Join us in Orlando, Florida on May 28th to attend the Fire-Flies Family Reunion.

This year the “Doll Cousins” are planning an adventure at Grandma’s House.
In the doll world all dolls are cousins and you are invited to bring a small “cousin” of your own to meet the newest “Fire-Fly Cousin”. Just think of what treasures might be found in the trunks in Grandma’s Attic! Scroll down for programs and workshop information.

Click on the links to the left to download a 2 page Registration Form for the 2009 Convention. A Dealer Contract is also available.

For Hotel Reservations call the Holiday Inn directly at 407-351-3500 and mention that you are with the Fire-Flies Golden Age of Dolls Convention for the special rate which accomodates up to 4 in a room. Click here for map and hotel and shuttle from airport information.

You can click on anything in red text and that is underlined to open a document or website in a new window.

We wish to thank all the companies and individuals who have contributed "helpers" for the 2009 convention. You can see them by scrolling to the bottom of this page.

The 2009  Golden Age of Dolls Convention will be dedicated to Jeanne Niswonger. Fire-Flies is collaborating with the Vogue Doll Company for a special limited edition Jeanne Niswonger doll.  The outfit has been designed by Margaret Wulff using heritage fabric and laces. The doll will be one of three souvenir dolls that attendees will receive plus other souvenirs. A limited number of Absentee Packages, which will include all souvenirs, workshop supplies, and any other goodies presented. will be available.
  In 1973 Jeanne founded the original Ginny Doll Club, a correspondence doll club devoted to the study and exchange of information on the Vogue Ginny Doll Family and related dolls. Members received a quarterly 8–12 page written by Jeanne.
  In 1979 Jeanne decided the time was ripe for a Ginny Doll Convention, the first of which was held in Lakeland in 1979. This convention grew to become what is now the Modern Doll Collectors Convention®.
  Jeanne’s literary skills are equally notable. Her first book, “That Doll Ginny”, published in 1978 is referred to by many as the ‘bible’ when it comes to information and identification of Ginny dolls. Her second and third books, “The Vogue Doll Family” and “Ginny and Vogue Dolls” bring the history up to the present day Vogue Doll Company owned by the Smith family.
  Jeanne’s other many accomplishments include founder of the Tropical Doll Study Club of Lakeland, Florida in 1977 and founder of the Fire-Flies Golden Age of Dolls Convention in 2003.
Fire-Flies
Golden Age of Dolls Convention
Dolls we played with in the 30's, 40's, and 50's
"FAMILY REUNION"
MAY 28, 29 30, & 31, 2009 - ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Holiday Inn International Drive Resort - 407-351-3500
LUXURIOUS ROOMS for up to Four People - $87.00 per night + tax
Tell Hotel that you are with the Fire-Flies for the special rate.
Reservations must be made by May 1, 2009 for special rate.
Souvenirs from Vogue® and others
Four meals
Sales Room
Drawings for Helpers
Workshops
Programs and Speakers
SOUVENIRS

Vogue Dolls, Inc.

SPECIAL CREATIONS BY FIRE-FLIES
AND LOTS OF OTHER SURPRISES!!!
An Auction
Favors and Entertainment
"Goldy" - our version of Bingo
Thursday eve Social
  with Workshop & Refreshments
Doll Doctor on premises & Doll Appraisals
PROGRAMS

"DOLLYBANA"
IKEBANA FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS
WITH DOLLS AND HAIKU
SEE PREVIEW HERE click on picture
by Diane Milla

"PEGGY NISBET"
by Kathleen Buckley-Hammel

"DOLL REPAIR"
Everything you've wanted to but didn't know who to ask.
by Dr. Margaret Wulff, DDA
Bring a "patient" for consultation.

"MISS GINNY by VOGUE DOLLS "
by Jean and Walter Plank
Doll Doctor
Dr. Margaret Wulff, DDA has an ER on the premises.
She can diagnose and in some cases she is able to do minor "same day surgery".
Bring your patients for an on the spot exam. Click on picture for a preview.
SPEAKERS

JEANNE NISWONGER WOOD
Founder of Fire Flies and Modern Doll Collectors Convention®
$250 Registration includes
WORKSHOPS

Welcome Party Workshop

"DOLL COSTUMING"
by CYNDI HARRIS

"MAKE A SCENE"
by BETTY MARTIN
Betty will demonstrate the creation of a box "room" display for small dolls.  She will build a room for the "cousins" at Grandma's House.
You will receive basic supplies for creating your own room plus lots of ideas.

Will close this page and take you to the next one. Click the Back Button to return to each previous page.
Absentee Packages available
THE COUSINS MEET
AT GRANDMA'S HOUSE
Click pic for preview
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Excitement is building as the "Doll Cousins" get ready to vist at the Family Reunion at Grandma's house.

  • On Thursday Night at the Welcome Party the "Cousins" that attendees bring will get to meet each other and the first souvenir Doll will be presented.
  • On Friday the Sales Room opens at 9:00 am. Programs and workshops will be presented during the day and Friday evening features a Banquet at which the second Doll and more souvenirs are presented.
  • Saturday brings more workshops and programs with the Sales Room open to attendees and the public in the afternoon.
  • On Saturday afternoon one of the most awaited events at the Convention occurs - the drawings for the "helper" items that are donated by attendees, doll artists, doll companies, and others,  and for which tickets are sold.
  • Our heart-felt thanks go to the many companies and individuals listed below who have generously donated. As more donations arrive they will be added to the ones below.
  • On Saturday evening another Banquet with the presentation of the third Doll and more souvenirs is followed by playing Goldy, our version of Bingo.
  • Sunday morning Breakfast with even more souvenirs is followed with an Auction.
"Poodle Walk" Modern Jill Doll donated by Vogue Dolls, Inc.10.5" hard vinyl, jointed knees and elbows. Peach sweater, skirt and open-toe high heel shoes. Matching pants ane gold earrings."Forget Me Not Fairy" 2009 donated by Vogue. Modern mold Ginny. Vogue's "And Away We Go" Vintage Classics Revisted. Donated by Vogue Dolls. "Contempo Zsu-Zse" donated by Helen KishVogue Ginny Modern Mold doll with four outfits in a wardrobe trunk. Donated by Susan Dart and Linda Fleming of A Doll Sew Loved.Mary Englebriet's "Classic Sailor" by Tonner donated by Judith Whorton"Natalie" 18" doll by Friends Forever. Donated by Friends Forever Girls"Mariquita Perez" 18" hard vinyl doll from Spain. Reproduction of dolls made in Spain in the 1940s by the New Mariquita Perez Company. Visit their website: www.mariquitaperez.com"Betsy McCall, Sandy, and Nosey" by Tonner Donated by Marge Wulff"Up the Miisissippi in Style" MADC 2007 Convention New Orleans donated by Madame Alexander Doll Club "Wendy Silver Celebration" MADC 2007 Convention New Orleans donated by Madame Alexander Doll Club"Junior Engineer" with battery operated train dressed in Engineer's outfit by Adollsewloved.Grandpa Bear is reading his book on "Gathering the Generations - A Guide to Family Reunions". Inside is space for family autographs and photos. He looks forward to a new home after the reunion. Handmade of mohair by Helaine Eckstein and donated by Helaine.Set of three Brass Key Small World Disney dolls donated by Ruth Leif.Vogue soft furniture made by Dakin. Donated by Ruth Leif.Porcelain doll by Kathy Redmond. Porcelain head, hands, legs, cloth body."Red Riding Hood" designed by Annette Funicello and award winning teddy bear artist, Michele Brown from the Collectable Bear Co. Donated by Marge WulffBoneka has donated 25!!!! - yes twenty-five - dresses for our helper drawings. There will be 25 drawings. The dresses are all the same model and fit a 10" doll. Details include smocking, fine cotton with bullion stitched flower on the collar.Back of Boneka dress."Christmas Treasury" by Jan Brett. The Christmas Treasury combines seven of her most famous, highly acclaimed, best-selling books, The Mitten, The Wild Christmas Reindeer, Trouble with Trolls, The Twelve Days of Christmas, The Hat, Christmas Trolls, and The Night Before Christmas."Timeless Toys Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Created Them” by Tim Walsh 320 pages, 420 color photos.Swing Your Partner in this 16" high Glider Swing. Base is 18" x 15". Several small dolls fit in each seat or a pair of larger ones will enjoy long, lazy summer afternoons."Say a Little Prayer", an 8" Wendy Doll from Madame Alexander’s Americana collection. Donated by Betty Martin"Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and Wendy" by Vogue Dolls. Set of 3 dolls from LE of 100 from Disney's 2005 Epcot® Teddy Bear and Doll Weekend. Donated by Bearzabout "MerryRose" 10" vinyl doll by Marianne Oldenburg from the "Playmates of Willow's Way". MERRYROSE...has that certain "je ne sais quoi"! She loves playing "let's pretend", she's adventurous, and the best friend anyone could ask for! Donated by Maryanne Oldenburg.Close up of MerryRose"Princess Berdina" by Bernadine Creedy. From an LE of 130, height 13", brown glass eyes, curly carrot hair, dressed in a beautiful ball gown with matching shoes. Includesy book: "Princess Berdine and Her Magic Tears" written by Jill Jackson. Close up of "Princess Berdina"
2009 HIGHLIGHTS
To view a large picture of the donations received so far click on the pictures below to see . When the large picture opens click on the right side of the picture to advance the Photo Gallery or click the left side of the large picture to view the previous picture. The name of the item and the donor are in the caption at the bottom of each photo. To return to the Fire-Flies website from the Photo Gallery click the "close button" at the bottom of the picture. Check back often for updates.
Many thanks to the companies and individuals listed below for their generous "helper" donations.
Clicking on the underlined name of the donor company will take you to that company's web site.
All links will open in new windows so you don't have to click the "back" button.
Just close the linked window and you will be at the Fire-Flies site.

Below are donations received so far for the 2009 Convention. Check back often for updates.
Jeanne Niswonger Wood
Ruth Leif
Helaine Eckstein
Margaret Wulff  

The Sales Room is open to the Public on Saturday from 1-3 pm and Sunday 1-4 pm.
Judith Whorton
Betty Martin
Diane Milla
Jeanne Niswonger holding the souvenir doll named for her. So was so surprised when she opened the box and the delighted look on her face tells all.Jeanne had no idea that the souvenir doll was named for her. The Vogue doll is a Crib Crowd Baby.The doll was a collaboration between Vogue and Fire-Flies. Margaret Wulff designed the Christening dress and Bonnet. Expert seamstress, Helaine Eckstein, created this beutiful confection from cotton heritage fabric and silk ribbon. Mary Ellis embroidered the silk ribbon rosettes on the bonnet.Accesories for the doll included a diaper, a tagged Vogue "onsie" with booties, a tagged Vogue blanket with bear. Vogue created a ribbon in Jeanne's honor and a tiny little cross completed the ensemble.Inside the box was a "Birth Certificate" personally signed by Linda and David Smith of Vogue as "Attending Physicians".Jeanne Niswonger autographed the labels on the box lids at the dinner at which the souvenir doll was distributed."Grandma", in spite of her stern appearance, was delighted to see all her grandchildren. Grandma, a Richard Simmons doll, is named Marge and her Bulldog is Max.Vogue's Dress Me redheaded Boy Doll couldn't wait to get out of the box to begin his adventures, the first of which was receiving a brand new wardrobe.The Boy "Cousin" dress-me doll's wardrobe included Cargo Pants made by sisters, Susan Dart and Linda Fleming, AKA "adollsewloved".A wool sweater, hand knitted by Margaret Stewart, has incredible detail. Notice the tiny buttons and button holes.Leather sandals handmade by Robin Carr completed this oufit.Vogue's tagged pajamas with tiny Sparky allowed "Cousin" to get a good night's sleep.The next day Grandma had Sand Boxes waiting for each of her grandchilren. This little Cousin and Sparky just can't wait until she can get to Home Depot to buy sand to fill it. The Sand Box was made by Robert W. Puck.Saturday brought the presentation of a copy of a Vogue 50s Cowboy outfit for the little boy which included wool felt pants with attached bodice made by Cyndi Harris. Add a vest, bandana, handkerchief, star "badge", lasso, and cowboy hat and this buckaroo was ready to saddle up and ride.Cowboy Boots in the form of a "Take-it, Make-it" kit when completed at home will have this little guy riding off into the sunset in style.
Below are pictures of the Souvenirs of the 2009 Convention.  When the large picture opens click on the right side of the picture to advance the Photo Gallery or click the left side of the large picture to view the previous picture. The name of the item and the donor are in the caption at the bottom of each photo. To return to the Fire-Flies website from the Photo Gallery click the "close button" at the bottom of the picture.