We are making the information for all the competition categories available early.
The big button will open a PDF you can print out.
Entry forms and additional information will be mailed out with your Conference Packet.
All of the events in this category are included with your registration and are free to attend
Welcome Reception
1960's
1970's
1980's
1950's
Friday, May 3, 2024
9:00 - 11:00 PM
Ballroom 3
6:00 -7:30 PM
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Ballrooms 3 and 4
Cash bar/ Desserts/ Announcements
Conference Banquet
6:00 -8:00 PM
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Ballrooms 3 and 4
"Fashions by Design"
Program and Souvenir by Robert Tonner
Host Club: The Cleveland Doll Club
Click the link for more about Mr. Tonner and our souvenir
Farewell Breakfast
9:00 -11:00 AM
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Ballrooms 3 and 4
"Follow the Yellow Brick Road"
Program by Betty Lubbert
Souvenir by Michael Petersen
Hosts: The 2024 Region 12 Conference Steering Committee
Click the link for more about Mr. Petersen and our souvenir
All of the events in this category are meal events with a souvenir and entail a cost as stated
Friday, May 3, 2024 (8:00 am – 10:00 am) “Creative Soul” Breakfast Cost $ 90.00 Your host, Motor City Doll Club, is proud to present the first meal event of our conference. The program will be presented by Sharon Harbin, president of the Motor City Doll Club. She will preview a Black doll collection that provides history, education, and inspiration. Your souvenir will be a beautiful Disney-produced princess doll inspired by Creative Soul Photography and the books of husband-wife duo Regis and Kahran Bethencourt.
Click the image to find out more about the artists and your souvenir doll
Friday, May 3, 2024 (Noon – 2:00 pm) “Blythe, A Creative Muse” Luncheon
Cost $ 70.00 Come join our host Queen City Doll Club for a spirited introduction to Blythe, whose birth was here in Region 12 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Each attendee will receive an excellent souvenir book autographed by Eileen Lam of Dolly Treasures. The program will be presented by Jen O’Connor of Earth Angels Studios and Diane Sammarco of DM Blythe. You can expect fun facts, demos with technical tips, and photo ops on lovely backdrops. So bring a dolly and be ready to play!
Friday, May 3, 2024 (Noon – 2:00 pm) “A Christmas Story” Luncheon Cost $175.00 “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Poor Ralphie desperately wanted that B-B gun, and the movie highlighted his hilarious quest. Did you know the movie was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio? Our host club, the Ohio Valley Doll Collectors and souvenir doll artist Elizabeth Cooper will take you down memory lane reminiscent of The Christmas Story. Our doll artist has created 6” souvenir and companion dolls for us, sculpted in polymer, charming and nostalgic, and costumed in 1940s-style
child winter costumes.
Click the image to find out more about the artist and your souvenir doll
Friday, May 3, 2024 (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) “In Monet’s Garden” Dinner Cost $495.00 Ann Arbor Doll Collectors will be our host and program presenter for a fascinating look into the world of dolls and art. Our doll artists, Tony and Maggie Iacono have been inspired by the Impressionist paintings of the Cleveland Museum of Art and created our 11-1/2” souvenir “Lily” and companion doll “Poppy.” These beautiful cloth dolls are handmade and painted in their inimitable singular style. Please join us for this premiere dinner event, which is sure to be a memorable one.
Click the image to find out more about the artists and your souvenir doll
Saturday, May 4, 2024 (8:00 am – 10:00 am)
“Celebrating Lucretia R. Garfield” Breakfast
Cost $255.00 At this event, we will be looking at the fascinating life of Lucretia Rudolph Garfield. She was a highly educated woman for her time, the partner and First Lady of President James A. Garfield, and, at heart, a proud mother and farmer. This event is hosted by the Lansing Area Doll Collectors with the program by Chris Savage. The souvenir is a beautiful 10-1/2” China-head doll dressed in a fabulous era-correct costume, both doll and costume will be created by renowned Region 12 artist Jennie Sykes. Extra fashions for the doll can be pre-ordered at the breakfast.
Click the image to find out more about the artist and your souvenir doll
Saturday, May 4, 2024 (Noon – 2:00 pm)
“Those Characters from Cleveland” Luncheon
Cost $130.00 What do Superman, Strawberry Shortcake, Ziggy, Holly Hobbie, and the Care Bears (and more!) have in common? They were all created in Cleveland, Ohio! Your hosts, the Northern Ohio Doll Club, will welcome you to a look back at childhood memories. Come and learn all about these characters at the fun-filled program by Christina Stewart. Each attendee will receive a cute-as-can-be 12” tall Siblie souvenir doll by Ruby Red Fashion Friends. And there will be a Ruby Red companion doll offered as well.
Click the image to find out more about the artist and your souvenir doll
Saturday, May 4, 2024 (Noon – 2:00 pm) “The Red Shoes” Luncheon Cost $135.00 Snowbabies of Southwest Michigan will be our hosts for this lovely luncheon, and Barbara Comienski will present the ballet-themed program. Barb’s love of ballet began before she started school and has only deepened since as is evident in the numerous articles she has authored, programs she has given and in her doll collection. In her presentation, Barb will trace the history of dance and dolls. The souvenir doll is a special edition Leeann ballet doll, en pointe, dressed in a beautiful tutu created by Denis Bastien of Affordable Designs of Canada and Leeann’s “Dad”. He has also created lovely companion dolls for this event.
Click the image to find out more about the artist and your souvenir doll
All of the following workshops are skill level 2 (moderately easy)
Friday May 3, 2024 (10:00 am – Noon) Brecksville Room “Hooded Sweatshirt” Limited to 20 students. Skill level is 2. Cost is $35.00
Join Roberta Jehn to make a hooded sweater and leggings from a pair of knit socks for a 10 inch Doll. You will be hand stitching this project using materials provided. Each student will receive full instructions to make this project again. Bring: Scissors
Friday May 3, 2024 (2:30 pm – 5:30 pm) in the Brecksville Room “Hanky Panky” by Betty Lubbert and Carol Noel Limited to 20 students. Skill level is 2. Cost $55.00
Join Betty Lubbert and Carol Noel to create fashions to fit different size Dolls using handkerchiefs. Each student will receive supplies for 3 fashions. Patterns and lots of ideals for everyone plus added surprises. Bring: Scissors (Optional: Your favorite sewing needle.)
Friday May 3, 2024 (2:30 pm – 5:30 pm) Brooklyn Room
“A Fashionable Hat” Limited to 20 students
Skill level is 2. Cost $75.00
Join Nina Fulton Tolken to Learn the Milliners method of Hat Making. Finished Hat is appropriate for a French or German Doll with 6 ½ to 7 Inch head circumference. Hat is hunter green, rolled brim, embellished with silver tone buckle, black satin ribbon, lace, crystal beads and feather plume. Bring: Small sharp scissors, Thimble, sewing kit (Optional-small plyers)
Saturday May 4, 2024 (10:00 am – Noon) Brecksville Room “Queen of Hearts Doll with a Surprise” Limited to 20 students
Skill level is 2 Cost $25.00
Join Susan Hoeltge to create a 9 inch three dimensional paper doll of Queen of Hearts with original artwork, complete with crown, cards, scepter and surprise under the skirts. Perfect for all Alice collectors. Bring: Tweezers, Paper scissors, Cloth scissors.
Saturday May 4, 2024 (3:00 pm – 5:00 pm) Brecksville Room “Travel Doll Carrier” Limited to 20 students
Skill level is 2 Cost $35.00
Join Carol Noel and Betty Lubbert to create a travel doll holder for 8 inch or smaller doll.
Bring: Your Travel Doll
All of these wonderful presentations are included with your registration and you may attend any or all of them free of charge.
Friday May 3, 2024 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Japan Comes to Ohio: The Japanese Friendship Dolls of 1927
(Miss Gifu, Miss Osaka-fu, and Miss Okinawa
by Alan Pate
The most famous Japanese dolls may be the Friendship Dolls of 1927. In exchange for the “blue-eyed” dolls sent by the United States, the Japanese government commissioned eighteen large, exquisite ichimatsu-ningyo to be sent as ambassadors of goodwill. Noted authority on Japanese dolls, Alan Pate, will share more of the story, and how Ohio ended up with three of these dolls.
Friday May 3, 2024 11:00 am – Noon From Ohio to the White House: Our First Ladies
by Wandy Oviedo
Ohio boasts eight presidents, and their dedicated wives served as America’s hostesses. Join us as we examine these ladies’ individual styles, roles, and accomplishments, along with some fun tidbits. Our presenter, Wandy Oviedo belongs to both the Fort Findlay and the Toledo Glass City Doll Clubs.
Friday May 3, 2024 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
The Lost Dolls of Russia: Trihedral Woodens and Pre-Revolutionary Bisque
by Joan Farrell, Ph.D.
This program will present the wooden and bisque dolls of Russia made from the eighteenth to early twentieth centuries. Dolls from Russian museums and private collections will be shown, and the political context discussed. Dr. Farrell has a graduate minor in Russian studies, was a visiting professor there, and has visited Russia regularly collecting dolls since 1973.
Friday May 3, 2024 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Dolls of the Royal Princesses and their Connection to Cleveland
by Deanna Pinizotto and Barbara Comienski
Avid enthusiasts, along with several friends, of Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret, presenters Deanna and Barb will show dolls and talk about Cleveland Doll Club’s most famous members. Both have coordinated UFDC Convention Special Exhibits, as well as written for doll publications over the decades.
Saturday May 4, 2024 9:30 am – 10:30 am Parson-Jackson Dolls: Cleveland’s Kant Krack Kids
by Mary Ellen Mohn
The Cleveland company Parson-Jackson used its own celluloid formulation and patented construction to produce durable play dolls in the early 1900’s. Examples of these dolls, advertised as sanitary and unbreakable, will be displayed in conjunction with the informative presentation. Mary Ellen Mohn’s research on this topic has been published in Doll News. She is the president of Ann Arbor Doll Collectors.
Saturday May 4, 2024 11:30 am – Noon
“Beautiful Views” From Clay Sculpting to AI
by Robert Tonner
In an intriguing presentation using images of his own creations, our featured doll artist, Mr. Tonner, discusses his personal journey creating new doll designs from the earliest days of tediously working with clay to the designer’s tools of tomorrow, artificial intelligence.
Saturday May 4, 2024 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
"Mix, Match and Accessorize: Fashion Doll Styling"
by Rachel Hoffman and Christopher Johnson
Join us for "Mix, Match and Accessorize", a discussion of fashion doll styling with Rachel and Christopher. Dive into Rachel's top ten doll styling tips, perfect for both new and experienced collectors. Then, enjoy Christopher's interactive showcase on creating new doll outfits from unexpected pieces. This program is a fantastic opportunity to learn, get creative and connect with fellow doll enthusiasts. Plus, attendees will receive special VDC swag. Take advantage of this fun and inspiring experience!
Kent State Fashion Museum
Welcome to the Kent State University Museum, home of extraordinary collections of historic dress, fashion, textiles and decorative arts. Here you will find the past 200 years of fashion display along with special displays of works by many of the world’s great artists and designers, known and unknown, from across time and continents. Onsite store.
Thursday May 2, 2024 11:00 am – 3:30 pm Cost $ 45.00
Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Born from the collision of Rhythm & Blues, Country and Gospel, Rock & Roll is a spirit that is inclusive and ever-changing. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrates the sound of youth culture and honors the artists whose music connects us all. Onsite café and store.
Thursday May 2, 2024 11:00 am – 3:30 pm Cost $ 55.00
