IDEX Premiere 2009 in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2009, restored hope in many dollmakers that 2009 will usher in more economic activity, as orders exceeded expectations. Doll artist Sandi McAslan, who sold more than 30 of her new one-of-a-kind fairies, agreed. “People are happy and excited,” she said. Given the state of the economy, “I think people have a need to have something nice.”
A plethora of gorgeous dolls were unveiled, including a fashion doll by Tonner Doll Co., “Antoinette,” Goodreau Doll’s Upside Down Oz and ABCs series, Berdine Creedy’s new BJDs—“Gorgeous,” “Precious” and “Laughter”—and the new Urban fashion doll “Vita.” Ashton-Drake Galleries premiered its first BJD, “Delilah Noir.”
These releases, and countless others, delighted collectors, artists and retail buyers alike. “The revealing of the new lines for 2009 is exciting,” said dollmaker Berdine Creedy. “Collectors come in excited, and the atmosphere takes over. It’s like coming into imagination world.”