From My Little Hole in the Wall: 2021 UFDC By the Sea Convention

Four days home from convention, and slowly getting back into the groove. Or maybe not. Maybe its okay to sit still for a little while and reflect on what has been, and how I'd like to spend the next few weeks. While in Baltimore I developed a health concern (having nothing to do with the trip), and perhaps it really is best to simply rest and figure out what the heck is going on with my body. Time is too precious not to feel as good as you can.

But, I'd like to share with you my reflections on the recent 72nd annual UFDC By the Sea with Dolly and Me convention. The thing that stands out most to me at this writing, was the lack of any visibility of a seaside theme. I would have had beach balls, and fishing netting, and faux seaweed, strung all over the place. Large cut outs of starfish and sailboats. I wonder, seriously, if 2020 and the first half of this year's complications had any bearing on the

lack of inspiration and creativity. Its hard for someone like me to even consider it, but if my assumption is correct, they get a pass. Maybe it was just enough to get people there and gather again. Never have expectations, for they will surely not be met.

The days prior to my departure, I had dreams of hula girls, pirates, high seas adventures, and along those themes, I'd hoped the Ruby Red Galleria Love on the High Seas dinner would provide us Lia and "the boy" in clever, contemporary pirate costumes. So I made two little needle felted green macaw parrots for my friend Heather's doll, and my own. Finally, after a long, hard wait, I was able to purchase Tonner's Tia Dalma, from his Pirates of the Caribbean line, and following her, Will and Elizabeth. So floating on this stream of found treasure, I was ready for more adventure. It just seemed like no one wanted to play "By the Sea".

What I did find on my first night, and at the opening of the sales room, was Arana. She was a Ruby Red Friends LE 50 doll dressed in a charming little sailor's dress. When I saw her, it was a no-brainer decision, and I asked Ed to write her up.

Meeting Ed of Happily Ever After was wonderful. I've done business with this doll shop for years and have always enjoyed excellent product selection and top quality customer care. Since Ruby Red Galleria (Ruby and Paul) could not be present with one of their glorious booths, Ed stepped in for them and offered all that they would have.

It was delightful to see the pre-order By the Sea, Ruby Red Friends dolls that will be released in September. I'd already put in my order for Daisy and Luca, red headed twins in darling nautical outfits. So adding Arana, and as my first purchase, was fabulous. She comes with a little white

windowed purse with a pink bunny head inside. Her navy shoes with red bows are so pretty. The Ruby Red Friends line is truly a darling and very affordable doll line.

The next day I headed for the special exhibits. Usually they pick up the convention's theme brilliantly, but again, this fell flat. I can't believe that I was the only one to notice. I've seen such phenomenal exhibits provided us in years past and kept wondering where the rest of it was.

They had a Schoenhut exhibit, which showcased your normal selection of dolls and play sets. They had a room of BJD dolls by (I don't remember, not Connie Lowe), but one of the artists, that could have been set up for Modern Doll Convention. And, if I recall, there was an exhibit of ethnic dolls. All small rooms. None of them had any representation of By the Sea.

The next day I browsed the sales room again, and ended up once again at Happily Ever After's booth. How could I have missed Ruby Red Galleria's new and exclusive to the event, Girls of the Orient doll?! This is one of my very favorite lines that they've continued.

Once again, a LE 50, Hung-Hung and Lok Lok, stole my heart. They used one of the Tanghulu doll's garments on a Shan doll, adding a precious little back pack for Hung to carry her wee brother in. Her beautifully padded Chinese garment is gorgeous. Lok-Lok wears this sweet little hood to keep his head warm and can carry a toy to keep him occupied.

One of the things I've always treasured and admired in Ruby's designs is her attention to detail. Followed by extremely top notch craftsmanship. And, she loves accessories, and knows how they enhance a doll's ability to display well.

Two. Two big dolls to carry home now.

But, back to the exhibits, or lack thereof. I can think of several exhibits that would have wowed the attendees. How about one of French Fashion and Huret dolls dressed in beach attire? You could even add a Bleuette section in there.

One of antique tin sand pails, and seaside story books and mechanical toys, with beach themed dressed bears as well, bringing out a boardwalk theme. Vintage dolls dressed in beach and nautical themes. And, one of pirate dolls and mermaid dolls, and hula girls. How they've done this in the past for other themes, I don't know, but the rooms have been so artfully designed that you could spend hours in them.

My only explanation is perhaps people are still struggling with inspiration and creativity. However, I spent a lot of time meeting new people, seeing friends I'd not seen for a few years, and having wonderful discussions with some of the artists. One in particular, Doug James.

Doug's new line of dolls was being represented by none other than Ed of Happily Ever After. How this all worked out, I've no idea, but that was my go-to booth. Doug had a table set up front and center of the U-shaped booth, and on the table were his new dolls, the 1470 Flappers. I was completely blown away.

Last year, last spring, during the pandemic, he spotted one of the Cuno and Otto 1469 antique flapper dolls at an auction, fell in love with her and bought her. And, thought to himself, she's such a marvelous doll, I'm sure others would love to play with her. Then he set out to make a perfect 14" reproduction of the antique in a wonderful, heavy porcelain that could easily be dressed and played with.

Doug James has been around the doll world for a very long time as a designer for Gene and Integrity, and many others. One of his own doll lines, with Laura Meisner, was Sommers and Fields, The Mod British Birds, Willow and Daisy.

I collected all of that line way back when. It was brilliant and fabulous. Accessories and clothing were generously provided for these Mod 1960's girls, and I know he and Laura had a ball designing them. And, now, his 1470 Flapper. He has two companies making the line. One to make the doll, and the other for the clothing and SHOES. Oh, how difficult those shoes were to make for Kitty Hudson! Remember her? In the photo with Doug, is one of the flappers in a dark bob. In the other photo is his antique with the clothing line he is having made for the reproduction dolls. Would I even bother sewing for her with these gorgeous offerings? Time will tell. She's due to be released near Christmas. If you're interested in one, write to Ed at info@happily.com and inquire. He is taking pre-orders.

The weather in Baltimore was mild that week. Mostly humid and in the 80's, but perfect for dining out and strolling the bricked promenade along the harbor, which the hotel was 30 seconds from. There were wonderful restaurants to select from,

although all very expensive. It was simply where we were. The hotel was limping by after just reopening. They'd only ever had one restaurant, but it was buffet only, and terribly expensive for the cafeteria food offered. I don't know. Maybe I'm just picky, and expect better from a Marriott. This was, after all, my vacation, and the first one I'd had in three years.

Then came the night of the Ruby Red Galleria dinner. I'd been anticipating their release of the boy doll, complimentary to 12" Lia for some time. They'd sold clothing for him the past two years, but no boy ever surfaced. I thought this might be his debut. And, it was, sort of. Again, I'd hoped for a pirate theme, and also that the companion dolls would be in boxes ready to be purchased after the event. As it turned out, he was the centerpiece and only 19 could be owned. If you wanted a chance to purchase him, your name went into a drawing.

At first glance, I thought, "What's up with the white hair tipped in aqua and pink?" But, of course, this is China, and young people do wear their hair like this to promote individuality. The food was delicious for this dinner event, and the people at our table were fun and friendly, and anticipating our Lia souvenir doll. A program was given to entertain us, and after the program, the drawing was done, and dolls passed out to us.

The friend I attended the dinner with had put her name in to give me a better chance at winning, and her name was the first drawn. I was delighted! Then my name was the third drawn, so I let the one other lady at our table who wanted one, to purchase mine. So it all worked out well for everyone. But, to my surprise and glee, my friend passed the boy doll to me and said, "Happy early birthday!" What a wonderful evening it was!

When I finally dressed these two for photos for my blog, I simply fell head over heels in love with the pair. They are gorgeous. Ruby Ho never disappoints. Jamie has a bouquet of roses for Lia and carries a little sailboat. Lia has a shoulder bag to match her extraordinary outfit. Now I know some of you will scratch your heads at the wig choices, but in Ruby's world they are perfection. I'm very pleased. And, maybe some rainy day, I'll find new wigs for them and make them contemporary pirate outfits!

The last day, and I skipped the final banquet as the RJ Wright doll was very expensive, I toured the sales room one more time to say good bye to new friends I'd met, when my eyes fell upon a small collection of Hitty hats in Judith Phelps booth. Very handy with the smartphone by now, I photographed them and texted my friend, Betsy, with the selection to see if she wanted any of them. These were the five she picked out. Well, four, but I encouraged her to purchase the strawberry bonnet. It was first one I saw and fell in love with, and a favorite of Judith's.

All in all, I had a wonderful time and shared many stories and laughs with new, and close friends. Which is why we gather at the UFDC convention when we can. To share our love of dolls, be they antiques, vintage or contemporary. Next year the convention will be in St. Louis, Missouri, with a Meet Me in St. Louis theme. I am one person, and this was my personal reflection of this year's event. Maybe I'm just spoiled, but I hope things will have turned around in a positive way by then.

Below is a selection of photos taken on my smartphone that I managed to get onto my computer, from Baltimore. I hope you'll enjoy them. As for what's next? Let it be a surprise.

Love, Melissa