Which convention is best?      They all are different.      They all are good.

Dollmaking conventions come and go. Dollmaker's Magic, We Folk of Cloth, and AADA Week of Workshops are gone. Others change their name, location, and date. Usually you pick which convention to go to based on one or more of the following reasons:

• Which one is closest to you?
  or where do you have relatives you can visit
  or friends you want to visit?

• What classes do you want to take?
  I teach at several of these. Check the schedule for teachers you want to study with.

• When do you want to go?

Here's some of what's coming up:

• National Institute of American Doll Artists (NIADA)
  
  NIADA 2009 Annual Conference
  Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
  Gatlinburg, TN
  September 8 — September 13, 2009
  For more information: http://www.niada.org

• Original Doll Artist Conference of American (ODACA)
  
  ODACA Day 2009
  Sunday, July 12, 2009
  Marriott Grand Marquis – Atlanta, Georgia
  (UFDC National Convention)
  For more information: http://odaca.org

• Canadian Doll Artist Associan (CDAA)
  
  2010 Conference — Renaissance Dream
  April 29 - May 2, 2010
  For more information: http://www.dollartists.ca

• The Maritime Doll-Makers Group (CDAA)
  
  First Annual Retreat at the Sea Side
  Chalets d'Aboiteau, Cap Pele, New Brunswick, Canada.
  Located on the gorgeous Northumberland Straight.
  For more information: newsletter (at) dollartist (dot) ca

• Enchanted Doll Artist Conference (EDAC)
  
  EDAC Conference
  July 30 — Aug 2, 2009
  Alburquerque, NM.
  For more information: http://www.enchanteddollartistsconference.org/

• Artistic Figures in Cloth (AFIC)
  
  Odd years since 1999. Usually in late April/early May.
  Columbus, Ohio Spring 2011.
  For more information: http://www.cyndysdolls.com

Each convention also has a different "flavor," but this is hard to put into a few words. Try talking to the people who have gone to the convention you are interested in to get a feel for this "flavor."

Private workshops and classes (not held in a convention) also have a different "flavor." They are more intensive because there is less distraction, and the hours are frequently longer or extended. You may get a better chance to know the teacher because of common meals, or evening hours spent together.