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

It's possible but nothing has been finalized yet. For obvious reasons it's best not to talk about it here

 

We will have to fly, so I probably won't being too much. Besides, I want to bring more back! My Rhiannon will have to come, she's my mascot! My FCS girl as well.

 

Will do!

I would drive, but it's 13 hours, so that means 4 days of driving. 2 up, 2 back. A flight is around 2 hours from Charlotte. I don't mind flying, but I'd like to bring what dolls I want, lol! Ah well.

 

I'm thinking most likely I'll bring about 3 minis, plus my Puki Puki, Littlefee, and Resinsoul 27cm girl. I can fit the three of them in a purse, the minis will go in a carryon (possibly unstrung). I'll see exactly who closer to time but I'm pretty sure my OT Hujoo will be in there as one of them... the rest, I think I should stick to ones I painted so if faceups get smudged it's not a big deal, but we'll see.

 

I really need to get a good doll bag before I go anywhere, or find a rolling suitcase that will do as hand luggage as well as a doll case. I've been using a yoga mat bag for years, but I don't think it would stand up to international travel. It was also good for my (now moved on) Dollfie Dream because her joints were quite stiff and she was very light, so if you put her flat in the bag she would stay that way and not move, but heavier dolls move about and aren't supported very well in it.

I would love to take more than one doll, but I think it might make things trickier for me, so I'm going to be tough and limit myself - although my boyfriend does keep telling me that if I only take one doll (my Volks Rose) my other dolls will get jealous and gang up on her!

 

I'll be bringing which ever doll is the hardest to fit/find stuff for, and probably one or two of my favorites. Whatever I bring will be packed extremely well in a hard-sided case. I've had rearrange all my luggage so that I didn't end up checking my dolls because of baggage constraints on flights before and it was scary. Spontaneous dis-assembly of dolls and display of the entire contents of my overnight bag while I switched contents around so they could stay with me at the gate while boarding is not my idea of a fun time. >_< (This happened on my way to the St. Louis con last year.) Lesson learned: always be prepared to check bags even if you only bring carry on.

 

I think there's a few of us who plan on renting a van and taking a road trip up together, so if that's the case I should be able to bring all 4 of my big girls by that time Though minis ARE easier to travel with so I may have to think about it long and hard... It's still a far ways off for me to really settle on the "who's going" list. I'll probably stick to asking a few days beforehand if there is anyone anyone else wants to see?

But I also think it depends on who officially is going as well. If there are certain vendors/companies present I'd feel more compelled to bring dolls from those companies! That way if they have items for sale, I know I have a better shot finding something nice for the doll from that company :3

I really need to look and see if I can find my passport since I'm pretty sure I still have 3-4 years before it expires? It'd be nice to be able to hop over the border to see the Falls, plus if memory serves me right the Ripley's Museum is right there too? I wouldn't mind checking that out x3

 

I think I'm bringing my F-32 (she's my absolute grail girl) and maybe a tiny for portability. I'm still on the fence about driving vs flying.

 

Check your local thrift shop! I found a nice one with wheels for like $10 (I'm working on padding it out with foam and fleece). If you're traveling international, you might try looking for an old-fashioned hard plastic suitcase or something like a hard camera equipment case.

 

Lady Tiku, Oh this is what you ment by Dollism 2014. (Blushing right now) I would love to go, but not sure I can. Maybe I could go as a vender
but I would need to start sewing now, I am slow seamstress. I love f conventions. I just went to a Miniature convention.

 

I would really advise that you take any doll you bring as carry on. The TSA x-rays each checked bag - and opens up a lot of bags. They would see a doll, think it might be hiding explosives or such, and open the bag (not in your sight) and go through everything. I've had my bag opened when I've checked an umbrella And they don't re-pack as carefully!

When I do carryon with a doll - it will go through x-ray, and they will open up the bag again. The difference here is that YOU are right there, and you can watch AND repack /re-roll the doll in it's protective covering.

 

Most airline companies have listed on their sites what size and weight restrictions they have with carry on luggage. I usually use a smallish weekender bag, which two SDs can sit in facing each other (rather than lying down), and can also fit a couple of yos if need be. I've travelled with dolls internationally and have never had them questioned personally, but each person is going to have a different situation with that. I usually place the bag under the seat in front of me rather than in the above compartment, so that I can keep an eye on it at all times.

 

When I traveled from Philidelphia, PA to San Francisco, CA about two years ago I took 3 MSD a PKF and a Unoa faceplate ALL in a DZ MSD carrying case onto the plane. With that and my backpack considered as carry ons I checked my suitcase and had NO ISSUES whatsoever. I even stored the carrier up in the baggage compartment once everyone else had gotten their bags settled so I knew it was set right on top without any chances of them being smooshed or have something roll ontop of them

The most I got was just a few strange glances as I went through the metal detector//baggage x-ray. :P

I wouldn't stress out about bringing dolls if you're flying. As long as they're properly packed you shouldn't have issues, and as I discussed with a friend if you're super worried about taking them, pack the bodies up in your regular suitcase that you check in, and then wrap the doll heads in bubble wrap and stick them in your carry-on! This way the part that is harder to replace is under your supervision the entire time. 'cause you have to admit replacing a body is A LOT easier then replacing, say a, $150 faceup - $300 head? Lol~

 

You can also unstring the doll bodies, and that can help with moving dolls about as well. Blushing, and faceups, are the most relevant parts for protecting, I'm doing lots of consideration now on containers, but unstringing is not the end of the world to me.

.hlp

 

Disassembly is a really easy way to go. I went, just now, and gathered up the parts for the 45cm doll I am making [nearly done!!] and her whole body's worth of pieces fit in my two cupped hands. Ribbon can come in the carry-on/doll bag for "field assembly", if needed, and I'll put my metal stringing tools in check. I can see how a long metal hook might intimidate TSA in a carry on.

 

I'm definitely packing dolls in my carry-on, and will likely unstring as well. I don't fly often, but every time I've checked a bag something in it has arrived broken. I've watched them load suitcases into the plane - spiking them like footballs onto a conveyor belt. I also watched several suitcases fall off the side of a baggage cart that took a turn too fast. They were left there RIGHT behind the main landing gear of the 747 parked at that gate for over an hour and a half. I was hoping to see the big plane leave to see if it backed over them or not, but our flight left before it did... You might get asked to check your carry-on if it's a crowded flight, but at least in that case it's a gate-check so you know it's on the same flight as you!

 

If you pack something fragile in a bag you intend to check in, you should treat the packing job like you would when shipping the item. Packages are handled even more forcefully during shipping, so if your packing job will survive a shipment, it will survive a flight just fine.

I am a frequent flyer and have not had anything break yet. I've checked in SD-sized dolls and they made it through without a scratch. For extra protection, pack the dolls inside a box before putting them in the suitcase; surround the box with clothing for padding.

 

I'm agreeing with Anna, several times I have transported dolls from Japan to the US in checked suitcases. The only damage they received were occasional dings to the boxes. I transported SD13 Tony, a DD as well as Yos, in check-ins. I have even had a suitcase go missing for several days and the only thing damaged inside of it were the boxes of chocolates, even though the suitcase itself was completely destroyed.

The only time I have had something valuable damaged in a piece of luggage, it was a carry on that I was forced to gate check. It containedmy laptop and screen was cracked when I retrieved it. Gate checked luggage are not safer.

 

True, anything checked should be packed as if its shipping, I'm just planning to be extra careful and put the breakable a in the carry-on. There's no guarantee on anything when traveling, no matter what you do!

 

All this talk of how to pack dolls to travel on a plane makes me really glad I'm close enough to drive. XD As long as I remember to get an enhanced license on my next birthday, so I can drive through Canada instead of the US, I'll be great.

 

I'm so excited about this...We're gonna drive and make it a road trip vacation!! I've already been thinking about who I want to bring. Initially I was thinking that I would bring one 1:3 scale doll and one 1:6 scale doll, but then I realized that even my lightest 1:3er, at 4lbs, will get heavy after a day of hauling around. So I'm either gonna get a doll backpack or just bring one of my Soom Faeries.

Whoever I decided to bring, I've already planned to make identification cards like this:

Owner: ModernWizard
Doll name: Timonium
Doll company/sculpt/resin color: Soom Faery Legend Auber Storm Sprite WS
Faceup: ModernWizard
Wig: ModernWizard
Outfit: fullset

That way anyone who takes pictures of my dolls can also take a picture of the card for reference and won't have to say later, "Who was the gorgeous doll, and who owned it???" I'd still better bring a notebook and pen, though, so I can write down comparable info for other people's dolls!

--MW

 

That's a fabulous idea about the info cards! I have some Moo cards (small size business cards) with photos of my dolls on the front and my screen names and contact info on the back that I will hand out so, if people have questions after they get back home, they can look at my Flickr sets and/or contact me. You could order some with the doll's stats on the back. If you keep watching the Moo Cards website they may have another free cards offer. I got mine for the $5 cost of shipping.

 

I'd love to come, but I can't take time off during the school year. Unless I get really lucky with my class schedule, September just won't work for me.

 

A notebook is a good idea! I'd have to write things down, lol. And luckily my camera puts up a number on each picture, so I can write down 6038 and then the owner's info/doll info. Good idea!

 

I'd probably bring my two big boys (Dollgru 9 and Sweet Gale Cyril). I love them best. Don't tell the other ones.

As for guests, I'd like to see Danny Choo. I'd like to hear him speak about Japanese doll events.

 

I'm still thinking about bringing my first El, Mike. He's gone to DragonCon, the Kentucky BJD Con of which I forget the name, so he might as well comes to this!

 

I know someone who's been to more Japanese doll events than Danny Choo, DoA's own rkold. If they really want someone passionate about these dolls who knows what she's talking about as a doll fan going to doll events in Japan for say a panel, Rachel's the best to share what she knows. She's been going to Japan for doll related events since the late 90s.

 

I'm really excited for this event! I never thought I'd be able to attend a huge doll event like Dollism in the US. This is a dream come true and of course a nightmare to my wallet haha. By the time this event rolls round I'll have my vacation again and hopefully will be able to get it for the week of the event. As for how many dolls I'll take... I'd like to to keep it to only 1 doll just so I won't have so many with me to worry about, but for now it's up in the air. Can't wait to see more details about this event and which possible vendors will attend

 

I am looking forward to this event as well. I think my sister and I will be making a road trip for this, since we are driving distance away and air travel can be so tedious anymore. I will most likely take one of my Yo-SD's to make it easier to move around and visit all the vendors with ease.

 

Because overkill is in my opinion, underrated, this bag has been my new carry on for the past year. The Pelican 1510 is a hard shell, roller case that is the maximum size allowance for carry on for International flights. I line it with foam and wrap my dolls with bubble wrap or blankets and sometimes unstring them. While my check in suitcase has always made it back to me, I'm too chicken to put my dolls in check in. I love this bag because if it gets dirty, I can wipe it down with a cloth. Or someone kicks it (yes, it's happened a few times), I know the contents inside will still be okay. Toes will be broken before my case or my dolls will breaks! I figure I have spent a lot on my dolls, that investing in a good, solid bag is worth it if I want to travel far with them. However, the TSA folk are always super curious as to what is in such an extreme case. I think they're always disappointed (or suspicious) to see my dolls and my camera.

I'm really hoping to make it to this event! Driving would be awesome but likely I'll be flying ...

 

Wow Pris, that case it totally epic. XD But I do agree with you as far as a good investment goes especially
since a lot of our dolls are more valuable to us than just monetarily goes(attachment to them and all)
A hundred bucks is definitely worth it to protect a $500 dollar doll or more. I would love to see your
boys in person XD

 

^ Pris has brought whole piles of Dollshe boys to many many meetups in San Francisco, so we can totally vouch for the Pelican 1510!

 

LOL! Well it seems to be getting good press so I'll look into it
How many is many piles? I mean, how many can fit into that bag/suitcase/chestofwonders?

 

I am considering getting one. I am freakishly quick at restringing... I bet I could fit all my dolls in there if I unstrung them.

 

Freakishly quick? Are you freakishly available and love restringing other peoples dolls? lol!
I hope to be able to restring as fast as I can set eyes one day. I'd be quite happy in that case.

 

You are not too far away from me. If we are ever at a meet together, I would not mind one bit helping out.
Lol, perhaps I will bring my suede and wire and just find my own little corner at Dollism and have a sign that says something along the lines of "Will suede/wire/restring for smiles". It would be a great way for me to get through that giant bag of pliver I have.

 

I'm going to be at Dollism and I would actually love if you did this. I really want to learn some pointers as to how to do it myself, as well. My little Dollshe boy is so loosely strung right now, he's like a rag doll.

 

Tonboko, might you need help? I can restring pretty quick too! I have spring hooks my dad owned that fit through the channels for string. Easier to use than ribbon. I've done it for other members.

 

Hey bring that wire and you're on! I would love to seek restringing help
Though I'm not quite as afraid of it as I used to be, I wouldn't mind someone
with more experience showing me the ropes Especially the wiring! I've always
wanted to see the posing difference after that procedure XD

@Rynn007: Really? How exactly do they work?

 

I'd love to see the spring hooks in action, Ryan. Right now I have been using various string pullers from the company, but I am always up for finding something I can get more locally in case of tool fail.

Hmm.. maybe we need to get a panel going or a designated spot were people can find and give help with this kind of thing.

 

I love this idea! I'm absolutely terrified of restringing. So, although my one dolls leg is off, I have no clue how to put it back on or to entirely restring her. The very idea scares me ><

 

They're exactly like string hooks, but thicker metal. They have a ring on one end, the hook on the other, and pretty darn thick! There is zero chance of them breaking or bending while restringing.

 

Sounds awesome. Just makes me even more excited for this event.
I'm sure that we have to stay on topic so all in all it seems like the cons
quite promising already. If Dollheart releases great con exclusive outfits,
I'm screwed, lol!

 

Oh... gravy! Dollheart outfits? That would be so awesomely terrible!!

 

I talked it over with my husband last night and we're going to make this trip our big vacation for next year . We'll drive up the coast, visit DC, and while I'm at the convention he'll be riding at a bike park in Canada just over the border. I'm really excited! I've always wanted to drive up the East coast. And I'd love to go to DC again

 

I live in the area, so as the date gets closer, I'll see about maybe having a sleep-over or something before the Con

 

Sounds like fun. MasahtiJade!

 

I am super excited this event is going to be happening in the US and will definitely be doing everything in my power to make it out. I simply wouldn't want to miss it for anything and can't wait to hear more as concrete details and plans develope.

As for who I might bring along, that's one seriously tough decision. Having just slogged back from Japan with an SD13 and SD16 unstrung between my carry on luggage and "personal" bag, I can't imagine bringing more than that. I swear they sit in the luggage eating bonbons and gaining weight by the air mile! At least if I brought my avatar girl Misaki, she's an MSD. (Or this is my cheeky reason to contemplate an avatar doll change after swearing I just wouldn't because its too confusing!) Something tells me the boys will become troublesome about this. >_<

 

Ah! So I'm just finding out about this and I live in Buffalo! I would love to make arrangements for people from out of town that would like to tour buffalo, check out the sites, and take cool dolly pictures! Can't wait!

 

Is this what you're talking about? http://www.amazon.com/Moody-Tools-5...=1371501020&sr=1-4&keywords=heavy+spring+tool

 

That's it, Phoenix73182! They are so very handy for the bigger dolls.

 

I am so excited. Normally, I probably wouldn't be able to make the trip, especially due to the fact that I start college in August, but I'll be close enough that it would seem like a total waste not to go! If at all possible, I'm going to see if I can bring the majority of my guys. Especially my Soom Heliot, because he never gets to go anywhere these days. Also, the restringing/sueding/wiring service idea sound absolutely sweet and super helpful.