PUDDLE 2019

The Grand Prize winner of a photo/art contest held online prior to the event was won by Mela Rivellini of Italy for her drawing Rusty Cinderella: Love Me Like I Am. Winners in the Art category were 1st Place, Gear-Ella and her Fairy Godmother by Nicole Feldman; 2nd Place, The Waiting Room by Ruth Poole; and 3rd Place, Lydia by Abril Aguilar; Winners in the Photo category were 1st Place, When The Clock Strikes Twelve by Sarah Schandl; 2nd Place, Trapped in Time by Gogce Crynen; and 3rd Place, Steam and Cinders by Cheryl Stone. The Fan Favorite was Punkie’s Groovy Clock Emporium by Charlene Jenkins.

 

Friday events included trips to Gigi’s Doll and Sheryl’s Teddy Bears in Chicago and Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights. 

Two workshops, one on Pullip and family cartooning and one on basic Pullip family modification, were well attended. The craft table, which included jewelry supplies and themed paper dolls, was also popular. 

 

Thirteen people participated in the Dress Like Your Doll Parade, won by Michelle Reisman and her doll Jubilee. They were dressed in steampunk attire, including custom corsets that Michelle designed and sewed. Dani Walker and her doll Bigby Wolf won second cosplaying as Jesse McCree from Overwatch. Tammi Johnson and her doll won third in vintage inspired dresses made by Tammi, and Nicole Feldman got a special callout for her upcycled steampunk outfits.

 

Shopping was a highlight of the day. Vendors included Azone seller Denise’s Dolls, Purple Plum wigs from the Anime Stuff Store, jewelry from Shelby Sawyer Designs, artwork from *Poof* Chibi Planet, and dolls and accessories from etsy sellers Candy Couture, Doll Angel Exclusives, Erosanoff Dolls, Kaleidoscope Coats, KuddlePussKustoms, Mota de Algodón, Mori Yarns, and Quaint Quintessence by Quamara.

 

The day included a lot of contests. Best in theme was won by Amanda Schwarz’s Bicycle Messenger. The full custom winners were Doomsday Clock Pullip by TimmiLynn Johnson; Ladybug Dal by Karen Bullock; Victor Taeyang by Hayla and Jim Nicosia, and Fan Favorite Katarina by Mireya De Jesus.  Jessica LeBar’s Saya in Steampunk won best modified Pullip; other winners were Quinn Pullip by Kelsey Nenninger, M.J. the Tailor Tayeang by Harold Santamaria, and Fan Favorite Orhon the Great Taeyang by Gogce Crynen.

 

Original outfit winners were Ai Miko by Gogce Crynen in first, Steam Boiled Tea by Mela Rivellini in second, All Tied Up by Lorelei Chadwick in third, and Detective Byul by Miranda Santamaria as the Fan Favorite. The She-ra by Melissa Sowers won best mini doll, followed by The Rocketeer by Dani Walker, Steampunk Hickory Dickory Dock by Taylor Armstrong, and Fan Favorite Tonka’s New Toy by Rachelle Borso and Jessica Chadwick.

 

PUDDLE couldn’t happen without our fabulous sponsors. Sponsors of PUDDLE 2019 included PullipStyle, the Mimi Collection, Denise’s Dolls Azone Store, etradersplace.com, Gigi’s Dolls and Sherry’s Teddy Bears, artist Shiei/Myufish, artist buboplague, Yummy Sweets Dolls, Erosanoff Dolls, Atelier Alohana Dolls, The Dal House Forum, Facebook group Omocha Crush Pullip and Doll HQ, Eternally Rose Art, Shelby Sawyer Design, Purple Plum Wigs, *Poof* Chibi Planet Art, and Etsy sellers Aint That Cunnin, Candy Couture, Doll Angel Exclusives, Kaleidoscope Coats, KiraKiraMeansSparkle, KuddlePussKustoms, MoriYarns, Mota de Algodón, Quamara, SetsieSilhouette, and Sew Grandma Cathy.

 

The day ended with dinner at the hotel restaurant followed by tea, socializing, and crafting in the hotel lobby. Jessica LeBar said, “It was great to see everyone at PUDDLE this year, old friends and new ones. I’m looking forward to next year already!” Linda Ramsey commented, “It was my first time, and I had a great experience! Everyone was so friendly and nice!”

 

Ashley Brooke Sero took up a collection of new toys for the Marillac St. Vincent Christmas Store at the event, and after the event a donation of $250 was made on behalf of PUDDLE to makergirl, which inspires girls to be active in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).