Dollism Plus US Sep 19-21, 2014, presented by Dollheart, Den of Angels & Mint on Card

Rynn - you shouldn't need a passport coming from SC. You really have nothing to worry about unless you're interested in crossing over into Canada while you're there.
Most of the cases through Canada are going to be like me coming from Michigan, following the most direct path, I drive through Canada, but traveling North, you shouldn't encounter any need for a passport. Though it isn't a bad thing to have ^___^

 

I 've never been to Niagra Falls either I had contemplated going last year but still have yet to get a passport(as I'll want to visit the Canadian side)...I think I'll be taking a long vacation next year in September for sure...even though that is my busy time at work..wouldn't want to miss the opportunity if the price is right.

Love Texas...want to go back someday...just maybe if they do get a doll con out that way I will come.

 

Texas already has a BJD con. In fact, now that Volks doesn't do NYC anymore and GoGaDoll is on indefinite hiatus, the interior of the country is better-served than the coasts.
http://bjdctexas.com/

 

Volks doesn't do NYC anymore??? How come? Does anyone know?

 

Because several dolls were stolen at the last NY Dolpa

 

Actually, dolls were stolen from the 2008 Dolpa, not the last one, which was in 2010. Volks had a 5 year contract with FDQ to help them host a Dolpa at FIT in New York, and with the exception of 2009, when there was a swine flu outbreak and Dolpa was canceled, they had them each year from 2006 to 2010. I'm not 100% sure, but I think they didn't continue there because of the high cost of location and travel for the event. Though I'm sure the stolen dolls didn't help, it was not the deciding factor as they did have another dolpa after that incident.

 

I'm definitely going to try and make it, and with so much prep time not sure why I couldn't, so I'm really looking forward to everything unfolding.

 

So excited for this!! I'm definitely going. Even if I have to miss a few college classes. Lol.
My dolls are already excited as well. They're fighting over who will get to go XD

 

Yeah, I want to go to the Canada side to see the falls. But what I was finding adoptees were having a time getting a passport due to filing dates and all.

 

It's not likely to be Labor Day weekend. Prices for everything would by sky high, and people have also mentioned a conflict with Dragon Con.

 

Yeah but if you weren't adopted, you're good. if you are, the amended certificate is filed later, so it throws things off.

 

Ohh I see. Well I can understand that but I hope they reconsider. Maybe if they don't have it every year here then make just a couple two years every now and then.

I thought this too so I'm hoping that's not the case and what thesaraghina said is the actual reason.^^;;

Either way maybe they can make it this year. I can't wait to see who all will be there, even if it takes a while
to get the vendor list! I'll while wait patiently and just dream of all my favs coming XD

 

I'm really hoping Volks would be willing to go, especially after they set up a booth at IDEX this year. It was a mixed doll event that lasted for 3 days, and I'd imagine they'd do even better in sales at a Dollism, since IDEX only had a small bjd contingent, and the majority of bjd collectors at the event were more geared towards the american-style rather than asian. I really miss going to the NY Dolpa events, and while it was good to see Volks at IDEX, I'd still love to have another chance to do in-person shopping (and try for a oneoff!) with them.

 

That's good. Very good - cause I always go to Dragon*Con...
I'm soooooo excited tho!!!! I'll be retired by then & I used to live in Jamestown (60 miles south of Buffalo) & went to school at SUNY Brockport & Buffalo!!!
Plus I can stay w/my bro in Cleveland on the way up from NC!

Cannot WAIT - soooo glad this is happening!

 

Me too.I never dreamed of being able to see Volks anytime soon and I would love to see them
I know that this is probably only Dolpa specific but if they had those workshop classes where you
could purchase AND make up a School A, I would die jumping around like and absolute insane monkey I'd be so happy.

 

It's about time there was a big Dollism con in the US!!! It IS harder because the distances are so great, but we all have to fly to get to most places that aren't near-by anyway... It's just the problem with the country being so BIG.

I wonder, since it's East Coast, if it might get anyone from Europe to attend? It's not that much longer a flight than from where I am in L.A...

Maybe, if the con is a big success, they can start another Dollism USA in a different location??? -- with a different group running it, so those in NY aren't over-whelmed and can maybe travel to another spot and just enjoy themselves! Of course, it's WAY to early to consider things like that... but one can only hope!

I went to the BJDC in Austin, TX last year and it was a LOT of fun! There was more of an emphasis on the non-Asian bjds, but certainly plenty of Asian-type bjds and owners and items there. I think I will try and make it to the BJDC again, even if it is just a month before! (If I just stop buying every doll in sight, I think I might manage!)

Volks went to IDEX this year... that's a good business move for them because it exposes them to more people who aren't so familiar with them. But it would be cool if they planned on going to Dollism USA, too. Of course, I live near L.A., so I have access to their store, so it's no big deal for me, but they are just SO much a part of the whole bjd-thing, it would be cool if they were there!

Interesting info about passports. I've got one, but I have to remember where I put it!!! And see if it is still going to be good for next year!!!

What dolls to bring??? Wow, that will be a hard choice...

Will there be a theme? The BJDC has a theme, and the one Volks L.A. Dollpa had one... but I don't recall if Dollisms have had then...

 

International from across the Pacific speaking up... this would be a fantastic excuse for me to visit the USA again! (I was living in the US when I first got into BJD-world. ) Much thanks to the organizing team for giving such an early notice, so that us non-US folk can prepare and perhaps come!

And here's hoping it's at a time where school (I work at a grade school) is on term break so I can take leave, heh!

 

This sounds like a very exciting event and definitely something to look forward to! Even so, I might not be able to go since I start my field work in late Aug. It would be so awesome if this Dollism was in June or July and it would definitely be a nice summer vacation to NY. Like april, I'm hoping the convention will be a success so that it can be held at a different location next time. It's a bummer, I really wish I could go.

 

I'm definitely in! It sounds like so much fun! The hard part is waiting a year and a half.

 

One of the best parts for me will be to put some real faces to names! I'll have to train my brain out of thinking everyone looks like their avatars!

I think dietary requirements will be sorted after tickets have been bought and there's a more solid idea of what's going to be happening and when. I suppose it also depends on whether the dinner will be included in the ticket price or as an extra. There's no need to gather diet info for people if they're not going to be at the dinner.

 

Please Please Please don't have it the week end of the September 27th because the 25th and 26th are Rosh Hashanah, part of the Jewish High Holidays.

 

I'm there! I'll start saving now. This is so awesome! I'll have to bring an extra suitcase for the inevitable shopping spree goodies. I don't know if I'll fly or drive. I actually like road trips, and if I can get some folks to go with me & split the gas cost I think I'd rather drive.

 

I'm hoping there will be opportunities for those who craft things themselves to get a table so they will be able to partake in something like a dealer's room if there is one? I don't sew myself, but it'd be fun to see unofficial individuals bring something to Dollism as well. Though anything they give us I'm sure is going to be a blast! A doll convention on the East coast is a dream come true!

 

I would LOVE to attend this convention along with my sisters as well! I can't even imagine what this event would be like, I haven't ever attended a strictly BJD con before so I'm grateful it's relatively close to my area!! *So excited*
I'm just hoping it's not the weekend of the Montreal Comic-con!

 

This looks like fun! As long as it doesn't conflict with anything, I should be able to go! I just realized I'll be out of school by September 2014!

 

Thanks for letting us know! I think we're looking more at the second and third weekends of September.

 

This^^^
Since your avatar used to be a frog, I'm so used to relating you as such,lol! I'm sure those that do the same probably see Saint Michael talking to them when their speaking to me, lol!!

 

LOL, I might have to carry Jester around so everyone will know who I am...

On that note, I doubt it's possible to put people's avatars on the 'con badges if there are to be any, but hopefully if there are badges we can choose to put our DoA names on them? I know DragonCon puts a name of your choosing as the large name, with your real name and where you are from below it.

 

*lolz* And I never bring Kaiya out of the house, so nobody would recognize me by his picture. ^^

However, I do still have a badge with my DOA name & avatar on it, which I think Sher made for us one year at NYC Dolpa--? I have used it many times since, and it comes in mondo handy.

 

Please continue to keep thinking of me as Tom Hiddleston. It helps my ego tremendously.

I really would love to make it, especially to see some of the West coast peeps again since it's been too long since the last NY Dolpa. And a whole weekend would have more time to simply hang out and chat.

 

I'm really hoping to make it too, I've not met a lot of you in person! It should be so fun!

Oh I like this idea too! I call people I know in person by their DOA names sometimes >.< I'm fail like that.
And I've always thought of people as their avatars, so it'll be great to see what you all look like irl

 

I am excited about going to this. I personally feel that East-coasters don't really get treated to many cons as most of the larger cons are on the west coast and smaller cons here are rarely doll related. Looking forward to a 7+ hour road trip on this, it's been over 10 years since I've been to Niagara. ^__^

 

Oh thank you so so so so much, since I'd really like to go. Jet Blue flies there from NYC or we could possibly drive it.

I guess my other question would be, will well behaved children be allowed or should I start thinking about babysitting options in advance?

 

Yeah I can't carry Saint Michael around with me...lol! That'd be cool though. I especially have a habit of looking a people's profiles to see which dolls of theirs are their avatars lol. Especially since everyone's dolls look so cool ><

And you know what, that's the doll I've been trying to figure out which one it is since I've been here lol!

Oooh that'd be fun! God I don't need anymore reasons to get hyped about this, lol!

Ok then Tom Middleson how are you? Great to see you like this hobby too, lol!

Already did Thanks for the reminder ^^

 

I SO hope that the name badges will have places for DoA names and/or Real names or nick-names!

It's not a problem for me, since my names are the same (yeah, I'm unimaginative that way!), but whenever meeting others, I never know who is who if their DoA name isn't on the badge!

At the BJDC '12 -- someone from Resin Cafe actually hand-made badges with RC names for everyone there, so people would know who was who... That helped for RC folks, but not for others...

 

I agree with April one this one ^^

 

If the badges don't include our DOA names/avatars, I'll be happy to bring my old one that does. I'm the tall one with the hair. XD

Oh Kim, you are SO much better-looking than Tom Hiddleston! Please come! I miss you! Rainey misses you! (Though I can't promise who I'll bring this time...)

Heheh! Thanks! - Well, Kaiya doesn't travel but he does appear in the Gallery sometimes. ^^ I will probably bring someone more travel-worthy. (Kaiya is a School A repaint by Satoko Ohno, so he doesn't get out much.)

 

@JennyNemesis: The tall one with the hair huh? I'll keep that in mind, lol!
Ahh a School A Your boy is GORGEOUS! I'm not sure how you're
going to choose which of your dolls to bring since you have a lot of beautiful boys
to choose from XD Other members will probably have to make that tough decision too.

Anyone bringing any Chalco's, Kohya's, or School A's will get alot of action from
me *wink* *wink*

 

^ Ahhhh, I have a Chalco too - but damn, those hooves are hard to travel with if I want to bring anything else! I have till next Sept to decide who comes...

 

So took the survey--I must get my sis to take it, she's going to come with me, but she doesn't DoA as much as she used to. I would adore icons and DoA names, I've never changed out my icon! If people want to think of me as Kaiba, that's totally fine as well! And Kim, I entirely do think of Hiddles when I see you post, it's awesome, LOLOL!

Still rooting for the third weekend of September, eep! Got to respect the big holidays of course!

And dolls...so much pain, getting all the way across the country with dolls! I have over a year to contemplate this, but right now, considering my luggage luck, I'm almost wondering if I could send them via UPS?

.hlp

 

Oh yeah, I've seen that good looking Chalco of yours. Yeah, those hooves could probably kill,lol!

@heidipay: YESS I totally see Kaiba! I even here the voice too, lol. Because Kim had a picture of Atsushi as her avatar once, that's what I see now instead though.

Well since it'll be in September, maybe the weather won't be too cool or too warm. Though that might be too much to ask. I hope as many companies can make it as they can. At least we know that Dollheart will be here. That's a plus for me. I named a bunch of different companies I'd like the see in the survey and I hope I didn't go overboard ^^;;

 

Oh I would SO love to meet a Kaiba there!! My Volks Isao can do a damn good Kaiba cosplay-- same cheekbones & nose, blue eyes & brown hair-- maybe he'll decide to come, just to pay homage to you! I've loved your avatar for years too. ^^

 

I will definitely be there! Hopefully I will still be in Rochester next year - so nice to have something in driving distance.

 

Rkold poses a great question about the children. My son will be 4.5 for the con. I can't promise good or bad behavior on his part, but I am curious what the organizers think. 15+ event? 18+ event? All ages welcome? etc, etc.

 

I don't recommend UPS for dolls! I have sent home a number of fragile sculptures and artwork from World Fantasy Convention and Worldcon and more than half of it arrived damaged. I have received many other damaged boxes and poorly handled packages from UPS. You are better off taking a doll-dedicated suitcase and packing it very carefully. Clothes can make very good packing material.

I am thinking of taking about four. So many of mine are huge that any more would get unwieldy. I don't like taking the ones with lots of little parts that can easily get lost or broken. It would depend on who is ready and who I like best in a year and a half.

 

I got lucky with FedEx shipping at last DPNY since I added 4 YoSD and a SD13 during the event. We packed the package complete with peanuts and double layered.

However I do not trust any courier.

Traveling is hard, I am pretty sure I want to make the trip. I think I will just take 1 SD size and 1 YoSD like last time. I do not think I can fly with more than that.

I hope my family can come since none of them have been to that side of the country

 

This is a good question especially since I might end up flying.

 

I've flown with dolls a bunch of times and at times they sat next to me, but they were also Yos. The stewardesses I'm pretty sure will make the doll go under the seat in front of you for take off/landing so you will need some sort of carrier as well since I wouldn't put any of my dolls directly on a plane floor.

I've also done the big no-no of putting dolls in check in luggage several times and the only negative experience I've had is some box damage. I want to stress, I had a huge huge suitcase and the doll in question was wrapped in his pillow in his original box surrounded by my clothes. I used the same method when bringing back a DD for Kim from Japan.

Jet Blue flies to Buffalo, so if you use them you get a free check in and if worse comes to worse, use the check in for clothes and the carry on for dolls.

Oh, if kids are allowed, ours could maybe play together! Mine will just be turning 4 at the time of the con. I'm glad to see I'm not the only parent who has this question. Mine is usually very good, and when she's not we do our best to leave. So far she's been surprisingly reverent when she's seen my dolls and is very gentle with them.

 

I've flown from Pennsylvania to California with my dolls in tow. I just made sure they were packaged appropriately (face masks, hands, removed properly cushioned, the whole nine yards) I used a simple dollzone carrier as my carry on with a backpack filled with some clothes, my laptop, and other accessories. It was pretty easy when I went but I'm fairly certain I used Southwest when I went? I can't quite remember....

I didn't have any issues with it, but I did get some strange looks through the X-ray! xD!

 

I've flown with dolls in my carry-on rolling bag several times, well-protected with facemasks, pillows, etc. My YoSDs and MSDs were never an issue, but both times I've flown with an SD I've had to unwrap her for inspection. I politely explained that the contents of my bag were an extremely fragile and valuable doll, and asked to unwrap the doll myself, which was fine both times. I left the facemask on, and generally the guards were pretty 'whatever.' Both times my SDs were swabbed with the are-you-a-bomb swabby stick, and then they let me wrap them back up. One x-ray examiner had some hilarious loud commentary, but other than that it was just annoying because of the delay.

Also, regarding children: I do hope that the event ends up requiring an adult to accompany any teenager under 18 who plans to attend, for legal and safety reasons. Though very small children are cute, I don't really think they'd be great company in a room full of expensive breakable items, no matter how well-behaved the child or well-intentioned the parent! It seems like a convention would be a great vacation from a child, rather than with a child? Or perhaps there could be some paid childcare available at or near the convention?

 

I usually do a laptop as a carry-on, but with the Surface, I may be able to get away with a lot more. I really am anxious about who I can bring, and typically I don't check luggage (bad memories!), but I may have to make an exception...argh! I think in part who I bring will depend on which companies are going, it's always nice to represent for a company that's there.

OMG, small children with potential sticky-grabby hands...I think categorically adult supervision is to be expected, while we should never leave dolls unattended, it's also not nice to have to take charge of a wandering stranger-child who's dazzled by really pretty things they want to play with. That being said, there are loads of extremely well-behaved children, and I know at that age I would've been so thrilled to be able to go to something like this! So with a responsible parent actively present, I think it'd be cool.

Hmmm, and back to flying, whatever I choose dolly-wise has to be sturdy, and take into account the potential buys at the con, LOLOL!

Edited: Jenny, I will die if your boy cosplays Kaiba, LOLOL! Die in a good way!

.hlp

 

I would definitely have to agree with Snowgray. As nice as it may be for some parents to bring their children along, I know it'd be a little worrisome for some owners to have to worry about their resin "kids" and their legitimate ones! Though I don't think they should be banned from coming, I do think there should maybe be something to keep them preoccupied or some form of requirements to account for any minors?
After all, these are expensive collectors items, I know not everyone feels 100% comfortable with their dolls around kids regardless of how well behaved the child is...

 

lol...I didn't even think of the x-ray machines that would be too funny, it will probably set off all kinds of alarms with the hooks and what not. I remember my very first and only plane trip where on the way back I had forgot to put my manicure scissors in my suitcase and it was in my laptop bag/carryon...oops they asked if I wanted to go back and check them in with my suitcase I said no just pitch them. Won't do that again.

 

I change my avatar every now and then, so hopefully some people would still recognize my DOA username, I hope we can put them on the badge also, I don't see why not!

The hardest part for me will be deciding who to bring, I'm going to try and limit myself to 2 SD's and my Baha, or something like that. I'm so excited to meet everyone! Luckily we have tons of time to plan things out and save money lol..

I once traveled via plane with 5 SD's in my carry-on suitcase for a doll event/faceup demonstration with my sister... NEVER again, the workers at the x-rays were staring so bad like I was crazy, but they actually didn't open my suitcase! The hard part was trying to get back into Canada from the US, customs gave us the hardest time, we spent an hour and a half talking to them, trying to explain we didn't buy our expensive dolls in the US. We made the mistake of telling them the worth of the dolls, not smart at all. They told us next time to bring the original receipts for them but we explained it's all online, some we don't have anymore etc.

Anyway, just a warning for those who plan on declaring their dolls, have original receipts, or just don't let customs know about their worth. I'm nervous about buying a lot while I'm down there though!

 

Bringing children hasn't been discussed at all yet. I would ideally want to see anyone under 18 accompanied by an adult... and not in an "I am one parent chaperoning my child and ten of her friends" scenario. But con culture is its own thing, and in many ways I'm deferring to Pasu Lau and Mint because they have more con experience than me by far.

I missed the question earlier about food - also hasn't been discussed yet, since we need to see what the venues offer and if they'll trap us into their catering. I have dietary restrictions myself (wheat allergy) so I know how much it sucks not to have edible options. If the dinner does end up happening, we will do our best to accommodate as many people's restrictions as we reasonably can.

But again, this hasn't been discussed yet by the organizers. Thanks for bringing these up as a topics for us.

 

For those of you wondering about doll travel, there's some threads in General Discussion to peruse:

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...lling-with-your-dolls-issues-ideas-etc-Part-I
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...ling-with-your-dolls-issues-ideas-etc-Part-II

(Actually, this topic comes up so often, I am starting to think that that Dolly Travel should be a Sticky! ^^)

Regarding small children, I personally am not comfortable with them + dolls in the same room. My vote would be for a 13+ con. Just thinking of small children in the dealers' room makes my eyes cross-- it's hard enough to keep grownups from grabbing, dirtying, and knocking over valuable things.

I'm trying to remember what we did for under-13s at the big GoGaDoll cons, but the passing years have taken their toll on my memory - whatever system we used seemed to make most everyone happy - I will go hang upside-down to get more blood to my brain until I remember the details.

Hee! Well, sorry, but he doesn't have the clothes for it - however, he has the eyes & wig, and he came with the pointy nose, tight mouth, and generally bitchy look. Volks Isao, man, the resemblance can be uncanny.