BlytheCon 2023 was held in NY/NJ Nov 5, 2023. The Theme was Statue of Liberty with Green Haired Dolls.

My Review of the Event is below, and my Youtube BlytheCon 2023 video at the bottom of this page. Part 2, with the the Dolls I bought, coming soon.

I will be posting these here and hope we encourage you to come and have fun meeting with other people that share the same Hobby.

On my Youtube Page I had uploaded MONTHLY Reminders about the upcoming 2023 BlytheCon. I did not add them each here, just an example.

Over all a GREAT time!~ It was so WONDERFUL TO SEE BLYTHE LOVING FRIENDS IN PERSON AGAIN, TO MEET NEW PEOPLE, TO TALK AND LAUGH. To me, the Party is the Fun! Seeing all the Blythe Lovers and Collectors, as well as their dolls is always so much fun. I WISH I could give everyone of my subscribers that I saw a Shout Out here, list them by name. If I left your name out of this article, forgive me please, no disrespect or neglect intended.

Deron and I went to the 'Meet Up' in the Mall in NYC and had a good time. We met a few new (to us) people there and visited with many. There were quite a few people there and most, if not all, brought their Blythe Dolls with them, THAT is always fun. They took a Group Photo and that got a few more people talking to one another, which to ME, is what it is all about.

The next morning Deron and I grabbed breakfast and headed to the OUTDOOR line to wait to get into the Building where the BlytheCon was held. When we first arrived there were several people there, after about 40 more minutes the line was long, so we left to get there at about the right time. I was DELIGHTED to find Tina and her mother, from Tina's Reborns on YouTube as well as Elyse Explosion also from YouTube out in the lines. Behind us, about 3 people back was Heather from Headuh Blythe Dolls, who I met on Instagram and Youtube. Meeting these folks in person for the first time sure made the time go faster, and kept me feeling warmer visiting with them. The event organizers sure got LUCKY with the weather, this OUTDOOR waiting could have been worse than it was by far!~

When we got inside Elyse, God Love Her, grabbed a table and we were able to sit down with a place for our 'stuff'. Seating was very slim and many, dressed in nice clothing, sat on the floors (poor planning, and there was a LOT of grumbling about that was heard all over the sales floor, and still is, grumbling about no seating, days later when I was writing this).

I came around a corner and a lady shouted "Marna!" and gave me a big hug! It was Gosia, from Dolls Trolls and More, also a Youtube Dolly Friend. I also got to spend the day with her, she came and sat at our table. A bit later, I met with Shawna, a Youtube and Instagram friend, and her husband. I am so blessed, so many nice people I have met.

I met so MANY good people, saw and met so many of my subscribers (I LOVE THIS!) and other new people that were there because they love Blythe Dolls, and I hope to see them ALL again in Aug at the 2024 BlytheCon.

The Vendors went ALL OUT for this event. I can not even begin to tell you all that was there, but Boy Oh Boy!~ Custom Dolls, the nicest clothing, such cute set ups, and darling little items, fun and adorable accessories and props. There were also other types of dolls at several of the booths, much like a regular doll show. Every Booth Was As Nice As The Next! The Vendors really worked hard. I think MANY of us walked away from something (to buy) and wished we had purchased it right away, because, it was GONE when we came back for it. 'Buy It When You See It!~' But the problem was, THERE WAS SO MUCH TO TRY TO SEE AND DECIDE WHERE TO SPEND YOUR MONEY. And THAT right there, is one of the very exciting things about Conventions and Shows.

There were so many booths, and so much to see and to choose from, but it was So Crowded it was hard to get to the tables until after about 2 pm. More floor space, more seating, would have been appreciated by about everyone there.

The food lines went really quick and easily, that was wonderful. Again I say, it is a shame that not everyone had a place to sit, many sat on the floor, in nice clothing, just to be able to set their carry items down to eat. Later in the afternoon they served cookies and more doughnuts with coffee and water, the room smelled so good when they brought them out warm.

I was thrilled that my Little Blythe Doll, dressed with a Statue of Liberty silly SOL dog print dress, holding a Torch, Crown on her head, and matching shoes, won a Mattel Kelly Doll as a prize in the Best Lady Liberty Contest. Thanks to Deron for the Surprise of the SOL Colored Filament and making those items for me.

To MOST of us that go to events, it is something like this.

There IS a difference between a Doll Show and a Doll Convention and many people were talking about just that.

Doll Show = Lots of types of dolls, many booths, no seating to speak of, usually large crowds are expected, and we all/each come and go as you please. Some people bring a doll with them, but most do not. Usually about $5 to $10 entry fee.

A (fill in the blank with a type of Doll) Convention = All day event (some are longer), people are encouraged to bring dolls, and to bring outfits for changing both dolls and themselves into for Contests and other Events. People are also encouraged to bring items for 'trade', small items, doll related, as gifts between one another at the show. Because Conventions are at least all day events there are places to sit, usually with a large table for the dolls and other items you bring or purchase. There are usually Raffles and Drawings with Seating placed so that people can hear and see what is going on up on the Stage. There should be lots of room to move around. We all know we Pay More for "Cons", but we also get to sit down, walk freely around, and easily visit with people, move about, win things and meet up with friends.

For me?, it is about the PEOPLE!~ All the people that love and collect Blythe Dolls. Seeing and meeting makes these Events like a Party!~

The booths were so beautifully set up and all the items so cute! I love the Customs, and you can really tell most of the Artist have such fun creating these lovely Dolls!

The tiny sewing that went on before the selling is amazing!

All the ADORABLE little 'stuff' for Blythe Dolls, some so creative.

The Contests and Raffles make the event fun and really make it easy to speak to others about it all.

-- The Whimsical Blythe Team
Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:25:09 -0500