LA Volks Tea Party on 8-5-2006

I wonder if it's an F-16 though, like...an elf F-16. If not, and it's got a human eared version, I might like it. Who knows

But, I do know this...F-16s can be very sweet! Have you ever seen my F-16 Leon? He's such a sweety xD (see: my icon).

 

He does look similar to an F-16, doesn't he?

Yes, they are! That's what my Azure is- a beauty white F-16. Your Leon is adorable too!

 

*nod* we'll see eh

Ohh, nice~ I've seen him before, he's lovely!

 

Thank you!

 

I wanna see more pics from Olivia grrrr

 

those 2 heads look very new to me though XD I'm hoping they have some new sculpts just for LA volks, those which are not available in japan, it'd be a fair deal for the english bjd crowd....

But eeppp that boy looks suntanned XD
If there's sunlight skin introduced... i swear my savings would go down the drain reeeaaall bad

 

AHHH! Looks like FCS elves! AHHH the pretty! *passes out* Why is this the same week as Otakon and only like 1 week after the NY party? Why god why?

 

omg...I love those new heads.

Geri

 

All I know is that if they start doing sunlight skin FCS at the LA store I'm doomed. DOOMED I say. I will never ever ever have money again. So many tan dolls I've put up because I didn't want to do Sato and I don't trust the darker tan dolls out there. AAAaGH why two tea parties back to back like this? It's EVIL! Dude I'll buy Olivia for somebody in NY if they'll get me a tan kid >_> in LA. (Supposing the prices are the same)

 

I'm kind of worried. I want to go with my mom and sister (we all have volks dolls) but if there is a lottery I'm wondering what may happen if only one/some of us get in :/

 

I wish they'd given us more than a month's notice. XD I MIGHT be able to get off work, but MONEY... XD

SD-sized heads with optional ears finally, perhaps? Oh dear Light, Volks, you're trying to destroy me! XD (What kinds of optional ears? What kinds of heads? Siiiigh)

 

Ah, I wanna go! *looks at wallet and cries*

 

hmmm does the lottery mean if you only get 1 ticket you can only go in as 1 person and not bring a friend?

 

Kasita, last time Volks let people bring guests, but these guests cannot participate in any raffles or games. They may or may not do it this time depending how many people apply.

 

ohhh I see I see
Thank you! ^^

 

Actually, at the first tea party at the LA mansion, I am not sure if they really allowed people to bring guests, but they did let some "guests" in...I know someone drove their daughter there, and they allowed her to come in...a few situations like that, but they did specify during the the application time that it was "invite only". Am I wrong about that?

Anyhow, don't know how they plan to do it this time, I am sure they will post it if someone asks.

 

I should hope that if it comes to a lottery volks would allow as many people in as possible to be invited before allowing people to bring guests.

 

They did allow people who asked beforehand to bring guests. Check this post and the following after for more information.

 

*crosses fingers*

I want to go so bad since I missed out last time due to Katrina. I can make it this time, I just need hope I get the invitation!

Oh and sunlight skin! *Hopes!*

 

Weee I hope to go too ^^ The invitation part is scary hahaha... but I hope you get one nofunangie ^^ It'll be an awesome time there!

By the way... does anyone know exactly what's "Beauty Salon by Dollfie Doctor"? I'm not sure if I got my facts right, but is it where there are professionals helping you restring your dolls etc?

 

Yes, they will help you reset tension for your doll's elastic, etc. ^^

 

Anyone working on hotel plans? We're booked at the Embassy Suites in El Segundo. I think the rate was reasonable and you could probably fit a few people in the room.

The power of positive thinking! Have faith all, have we heard of anyone not getting in to either of the events so far?

 

I just found out since I was gone all weekend. Wow, the Elf ears looks really awesome I've been praying Volks would release some SD size elf dolls.

Anyone know of any really cheap hotels/motels in the area? I want to maxmize doll spending money ^^; Any speculation on what qualifications you need for an invite? I'm in the database they have and I've bought stuff (but not dolls) from LA Sumika. I hope that's enough!!

 

I hope for the invitations that we can bring at least one guest.

 

At the previous tea party, you were not permitted to bring a guest. All attendees had to have an invitation and had to be registered Volks doll owners, who RSVPed. The space was limited to 100 people only. There was a lot of food, but there was barely enough seating.
If they did indeed allow "crashers" in, it was out of politeness only, but I am sure that it was highly frowned upon.

 

Well luckily my sister decided she wouldn't want to go (she's really shy) and since my mom and I are both registered hopefully we can both go. I wouldn't think volks would allow people to bring guests for the teaparty SD appreciation but the second day is open to everyone it seems.

 

The second day at Tenshi no Sumika is open to everyone, but if it is like the last time, it involves waiting outside in line for a few hours holding priority tickets. Which was fun in it's own, hanging out chatting and taking pictures of your dolls way, but be prepared for it (a parasol, a bottle of water and snack is a good way to prepare. It is in an industrial park, and there are no other stores close by.)

Tenshi no Sumika in LA is very small. Only a limited number of people can enter at a time. Last time we had the opportunity to purchase some special edtion dolls (Kohya, Sweet Dreams Lucas, others) and some special editions that were done to celebrate the LA opening (The kimono Madoka for example) plus FCS, but you need to get there early in order to get the priority tickets for those items because there are only so many available. FCS on that day, for example, was limited to 16 slots.

I just wanted to see the store, and purchase a couple of small items...I got there at 1:00 pm and I waited only 2 hours to get in, but the people ahead had been there for much longer.

Like I said, I had a good time, but just be ready.

 

Keep in mind that the wait at the last one was pretty darn warm and was in November. August - ouch!

Also, getting there early was discouraged and was of no help to those that did. The first round in the line was to pick a number ticket to get in order in line. Then we were put in that order and let into the store in that order. So someone who got there last could have gotten #1 and the people who got there at the crack of dawn could have gotten #300.

 

I'm curious if anyone that went to the Opening remembers the prices of one-offs? Is it similar to the price of the dolls released at Dolpas? I'm trying to save up starting now and wanted to know how much I might have to save.

 

Awwww... That's so sweet!!

 

The one-offs were priced between $600 (msd) and $1100 or so for the SD sized... plus they were all charged 8+% sales tax. My SD girl was $900 or so.

Volks did not officially allow guests at the mansion but a few of us got special dispensation when we asked ahead of time. We'll have to wait and see what the official word is.

Um, what else? Not looking forward to waiting in the heat to get in the store. Also... oh BOY!

 

I e-mailed volks about guests and they said that by e-mailing ahead of time because my mom and I were both registered that if one of us didn't get invited if we made a note in the application we could bring the other as a guest. My sister because she isn't registered though wouldn't count (though apparently she had other plans so that was lucky for us).

 

Some of the SD13 one-offs were priced up to $1300 even, so best be prepared!

 

I think that's a pretty fair price considering some of the le's like the cat lucas and chris were about $1100 plus tax and shipping for some so a really nice one off seems like that price would be about right. Hopefully I won't be doing any real doll buying >__< *wishful thinking*

 

I only bought FCSs on the opening day...you don't have to enter anything for the lottery.

 

Since it's labeled as SD Appreciation I don't think they expect you to buy a doll. They probably don't look at everyone who entered anyway. Since it's a lottery and they definately won't have enough one offs for EVERYONE I think not entering would just give people who _really_ wanted one to have a better chance. I won't be able to afford to purchase a one off or any doll for that matter but I still want to go with Haku (my Hewitt) and meet other owners and the volks staff.

 

They definitely do not expect you to try for one-offs, no worries!

However for those of you who try for more than one one-off -- you can enter your name for as many dolls as you want, but you can only bring one home! ^^ Whichever doll you get called for first is the doll you get, you can't choose between dolls if later your name is called for another doll. So choose wisely!

 

I am a teenager, so I was wondering if I couldn't bring my mom if she doesn't own a doll.

 

I just came to socialize and show off my doll. I didn't know what to expect, in matter of fact, I thought it was going to be a traditional tea party and that the dolls would only be offered at the shop the next day! Boy was I wrong; it was so American with a huge buffet and all the one of a kind dolls displayed in the foyer like in a museum. I didn't bring any money, as I didn't think anything would be for sale...

 

This might be a stupid question, but where is the mansion? Is it in Torrence too? Just to plan for hotel shopping.

 

Not stupid at all!
It's at the top of the hill over looking the Ocean at the tip of the Pacific Palisades penninsula. The shop won't be open on the day of the party, though, but will the next day.
I have no idea where any hotels are in the area, just that they would be several miles away.

 

Quite a few dolls wearing Luts/Dollheart shoes and clothes and one person had a Volks head on a different company body. I'm certain they wouldn't think anything of it.

The mansion is in Palos Verdes.

 

My doll was wearing a Cheerydoll outfit and the Volk's president's wife loved her and was cradling her in her arms like baby. So it's doesn't matter what your doll wears, just that it's a Volk's doll.

 

Ah, thank you both! I want to go to either the party or the store the next day, and since I know Mom and I will want to make hotel reservations before Volks sends invitations out, I want to find somewhere sort of central to both.

 

I have been told by very reliable sources that they don't mind what they are wearing at all they just don't want to see "the other" dolls.

 

So are they just going to randomly sent out invitations to people on their lists? I'd like to go but wont try and book a hotel until i know i'd be able to go.

 

On their blog you have to submit a request for an invite (between the 8th and the 16th) and if they get too many applicants they will hold a lottery and notify the winners around the 18th.

 

How far apart are Palos Verdes and Torrance? (sorry I know nothing about So-Cal) ^^;;

 

It's about 12mins I think XD
I checked Yahoo Map and typed in Torrance CA plus Palos Verdes CA, and got myself a small rough estimation ^^

 

It took us at least 20 minutes even though the distance wasn't very far. We did alot of carpooling from the hotel to the Tea Party.

 

Yeah, speaking of which. Two of my favourite dolls are Volks heads on CP bodies. Neither has a Volks body they'd be able to go on... The only SD13 boy body I have belongs to Lukas and is thus whiteskin and won't match an Isao head at all, and I don't have a SD/SD13 girl body at all. ^_^;;; If I get an invite, would I be shunned by the other attendees if I brought Ephram and Alisa? They'd both be wearing full-length clothing and such that would hide their bodies and only the hands would really be visible... But of all my dolls, I'd want them to be there the most. >.< (Remus I suppose, though he's not really finished yet...) (Anyone want to loan me a SD13 boy body? XD;;; I'll let you hold the CP body as collateral! XD;;; )

I hope I do get an invite though, I already put in for the time off. ^^ (I might go anyway even if I don't so I can go see the new molds on that Sunday, there's plenty else to do in the LA area on Saturday if I can't go to the tea party!)

Oh, if I get to go, I plan on leaving from here(Sonora, California, up in the foothills) on Friday to drive down, and leaving either right after the Sunday event or very early on Monday morning so I can get back in time to go to work that day at 2:45 in the afternoon... XD;;; I assume I'll probably need to head down the 99, so anyone around Modesto down who isn't too far out of the way I'd be happy to pick up and drag. X3

(Yes, I do realise the 99 ends fairly quickly, but you need to get there to get anywhere from Sonora. XD)

 

Ohhh, Sonora is a darn nice place, lucky you!

 

I wonder if this will work the same on my end..

When my boyfriend and I purchased Chiara at the LA store, we put both of our names on the form that they gave us, because we purchased her together. Matter of fact, we did the same with the Owner's List for her as well (though they only included me). Not sure if that makes any difference.

Of course, since then, we've added an MSD to the family as well, so we actually have one Volks doll each now (Chiara is very much a 'daddy's girl').

We'll see what they do. If we aren't both able to attend, then we'll have to decline on going at all, and get separate registrations for both of us so neither of us are left out next time.

 

Volks told me that my mom and I could enter for seperate invites but not my sister but if I put in the comments my sister (a volks doll owner) may attend as a guest of ours they said it would be okay since we e-mailed them but she wouldn't be able to purchase anything or enter for any prizes.

 

If you get an invitation, write Volks and tell them that you are a teen and ask if your mother can come in as a chaparone. I am sure they will understand.

 

Heh..that would be enough for me. Just to let him get in the door with his little girl and me with mine.