Hello friends!
It's been a whirlwind
Sept and Oct -- with November and the holidays TOO quickly approaching!
Though I'll admit that
the past couple of months have been more than a little stressful, I managed to intertwine
convention work and travel with a bit of fun fabric shopping, visits with
special friends and birthday celebrations, too! (BIG thanks to everyone along
the way who made this possible!)
September began with a
visit to nearby Ohio to help a dolly friend unpack and move boxes to get
situated in her new home. It was fun to see her many treasures and hear the
stories associated with each one.
I've been blessed by
many friends who've lent a hand to help me throughout the years -- many times,
I simply could not have made it without them. It felt great to invest a few
days helping my friend -- knowing I made a difference in her life, and in some
indirect ways repaying all the kindness and assistance friends have -- and
continue to -- show me.
Mid September brought a
much overdue visit to Texas -- one of my favorite (and most productive) places.
I always enjoy working and spending time with close friends there!
I flew out of Dallas to
spend a few days with another dolly friend in Los Angeles before taking an
adventurous road trip together to Vegas and the Modern Doll Convention. It was
very cool driving through the desert (no pun intended) in her Caddy with the
radio and anticipation sweeping us along the highway.
I love the lights,
sounds, and architecture of Vegas -- kind of like a fairytale land for grown
ups (Yes -- even though we were there to play with dolly's, we WERE supposed to
be grown ups! LOL). This trip we had the good fortune of being invited to stay
in a friend's time share and had the opportunity to really take in the sights
as we strolled down the strip to and from the convention hotel.
Modern Doll was great --
it's always a wonderful place to see and learn about dolls other than those I
collect, and catch up with friends and manufacturers I may not have the
opportunity to see at other events.
As always, one of the
highlights of the trip for me was discovering fabric treasures in both Vegas
and Los Angeles --something I hope you'll all enjoy the benefits of as much as
I enjoy the process!
On the heels of Modern
Doll came the Wilde Imagination convention, held in the perfect setting at the
historical Seelbach Hotel, in my adopted home town of Louisville -- I barely
had time to repack and ship orders out! To my delight, my Dallas gal -pals,
Sherlyn and Sherry, had surprised me with the news that they, too, had
registered for Wilde Weekend so the "3 S's" (as we've nicknamed
ourselves) could drive to Louisville from Dallas for the weekend! Of course, I
simply couldn't resist another road trip with my buddies, so off we went at 6AM
(excruciatingly early for me -- LOL) and I became what may be the first person
in history to attend a convention where she lives -- still driving 13 hours to
get there...and back, too! :)
So as not to miss a
"working" opportunity, I spent my time riding by presenting a fashion
show from the back seat with Evangeline modeling "Radio Days"
fashions! It was the first time I'd had a chance to try them on a this body
type, and was thrilled that so many fit beautifully and were absolutely
stunning on her!
As with all Tonner
events, Wilde Weekend was packed full with fun activities, beautiful dolls, and
fabulous friends -- and Evangeline attended all events decked out in
"Radio Days" style!
Convention #3 came only
a couple of weeks after Wilde Weekend -- in the form of the 2nd Superdoll
"Unconventionalist Convention" in London. Taking place over my
birthday weekend, I had planned attending this gala event as a celebration.
Thankfully, there was a small break in incoming shipments of backorders -- and
I had the airline points-- so I felt I could indulge myself with the treat of
this special "birthday trip".
London was fabulous --
there were many highlights of the weekend -- among them spectacular dolls, the
Salon grand opening, and dinner on a swanky yacht -- but visiting with my
European friends, meeting new American friends, and hanging out with friends I
don't get to see often will long stand out in my memories.
My birthday was a fun
filled day of more fabric shopping -- though I further indulged with some
exquisite lace trim, I restrained myself to only a couple yards of fabric! (But
of course I got the information to order more!! LOL!! )
A dear friend surprised me
with tickets to a Members Only curators' discussion and program on the
Hollywood Costume Exhibit at the V&A, presented by guest curator, noted
Hollywood costume designer Deborah Landis. It was followed by a preview of the
much anticipated "Hollywood Costume" exhibition.
I was thrilled that we
were also able to view the "Ballgown -- British Glamour Since 1950"
exhibition on it's last weekend. I was even more thrilled to see Chanel's
original sequin jacket and pants ensemble that was the inspiration for the
Radio Days fashion, "Madame Coco and many of the gowns featured in
Nashville's "Golden Age of Couture" exhibit highlighted in the
V&A's newly renovated fashion gallery.
What phenomenal exhibits
both the Hollywood and Ballgown exhibitions were -- very interesting and
beautifully done!
"Hollywood
Costumes" was a mix of magnificent Golden Age Hollywood treasures and
equally important more recent costumes, with the dramatic installation and
presentation making each one as fascinating as the next.
It's been suggested that
the Hollywood exhibit would be ideal to plan a convention around -- something
that I've had in mind since I first heard rumors of it's opening a couple years
ago. At the book signing following the curators' talk, I seized the opportunity
to speak briefly to Ms. Landis about possible dates and places for the
exhibition to be presented here in the United States -- and came away with the
idea that perhaps it was planned as a traveling exhibit to be shown in more
than one US location, beginning in the fall of 2013.
It was too early to find
out definite plans, but I'll keep trying! The challenges of planning a
convention to coincide with any exhibition are knowing times/places soon enough
to plan the event and get product manufactured, and finding dates that are
workable around other events in the doll community. However, if the exhibit is
featured in more than one US location, that will give us more options! :)
I've been exploring a
couple of other fun ideas and locations as well, so even if the Hollywood
Costume exhibit doesn't work for our theme, the 2013 convention promises to be
another fun filled event packed with the panache you've come to expect from a
"Sandra Stillwell Presents" event!
I've done lots of
preliminary work, but once I get the backorders completed from Radio Days, I'm
ready to hit the ground running with serious planning and site selection
visits. so stay tuned for information to come!
Speaking of backorders
-- I'm very happy to report that some of the waitlisted fashions have arrived,
and I've gotten reports that others are ready for shipping from the factory and
should arrive next week, with the last shipment expected mid November.
I emailed everyone
status updates and confirmation on RSVP orders before I left for London, so if
you haven't heard from me or have any additional questions or additions, please
phone or email.
If you're interested in
a back ordered fashion but did not RSVP, it might not be too late -- as once
all the orders are shipped, I may have a couple of each design that can be
released for sale. Photos of all fashions can be found here on the blog -- just
click on the individual "Radio Day's" meal functions at the right of
the page.
My "Sandra
Stillwell Presents" blog sales pages will be updated with information
about availability as soon as time permits, but until then, please contact me
for details. Don't wait too long, as quantities are extremely limited.
Remember -- it's never
too early to start holiday shipping for that special doll in your life -- and
"Sandra Stillwell Presents" sales page is the perfect place to do it!
Your vinyl diva will adore you for it -- and you'll be pretty happy, too!
As for the birthday
celebrations -- we still have a couple of days in October, so, back in the USA,
I took a little time out from packing yesterday to celebrate my birthday --
again -- with gal-pals in Dallas before heading back to Kentucky tomorrow...
And there, the shipping
will continue!
The stress of the past couple
of months has begun to lift from my shoulders...I'm enjoying the thrill of
seeing the fashions again as they come in and reading the wonderful emails from
those of you who have received packages.
Many thanks to those of
you who provided shoulders and assistance, and to you all for your patience and
understanding -- I feel certain you'll find it's all been worth the wait....
My one regret over the
past couple of months is that there's not enough time, money, or ME to attend
all the wonderful events I would like to support -- but I'm looking forward to
plans for 2013 and hope to see many of you then...
Sincerely,
Sandra
