UK London meet 13th April

Hi there! I'm in London and would absolutely love to go to a doll meet here as I haven't been to one in years! Holland Park and Kew Gardens are local to me so either would be fab!

 

Sounds good to me.

I'll check my diary and see if I'm free that day.

Teddy in Wimbledon

 

Excellent idea, both locations are great, but Kew in April would have more photo opportunities with dolls.

 

Yes Kew is a lovely idea! I haven't been there since February last year

 

I've never been to Kew but I'm game for trying to come.

Also, I'm always my most productive when I've got a meet to finish outfits for. So that's probably great for my dolls no longer being bald and naked.

 

Magnolias are hopefully be still in full bloom, they make great backdrop. I would definitely go for some shots with ruined arch which is near Shirley Sherwood Gallery, if it's not fenced off it's perfect for gothic or medieval style pictures.

Hive is great spot for doll photos too, but might be crowded on weekend. Easy spot to meet though too.

I am already getting carried away as being out with dolls always means doll photography for me

 

I love the ruined arch! I always like the area around the Temperate House and my favorite The Temple of Aeolus…. I am going to have to decide which doll to bring now

Also if you like those kind of arches type things not too far from Kew is Gunnersbury Park which has quite a lot of lovely architecture/garden spaces I took some great photos there last Summer.

 

Yes, we've been there on a few occasions, loved it. We are spoilt for choice here, in Kent, as there are plenty of amazing National Trust places that are perfect for doll photography. The other benefit is that that public and members of staff are usually ever so considered and accommodative there :-)

 

hi ! Is there space for one more? I can come to london is only an hour from me!

 

thats great! I been too kew - on a date I am yet to forget !

 

And, of course, I forgot to come back had say I am free that day so can make it to the meet.

And there's always the steam museum nearby if the weather turns bad and we need to retreat indoors.

Teddy

 

Do you guys know that there's a organised London doll meet on the Sunday 14th??? London Doll Meet - APRIL

 

It's a lovely and very friendly mixed dolls collectors group - not specifically BJD, but everything from vintage Barbies and Blythe to fashion dolls and art BJDs. Meetings are taking place monthly at Toy Project, which is great venue. Phat, the organizer is also founder and organiser of London Doll Fashion Fair, that takes place in June - something for the calendar!

 

It is indeed, I went along to one of their meets a couple of months back but have either been too busy or too disorganised to get to another since. They're very friendly and welcoming. I'd have mentioned their meet here if I'd been organised enough to realize it was happening the same weekend but I only got my act together enough to check if I coud make THIS meet because of being prompted to by other circumstances.

Hmmm.... Perhaps I could get to both meets...

Teddy

 

I am running workshop on 14th and can't make the next London Doll meet, but so looking forward to Saturday 13th and trip to Kew Gardens!

 

Either works for me.

And I can't make that one after all - There's a dance rehearsal/class for the Regency Ball I'm going to in Brighton in May (my hubby and I don't know any Regency dances so really need to be there).

So it will be the dolly meet on 13th only for me.

Teddy

 

Okeydokey

Teddy

 

Unfortunately I don't think I'm going to be able to come. My Thursday and Friday are now incredibly busy so I think by Saturday I'm going to be too dead to navigate London.

I hope you all have a great time and that the weather is compliant.

 

It's already Tuesday, need to start thinking what to wear!!!

 

I need to think what dolls to take, and how many...

Teddy

 

Gosh, I have just seen weather forecast for Saturday! It's going to be a hot, sunny day... Very tempting to bring a few dolls, but then I remember my age and how much they weight Will probably go with 1/6 boys and girls.

 

Hmm... I might have to bring along some deckchairs for my dolls....

Teddy

 

I might not be able to make Saturday - but I will try!!

 

I'd say it depends swhether we're finding one spot and staying there, or whether you envision us walking around (possibly to find nice photo spots for dolls?) in whihc case the lighter the load you have to lug aaround with you, the better....

Teddy

 

Oh and - if we're meeting at the Palm House - which side of it?

I'd suggest the side facing the lake/pond as that's the most easily identifiable one....?

Teddy

 

See you then

Just to warn you I might be a tad late... I'm, apparently, having one of those days.

- Spilled catfood all over the kitchen first thing.
- Trod on a cat's tail (only lightly, no damage done, but the cat wasn't impressed)
- Sprayed everything with water in the bathroom
- Put my shorts on backwards, but didn't realize until I tried to get something out of a pocket....
- Can't find my stringing kit (luckily I have alternatives)
- Just tried to print out a map for the route from the station to Kew Gardens, and the printer isn't cooperating...

... {sigh!}

Teddy

 

I'm aiming for eleven, I just wanted to let you know that I am, apparently, a disaster magnet this morning so mishaps might strike in the form of a delays on my journey.

Teddy

 

hey everyone,
how did the meet went? Im sorry I didn't go...I was a bit anxious to go around kew gardens! hopefully, if you're all planning a second one in a different area of London ill come! x

 

We had a lovely time.

The weather was great and we found a bench in the shacde under a tree for the frist part, then wandered around to take pictures later,






Teddy

 

awwwww ....looks lovely and im. feeling silly! :L

 

You shouldn't Being anxious is a perfectly valid reason for not doing something.

Perhaps next time.

Teddy

 

Sorry to be slow here, but after such a wonderful weekend my week started in a rather hectic way. Thank you guys for this trip to Kew, I had a lovely time and my girls certainly enjoyed the picnic.

2404-5585 by Dolls Addict, on Flickr

 

If anyone is in central London next Saturday, June 8th, come to see what's on at the London Fashion Doll Fair. I know it's labelled fashion dolls, but in reality it's about a much wider range of dolls of different types (at least two artist BJD makers that I know of!) and a good opportunity to get some unexpected treats for yourself and your dolls (props, fashions e.t.c.)

I am one of the guest speakers - will be presenting my doll photography talk 12.00pm - and will also be sharing vendors table with one of my favourite doll makers - Amicus Dolls. Will have some of my images for sale as cards and limited-edition larger prints in mount. Come and say hi, it would be lovely to see friendly faces in the audience for my talk and have a chat by the table later on!

 

Oooooh, I hadn't heard about that but looking into it, that seems super interesting. Your talk at last year's convention was great and I've just started setting up my own very small doll-photography studio and getting the opportunity to see some more BJDs in person would be great.

 

Thank you! I enjoyed updating my talk for this new event and yes, I SO agree with you - the most fun at any dolly events for me is meeting like minded people! This doll fair is on a smaller scale then last year BJD con and as I said it's mostly about smaller format dolls, Blythe, Barbie, fashion dolls etc, but BJD collectors would have a rare opportunity to put faces behind a few BJD makers names :-)