Doll North 2016 Recap

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So, I wasn't initially going to attend Doll North this year, and ended up planning it super past-minute. Despite some of the hiccups that caused I'm really happy I went. I got to meet so many wonderful people and do a lot of fun things - including my first ever Doll North game, and second-ever Doll North panel. :D I've also learned that I really need to plan things out better and that I'm not the kind of person who can just wing stuff, as well as apparently being really bad at travelling on my own... but that's okay. :p

On to the recap!

Merrydollround Strawberry Mousse

I left really early on Friday morning, but ended up missing my first bus and then having to stop halfway because I was feeling really sick (woo fainting on public transport~), and didn't arrive until the afternoon. When I got to my hotel they informed me that I'd actually booked in their sister hotel a half hour away... super - border hotels with similar names are not so much the best. Thankfully some amazing people on DN staff were able to find me a place to stay (starsarerobots and bumblebeeena I adore you both), and the rest of the day went really well.

At the end of the day I went and helped out with the open crafting event where people could do sewing projects, make wigs, and do other crafting stuff. Met a bunch of new people (and got exactly 0 sewing done XD), and then went out to dinner with a bunch of friends, new and old. Next time I'll be sure to try out some of the other projects instead of getting distracted.




Saturday my roommates and I were up bright and early and just chatted until everyone else got up. They're all super wonderful and I couldn't have asked for a better group of ladies to share a room with. This was my first time attending Doll North as an attendee by myself. I've been before, but I was always either with someone and just stopping in, or selling, or entering a contest, and always had something very specific to do. So this year since I only had a DN ticket, and wasn't selling, or entering anything... I didn't really know what to do with myself. Kayteelizz asked me to get her a little Mousse from Merry Doll Round so that was first thing on the list. I got a chance to catch up with resinmuncher waiting in the line up, and spent a lot of time chatting with merrydollround, itsfansea, moretticircus, and elzamine afterwards and taking photos of the marketplace booths.

itsfansea's entry into project runway.
(I'm not actually sure who won?)

And then after that... I did the same thing again. XD Saturday was a very strange day if I'm being honest. BUT! I got to (very briefly ;-;) meet the ever lovely pettook!! It was really amazing to finally meet her in person even if only for a short time. Hopefully I can see her again someday. Eventually got my hands on a program though and was able to go to some events~

Picked up some lunch for people who couldn't leave their booths and got to take some photos of Project Runway (they're up on the Doll North facebook page if you'd like to take a look). That was interesting. :) The theme this year was Heroes vs. Villains and so the main supplies for Project Runway were comic book pages! Super cool entries. :D I also tried my hand at my first ever DN game BJD bingo... didn't win, but the game was really well constructed (webpage and everything! so fancy) and I had fun. Then was the Merry Doll Round Q&A panel! Despite the few technical glitches, I think it went really well. It was really interesting hearing the backstory behind the company and learning where Nuria finds her inspiration. I thought of a dozen more questions later on that I wish I'd asked at the time... but maybe I'll get another chance. :)

Little Kaye Wiggs Superman
for the Masquerade

Sunday was a bit of a whirlwind. I spent most of the morning immersed in the masquerade. The FFX Lulu entry won first prize in the 1/3 category, Princess Zelda took the 1/4, and little Alice took the Yo category. :) All well deserved! Then a bit more floating around for me before the masquerade was announced and the charity raffles were drawn (also didn't win, but eviltofu got the Lillycat girl I had my eyes on, so I'll just have to come visit her more ;p). After that I had to pack up and head out to catch my train home. I was really sad to leave this year and really miss everyone (starsarerobots and opalescent_raven I need to steal you next time for a proper dinner! And maybe I'll even be brave enough to get some photos with people ;) ). I know for sure now that I'll be going to DN again next year, but I don't know in what capacity. Regardless it should make planning and travelling easier now that I know the routes.

Once I got back home it was back to packing for our move. We've just got settled in to our new house so I'll have some time unpacking to think about what I want to do for next year. I hope to see everyone again in 2017 and maybe some new faces too! <3