#TonnerCon – Friday Funday: “A Wilde Flight” – Tonner Convention

The judges in action! Boy they had some tough decisions to make!

We were up and at ‘em bright and early!  Today I headed to the Competition Room first thing, to catch the last of the Competition entries, and to watch the Judges in action!  They have one of the hardest jobs at TonnerCon, because all the work submitted is generally AMAZING!  This year is no exception:  the art is astounding!  There will also be a very special award given this year for photography, from our friend and yours, Mr. Donald Martin!  It’s the Robert Bordeleau Photography Award in memory of Donald’s partner, and whoever wins will get the $50 prize to spend in the Convention Sales Room, so best of luck to all contestants!  Have a look at some of the works of art in the competition room HERE.

After getting an eye full of competition judging, I scurried over to one of my favorite workshops:  Footwear, Fashion and Fun with Jay Barrett from Down Under!  Collectors got to learn the art of shoemaking for their beloved dolls and try their hand at whipping up some fashionable kicks!  Jay always makes this workshop so exciting, and it’s always one of the first to book up!  Take a look at the Collector’s in Jay’s workshop:

Shoe Workshop Magic!

Jay Barrett, Shoe Maker Extraordinaire

A tiny shoe!

Click HERE to see ALL the pics from the shoe workshop, it was so fascinating!  Thank you Jay!  You are a delight!

Before I knew it, the fun with shoes was over, and I had to skedaddle back to the banquet room for the Wilde Imagination brunch:  “A Wilde Flight” !  First, I had to stop at the phone booth on the corner to make a quick-change into my costume…  The look of this event was Goth, of course, and both the Collectors and Tonner Staff did not disappoint!  Check out some of the terrific costumes from the Wilde brunch:

Wonder Wendy

One of my favorites!! Such a great costue, and so pretty too!

Michelle, Joe, Debra and Robert! Joe has black wings on that were amazing, wish you could see them better!

Carie and Ashely from Dolls Magazine were in the house!

The presentation was oh so timely and appropriate given the latest Hunger Games release:  The Doll Games, starring Ellowyne Wilde  This presentation included the favored audience participation inspired by Rocky Horror Picture Show, with all the bells and whistles and THEN SOME!!!  The collectors enjoyed squirting us staff with water guns, ringing bells, blowing bubbles, booing, hissing, crying, and gasping on cue, and let me tell you:  They were terrific!  Click HERE to see all the pics from the audience participation  presentation.  You can’t miss the staff:  they’re in yellow rain ponchos!  LOL

Now, onto the goodies for the event:  The guests received an ‘I *heart* Wilde’ pin as a favor, made of glittering, sparkling stones.  Oooohhh!  Shiny!

I *heart* Wilde pin - Favor

And there were 3 companion dolls, all which can be purchased separately in the sales room.  Behold Dark Angel, a lovely hard plastic Evangeline Ghastly.  She comes donned in an enchanting ruffle-tiered gown with exceedingly intricate black lace wings with wing ruffles that trail the floor.  Her long rooted black saran hair is thick and straight and is lovingly wrapped in a big bow at the nape of her neck.  She also wears a matching choker and stylish gauntlets, as well, and is a LE of 125.  Dark Angel indeed!

Dark Angel - Evangeline Ghastly

Dark Angel - Evangeline Ghastly

There is also the belle of the ball, Ms. Ellowyne herself, Flights of Fancy.  Flights features a gorgeous and funky Ello with inset green eyes, rooted auburn hair wearing a gorgeous blue corset-like bodice with waist drape atop a flowing skirt with a jagged, asymmetrical hemline.  She comes adorned with steampunk-ified mechanical (looking) golden wings, decorated with gears.  Her ensemble is complete with thigh-high hose, sweet button-up boots, gauntlets and gauntlets with grommets.  Flights is LE 300.

Flights of Fancy - Ellowyne Wilde

Flights of Fancy - Ellowyne Wilde

Finally, there is a sweet Lizette:  Time Flies!  She has long, straight brown hair, inset brown eyes, and a delightful ensemble!  She wears a sweet lazy blue lace dress with a tiered skirt, and delicate blue ribbon belt, printed pale blue hose, and a cute little blue zippy jacket.  She is accessorized with net gauntlets, a saucer hat decorated with pretty blue flowers and mechanical gears, and a steampunk gear necklace.  Her look is complete with pointy-toed bronze booties.  She is a limited edition size of 250 pieces.

Time Flies - Lizette

Whew!  That sure was fun!  After the event was over, I moseyed on over to the Special Exhibit Room, and saw Robert’s exhibit of the History of the Fashion Doll.  What a terrific exhibit!  It documents the evolution of the fashion doll over the years, and it built purely out of Robert’s personal collection!  What a treat!  Check out this video for a sneak peek inside:

After ogling over the Special Exhibit, I dipped into the Competition Room, to see who won what!  Congrats to the winners, and congrats to ALL entries!!  The work was simply amazing this year, you should all be so proud to have been part of the competition!  The competition gets stiffer every year, and we can’t wait to see what you cook up next time!

Have a look at some of the winning pieces:

hahahah!!! My personal favorite!! LOL

The Peacock

I had a bit of time left before the next work shop, so I also stopped in to check out the Raffle Room, to see what goodies will be given away at the PJ Party!  Oh!  The humanity!!  There are so many great prizes, some of which are items that can’t be easily gotten, that there will surely be happy campers Saturday night!  Take a look:

The Raffle Room was packed!

LOADS of glorioius prizes!

Even Superheroes made an appearance!

Sweet Imperium Park

Click HERE to see all the pics from the Raffle Room!!

Okie dokie folks, I’m off to Miss Melanie’s Hair Workshop, gotta run!!!  Check back later for the details on the Marilyn event coming up later!!