2014 Korean Ball Jointed Doll Show in Los Angeles, CA - 2014 April 24th ~ 26th

I had to leave early today, so I started an event photo thread over here!

Can't wait to see everyone else's photos, and for the panels and classes I'll be attending tomorrow!

 

I am curious how big this convention is (like how many people are attending)

 

I attended the opening dinner at the Peak's Woods table (who were very fun and gracious hosts!) and it was such a good time! Ms. Cholong is hilarious and my new PW table pals were the best. I was unable to attend today (spend the whole day at Paris Photo:LA) but tomorrow I'm going to try and get there for the exhibition and sales room events in the morning.

 

Thanks for making a thread... I'm too tired to post so far, but I'll try and do it after the con...!

I'm not sure what the attendance is. It didn't look very large, although there were always some people in the dealer's room and they had maybe 20-30 people for the faceup demo by BNB Dolls owner/faceup artist. Opening Banquet had around 13 tables that seated 10, but some tables only had a few people, but most were full, but a lot of them were the companies (many owners, since they were small companies) and interpreters. But it was on TH. night, so many people didn't want to run in and pay extra for that one day... There will be 13 Tables for the Closing Banquet, too, but should be better attended (although, again, it's an extra event, so who knows? But definitely on a Saturday after a full con day, should be easier for folks to get to.)

I wish it were more crowded because the amount of amazing dolls and companies present is just crazy! I've never see ANY Korean Companies at any US doll con... and here there are a huge number with many dolls--many one-offs!!!

And also many dolls from US artists that usually get snapped up in seconds on-line-- Like Connie Lowe/Marbled Halls and Cristy Stone/Xtremedolls. And Jpop dolls had a one-off Kaye Wiggs and those dolls always sell like hot-cakes. I'm seriously scoring some stuff that is impossible to find otherwise.

Hopefully there will be a lot of one-day Saturday folks.

'Hope you make it back. The Sellers room is amazing!

 

Oh I hope this event was successful! It would great if more like it could happen! I wanted to go this year so badly but I just couldn't swing the travel/hotel funds! But maybe next year!? YES?!?!

 

I had the most fun I've had in a long time today. It was really amazing, and I did NOT expect to go home with a doll, let alone a doll as gorgeous as this one! Posting pictures in your thread soon Chobi

 

I had an incredibly good time today, annoying tons of new people! And the vendor room! *faints*

I hope I see you all again soon.

 

i had fun for the short time i was there. It was great seeing all the lovely dolls in person, though i was too shy to talk to anyone ^^;; i had a question though, did anyone happen to know the name of the sculpt of the Migidoll raffle boy? I fell in love with him and sadly did not win, but I'd like to know the sculpt so i can buy him from migidoll any help would be appreciated! I also missed my chance of buying a doll head from migi, i went back today but didnt realize the exhibit hall closed early :/ i hope there will be another show next year!! i will definitely request the days off in advance so i can stay at the convention longer. I was the girl in the tan dress on Friday carrying my Crobi yeon ho, Sariel :3

 

That was SO INCREDIBLY FUN!!!! I heard that people who went to the Crobi Tea had a great time--making a fur wig, making a doll-sized book, and of course getting an amazing doll--and with lots of gifts/prizes. I wish I could have done that... BUT I went to the sculpting class by artist/sculptor YG of Be With You Doll--and it was GREAT!!! He had a whole sculpting kit, special clay, and a base-form to make things easy to sculpt a basic boy head. There were about 15 or more people. He had a screen to show how he was working and he went around individually to help and show how to do things. He had a great interpreter, but it was almost not needed, because it was so much watching and hands-on.

He is a well-known sculptor in Korea and works for other doll companies, but has now formed his own company. They had amazing large-plus guys for a great price in the Seller's Room. Very nice muscle proportions, very sturdy, with posing so he could touch his face easily--silicone in the joints to protect them and help in posing--and heads with an eye mechanism so you can move the eye position! YG is apparently an innovator that other doll companies watch... and I can believe it, given all the things he's incorporated into his dolls--and that very clever head-sculpting template!

He was a fantastic teacher... very calm and patient. I LOVE art classes and this workshop was just wonderful. He even stayed up hours later to teach us more than there was time for in the originally scheduled 2 hours.

I think he will sell the sculpting templates on his site. SO exciting!

Of course there was not enough time in the Seller's Room.... It opened very early, but closed at 2pm. SO MANY GORGEOUS DOLLS!!!! Seriously--the doll companies brought a LOT to show and sell. So many fullsets and one-offs.

AND there were lots of raffled dolls and prize dolls--during the day, at some of the panels, and at the Banquet. One very exciting and moving thing was that a girl won a BNB sd-sized doll--and she had bought a head earlier but didn't have the money for the whole doll--so the BNB people were glad she got it, and she was totally crying she was so happy. There was a raffle for the Little Monica doll that is pictured on the cover of Haute Doll Magazine and was the symbol of the KBJD Show--wearing a gorgeous hanbok. And Ms Cholong donated a JollyPlus sd-sized girl as a prize. Bo Bergman gave away one of her mini-sized girls at her panel.

The Peakswoods Table was the rowdiest. They all were wearing gifts of black cowboy hats (don't know why, but they looked cool), and they were happy to be able to have a chance to buy the 4 little One-Off boys that were the centerpiece. People were also fighting to buy the pair of tan Crobi dolls, Tiger and Bear... I knew people at the table that wanted them, but wasn't sure who got their number drawn so they could get them.

American artists that usually sell out quickly at other dolls cons had one-offs and limited sold-out dolls available--it was crazy. I'm SO surprised that more people didn't come to this... there were so many great dolls available!

----

Shirayuki--That doll was freaking adorable, but I don't know the sculpt. I hope someone else can identify it!

 

Oh--and Ms Cholong announced that she is moving on from being a DollHeart rep and convention coordinator--so who knows if there will be another of these events. It doesn't look likely.

Most of these companies never leave Korea... It was an incredible opportunity to talk to the artists and appreciate their work... It makes me sad to think there might not be another event like this. I'm sure it could grow to be just incredible... but I don't think anyone else could have managed to put this together other than Ms Cholong, with all her Korean connections...

... on the other hand, this con totally wiped out all my monies, so maybe it's good that I will not be tempted like this again...

 

Wow, thanks for the report! The sculpting class (and everything else) sounds so wonderful! I'm definitely regretting that I had to change my vacation plans!

 

I had an amazing time as well! It was great to see familiar and new dolly friends, and meet the Korean artists and vendors who were all very happy to interact with US customers. It was really a big deal for them to show their work and their Korean culture. Some were even crying during their dinner speech, and I couldn't stop the tears either. It was a very emotional night to be remembered. And a big applause to the translators. There was one for every vendor and they were very enthusiastic to translate and help in any way they could.

 

I had SOOO much fun on Friday. It was unbelievable seeing all those gorgeous dolls in the exhibit hall. That was a seriously dangerous place. I spent all the cash I brought. Good thing the parking lot accepted credit cards when I left.

I want to thank vampireanneke for hosting some of the panels. I got some great tips from her for dollie maintenance and photography (LOVE that tissue idea!).

The demonstration for the make-up class was incredible. It was amazing to see Ms Yunmi from BNB Doll do a beautiful face-up for a blank head right in front of our eyes. You can see some of her work here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nornen

I bought a 2-day pass, but some workers I contracted to do some work on my backyard unexpectedly showed up on Saturday, so I had to stay home and supervise them. Grrrr. I really wanted to come back on Saturday!!!

Maybe that was for the best because I would have emptied my wallet at the exhibit hall again....

I'm so sad to hear that Ms Cholong will no longer be a DollHeart rep and convention coordinator. I don't know who else could have pulled this together. I want to thank her for all the hard work she put in to make this happen. I hope she will stay in touch with the dollie world because she is such a fun and vibrant presence and the doll meets won't be the same without her.

I'll try to post some pictures soon!

 

I dropped by the show very briefly yesterday. I wish I could have spent a bit more time, but a friend was visiting from out of town and though she did agree to come to the show with me - I felt that it was just too awkward for me to do more than a quick walk through! I just started this hobby this year and she knows nothing about it, so I felt it was shocking enough to reveal to her that I had purchased these several-hundred-dollar dolls, without putting her through much more exposure. It was probably good that I brought her because I felt too awkward to buy anything, so without her I might have walked out with who knows how much stuff - almost certainly a preorder for Batchix Dolls' Blip (this could still happen)

I talked to a few of the American guest vendors and they were SUPER nice, and it for once didn't feel weird for me to talk at some length about gluing mohair onto doll heads, so perhaps I will do this again! (on my own)

 

I was also at the Peak's Woods tables, with my sister. XD I have to say, we had to most fun! Pan, who is from Peak's Woods, is too entertaining to be missed, and she's a wild-child! <g> As for you, Dollhausen, I knew you were headed out to the Paris Photo:LA, and I really hope it went well! XD Me and my sis talked about the Photo event before the final dinner, and our fingers were crossed! How cool were the people at the Peak's Woods table though? And the Peak's Woods' creators themselves? <g> Special props to Ms. Cholong, who is a ball of energy, and fought her way, bravely through that final speech at closing. Met so many great people!!! XD (And a really lucky, doll-winning doggie!)

 

Even though I spent way, way, way too much money, and scored some of the most gorgeous dolls I've ever seen (and I've got some really NICE dolls over the 10 years I've been into bjds), I'm actually still regretting not buying more. Because they had some with different, special faceups that you can't just order on-line! And the quality of all the dolls, and the faceups and the items with the full-sets was just top-notch. Totally impressive! Even with my eye staring over every inch, up-close!!! (and I was doing that a LOT--I need to seeeeeee it allllll!). Wah!!!! I wish I had a mansion to display my dolls well... and millions to buy and care for them. I feel it is a shame, almost, that dolls just come home with me to a dark (to keep sunlight out) room and sit there for so much of the time when they are just so amazing... And I'm sad I don't get more chances to save up money (and find space) to look at so many special dolls and pick what I like the best in-person! Although I hope this will happen more and more, even if there is not another Korean BJD Show (and I do wish there would be another, but I doubt it will happen without Ms Cholong).

I'm looking forward to the Dollism Plus US... but even though it will be bigger and exciting, I do not think it will compare to this experience. It was so cool to be able to talk so much with the artists, because the show was so small. But I did wish it was much larger so more people could experience it and so more people would have an opportunity to maybe buy these amazing dolls and eyes and clothes... because it really does not happen ever... and I mean EVER... with so many Korean Companies and with them bringing so many dolls!!!!

People were tearing up at the Closing Banquet--and it really was very touching!!! Loved the rowdy PeaksWoods table for keeping things happy and fun among all the moving moments, too!

---

The interpreters were amazing!!!! They were very sweet and funny and tried hard. THey were totally helping sell the products in the Exhibitors/Sellers Hall, and learned about the dolls and really helped tell it all to people looking around in there. The guy helping at MigiDoll--he asked about joining DoA, so I left him my email, in case he wants an invite. He was trying to sell MigiDolls like it was his own business! I THINK he was the winner of the Little Monica doll with the gorgeous hanbok at the CLosing Banquet. If so, that was PERFECT! Another convert!!!

Gah, that was just all too amazing!!!! Now I need to upload photos!!! So much to talk about... I want to go through what I learned at the two workshops I did-- BNB's Faceup Workshop and Be With You Doll's Sculpting Workshop-- and post pics with my notes.

 

So the Peak's Woods table was in black cowboy hats because we were a bunch of crazy outlaws! XD <-- Kidding. A Texas cowgirl at our table kindly set us all up with cowgirl hats (each with a sheriff's badge on there)! You'd like this lady -- she has two horses, one of them a spectacular, surprisingly tall, Arabian. <g> She gave a hat -- of course -- to both of the lady Peak's Woods creators, which I found awesome. What could be more American than a cowgirl hat?! But it inspired our Korean host to start her speech with 'Howdy, y'all!' And, really, nothing could beat that!

 

Fantastic gift idea--those hats! Everyone was looking at the table wondering what was going on. Was it PamSD (blond, wearing b&w, one of the sellers?)? Anyway--it looked like you all were having a great time.

Who got the cute little dollies? Was there a fight for them?

I need to know who got those lovely tan Crobi Tiger and Bear dolls, too. Wow, those were just gorgeous.

I had to run out--to pay for a doll and then to go back to the sculpting class after the Banquet, so I didn't get a chance to say good-bye to anyone, or find out who got what!

 

I was at the Peak's Wood table, LOLOL! OMG, what an amazing thing to have gotten to attend!

So for sure Saturday was the busiest day, I think Friday may have be a little much for some people to get off, and I'm unsure how clear it may have been that the dealer's room was closing at 2PM on Saturday--though thank heavens for my wallet that it did, LOLOL!

The event was an amazing, unforgettable chance to talk to the creators. As amazing as I thought it would be, it was even more meaningful. I knew that even at the opening dinner--wouldn't have missed that! I sat with Peak's Wood with my sister as Little Monica had bowed out (and Rosen Lied), but this was a blessing in disguise as we immediately got to know the Peak's Wood team! Such lovely ladies!

All the creators are amazing--to meet the wonderful woman behind Migidoll and attend their dinner was so beautiful! AND to win the Dreaming Doll MSD girl was just so unexpected--for everyone there, I was that shrieking lady, LOLOL!

But agree 100% on the BNB doll designer--those lanky guys are breathtaking, and we're ordering a fullset from him for sure, we couldn't buy from him at the con because a) there was no way we were flying back with that amazing boy--the troubles we had with our purchases and MSD girl, LOLOL! But also b) because we really do want his fullset, and that's an online order. I think Mr. FedEx would've gotten us through if we'd been able to get him fullset at the con!

Plus, it's amazing that the entire doll is so well engineered--I mean seeing the designs was a critical thing for me, that is an insanely beautiful design and sculpt--and that he designs the clothes and everything, it's huge to know things like that!

Dreaming Doll's another huge surprise, we're going to totally get an SD girl from them with an outfit, amazing! Again, thwarted by the space issues of flying, this is going to be a huge consideration for us for Dollism in September--this was fantastic as a test-run, we have learned so much! Having one of Dreaming Doll's girls now, I'm thrilled with their work, and they were a lovely bunch as well!

My big love has to go to Oscar Eyes, as everyone who went to the opening dinner knows--the man representing Oscar was the eye creator, not the lady who does the faceups, but he was amazing to talk to, OMG! Their table was constantly busy and they were so amazing about letting people try eyes out!

I am devastated in a 'happy for her' way that Ms. Cholong is moving into a new business--it's good for her, but the amount of work she put into this convention, even with the rough patches, was just breathtaking, and I have to give her full props for the most insane doll convention imaginable. I would do it again in a heartbeat, even as my wallet whimpers at me fearfully, LOLOL!

OH! It was totally Chris, the Migidoll translator, who won the Little Monica doll--he had sat with us at the Migidoll event table Friday evening, and had been very keen on the dolls, but recognizing that this was not a hobby he could just leap into--so I was insanely happy when he won the Little Monica fullset! He was quite adept at selling, and good on details, I'm glad he got your email, April!

Everyone was so wonderful, all the kids translating were amazing, there was just such a spirit of camaraderie at the con that it's really made me appreciate my dolls more, and I feel like the creators meeting some of us in America has helped them as well.

Oh, I miss so many people already! Hugs, all!

.hlp

 

PamSD brought the hats, LOLOL! She was quite feisty and wanted our table to be as well--well, look who was sitting there, ROTFLOL! It was so sad in spots as we were already missing people, but it was also a 'happy tear' time, I can't wait to meet up with everyone again!

I know that several of the ladies seemed to have worked out which boys they wanted, but we'd already gotten two girls at the Peak's Wood booth, and had no room left for charming boys, hah! I think at least 3 of the 4 were spoken for when we left! I saw a man walking off with the Korean geisha--she was stunning--and I think the Crobi pair went quickly as well. I loved the story behind Migidoll's emperor!

Why do I want to go back already?!

.hlp

 

Hi April! Yes, I believe it was -- yes she is a seller. She was the only lady at our table without a cowgirl hat because, natch, she'd gotten them for everyone else. We had to jam them into over-stuffed luggage (sis had to buy a carry-on for the doll she won!) to get them home. BUT they're durable, and we've put them back in order now! I LOVED that table. It was full of creative energy and all kinds of sass! XD Both the Peak's Woods Korean creators were weeping at different points. That's how much the event, and the welcome, meant to them. And we had such a cool table!

But SO MANY of the dolls were tremendous at that closing dinner. I was staring holes into several of them -- the lucky-peacock doll an American artist made, the mountain tiger spirits at the table next to me. The korean geisha doll with her astonishing wig and hanbok. It's a loooong list. Lol!

We had to run out too, April! We had to be up at 4AM to get a flight out -- I remember meeting you! I symbolically wave at you! XD (Because I am silly.)

 

I had so much fun! We arrived on Wednesday so we could attend the B2B on Thursday and left around lunch on Saturday. My husband and I both run anime conventions and we have been talking with Ms. Cholong before the con started. She donated some Dollheart items for our one convention as prizes for our BJD events. It was great speaking with the different vendors before the convention started. We also attended the opening dinner and we were at the Dreaming Doll table. The Dreaming Dolls guys were pretty cool.

The Be With You dolls were amazing. The creator showed us the silicon joints of the dolls and the eye mechanism. I totally wanted to get one of his SD dolls but Crobi had to have a Lance there. I wasn't planning on buying a doll but I left with the Lance. I also bought eyes, shoes, clothes and a wig. I spent way more money than I was planning. If my husband would have let me buy more, I would have. That vendor hall was the most awesome vendor hall ever!

It was so cool having so many Korean companies at the event. I can't believe more people didn't attend. I feel like it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I really hope an event like this can happen again.

 

Hearing that Miss Cholong is leaving now... I am completely devastated. I am sad she is leaving and heartbroken that I could not attend this now. I was so looking forward to this too, and knowing that there may not ever be another convention like this again... I have the biggest regret not going now and wish I could have had the funds to do the Be With You sculpting party. For those who went, did you get to keep the kit? Or was it just for you to use during the time. Either way, it sounded incredible.

 

nimbusdrake- I was at the Crobi table with you. I didn't get a chance to tell your friend how to do the mohair wig, so have her message me

April - S got both of the tan Crobi dolls. The girl was pretty much hers - and while another person at the table was interested in the boy - she really just liked his costume and not really his 'head'. So, after much hemming and hawing, she decided no, and S got both. We were the LAST people in the ballroom trying to work out payment and all. They were cleaning around us.

Oh... running out to buy a doll hum? Did you get the White Tiger you were going to go for?! And I figured you were running back to the sculpting class. I heard it was a ton of fun.

Oh no! That's what Ms Cholong was saying - she's no longer going to do doll stuff??????? *sobs*!! I can understand being a little burned out - she worked like a devil on this for over a year of planning - and just so few showed up - it must have been disappointing. She wanted to share so much with everyone. I wonder where in the world all the LA crew were? I know there are more doll collectors in LA than SD - and yet - it seemed not.

I really loved seeing all the Korean BJD companies - so many BEAUTIFUL dolls - and passionate artists - that just wanted to show off their stuff. I never had heard of many of them - and boy - I wanted so many of them!! I did get a yo sized Crobi at the Tea - and he's so cute!

 

Aaaah I knew those tan Crobis would get snapped up! I'm officially in love with the girl. I've been pining over her all day. She was so amazing. Congrats to her new owner, and I'm glad she got to stay with her matching boyfriend!

 

ShinigamiDuoLover - Oh no! I thought I was just not running into you - I didn't realize you didn't make it! We should have arranged more carpools - Bruce drove up Saturday morning at 6:30am for just doing the dealers room and then drove back to SD by 1 because he had plans for the late afternoon!

All the 4 'tea' events were pricey - but you got a doll/a head/sculpting kit with the cost - so it was totally worth it. Yes, the sculpting kit was yours to keep. The real treasure I heard was that he was such a stunning teacher. I believe they said that they will be selling the sculpting kit on their website. and his Dolls - my they were HUGE!!!

I had chosen the Crobi tea - and it was at the same time. Such a cute doll - and they also had a really, really cool pattern for making a mohair wig - and she walked you through all the steps - and the same for making a really cute book!! All This run by the president of Crobi! I wish it could have been longer - and so sad that they had dolls for 30 people - and we only had a table of 8 Ms. Cholong was in the class with us - and she was a scream doing her wig with the Haute doll girl - who was getting her FIRST doll and had never sewn anything! OMG, we were laughing so much. And also - Ms. Cholong is such a great translator - that she knows the slang - so she's quick to put it into words we can catch on to quicker.

 

Just popping in even though I missed this event . It sounds like it was an absolute blast! I really wanted to attend, especially the Crobi tea event (only 8 people?!). Unfortunately LAX area is quite a drive for me even though I live in the LA county area and I also work on weekends. Now I wish I had sucked it up and taken the chance to try to make it. It's a little sad knowing that this was a possible once in a lifetime event and can't believe why no one wanted to go!

 

I don't know if she was burnt-out, really. I think she just got a really great offer that was also really great for her career, but only she can tell you. The better she is at her job, the more other people will want to hire her away, after all. That happens in a career. Obviously it was very hard for her to even try to talk about. She was very much holding back tears. Oh, and that's an interesting question. I don't know, not being from LA, the size of the LA dolly contingent, but people have commented they didn't see as many locals as they expected. In contrast, I'm used to all doll cons being small. But, I agree, they really missed out by not being there. There were AMAZING dolls -- stupefying one-offs and just straight-up gorgeous creations. I don't think I've been at a Con with quite that extensive a collection of stunning dolls -- and doll companies -- in one place, before. I came in the door and gawped when I saw them all. It was dolly WONDERLAND. I don't know if we'll see its like on this side of the ocean again. Can you imagine the work it took? Props to Ms Cholong and everyone involved!

 

It sounds like the rest of the convention kept up the energy alive that I felt at the opening. Unfortunately with Paris Photo:LA and the Photo Independent shows I was unable to break away. I did make some connections at the photo shows and got a catalog of my work in front of a couple gallerists, went to some openings Saturday night and generally engaged in a lot of photo networking that I needed to do and even met a couple famous photographers that I admire. I'm unhappy that these events coincided. The women from Peaks Woods were such a blast the opening night and it doesn't surprise me that they kept that energy going. I really wanted to check out their booth Saturday and it was really last minute that I had to make the hard decision that the logistics weren't going to work out. I'm sad to hear about Ms. Cholong since she was utterly astonishing in her command of a crowd and ability to make the event fun and special. I was hoping that I would be doing this again next year....but there will be other opportunities and I'm happy that I at least got to attend even a small part. I got to meet Alington, and make new friends that I'll hopefully see again soon, closer to home, (fellow Seattle-ites, MagicBunny and Heidipay). It's really special to be able to meet others with shared interests.

 

Thanks so much! I will definitely let my friend know.

I hope S is really happy with her dolls! Yeah, I'll shamefully admit it was me waffling. I really liked the tan boy, but I didn't like his nose. The one that I really loved was Clark Gable
guy, but I couldn't justify spending the same price when he was only wearing a suit- not as impressive as the Korean dress. If I see him released though as a regular,
B-Line, I will snag him up then.

 

The KBJD Show was a truly amazing experience, for both myself, my mom and my friend Brittney. We all went together and actually stayed in the hotel for all three days. We attended the Opening Dinner with Peaks Wood's and they were just AMAZING people. We had the pleasure of meeting so many amazing people with hearts of gold. I am especially thankful and grateful to BNBDOLL for their amazing contribution to the Closing Dinner...a full SD17 sized doll. Their dolls are AMAZING and I feel so honored being able to take home this amazing boy. I am heart broken that Ms. Cholong is moving away from the dollies to persue a greater advancement in her career. She will be sorely missed.


Thank you to all the Korean and American artists that attended. This was an experience of a lifetime and I hope someday we'll be able to do it again and see the wonderful Korean artists again. They were ALL amazing people.

 

I want to thank the people who ran panels or had s swap meet booth. Thank you. Was a long tired weekend. I left early as it was my birthday and I had people to see and celebrate with.

To clarify. Ms. Cholong is no longer doing bjds as her job she will get to Ely them as her hobby. She had her own doll, but never brought it out because she was always representing a company. I look forward to her joining the community as just a fan.

 

I am so thrilled that I was about to attend this event with Nimbusdrake and meet all the DOA folks in person! Everyone was just so wonderful and the energy made it that more special.

We only got to come on Saturday, but it was quite the day. Nimbusdrake hosted the small doll photo space, and I want to thank everyone that made it a great turn out.

We also attended the Closing Dinner! It was amazing to be able to meet the creator of my most favorite doll company &#8211; Crobidoll (seriously, I was almost brought to tears). I wish that I had attended the Crobi Tea Party, but the timing did not work out &#8211; but, I did end up buying the Tea Party Yeon-Ho (for my birthday, or that is want I told my husband).

I am so grateful to Ms. Cholong for organizing this event. This event really was so bittersweet, knowing this would be the last Doll Event she would organized. I have been going to Ms. Cholong&#8217;s events for years! It really warmed my heart that Ms. Cholong was so thrilled to see us in our Hanbok.

I want to thank all the companies that came out to this event, especially our Korean dealers in light of the tragic event in Korea.

I also want to thank all the translators and the wonderful volunteer staff!

chobi &#8211; It was great meeting you and thanks for helping out with the photo space.

april &#8211; Congrats on your new girl!! Did you end up getting the White tiger??

elf-ears &#8211; I will totally contact you! It was great meeting you and your friend at the closing dinner and I am glad that the ink dress worked out for you (I have not large girls). I am also thrilled (and so insanely jealous) that your friend &#8220;S&#8221;, was able to bring home Bear and Tiger!!! I am so glad that you enjoyed the Tea Party!!! And congrats on your first Crobidoll.

Staria &#8211; It was great meeting you and your little girl was the cutest!! Thank you for everything that you did! And I am so thrilled that it was you that got the SD17 body!

Vampireanneke &#8211; Thank you for everything that you did!!! I too look forward to Ms. Cholong joining the community as a fan.

I have a ton of photos I need to get up on the photo thread, I hope to do that tonight.

 

Oooh, I'll have to check out that BNB fullset. I REALLY don't want to get into the big-big dolls--but he really did look so well engineered that he wouldn't be too hard to handle. And a very handsome face(s) too!

and I must check out DreamingDoll, too. I hadn't really heard of them before--but the dolls they had were lovely.

At first I just glanced at the Oscar Eyes and thought that my dolls wouldn't go with glittery eyes--but then I looked CLOSER and saw that there were individually-placed swaroffsky (sp!) crystals and unique bits of real flowers or little special pieces--not the typical glitter. AND then I was at their table for the Opening Banquet (along with Crobi), and they gifted 2 pairs of their eyes. I plopped them into two of my dolls and brought them the next day... and they were BEAUTIFUL. I mean, they really caught the light! And the colors really showed up well, and were just exquisite! So I bought two more pairs at their table. Each pair was totally unique in color and little bits in the eyes. They were amazing!!! Lots of people were buying, which was great. So worth it! Like little pieces of art!

I don't know if he'll contact me, but if he wants an invite, I'd happily try to get him one. It was like he was the Seller, he was so helpful at the Migidoll tables! I really wished I could have bought one of their lovely dolls, too... *sigh* anyway--it was great that he won that lovely doll!!! It seemed that the prizes were going to some wonderful people that night.

I know! I'm having a bit of a withdrawal pain thinking about it all being over!

Pam is wonderful. Definitely the life of the party! And I was wondering how people worked out who would get which doll, since there were 4 little cuties at the PeaksWood table. I hope the fourth got spoken for, too.

Check over at the KBJD Show Gallery Thread. Elf-ears' friend S got BOTH the tanned Crobi dolls! I'm so glad they stayed together. Such a fantastic pair of dolls!!! And someone else there said they bought King Sejong--which was just a beautiful doll. I loved those traditional Korean outfits! Just so elegant and beautiful.

I hope someone did buy the lovely Geisha doll. If he was just carrying him, it might not be a buyer, though... The sellers usually packed up the sold dolls before handing them off to a buyer. But who knows?

Yes, that's PamSD without the hat! I loved the excitement at your table. It kept things from getting too sad. It kept things fun.

I didn't get a chance to talk with the Peakswoods ladies, but they seemed like wonderful people--lots of love of the dolls!

I think the Peacock doll was by Bo Bergemann, who flew in from Hawaii. She made a very nice speech about trying to do justice to the Korean culture, and choosing a Peacock because it was a lucky bird for Koreans, and feeling inadequate to actually try to portray a Korean style with so many Korean creators. I really respected her for that, and for coming a long way herself.

Waves back! So nice to have had some face-time with people here, even though it was way too quick.

 

I know--so many tempting dolls and we can't get them all, unfortunately!

I'm surprised more people didn't attend, also. Lots of regulars didn't show up. But L.A. is a tough area to have an event in--so many other things going on at the same time and very busy people. I was hoping for more people from outside of L.A. because this was an event that was totally worth traveling to. But I know that sometimes it's either money for dolls or money for going to events and not both...!

I'm sorry you couldn't make it. We missed you, for sure! I didn't even get to the Soom meet-up panel, so I don't know how that went. There was just too many great things to do...

I think that Be With You Dolls might be offering the Sculpting Kit on-line. I hope so!!! It included the head and parts and clay and box of tools--one of which was a tool he put together--a coffee stirrer and a pin! To get into the tight corners of the eye and mouth!!!

I can give you all the notes I've taken, but I think you could figure it out by the photos posted under the event on the kbjdshow website--he shows all the steps!

I also bought 2 extra kits from him... but I have to offer them first to two people on another forum who were interested--but they might not be able to buy them. They kits are fun to work with! I'm not even into sculpting and it was so much fun playing around with the clay and the head-base! You can just sit in front of the tv and goof about, smoothing the clay and changing the eyes and lips! And I think Be With You Dolls (YG) was going to cast the heads made by two of the girls in the class! So maybe he will do that for others, too! Or we could get them cast somewhere else, or do them ourselves? What fun!

I am SO SO SOOOOOO happy that S got those dolls. They are absolutely spectacular!!!! Just WOW!!!

And yes, I'm a crazy person and got the BNB White Tiger. The human version with the dark hair was lovely (I was thinking of you and lovely dark-haired boys), but I already have a BNB Head as a gift (from the Faceup Workshop) and a blank one as a GIFT! (Yes, BNB gave out blank heads as Table Gifts!!!! Agh, I felt so inadequate with my stupid little gift!!! Wanted to run back to my car and grab some other random stuff to give them, they were just so giving and gracious!).

I feel sad about breaking up Scarlett and not getting that cute Crobi boy doll, too... but gah, I'm overflowing with dolls here. They really should go to homes where they can be properly appreciated!!!! But I hope I can at least try and bring them to some meetups so others can see them...!

Glad you got that little Crobi boy. Just adorable. I'd have been tempted by him and that fun workshop (I LOVE doll-sized books!)... but I'm glad I got to do the Be With You Sculpting workshop. It was just amazing. You know I like the arty stuff!

30 dolls??? Oh, that just kills me! YG had a LOT of head-sculpting kits with him, too, and we had a pretty big class--around 15 or so?

So many opportunities... that I wish more could have taken advantage of...

I really hope the companies did not lose too much money shipping and flying in...

I was driving an hour each way from OC to LA. And there was nothing on Sunday, just Saturday. But I know--with a first-time event like this it is hard to know if it is worth the effort or not! I just know that I love cons and I didn't have to fly to this one or stay at the hotel, so I just HAD to attend.

You did an amazing job at the con! For a first-time con, it was very, very impressive.

And I do hope Ms Cholong will still be around for dolly events as a doll-lover. She really is a bundle of energy and so much fun to be around.

 

Likewise. And thank you so much. I am glad I could help in any way I could...

And thank you! ;3; I'm still head-over-heels about him.

I will miss Ms. Cholong's meets dearly. I remember my first meet was a Dollheart meet. :'( Part of me hopes that we'll see a KBJD Show 2015, but we'll see...!!

 

I sat at Peak's Woods opening table right next to your mum and you. And when you won that BNB beauty, I stood up and shrieked, I was so happy! But I wasn't alone! You were so charming through the whole Con, you and everyone that you brought with you, in fact, that the whole room just started cheering madly. That was one of the very best moments at the closing.

 

We traveled from Phoenix for this event. I told everyone that I know in the Phoenix BJD community about the show, but sadly, my husband and I were the only ones that went. Of course, I think some of them wish they went now.

 

When he found out we wanted the fullset--the outfits are amazing, and it's absolutely stunning he does them all himself--he said that Star would be on the site in a month or two, and there would be a fullset offering. If we don't see him by mid-June I intend to write to see what the timeframe is, but we're totally getting him with the B faceup. All the faceups are stunning, but it's so utterly amazing to have stood there and just looked until you know for a certainty what you want--it's just miles above pictures on a website or even owner pics!

So lucky! I didn't know they had the eyes at the table for an opening gift! I was fortunate enough to encounter Oscar eyes through Rosen Lied and Little Monica sales, so I had advanced warning of the awesome. They were literally the first table I went to on-opening, and I dropped enough on eyes to make me cry, but with joy--mostly!

LOLOL! I mean, we're happy when anyone wins who'll appreciate it, but I was happy for him to win it, he was such an earnest translator for Migidoll and really involved, as you'd noted--I really admired him, and he worked so hard, it was exciting for me to see him win. I thought all the winners at the closing supper were amazing!

Is it sort of wrong I thought it would be easier today, back in the regular world? But so insanely hard to focus on anything, it feels, a little, like the wonderful dream of the con is still more real and dealing with my regular workload's just a bit intangible. Like I'm still through the looking-glass. Oh! and it did not help at all that we were able to upgrade to first class on the flight back--this is the way to return fly with multiple dolls, incidentally, eep!

I'm almost 100% confident that they all ended up spoken for--they were so adorable, I thought it was quite a clever way to handle the closing event dolls, as you were pretty much making half the table thrilled to be there, if you think about it!

As lovely as the opening ceremony dolls were (looking at you, Thranduil), the closing ceremony was just outstanding, I thought everyone 'brought it home' beautifully. Ah, if only I'd planned more appropriately--but now, for Dollism in September, I'm way more ready for what I suspect will happen! Basically, I'm coming with empty luggage and a willingness to ship via UPS or FedEx.

I think she was sold--he seemed to be heading back upstairs, and I thought it looked like he was going to the side-room opposite the wedding, where I knew they'd relocated some things, so I thought maybe the boxes might be back there? In any case, my fingers are crossed as she was just spectacularly stunning. I felt so badly when the creator was trying to describe how beautiful and talented she was, but was so tired, eep! :S

Oh my...I think I can confess we did cry at the table, especially at the beginning, we were a sodden, sad bunch, but we were so determined to pick things up and just be ourselves, that I think we did the best we could. But it was so lovely, I cannot wait to see the Peakswood ladies again. They really were amazing from the opening dinner all the way through, I can't say enough about how simply lovely they were, and so gracious!

That was Bo! I was so thrilled that she'd come out as well, of course, and I admired her ability to take the theme and make something so beautiful out of it, her design was just thrilling!

I am also waving, LOLOL! I'd love to see you at Dollism later in the year; I know how far it is for the Cali crowd but having met so many of you, I'd be devastated if no one could make it out to Buffalo! And if we do get a KBJD 2015 I'm absolutely resolute about going--with more luggage!

.hlp

 

I was thrilled with the Seattle people who did make the trip--hi dollhausen! I'm hopeful if something of this sheer magnitude does happen again next year that we'll get to see more, I can completely say it was an insane experience that I wouldn't trade for anything--honestly, it was so amazing I'm still in a state of dazed bliss even now. If people don't want that experience, I simply couldn't understand it. If you told me I could go back this weekend, I honestly would. All those creators! All the dolls! It's humbling that we got to have some of that, and I'm crossing my fingers we get more.

.hlp

 

Oh, and thanks for ignoring my mistake, I did mean Be With You Dolls not BNB... geesh! Still tired, I think! Anyway--I'll be keeping an eye out for the dolls from all the companies that attended, now. If the companies meant to just get to know more people, it worked with me.

I'd never heard of them before. It was pure luck that they were at the table I'd signed up for--with Crobi. Sad that there were only TWO of us attendees at the table! And one was Amy, from Haute Doll (the other, me!). Such a shame that more people weren't there!d But Crobi got more people at the Closing Banquet, which was good. And LOTS of people were raving about Oscar Doll eyes.

Oh, and so many doll makers donated so many things for prizes and for the raffles! It was just so generous of them! Lots of people came away with dolls and other fantastic gifts. It was a great time for so many reasons.

Great that you were able to upgrade. Not that many perks from airlines these days--and dolls deserve more room!

I'm still coming down from the high I got during the con. I was just grinning like a crazy-woman all through the Sculpting class! He was such a good teacher and it was so fun to be pushing that clay around! Seriously... I can't even explain it!

Oh, good! Peakswoods make such cute dolls! I don't own one yet... but I was considering it in a big way. The ones they were had for pre-order--the school-girl and boy with the freckles... Wow, they were just so cute! Those full-sets were very, very tempting. I should have ordered on (10% off, which would have cut down on the shipping). But my monies were tied up in other dolls! And eyes and stuff---

Enchanted Doll Eyes! They are just some of the best urethanes you can get--not cheap, but worth it. I was upset because I had just ordered a pair through Blanki who does the ED pre-/group orders. Yeah, I was stupid and forgot they were going to be here! I didn't get to chat with them much, but they seemed a very sweet couple.

Anneke got Thranduil! BNB did a lovely job on him. I'm such a Hobbit/Elf fan that I was tempted to sit at their table, but was trying not to buy dolls (heh--that resolution crashed quickly!), so sat at the Crobi table so I could stare at their lovely dolls... (I ended up buying Scarlett on the last day!)

I will be going to Dollism if all goes to plan! I'm hoping that having to ship a doll back will keep me from going as crazy there, though. Seriously, I bought two dolls too many at KBJDshow! But... I'm so happy that I did, as painful as it was to my bank account.

I was thinking that he was having a hard time trying to describe her because she was a sort of Courtesan/Geisha. But there was info on the KBJDshow website. And really, the doll was just gorgeous knowing nothing about who she was meant to represent.

That side room was where all the sellers kept their boxes and things they had to move quickly from the sellers room. I was up there, in front of the door, waiting for them to wrap up my BNB White Tiger boy, and futzing about with international Paypal!

I'm glad you all came down for this! So great to meet you all!

Miss Deep--AND so happy you came all the way from Phoenix, too!

 

Omigosh! Yes! It was such a pleasure to meet you and your sister, I believe? You both were so adorable, and I am so glad you were both able to win something as well.

It is still pretty darn surreal winning him that night. I knew it was loud, but I was in so much shock that I don't think it registered how much noise exploded in the room!! I know my mom told me the baby got scared (awww, poor munchie), but it was CRAZY!!!

I am sorely tempted to start a campaign of signatures, just so we could have the chance to experience another KBJD Show.

Like April said, it was definitely such an amazing experience that it left you in a 'con high'!!

 

Were at least two others from the Phoenix area One of my friends are I also went.

 

I had such a lovely time on Friday! This was my first doll show/convention and it completely surpassed my expectations! I wish I had been able to do the full experience with hotel, dinners, and both days. But even so it was not to be missed!!

I loved being able to shop in person. Boy did I get a lot of loot for my dolls!!! And all the booth vendors were so sweet and helpful, letting me try eyes and shoes on my dolls! It was so helpful.

The faceup class was simply wonderful! Nornen is a lovely person and an expert, it was so sweet of her to do this demonstration! I learned more from her than from hours of YouTube and other tutorials.

I would love to go to a million more conventions like it, and in fact I hope I can make it to Dollism even though it's quite a trip!

I hope you all will come to CCBJD with me! It's going to be wonderful!
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...rnia-Coast-BJD-Convention-June-6-amp-7th-2014

I'll try to get my photos up this week!

 

I think we need to show our love and support to all the Korean artists and Ms. Cholong in particular. Even if she can't be the host of the show, maybe someone out there can take the reigns and make another unbelievably amazing show!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support-for-kbjd-show

I want them all to come back, and this time I'll have the money to get myself a Be With You Doll STAR.

 

definately signing this!! I just got back into the hobby and only recently found out about the event. I was lucky enough to have friday off so i was able to attend that day , but could not get off work for the other days this event caught me off guard! I am definately interested in attending for a full weekend if this would be held again and hopefully armed With cash to buy more things!!

 

I went to the two previous CCBJD Cons and they were both great! And I won a fullset tiny CocoTribe Bunny at the first one. Aichan is fantastic at getting LOTS of donations for raffle/door-prize gifts! And one year SDink did a faceup demo, which was fantastic (I think she uses the same brushes as Nornen of BNB dolls, who did the Workshop here). And the Sellers rooms had both been small but packed to the gills with great vendors and items! --Plus this year: VOLKS! I highly recommend it. It's not packed with workshops and events like this con, but it's a solid con. Not sure if it's big enough to fly in, but if you are a Volks fan and see other vendors or guest there that you love, it could be worth it.

The BJDC in Austin is a big bigger and has been going for longer. And has Dinner events and some workshops. The Seller's Room is nice and big. Many of the US artists like Jpop, Xtremedolls, Marbled Halls, Bo Bergemann, PamSD and PixieDust, usually sell there --but not many Asian companies--but there's plenty of bjd outfits and accessories and dolls. It is worth traveling to. I came from CA to it in 2012 and was glad I did. It's in a hotel outside of Austin, closer to the airport, I think there was a free shuttle from there. And everyone can hang about in the lobby and pretty much take over the hotel. The year I went there were around 300 or so attendees, which is a nice size.

Dollism US, I'm very much looking forward to this. It's new, so like the KBJDshow, it's hard to know what it will be like. It looks very, very promising, though! Some big ABJD companies, along with US artists, and possibly more to be announced. I don't think it can go wrong, and seems likely well-worth traveling across the US to go to! Over 200 attendees so far, which is nice. And I already know I'm scoring a pair of free Dollheart shoes just for signing up.

I really, really hope there will be another KBJD Show. I don't know how, without Ms Cholong, but it's possible, I think.

 

Dollism I'm not interested in because of it's remote location. I can't commit to travelling without there being something more to do so for me it's mainly large urban centers. Which is why I'm so sad that KBJD is losing Ms. Cholong. LA has tons of great museums etc. I ate at a fantastic Korean Bar B Q place down in Koreatown. Hopefully someone can be found to make that happen again since I go down there quite often.

The Austin show is good because Houston has tons of great art and I can go down to Marfa to visit Donald Judd's ranch. So I'm thinking about that this summer......and of course LDoll in Paris.....

 

Oscar eyes and Nornen, I would have been stuck to those 2 like glue XD Love them so much.

 

Lol! Yeps. My sister said she thought you were Staria and I had to come see! XD Turns out she was right. AGAIN. Lol! DAMMIT! I'm so sorry we scared sweetie-pie! She's such an ickle angel girl! But there was just no way the room could contain it. You, your mum, and the bebe had been such troopers through the event, and she was such a sweet little treat to have around that it generate a tonne of goodwill that just sort of ignited in the room when you won!

I just can't believe this might not happen again! Ms. Cholong brought us all this gift. It kills me that more people didn't come. If you think about it, there is no community without us. If we want one, we have to (both literally and figuratively) show up, you know? Though I know this isn't possible for a lot (a lot) of doll-lovers who would really, really have loved to be there, that's one of the lessons I learned from being at KBJD.

 

I have mostly boy dolls, and that's what I thought. The eyes were gorgeous, but I can't put sparkly eyes in my boys... But now I realized they would look fabulous in my Crobi Pola bear. She's my smallest and always gets kind of lost among my boys. I kept thinking I needed shoes for her and did pick up 3 pairs of the cutest shoes for her, but didn't think to buy her eyes. Now I'm really kicking myself for not picking up a pair of Oscar eyes for her. I guess I'll just have to buy online.

 

Awesome! I am glad we weren't the only ones from Phoenix!

 

I've never seen Niagara Falls, so that'll be an added bit of fun for me in going to Dollism. I didn't get to look around Austin at all when I went to the BJDC. It would have been fun to hit some of the shopping/restaurants/music clubs there. I've never been to Houston aside from the airport (and rarely that--usually run =literally, run= through DFW). LDoll -- would love to go, since Paris is amazing! Do you go often? Is LDoll large? What do they usually have there?

Both of them are very quiet, but very nice and kind. I think a bit on the shy side, maybe? I was lucky to have been at their banquet tables!

I have mostly boys, too. BUT... I do have a lot of fantasy boys... and once I saw all the detail in the eyes, I was trying hard to think of who they could go in!

I wonder how it is buying on-line, since the colors and details are so varied? I'll have to check it out...! I'm sure I'll NEED more of those lovely eyes.

Here's my MiniFee Karsh with 14mm Oscar Doll eyes--
14-04-KBJDShow_6809_oscareyes by aprilllee, on Flickr

 

Oh, you're killing me with want, they look so good!! LOL!

 

It was awesome. Still so surreal. I'm already missing all the people, all the artists and all the dolls. :'( Awesome con withdrawals...

I'm trying really hard to get people to sign the petition for another KBJD Show. So far we have 12 signatures? Our aim is to get over 100, maybe even 500 signatures!

 

I shared a link to the petition in the East SF Bay BJD Crew group on Facebook. Hopefully that will help. I would share it in other bjd groups I'm a part of, but the groups are Open and I can't lets bjd stuff show up in my feed... :/

 

Getting people organized and getting word out is amazingly difficult. I think that was part of the reason why there wasn't more buzz about the KBJD Show. Even though DoA and places like Dollectasy reach a lot of people--messages pop up and disappear in seconds and there's so much info that many things get lost in the clutter. It's very frustrating, since as a community, we are so much on-line and hooked up, and yet still, it's not enough... Like signing the petition...

We're talking about it HERE, but not that many people went to the KBJDS and not that many are checking these threads and fewer are paying attention to what's posted here, even if they are...

Even if you post in NEWS (which might not be allowed?) it will quickly get buried, and we can't discuss stuff there to keep it bumped up.

I'm not sure what to do about it. You'd think we could easily reach every bjd-owner who is interested in hearing about news... but... it doesn't seem to work that way!

 

Oh yeah, advertising is the hardest part. Its normally just word of mouth.

 

Yeah... I would have thought there were enough people in the US who could have passed the word around. The US companies have pretty big followings, after all. But I think most of the companies didn't advertise their participation much, which was a pity. I guess the problem is, everyone is small and have a hard time keeping up with their websites and sales and making their dolls while running a business, as it is.

Like BNB Dolls... They haven't announced their new body on their site (at least the English one), and nothing about the trip to the KBJD Show, and they haven't updated much in general. But that is difficult if you're busy trying to make that body and get ready for the shows, etc.

Ah, well.

 

Yeah. :'( They haven't had a chance to respond to my emails, so I'm guessing they are still recovering from the post-con madness.