2009 International Black Doll and Gift Show

Show/Event Recap

All Publications

Photography Credit: Earl Douglas, Jr. (earldouglas006 [at] yahoo [dot] com)

In an effort to break the dull cycle of boring "me-too" holiday season gift-buying and gift-giving, the International Black Doll and Gift Show was proud to bring a truly unique holiday shopping experience to the New York tri-state area on December 5, 2009. Despite a wintry mix of rain and snow, astute shoppers persevered to join us at the historic Riverside Church in NYC to select from a unique bounty of holiday merchandise offered by our world-class exhibitor partners. Although the pictures above "tell a thousand words", being physically present at this, and our other shows is, frankly speaking, indescribable! And for those fortunate enough to receive one of these treasures as a gift this holiday season, and that includes all the wonderful self-gifters too, you know first hand how blessed you are.

We sincerely thank everyone who brought new children's underwear for the Riverside Church's Family Outreach Program and black dolls for hospitalized children in Harlem Hospital:

  • Regina Ballard
  • Diahann Brown-Lawton
  • Wilma Cohen
  • Frances Dipasgua
  • Ramona Jennings
  • Sandra Samaniego
  • Wanda Smith

We also thank the following exhibitor partners who donated dolls toward the 3 show raffles:

  • Agape Dolls
  • Crafty Sisters Handmade Dolls
  • Daisy Carr's Crafts
  • Divine Diva Dolls
  • Dolls 2C
  • Expressions of Color
  • Kaity Dolls
  • LaBelle Interiors
  • Paddlefoot Evolutions
  • Scared Space Fiberstudio
  • The Kenja Company

By the way, check out our commercial for the show that ran on Black Entertainment Television (BET) and New York One (NY1) over Time Warner Cable in NYC and Northern New Jersey.

Finally, we would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2009 International Black Doll and Gift Show... All of our beloved patrons who trekked through inclimate weather to shop with us. All of our fabulous exhibitor partners who made this show possible (special acknowledgment goes out to Barbara McCaine of Divine Diva Dolls). And, of course, the Riverside Church for hosting us, yet again!

Participating Exhibitors
Afro Vintage by Done Up! Kaity Dolls
Agape Dolls La Linguere
ArtZee Sistas Art Dolls and Crafts LaBelle Interiors
Clay Works Lights Within Dolls and Crafts
Crafty Sisters Handmade Dolls More Than Just a Doll
Crown Glory NY Nzinga Dolls and Gifts
Daisy Carr's Crafts Old Black Dolls From the Past
Divine Diva Dolls Paddlefoot Evolutions
Dollistic Creations Painted Threads
Dolls by MonTQ Phoebea Queen-Addison
Dolls 2C QemaCraft
D.R.T. Crafthouse Ringo Potpourri
Expression of Color Scared Space Fiberstudio, LLC
From Many Threads Simply Stoned
Ida Clowney Dolls and Crafts Skykay Dolls
Jayne's Crafts and Things Sweet Novelties and Things
Johari, Inc. The Kenja Company
Jolinda, Inc. The Kouklitas

From the entire staff at BlackDollShows.Com, we wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a healthy and prosperous new year. See you in 2010.

It is important that you let the world know what you thought about the show by leaving your comments below. It really makes a difference!

related comments

Contributor: Romona
Date: Thu Dec 17 2009 11:28 AM EST

I am glad that I was able to make it - rain, snow and all. It was a professional, well organized event. I want to continue to support Black vendors and look forward to the next outing.

Contributor: Kelly
Date: Thu Dec 17 2009 10:00 PM EST

It was a perfect day! The Elements have never hampered our people, but helped them! The place should have been packed - children should have been there like they were coming to see Santa. The work and craftsmanship is well worth the product. I was amazed at the variety and number of dolls. When we want to do something we do it. Don't let our culture's history be diminished or taken lightly. Preservation through dolls is important to future generations. Just as I was amazed, so will the little ones be amazed. Doll making is a tradition passed down that marks our existence. How long did it take Disney to make a Princess? Tell everyone to attend rain or shine, it is well worth the feelings of pride and joy.

Contributor: Diahann
Date: Fri Dec 18 2009 12:39 PM EST

The December doll show was wonderful. Again, it is always a joy to celebrate the image of ourselves through dolls. We are truly "Let's Go Green" artists and collectors. Every material that you could think of was created into a doll of some type.

I bought the Josephine Baker doll from Divine Diva Dolls. She is beautiful. Thank you again to the staff of the International Black Doll and Gift Show for believing in our doll artists. Dolls represent history and this is one form of expressing our history to others. Happy Kwanzaa to all!

Diahann Brown-Lawton

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