Bulletin Boards, Blogs & Chat Groups

Have you joined any of the bulletin boards, blogs or chat groups on the internet yet? There are some really interesting and helpful ones available now, and you can probably find at least one to meet your needs, whether it’s just a matter of having other doll makers to talk to so you don’t feel so isolated, or expert resources for assistance with your doll problems.

For starters, there’s the bulletin board everyone refers to as The Blue Board, or the Porcelain Doll Bulletin Board, or the Doll Makers Forum, which is sponsored by Keepsakes of Van Buren. This is an excellent place to look for items being offered for sale, to ask for pictures of a specific doll to go with your mold, and share sources, etc. You can scan the threads and read whatever catches your eye, reply if you have anything to add, or post a plea for help with your own issue. Also a good place to find brief references to events in the doll world that affect us all, such as the progress of New York Doll Products as it prepares to pick up the slack in supplying, etc, formerly available through Seeley’s. If you aren’t already familiar with this site, check it out using this link: http://wwvisions.com/craftbb/porcelaindolls.html.

Blogs, such as this one, share the thoughts of the author of the blog and may also provide how-to information on projects, host doll related links and directories like our National Doll Class Directory, Suppliers Directory and the Directory for Doll Repair Services. They may also provide a place for you to share some pictures of your work and ideas, and give those of you who don’t want to bother with your own website a place to make your products available to the public. You can currently find products such as wooden doll stands, special ironing boards and doll clothing racks by BandB Productions, handmade leather boots by Terese, the much sought after doll shoe and accessory workbooks (currently offered on CD) by Goodie Two Shoes, and Hand Glass Eyes available here.

A really great place for those of you who have an interest in Antique Reproduction doll making is the Yahoo group for Antique reproduction Dollmakers found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/antiquereproduction/.

You’ll find a number of the leading experts in this area of doll making posting their hints here and sharing from their vast experience as well as doll makers who are new to the art and wanting to learn. Ask your questions about antique reproductions, firing issues, etc, and these folks will be happy to help you out.

Modern doll makers don’t need to feel left out either. There is a Yahoo group just for you at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/porcelaindollcrafter/. Here is the place for enthusiasts of modern dolls to make their own album in which they can post pictures of their dolls, get acquainted with others who share their interest. Like the Antique Reproduction group mentioned above, this group was more active in the past, but the breath of new live has stirred both groups and I expect them to be even more active in the days to come.

Is it okay to join more than one group? Absolutely, however each one addresses its own area of doll making, so please respect that. Talk about modern doll making with the modern doll group and antique reproductions with the antique reproduction group. Not everyone enjoys both areas. There’s so much to learn about dolls in general, and we can do so most effectively if we do so in an orderly manner. Let’s also try to remember that everyone has opinions and feelings, and treat each other as we want to be treated. Needing to ask questions doesn’t make anyone stupid, and having more experience doesn’t make anyone better than anyone else. We’re all just doll makers in various stages of this journey and should help each other along the way. Hope to see you all frequently in at least one of these places!