Have you ever been to a doll meet up?

I am not sure how common they are, but when I collected Smartdolls I found a community of BJD collectors near me. There was crossover where I lived where a lot of the bjd collectors collected Smartdolls and it ignited my love for BJD's. I was pretty certain I would never do resin again after having just a few resin dolls prior to that, but that changed after being able to see so many different types of dolls in person.
I would say if you have one near you try it out! I am not super comfortable going to things like that, especially when I don't know anyone, but I had chatted with one person on FB for months before going and she met me there which helped. My best friend also likes dolls but wasn't collecting back then, and she went with me to the second one. I gave her my Pukifee to hang onto so she would have a doll too
She enjoyed it and now also collects BJD's, and still goes to those meet ups by herself now that I have moved away. It is a great way to meet new people that have a common interest. I have heard some bad stories but I have never personally experienced anything other than really cool, down to earth people that just love dolls

 

Back when I was still in the hobby (I quit for many years) I used to go and organize them occasionally. I've never had a bad experience. Had some boring ones - mostly it was on me, because I don't know how to socialize in group settings - but it was just kinda lonely because everyone already knew one another and had their groups of friends. If you're a new person you can kinda find yourself having really brief shallow conversations about people's dolls and then wandering around looking at other people's dolls by yourself because everyone else is busy with the people they already know. It's not malicious or anything, it's just like... why would you go out of your way to befriend a random person you know nothing about when you already have your group of friends you enjoy? I totally get it. But it was still kinda lonely.

But it really depends on the group/time of day. The local community is quite large so different people make it to different meets, and some meets you may be new and find yourself clicking with others right away. The first doll meet I went to I was 16 and still hadn't received by first doll. So another dolly owner there just like, let me carry around her Volks SD-13 in an expensive-looking lolita dress. It was probably easily $1000 worth of doll, but she had a new second doll and wanted to dote on it, so she just like, handed the Volks off to me and didn't even bat an eye. I've forgotten about a lot of other doll meet stuff over the years but I can still remember the lolita dress neatly folded into the crook of my arm, haha.

 

Hello! We used to do a monthly meet up in our area and post it here on DOA in the meet up section. We used to pick a house, restaurant or local park and meet at a certain time. I’ve made some really great local doll owners and we have a good time. Sometimes we choose a crafty activity ( shoe making, jewelry making, etc) and teach that but sometimes we just hang out with the dolls and take pictures. I hope you get to attend soon.

 

I just went to my first meet this past weekend and had a great time! I'd say if you have the chance, go for it. But be sure that your first few meetings are in a public but secure area. We met at a hotel during a convention so there were a lot of people around (good for personal safety, maybe bad for doll security) and we all kept an eye on each other's dolls.

 

I did try to go to a couple of meet ups of the local BJD group back in 2010-ish I think but both times no one turned up. It was when I was trying to get in to the hobby and that's a part of the reason I gave up on the hobby back them. I ended up going in to the hobby again in 2016 but I've not bothered to look to see if there's been any meet ups since.
I have been half thinking of maybe arranging a doll meet at my house as currently renting somewhere that is big enough for more than 1 person But between not having the energy and the pandemic I've had to shelve that idea for a while.

 

A lot depends on where you are, how far you're preapred to travel, and whether things have got back to "normal" post-Covid or not

Here in the London area of the UK there used to be monthly meets in London, and other regular meets at various people's homes (I've hosted a more than a few myself) but some of the ones I went to meant long journies on public transport to get to them (I don't drive) in various areas of the country.

Most of that went into abeyance with the advent of Covid and things haven't settled yet. I'm assuming that as people get more used to attending social events more meets will start happening again.

Teddy

 

I attended an off topic doll meet many years ago. I was the oldest there by like 10+ years Luckily I brought my sister and her friends with me as people only talked with their ready made friends and if you tried to talk to them they would shut the conversation down quickly or just not respond at all...
I wish I could attend a bjd meet, but I don't know of any local ones.

 

Hello, hello!

I went to a few when I first started. I didn't even know about DoA, but I had just gotten my first doll and my friend got hooked upon seeing my doll so she discovered all these doll meets within driving distance from us so she could find out what would be her first doll to invest in. There's definitely a range in regards to experiences and how to find out about them. Usually, they are posted on here in the "Meet Up" section under "Community." Other times, posts on Facebook. And of course nowadays, Instagram. Sometimes, they happen at anime conventions, comic/sci-fi/fantasy cons, or Japanese cultural events too. Other times, they happen spontaneously at popular tourist attractions that have good photoshoot opportunities.

First experience, was both pleasant and awkward. First, we had found out about it far enough in advance to be able to request if any owners had certain dolls from certain companies and if we could ask them about their experiences with those dolls and those companies. I think every single doll we asked for was present which was so awesome and the owners of those dolls were so obliging to us newbies. My friend ended up saving up and buying I think two dolls from the companies she was curious about online as she really loved the resin quality and sculpt style of the dolls she saw in person. I remember holding an Iplehouse doll for the first time and just admiring the weight, craftmanship, everything about the doll. I still remember the faces of some of the really nice people that treated us so kindly and had allowed us to handle their dolls in our oh so newbie ways. I even remember even that particular version of Iplehouse doll I held (it was Tania as a Pierrot from the Noctarcana Circus collection.)

Awkwardness happened when someone, a more seasoned BJD owner, asked why my doll had her default face-up and eyes. I only had one doll. I was so poor back then. My then boyfriend/now husband sort of put her together at the Volks USA store back when it was located in Torrance, California and saved up just enough money to even afford her while also still finishing up college so she has a lot of sentimental value to me. The person kept going at it asking why I "only had a basic doll" (at the time, it was a standard model doll) and why I only had Volks clothing (it was a display one so it was a little faded), wig, and shoes when other companies were far more superior in those respects. I still remember the username of that person as it was just so shocking how mean a person could be, not just to a newbie but also someone that told him honestly that I couldn't afford to have more than one doll or to even buy my doll new clothing. Luckily, the kinder BJD owners kind of took me aside and just explained that sometimes certain owners can be a little elitist about their dolls whether because they paid a lot for them, got exclusive items hand crafted by artisans, or have a super limited edition doll that had less than 100 made in the world and it's all about exclusivity and not really about anything else. It really solidified for me to be more like the kind of BJD owners that I had meet, that if I were to attend these events in the future, to not be ashamed of my "basic" doll, and also how I should treat newbies with kindness and patience myself, whether at a physical meet-up or on here.

Over time, I found my own group to stick with or have tag along with me during these events or got to the point where I would start to facially recognize people and feel comfortable asking if it was okay for me to hang out with them. Definitely give it a try and search if there are smaller, local groups in your area that might be hosting a casual meet-up. I still have to drive about 2 hours away to find a more substantial meet-up or convention that is considered nearby, but I've met people that have flown in just for a one day even for an event that lasts a few hours. Again, might be bulked together with an anime or cosplay related event. Sometimes, they might even be attached to more traditional doll events (so antique dolls, Barbie dolls and other collectibles, teddy bears and dolls conventions, etc).When in doubt, create a feeler thread to see if anyone is interested in doing a BJD meet up in your area and just pick a public space that people feel comfortable visiting by themselves (best places are popular tourist sites or malls that are doll friendly, allows casual photography, has access to food places within an easy walking distance, and also doesn't mind if people are cosplaying). If you feel uncomfortable going by yourself, you can always ask a friend or family member that isn't into BJDs to just come with you.

Last thing to try is saving up to fly in to a major convention, whether over where you live or somewhere else you feel comfortable visiting where a major convention or tourist site would be at. Over here, we have of course Anime Expo, Comic Con, Wonder Con, and a bunch of other things all throughout the year whether in this state or in another state. Just need to check with current Covid restrictions and all that. I've spent like a whole year or more saving up for an event I wanted to attend and I've met others that have done the same, so just depends on your comfort zone, what your finances are, and your willingness to travel. Personally, I prefer stuff that is driving distance. Some people really prefer going out of state compared to their local stuff. Really all depends on things.

Pre-pandemic, we also had Dolls Party in LA hosted by Volks back in 2019 which was really fun to attend (here's the After Report with more details, pictures, and even a video on Youtube). It was a two day event near Disneyland so even if you flew in for one day, you still had other things to do besides dolly stuff in the area for the rest of your visit. Some people would randomly create mini dolly groups too at these events (mostly out of towners and a few locals) and recommend a time range to meet up and it was pretty easy to spot people with their dolly cases to hang out with them if you are by yourself. Here's another one from 2017 and another one from 2015.

Whatever you do, do it at your own pace. Starting locally and at an easy driving distance with someone you know is more convenient. Eventually, going solo to bigger events that is further away is not as bad once you get a good feel for the types of people that will be there and what else you can do while you're out. Hopefully, you'll have a meet up soon!

 

meets can be kinda intimidating, especially if you're just starting out and it feels like everyone's dolls are prettier and nicer, and they all know more than you. but at the same time, meets are such a good thing for new collectors (and collectors in general!) because you get to see and handle so many kinds of dolls. even if you're like me, and talking to lots of strangers feels scary sometimes, you already have something in common (and trust me, everyone is down to gush about their own dolls, even if you don't know what to say yourself!).

 

Fifteen years and I've still never been to one. Even if I get past my severe anxiety, I just... don't have a lot of certainty with my local group. I mean I'm sure they're nice people and all, but from what I've seen, I don't think me and my tastes would really fit in anywhere. They also only organize on Facebook, which I dropped several years ago. Not really a conductive situation at all.

 

I've been attending doll meets regularly for over a decade now! Our group usually met once a month, though the pandemic put a stop to that for a couple of years, but we're trying to get it going again now with some outdoor meets.

I absolutely love meeting other doll owners! I've met a lot of my good friends through meets. We do a variety of things and meet in various places like libraries, parks/nature reserves, personal homes, and restaurants. Our activities range from workshop meets (restringing, faceups, sewing, etc) to photography to swap meets to just hanging out. Everybody is really friendly and welcoming, and we do accept other types of dolls at the meet as well, even if we're BJD focused--we only ban dolls on the DoA banned list, all others are welcome.

I've also been to the St. Louis BJD Con, and it was a lot of fun! I've been three times now, and it was a decent sized gathering with panels, workshops, a dealer room, swap meet, dinner with entertainment and contests. I'd love to go again if they start back up!

 

I've always wanted to go to a meet up but I wasn't willing to drive the distance in the past for the one in Virginia. I did go to a few parties at Fabric Friends which is a sort of local store. But since COVID, those parties aren't held any more. Maybe in the next year or two people can get together in my area.

 

I've only ever gone to one meet and it was a rather lonely experience (I have a lot of trouble socializing). I've been out of the hobby for a few years and would love to go to a meet again, see how things have changed and whatnot and (hopefully) maybe this time I'll meet some cool people and rekindle my love for the hobby

 

Meetups are great! You get to try dolls before you buy, have some fun, and make lots of friends (hopefully!) The biggest danger of going to a meetup is falling in love with someone else's doll and having to buy your own!

I had a very active group back when I first started and we had so much fun together. I really miss all of them but some of them moved on and now I'm stuck in a rural town with no transportation. Maybe someday I'll get to join a group again.

You should probably try to be a little more outgoing while at a meet though because when shy geeks combine, not much talking happens it may take more than one meet to get comfortable with each other

 

I don't do facebook either, but someone who does keeps me informed about meet dates etc.

At my first meet (way back 16 or so years ago) I felt like me and my dolls stuck out like a sore thumb.

I was twice the age of most of the people there (I was old enough to be the father of most of them) and my pretty little girl doll in her home-made floral-print dress and mary-janes was nothing like the majority of Goth/Emo/punk/edgy dolls the rest of the group brought along. But they were really welcoming and inclusive and made me feel at ease and I've been attending meets ever since.

No, I don't have a lot in common with most of them, but that's never been a problem as we're all interested in the dolls, and if you chat to enough people you find sometimes common ground on other things with them too.

Teddy

 

I actually hosted a meet up for our community last weekend. We connected over Facebook and the regulars made a WhatsApp group where we plan meetings. Used to be a couple of times per year before the pandemic and now it's starting up again. I'm not sure how common it is to meet but I love seeing so many beautiful dolls together.

 

I could definitely see myself going to a BJD convention one day, but local meets are a hard pass for me. My anxiety would not be able to handle it.

 

I attended a doll meet-up several years ago at an anime convention, and it was a very pleasant experience for me! Everyone was incredibly welcoming as I was very new to the hobby, and only had a blank doll to share. I was given a lot of resources on where to find BJD accessories, clothes, and so on, which was so nice. It was an amazing feeling to be able to talk to a group about dolls and display all the dolls together.

 

Oh I loved meetups... I went out of my way and messaged every single person in the hobby that I could find that was Greek and started a dedicated facebook group. At first we were only a few people. Me, my friend, another lady... then another joined, and another. At our peak we hosted Christmas BJD gatherings of some ten-fifteen people, and then even more joined. We'd meet in homes, in wonderful little caffes with cult decor, go on field trips to take photos in parks and places... This was HUGE for us back then, who would have thought there would be enough BJD collectors in just our little city alone? Greece is so small to begin with!

Ever since I've moved to Scotland, four years ago now, however... I've missed meetups terribly... it seems there aren't that many of us here, certainly not in close enough proximity to be able to have meets of that kind. It's a bittersweet feeling. Before covid hit my friend was able to attend a meeting here and she loved it though, so I'm hoping, maybe in the future, I'll be able to participate in one!

I miss the feeling of getting ready for a meet, picking outfits for my dolls, faffing about who to bring, preparing little gifts for the participants and even having the opportunity to buy and sell things in person when the stars would align. For me they were little pockets of happy feels and sunshine.