Trouble Entering a BJD Group?

You might try attending a doll show or sale. Here's a link to some being held in Ohio this year: http://www.az-ps.com/dollshowusa/Events-OH.htm. I first met some local doll owners when I went to a doll show near my town and saw a table with some bjd's for sale and a few people standing around. I just introduced myself and they invited me to a meetup. You could also search this : http://www.denofangels.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?17-Doll-Meetups for the word "Ohio" and look at the threads that pop up to see if any meetups are being held near you. Most collectors are very happy to have new people.

 

I can't speak for other states... but the Michigan group is fairly active even though we're kind of spread out. We kind of have an East-side/West-side thing going on, since that's how we're concentrated. We also try to plan meets that are more in the middle of the state, so more people can come, and anime conventions usually get a decent turn-out.

The best advice I can give is to try and organize a meet yourself, even if you are new to the hobby. Pick a public place, like a mall or a museum, set a date, and post an invitation on the forum. Even though the Michigan group is active, I've noticed that most of the meets are usually planned by the same handful of people, and when they put out an invitation, other people try to come when they can.

(P.S. How close to Michigan are you? If you're nearby, you're more than welcome to drop in on the Michigan meets.)

 

I know 100% what your going through. I'm from, living in New Zealand. I tried every google surch trying to find if there were anyone else in nz that shared my hobby and i couldnt find a thing! I was really lucky that i got to know a girl off youtube and she sent me an invte to DOA. One of my first surches was for nz'ers. Much to my amazement i found some! I moved up to one of the biggest citys for uni and found there were allso in the same city.
I messaged a few. It was up to them if they wantd to email back or not, but i wanted to try. I got one email back and found that i've made a really good friend. Shes actaully very much like me. I havnt actaully meet her in person yet, but she seems lovely. And out of the handful i emailed she was the only one that replied. Because nz is so small bjds arnt really well known at all. So there is very very few of us here which is a little sad. I may never get to experance a full bjd meetup But we will see. For all i know there all n hiding. Some people may take longer to reply also. I dont think its bad to email them. If anything id keep trying to find others and send them one to. ^^

 

I'm soo lucky i'm in Austin, there like 15-20 girls and boys in our group.

1. Have you every tried to join a BJD Meet-up group?

yes! It was really easy, I went to my first doll meet two years ago and meet some of my best friends and I also meet people randomly at game shops but that's because i'm very outward when it comes to my doll hobby. also i made friends at my two local doll shop you may order from Kerbey Lane Doll Shop. I think Austin (not saying that other cites are bad) is one of the best places to be if you want to make friends and go to meets. I don't know if i'd like to be in this hobby if i couldn't share it with friends that's half the fun. all i have to say is keep trying to make it to meets and make some friends that well last a life time. i love doll hunting with others!

 

The only reason I am not in any BJD groups, is the fact that I live quite far. I do chit chat with people in Sacramento...but I live very far, and I am not quite in a position to travel so far.

I try to keep an eye on events in Old Sac, since a lot of the time people in the Sacramento group attend those events, or will gather together. Or in Valley Springs...I heard there were a couple people there. X3

I haven't been to a doll meet since I joined DOA, but that doesn't mean I never will. You just gotta keep looking, and find that happy medium until you or other people know you/you know them well.

 

I second the idea of going to doll shows. I am lucky in that Portland is very active with the hobby. I'm sure you will find someone near you! If you were near me, I'd come visit you!

 

I wanted to attend a meet, so I looked in the proper thread here on DOA and found a group that is within driving distance.
Apparently they hold regular get togethers and know each other quite well. They were in the process of planning their next meet and were discussing when to set the date and all the details.
I made a post introducing myself, telling them where I live and saying that I would love to come to their meet with my dolls.
I was totally ignored! No one said 'welcome, we'd like to meet you', nor was I acknowleded in any way. They continued to talk about their plans, which obviously did not include me.
I considered their behavior to be very rude!
At that point I decided that they could kiss my royal patoot! They are not the kind of people I would care to know.

 

I would at least have said hi and welcomed you to join.
I notice that though. There are also a lot "fast moving" topics on DOA...so it's easy to get "ignored".

It's a common and unfortunately accepted occurrence that people will only look for and respond to things if it relates or pertains to them.

Though the "right thing" would have been to at least acknowledge some one new who has joined the topic. I think it's proper etiquette as well as a courtesy. However, not every one is on the same page when it comes to proper etiquette.

When I do go to group events, that is what I look for. Introductions are important. A simple welcome would suffice, even in a large group. I would be more inclined to stick around, if I was welcomed and felt welcomed.

Also, actions DO speak louder then words.

 

I've never had issues with meetup groups -- there are several in my area. Groups are going to differ of course, but in my experience it's not difficult. Also, if it's a group that gets together fairly often, you will get to know people better the more you meetup with them. It can be a little intimidating the first time, but if you get in with a good group of people it's really worth it.

 

Lunarbreeze You are welcome to write to me, I won't think you are creepy. I found a group in my home town through a friend who was already into dolls. From there my interest sparked and I decided to order my own doll. I'm still a doll noob but I'd love to have a doll friend to share interests with.

 

I've messaged people privately who I have seen live my area and the response has always been good. It's proven to be a great way of making new friends.

 

When I first joined the hobby, I thought I was the only person in KY with a BJD....this forum has proven me wrong! At first, I was scared to join the meet up thread, and since I'd heard about "elitism" and "doll snobs", I was was leery and asked if my dolls and I would be welcome. I was surprised at the response when I got told that ALL dolls were welcome, even if they are OT for DoA, and they seemed surprised that I even needed to ask that! I went and was a little shy the first time or two, but now I feel like I fit right in and can talk to anybody at the meets, no matter what their age, time in the hobby, type of dolls owed, etc. Our group might have a variety of different personalities, but our dolls bring us together and it's a lot of fun.

When I see a new post in our meetup threads, I always try to welcome the person. We're in KY, just south of you. If it's not too far, you're welcome to join our meets.

 

I've actually had more luck getting to know people here, on DOA then physical meets. Mostly because everyone is just one click away. xD

I live way far away...so eh yeah it's difficult driving anywhere, even just to get groceries or commodities. -_-'

Usually, if meetup happens on an event, in a place I know well. I would try to go...if I didn't already make plans to do something else. :I

 

I haven't been to a meet up only because it seems the only IL ones are in Southern IL and I'm far up North....