AtlantaBJD Con pics! LOTS of them ;)

As some of you may know, I went to the AtlantaBJD Convention over the weekend. My GF and I actually ran a panel on the introduction to vinyl dolls and we think it went quite well. The event was over a 3 day weekend and we had lots of fun while there. This is a basic rundown of what we did and when and also things we thought about along the way. It's a bit long but I wanted everyone to know about it in case they missed it this time around and wanted to attend next year. It's being held at the same place and time as this year and next year, we'll be a bit more involved than this time.... we want to make this a bigger, better, even more fun experience for everyone!

 

So now we move on to the story and pics!

 

We got into the host hotel on Friday morning and met up with our friends AsianEd and Lovelily. The hotel is the Crowne Plaza and it's awesome. There were tons of rooms for the con and the layout was nice too. Inside the lobby was this huge planted area with walkways, trees, bushes, flowers and even waterfalls!

 

20151120_134643 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Down below the lobby was an area leading to a restaurant and then outdoors.

 

20151120_134658 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

We were kind of in a rush at the time so we didn't check all the areas outside but I did manage a few shots with Minami, my little Azone girl.

 

20151120_123645 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

20151120_123624 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Back inside, we went up to the room and started to unwind a little. Some of Ed's girls were already out including his brand new Ranka and Sheryl.

 

DSC_6194 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_6196 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

We hit a few panels on Friday afternoon including one on Monster High customizing and fur wig making.

 

20151120_203738 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Minami made some new friends at the MH panel...

 

20151120_162637 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

And Sumiko wanted to take this one home.

 

20151120_164236 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

The next morning we were the first panel up ( at 10am ) so we had to scoot downstairs to set everything up.

 

22548443334_1ab5f3c55b_o by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Once setup, Becca took the reins and led the panel on introducing vinyl dolls to everyone. She did a nice Powerpoint session with lots of pictures and explanations for everyone to see. I kind of just hung around and looked good.

 

23229597415_75539c0e87_k by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

22861641259_7e7a36a250_k by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

After the presentation, we had the Q&A section and then we had a sort of meet and greet for people to come up and see the girls first hand. Here's the display we had setup.

 

DSC_6200 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

We tried to have at least one example of every type of body, chest, skin tone, size and style of vinyl available.

 

DSC_6201 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

A lot of companies were represented as well.... from Azone, VMF50, Volks, Obistu, Parabox and Smartdoll. We even had AsianEd's lovely Volks resin Chii there to show the progression from her head to the 01 head for the Dollfie Dreams.

 

Danny Choo was also gracious enough to lend us a Mirai Frame and some vinyl shell bits to show how the inner skeleton systems of vinyl dolls work. Mirai and the frame were big hits at the panel and the con as a whole, tons of people knew exactly who Mirai was and came right up to us to ask about her. We also got a lot of response when we showed pictures of Danny's boy doll Eiji. I had to field a LOT of questions about him!

 

DSC_6202 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

A lot of people had no idea that the DD started out as a vinyl doll that was strung. It was fun showing them how they changed over the years.

 

DSC_6203 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Ed had a bevy of beauties shown for the character doll section.

 

DSC_6204 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

We had a decent amount of people show up for the panel, including some of the crew from right here on the forums!

 

DSC_6207 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Razzy had her adorable Akira and Mirai with her.

 

DSC_6198 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_6199 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Even tho poor K2 was late due to airplane issues, he still managed to bring some gorgeous VMF50 and DD girls along to share.

 

DSC_6208 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_6209 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_6212 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Talolili also showed up and had her Yoko and Saber with her.

 

DSC_6210 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_6211 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Mayaiincho brought these three cuties and he dressed two of them in maid uniforms.... he knew my weakness! Miku and his 06 were plenty cute but I adored his Marissa.

 

DSC_6214 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Sakuraslyph also made an appearance but I didn't get any closeups of his lovely Aoko. He was kind enuff to lend her to us to show how staining on a vinyl girl looks. Lots of people liked her face tho and asked who she was. The only photo I have of her is this one with her on the end of the table.

 

DSC_6206 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

After our panel was over, we hit the mall across the street for lunch and some shopping. I found a few things there for the girls including this cool knife/machete thing.

 

20151121_141949 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

When we came back we did a resin eye making panel where I made these clockwork eyes for my android girl Midori. I took eye blanks and added the shiny blue background and actual watch gears, then covered them in a resin glue and baked them under UV light for about 5 minutes. I think they turned out pretty cool.

 

20151120_200808-1 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Back up in the dealer room, I saw this Yukino on a table and asked about her. The owner got her in a trade and really hadn't done much with her due to not knowing much about them and the fact that poor Yukino couldn't stand on her own because of some really loose knee joints. I borrowed a small screwdriver from someone, pulled the legs apart and tightened her up for the owner and after a wig change, the owner couldn't believe how much of a difference it made. She immediately told me she loved Yukino now and was going to keep her. Another successful vinyl doll homed!

 

20151121_161146 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Ed and I went outside to take advantage of the grounds the hotel had outdoors and get some nice DD pics. Talolili and Razzy went with us and brought their girls too. I have WAY too many photos of all the girls so I'm going to make a separate post with all of those later. But for now, here's two group photos of all our girls showing off how cute and beautiful they are!

 

DSC_6248 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_6270 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

That night when we came back from supper, we saw this Lambo in the garage! Mirai wanted pics with it so I had to oblige.

 

20151121_211637-1 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

20151121_211703-1 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Sunday morning we went back to the dealer room to say hello to some friends and see what else was available. There were lots of cool things to see there including plenty of resin dolls and accessories.

 

DSC_6291 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_6292 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Someone had a Miku in her Senbonzakura outfit.

 

DSC_6294 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Beccas Mizuki found a Beymax to hang out with!

 

DSC_6298 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

And a slightly smaller one too.

 

DSC_6301 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_6302 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_6303 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

DSC_6304 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Sweetdolls had an amazing amount of cool doll sized weapons, all of them 3D printed. They varied in cost from $5 up to about $40 depending on how big or intricate they were.

 

DSC_6307 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

And yes, up in the top of the photo is exactly what you think it is.... A FRICKIN CHAINSAW!!!!!

 

DSC_6308 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Needless to say, guess who saw that and just HAD to have it? You guessed it.... my First Child Manami.

 

DSC_6295 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

This thing is so damned awesome! It has loads of details and is HEAVY. I've never seen anything like it that was 3D printed. I'm going to have it painted by Eblktty so that Manami can have it look its best before she goes into murder mode. LOL

 

DSC_6296 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Of course, whenever Ed and I get our girls together, antics ensue. It seems his Ranka wanted to play waitress for Beccas Mizuki and they had a chugging contest. CHUG CHUG CHUG!

 

DSC_6311 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

We had to leave around noon so a few of the girls got to ride up front on the long drive home...

 

20151122_114230 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

Nami wanted up front so she could help navigate...

 

20151122_154923 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

We finally got home and all of the girls flopped onto the bed, completely exhausted.

 

DSC_6315 by Billy Bennett, on Flickr

 

So that was our trip! It was busy for us but overall we all had a wonderful time and we'll be going back again next year! I hope we see a lot more vinyl people there next time!

 

Oh yeah.....

 

THIS also happened.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billy

OH MY GOD THE TOILET!

 

This con looks like it was lots of fun. I wish I lived near enough to go! Hopefully someday I'll get to come over there!

Looks like a great time! I enjoyed seeing the photos. I'd love to make it to a con entirely for dolls Maybe someday.

Wow! Everyone looks like they had loads of fun. I hope I can make it down one day, doll cons always end up being my favourite cons.

 

There must be something about the Crowne Plaza that attracts doll people, Doll North was also held at the Crowne

I'm so jealous, I dont think we have anything like this in Australia (and if I'm wrong someone PLEASE let me know;;). I know there's Melbourne BJD Emporium but I dont know if its even that big or worth going all the way to Melbourne for (that would cost me a plane ticket for sure so it's only something I would do if I was there for other reasons, which isnt likely very often)

Seems I can't say it enough but once again I had a great time at the con and meeting you all in person. I'm also loving all the awesome photos you guys took. It was such a fun time I really wish I could've stayed the entire weekend... Maybe next year! That was also so sweet of you to help the Yukino owner out. I looked at her as well and she thought I wanted to buy the DD but I explained that I just wanted to look. She's a gorgeous doll and I'm happy she'll be loved more, too.

 

I hope Manami has many crazy filled days with her new chainsaw and the RC toilet was totally ridiculous but funny! So sorry if I seemed nervous or really awkward around anyone (I remember a few moments, eep I'm a mess). I'm very shy in real life so it's hard for me to be social among new people (even online friends). Anyway, I really wanted to thank you all for making my weekend a lot more exciting. Till next time!

As conventions go, this wasn't very large. Intimate would be a more apt description, but as with all gatherings it is the people attending who make them shine. Billy, Razzy, Asianed, Goodgolly (still need to sort out real names!) and the rest of the DD forum folks (both biologicals and vinyls) really made this an event worth attending. Many thanks to you all! My girls and I had a wonderful time. We are very sorry we missed the picture sessions! I will definitely try to attend next year, hopefully for more than a few brief hours.

So many gorgeous dollies~ ♥ Seems like everyone had a great time and the place you had the convention at looks great as well! Sadly there haven't been any doll-related conventions here yet, but maybe someday there are enough hobbyists to make that happen

Thanks so much for sharing photos of this event! All those girls look wonderful and I'm sure it was a lot of fun. So jealous!

Also....that toilet.

That looked like a lot of fun, thanks for sharing the pictures Billy

Thank you all for the kind compliments about the con and the photos! I had a wonderful time there.... meeting everyone in person was awesome and meeting new people was fun too. Everyone seemed to like the panel we did and we've been asked back next year to do it again! We hope that next years convention will be even bigger, better and more fun for everyone! If you didn't get to come down to this one, please try and come next year, it will be at the same place and have the same dates.

 

We're doing more behind the scenes this time around so expect a better website, more info with quicker updates and possibly even more vinyl artists and sellers this time around!

 

 

Billy

Amazing photos looks like you and the girls had a great time.

 

I'm thinking of hosting a small panel up here in one our smaller conventions. Hope I have as much success.

Amazing photos looks like you and the girls had a great time.

 

Thank you very much! We certainly did!

 

I'm thinking of hosting a small panel up here in one our smaller conventions. Hope I have as much success.

 

Oh nice! What area are you in and what type of panel are you thinking of doing? Just do your homework on it and I'm sure you'll do just fine with it!

 

 

Billy

This looked like a lot of fun! It's nice that the con ran the gamut from resin to vinyl to other dolls and everything in between! Does anyone know if they'll hold this again next year (or in the future)?

This looked like a lot of fun! It's nice that the con ran the gamut from resin to vinyl to other dolls and everything in between! Does anyone know if they'll hold this again next year (or in the future)?

 

Yup, lots of fun and there were lots of different styles and types of dolls there. This WILL be held at the same place and time next year and the year after as well so if you'd like to come, please do!

 

 

Billy

Ah! That's really great news! I hope my schedule and funds will allow me to attend next year. It would be great meeting you and your girls again, Billy! (You probably don't remember me, but you brought Kanu by my booth in the dealer's hall at Animazement this past year. ^_^. It would be fun to meet people in a casual setting and not when I'm working!

Ah! That's really great news! I hope my schedule and funds will allow me to attend next year. It would be great meeting you and your girls again, Billy! (You probably don't remember me, but you brought Kanu by my booth in the dealer's hall at Animazement this past year. ^_^. It would be fun to meet people in a casual setting and not when I'm working!

 

Ahhh! I knew your screen name but couldn't recall where I knew you from.... now I do! I do hope you can come, either as a regular con-goer or an artist. They wold love to have more artists come and sell their wares so check into that if you'd like to. If you just want to come and chill out then that's cool too, whatever you prefer!

 

 

Billy