Time Travelers by Joan Son

This sounds like a wonderful project.  Artist Joan Son could use our support to make sure she has everything she needs to get it done. The city of Houston has granted her some funds, but she needs studio space and materials. Watch the video for the full story -- and an opportunity to share your own story, too.

UPDATE: Here's the link to her Kickstarter web page if you can't get the video to work. It has the whole story of her project, plus you can see the progress she's making in raising funds.

A vintage collection

It was an eye-catching display at this year's convention: a mix of antique prints, pop-up books, pristine scraps and vintage Disney. Brad Brinkley's collection was a standout, and perhaps given that he is Gene Maiden's nephew, it should come as no surprise. It was good to see him in Los Angeles this year.

Etta Kett: The Wedding of the Cut-Out Paper Dolls, 1933

March 26, 1933.

Etta Kett Play Fashions, c.1933

"The Cheerleader."

Peggy Lovebyrd Paper Doll, 1933

June 11, 1933.
Artist: Paul Robinson.

Etta Kett's New Beach Outfits, 1933

June 4, 1933.

Little Pamela and her Frocks, c. 1920s

Dressing Dolls, Series 1 by Raphael Tuck & Sons, c. 1920s. A postcard paper doll.

Artist: M.E. Banks

One of my raffle wins at the Convention.

Who donated it to the raffle table? Please come forward!

The Book Art of Tamara Gerard

Tamara Gerard is a book artist from the state of Washington who is also a paper doll collector. At the convention she brought some of her magnificent books to the artists exhibit. This one is a tribute to her mother, a large die-cut figure flips up to reveal a narrative in words and pictures.

The embellishment on her books is something to behold...

A binding on one book complements the decorative front cover.

Artful, handmade papers

A tribute to Native American ways...

Three Dandies

Tom Tierney, Ron Fong and Jim Howard

The Boston Herald Lady scrapbooks

Beverly Micucci and Sandy Vanderpool have the most amazing play dates. Lucky convention goers get to see what they're up to, and draw inspiration, even if they don't make it to their official convention workshop. On view: scrapbooks by the artists to display the 1895 Boston Herald lady and her costumes, using genuine vintage ephemera such as calling cards, old postcards, etc. to tell a story. I love that Bev and Sandy used originals, not copies of the doll and costumes.

 I couldn't wait to try this at home. Here's one of my pages:

I need to dull the gold leaf a bit. The page is from Macbeth, in German. The lady's evening dress suggested a night out at the theater. Background paper from AC Moore picked up the colors of the dress. As I did each page, a story took shape. More later.

Of course, now I need to fill in the substantial blanks in my Boston Herald lady costume collection...

Thank you Sandy and Bev for the inspiration!

Her Him Book, 1926

From Kwei-lin's program/exhibit on the oddball paper dolls in her collection, a witty selection of songs to go with each themed costume. This one is a hoot! I've always loved the flip-book style of paper doll construction, where the outfit changes with the turn of a page. Only the little plastic head stays the same.

Dress-A-Doll entries

I don't have all the names of the artists, so if you recognize the artwork, let me know.

The only artist I know for sure is this one: Jim Howard's lovely red outfit. Jim also won the raffle that gave him all the entries.

Victorian handmade paper dolls, c. 1890s

Elaine Price's handmade was deemed Best in Show by the judges.

The 2014 Paper Doll Convention in Richmond, Va.

UPDATE: Here's a clickable jpeg of the registration form, which you can print out, fill out and mail to Pat O'Rourke.

It's not to soon to start planning for next year's event. Note the early registration discount is only good until Nov. 1. 

Here's the registration form, and a paper doll of actress Veronica Lake by Pat O'Rourke, the organizer of our "Rendezvous in Richmond." I found the paper doll on Marge Schaffer's blog, where you can see all the outfits that came with it.

                         RENDEZVOUS in RICHMOND (June 25 – June 29, 2014)

Hotel:   Four Points Sheraton, 4700 South Laburnum Avenue,  Richmond, VA. 23231.
             Phone:  804-226-4300.

---   Special Rate for Convention:  $92.00 double bed suite which includes breakfast. (3 handicapped
       suites available.)
---   Registration Fee:  $260.  Early registration ($230). Guest Registration: $150. (Please make
       checks out to Patricia O’Rourke.)  Absentee Registration: $100 (souvenirs only)
---   No charge for parking vehicle.
---   Free transportation to and from Richmond Airport.
---   Use of  hotel van within five miles of hotel
---   Three banquet meals, refreshment buffet on Wednesday night, five souvenirs.  Richmond tour
       scheduled for June 25th.
---   Across the street from White Oaks Village which has many restaurants and stores.
       Restaurants include:   Fridays, Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, Panera Bread, Red Lobster,
       Longhorn Steakhouse, etc.  Stores include all the usual plus many small Boutique stores.
---   For additional information or questions, contact Pat O’Rourke, 6 Piccadilly Court, Toms
River, NJ 08757.  Email:  patspaperdolls@aol.com or 732-736-6892 .  (early registration available until November 1.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGISTRATION:

Name:______________________________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________

Telephone: _____________________  Email: _______________________________________

Registration:   ______                                Guest Registration:  __________
Absentee Registration (souvenirs only)  __________


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -------------------------------------
REGISTRATION:

Name:_______________________________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________________

Telephone: _____________________  Email: ________________________________________

Registration: _______ Guest Registration: ___________
Absentee Registration (souvenirs only) _________
(Please send in this part of the form for our records…and keep the top two-thirds of the form for your records)

Dress-a-Doll 2013

Another convention comes to a close. I'll post more pictures when I get home.

Here's Jim Howard's Dress-a-Doll entry. Jim also won all the entries in the raffle. Lucky guy!