IFDC Vegas

The International Fashion Doll Convention will be held July 6-9, 2011 in Las Vegas. The theme this year is Wizard of OddZ. Should fit right in to Vegas.
The Registration is limited to 250 participants, so if you plan on going I wouldn't wait to register. At the website are links to a couple of Yahoo chat groups connected with the conference. In addition to lots of fun events, dinners, artists' gallery and the awesome competitions, there are a number of inexpensive creative workshops - furniture, accessories, face ups. Past year convention dolls have looked gorgeous. Oh and don't forget - costumes are encouraged!

More Scrumptious Miniatures

Here is the blog of recent follower Kathy Olaf-Obrenski of Wee Little West. In addition to selling her delicious looking miniature food plates, she holds regular sweepstake give-aways on her blog. The colors are lovely and the food is highly detailed and beautifully presented. She doesn't say on her blog what her materials are; I'm guessing polymer clay. I only wish that there was something to show scale in the photos, like a coin. Some of these are so incredibly realistic it's hard to believe they aren't life size. Too bad they aren't; they look so yummy.

Soldier in Action

Found by my husband on Gizmodo, the Gadget Guide - Rupert Valero, a soldier in Afghanistan is assembling very interesting figurative sculptures from recycled found objects. Some have a robotic quality. He is interviewed here with links to his flikr, and sells his work on his Etsy store.

In a Treasury

How nice to have "Journey" included in a beautiful doll treasury on Etsy! I'm in the good company of a bunch of other doll artists who have appeared here in the past.

Thank you to EarthenJewels, who makes very lovely hand made earthenware beads. Seems to be a theme today!

Baubles, buttons and bright shiny beads, ting-a-ling-a-ling-a

It's not dolls, but it could be wonderfully related. The Bead & Button Show will sparkle in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 4th through 12th with the first five days before the sales floor opens filled with dozens of awesome workshops for every skill level. There's bead weaving, wire wrapping, lampwork, polymer clay and metal clay classes, and more. The whole conference looks absolutely packed.

Fees vary and usually include the materials. I notice from the website that some classes are already sold out, while others have limited space, so if you want to book, be quick. Also the age limit for many of the classes is "at least 12 years old" - so I love that the event is teen friendly!

While you are there, keep your eyes peeled for beautiful beaded doll maker, Dot Llewelyn. Thanks for the heads up, Dot.