 2:30 PM         ABCs OF CUTE   Have you ever looked at a paper doll of a child and thought, "How Darling"? Then looked at another one and sighed, "Oh, the poor thing"?   So, why do some child paper dolls look so realistic and "childlike", while others do not? The answer will be found in this Workshop.   You'll examine successful child paper dolls, both past and present, to identify the "attributes" that distinguish one from the other. Then, contemporary paper doll artist Kim Brecklein will show you how to apply solutions in your own drawing and coloring.   Lots of free Black & White paper dolls and all coloring materials will be provided by Kim. In addition, two lucky attendees will win a new child paper doll book by Kim Brecklein!!   The Workshop is limited to 15 attendees.                  Fee: None The Workshop still has some space, but is filling steadily.   1:30 PM - 2:30 PM    THE LIFE AND ARTWORK OF HELEN PAGE   The beautiful paper doll artwork of the great Helen Page will be on display for your thorough enjoyment in this session.   Jan McKay, perhaps the leading collector of Helen Page paper dolls and paintings by Helen Page, will show and discuss many examples of Helen's exceptional art.     There's no Limit on attendance, but you MUST Register. Fee: None   1:30 PM - 2:30 PM  POTPOURRI OF MY FAVORITE AND UNUSUAL                                     PAPER DOLLS   Norene Allen has an extensive collection that crosses many categories, and naturally she has favorites - - some because they're, well, "favorite", others because they're unusual.   Norene is going to share her favorite and unusual PDs with you.   So, what do you think you'll see from this fine collection? MOVY Dolls? McLaughlins? Comic? Advertising? Handmades? Only Norene knows for sure. You'll have to attend to find out! But I guarantee that it will be worth it !!   There's no Limit on attendance, but you MUST Register. Fee: None   2:45 PM - 3:45 PM     3/4 OF A CENTURY OF PAPER DOLLING   This is a repeat of one of the 9 AM - 10 AM Programs, but this one is FULL. Sorry.   So - - there you have it. As fine a selection of Workshops and Programs as any Paper Doll Convention ever has seen!   They're going to fill up quickly, already some have filled, and some requesters are going to be disappointed. Don't delay in getting your Convention Registration sent in, so you can receive your Packet and sign up for your favorite sessions!!   If you've registered, but haven't sent in your Workshop Form yet, here's a hint. To maximize your chances of getting the Workshops that are your first choices, send your Workshop form directly to Jean Sullivan, 320 Shaftesbury Lane, Summerville, SC 29485. And do it quickly!   In two weeks, we'll be back to telling you about great venues in the Kansas City area - - this time about Specialty Museums that are unique and fascinating.   - - Garth               2010 INTERNATIONAL PAPER DOLL CONVENTION                 Embassy Suites Plaza, Kansas City, Missouri                                   July 1-4, 2010 *********************************************************************************                       CONVENTION REGISTRATION Name:_________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________ City: ______________________ State: _____    Zip/Postal Code: _______ Phone Number. __________________     Email Address: ________________________________    Registration Fee: $220.00   Absentee Registration: $125.00 (souvenirs) Guest Registration (Meals only): $120.00 [All prices are in U.S. Dollars] Make checks payable to Patricia O'Rourke   Mail to: Patricia O'Rourke 6 Piccadilly Court Toms River, NJ  08757 *********************************************************************************

A Valentine's Day costume

This fanciful costume by Marilyn Henry was created for the souvenir paper doll calendar distributed at the 2009 Paper Doll Convention. Tom Tierney created the doll. For more outfits, go here.