Dollhouse Apartment, Forget-Me-Not, and Delicious Meatloaf

Hi, Summer Babes!

This is Rachel Hoffman with a quick blog for you about our first day out filming for Summer Fling. Our flight went well, and we arrived in California. Michael picked me up at the airport, and I was taken swiftly to my apartment at The Grovian Doll Museum. Here are some pictures for you. Wish you were here, too!

You must see my adorable Grandson, Bixby. He is the son of my English Bulldog, Dolly. He is my BFF here at The Grovian.

I changed from my travel look, and we filmed a fun video in the evening about Forget-Me-Not. Here is a replay on YouTube for ya!

To cap off the evening, we enjoyed a DELICOUS dinner of completely homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and roasted broccoli made by our fabulous chef, David Robinson. YUMMY!

It’s Friday morning here, and I am enjoying coffee in my bathrobe while I write this, but it’s time to get ready and film some fantastic content for you today. I gotta run - but make sure to watch my Facebook page, YouTube, and our blog for more updates, and definitely register for Summer Fling.

Five Reasons You Need To Attend The Ohio National Doll Show

The Ohio National Doll Show is quickly approaching, and it is going to be my third year in attendance.

I am SO excited for this world-class event. There are way more than five great reasons to make the trip for this special doll show - I did a video awhile back outlining some of the fun reasons to attend this show - and below the video are my top 5 reasons!

NUMBER ONE: The extra doll programs and events!

This is not just a doll show. It is a full-fledged WEEKEND of doll magic chock full of world-renowned experts in their field! Most of the events are now sold out to lucky attendees but you CAN join the waiting list! Here is the lineup:

Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 1 pm: Barbie's 60th Birthday Party Bash
Luncheon with Bradley Justice

Saturday evening, October 5, 2019 at 7 pm: Dinner with Keynote Speaker Valerie Fogel

DOLL SHOW AND SALE is on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2019 from 10 o'clock am until 4 o'clock pm.

Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 4 PM:Steiff expert Rebekah Kaufman (aka Steiff Gal), will be presenting a program on "The History of Steiff Bears"

Rachel Hoffman on-site for meet and greet + virtual videos throughout!

NUMBER TWO: The BEST Doll Shopping.

Need I say more? LOL But really, you guys don't want to miss the doll shopping. This salesroom sold out almost immediately. The shopping at this show is always spectacular. So many new things are coming to the market JUST for this event. AND LOOK WHO IS COMING:

Dealers include: Gail Lemmon All Dolled Up, Nancy Campbell, Fritzi's Antique Dolls, Desperately Seeking Vintage - Susan Anderson, Tracey Cedarlund, Becky Funderburg, Gigi and Sherry's Teddy Bears, Elizabeth Christensen, Good Bears of the World - Terrie Stong, Lynn Bartol, Carolyn Coley, Eileen Green, Sue Brightwell, Pam Downing, Jonathan Green, Porcelain by Sonya Bryer, Diane Drake, Marion Maus Greer, Cindy Budin, Gilda Dreher, Gay Anne Gressman, Sandra Bullock, Linda Farris, Ashley's Dolls - Billye Harris, Sylvia Butler, Miriam Feiden, Ray Hoban, Charles and Barbara Buysse, Valerie Fogel's Beautiful Bebes, Karen Hochradel, The Bear Scout - Felicia Hymer, Cindy McGuire, Dollyville -Sheila Scalf, McHugh's Dolls, Nancy Meeker, Joyce Shchurowsky, Rosie Kanizer, Mary Meins, Angela Simko, Beth Karp, Cynthia Orgeron, Main Street Doll - Diann Sims, Rebekah Kaufman, Ed Pelton and Nancy McGlamery, Seasons-Past Character Dolls - Sherry Smiley, Rhonda King, Mini Magic - Deborah Porchia, Judy Smith, Kintner Antiques, Judy Rankine, Betty Stepnowski, Mary Jo Koets, Richard Saxman, Rita and Steve Stice, Ron and Robyn Martin, Sherry Sberna, Porcelain Classics - Jennie Sykes, Ian Taylor - Kentucky Doll & Toy Museum, Rhoda Wade, Barbara Gilbert-Whitcomb, Elaine's Dolls, Mary Wolande, Carol Wood, Brenda Yenke, Beverly Stoehr, Bradley Justice - Swell Doll Shop, Rachel Hoffman of Virtual Doll Convention

NUMBER THREE: The Camaraderie

Ok, so these are adorable koalas but it is how being out at a doll show FEELS.

Hanging out with friends, dealers, and helping others. Camaraderie is everything! I specialize in virtual events, but nothing compares to being in the same room with beating hearts. The camaraderie of a live event is fantastic. You can meet new friends, learn SO much from the dealers, and just FILL your cup. I always come home grateful and happy from a live doll show! (PS, prepare to get a hug from me!)

NUMBER FOUR: The Virtual Doll Convention Cameras and 75 FREE VDC Necklaces

Being in the Virtual Doll Convention Cameras is A LOT OF FUN! I am going to be there the whole weekend interviewing attendees, filming the events, and having fun with ALL of the attendees. Come to the Virtual Doll Convention table for some free swag. We just has the CUTEST Dolly Dingle necklaces made just for this event and are handing out 75 free pieces to attendees. Come let us adorn you with Dolly Dingle!

NUMBER FIVE: Billye Harris, Y’all.

What can I say about the pink one? She is just the best, you guys! If you have not met this superstar in person, you don’t know what you are missing. She is LAUGH OUT LOUD funny, gracious, generous, AND is appraising DOLLS on site with the donation going to the UFDC Doll Museum.

THIS is my FAVORITE picture of us!! Do you know what movie this was inspired off of?

As you can imagine, I am already busy planning my outfits for this exciting weekend. We are going to be there for about 3 three days, so I am going to pack around 35 outfits just to be safe.

I can't WAIT to see everyone at the Ohio National Doll Show!

October 5 and 6, 2019

Website: www.ohionationaldollshow.com

The Grovian Doll Museum Wood, Wax, & Papier-Mache Video Playlist

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to attend The Grovian Doll Museum's Event - A Trio: Wood, Wax, and Papier Mache Retreat. Virtual and in-person attendees were delighted to learn and see spectacular dolls, enjoy camaraderie, and delight in fabulous cuisine - and that is only the start!

The event was spectacular - from a movie tour around Pacific Grove to the culinary delights by David Robinson, and the dreamy amount of knowledge in the seminars and DOLLS to behold throughout the event - attendees had a magical time from start to finish.

We also had the opportunity to film many facets of the event as it unfolded and put it together into a playlist for you to enjoy and relive as much as you want. Links are below!

Thursday, September 12th:

Arriving at the Thursday evening Opening Gala:

https://www.facebook.com/318976211595713/videos/406625553331477/

Behind the scenes at the opening gala for the Wood, Wax & Papier-mâché retreat:

https://www.facebook.com/318976211595713/videos/427690151189002/

A Peek Into the Wax Doll Special Exhibit (Video inside the January 2020 Convention Group)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156814439098163/

Sunset on the Beach:

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156814549028163/

Friday, September 13th:

Friday Lunch at The Grovian:

https://www.facebook.com/318976211595713/videos/390937881843995/

The lunch souvenir at the Wood, Wax, and Papier-mache Retreat lunch:

https://www.facebook.com/318976211595713/videos/2505122332908362/

Plating Friday dinner tonight plus chat with Michael Canadas and David Robinson about dinner and the happenings of the weekend:

https://www.facebook.com/318976211595713/videos/497630371018805/

Peek at the famous Artichokes for dinner plus see some of the fabulous dinner this evening:

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156816739413163/

The exquisite dinner souvenir paper doll by John Noble!! Wow!

https://www.facebook.com/318976211595713/videos/765321833897330/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Elizabeth Anne Coleman:

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156816851558163/

Saturday, September 14th:

Choosing tablecloths for today’s lunch and dinner with Michael Canadas and a table-side chat about dolls, costume, and history with Ann Coleman:

https://www.facebook.com/318976211595713/videos/645736262501658/

Lunch preparation is underway! A peek into the production of the famous Curried Chicken Salads from the kitchen of David Robinson:

https://www.facebook.com/318976211595713/videos/438424920104474/

Antique Doll Collector Magazine Read party by the beach:

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156818828673163/

Sunday, September 15th:

A mini talk on spectacular woodenn dolls with Chris Collins Madrid (Video inside the January 2020 Virtual Doll Convention Group)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156820829763163/

The wooden class just ended + see the paper doll souvenir by John Darcy Noble + peek into the kitchen and the rest of the museum:

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156821117113163/

The Wood, Wax, and Papier-mâché Retreat souvenir doll reveal! The papier-mâché doll is inspired by a doll owned by John Darcy Noble and was made by Carl Armstrong:

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156819042633163/

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Thank you, Michael and David, and the entire staff of The Grovian Doll Museum and Carmel Doll Shop for creating an experience we will never forget!

Follow The Grovian Doll Museum on Facebook

Visit The Grovian Doll Museum Website

Complete Nashville Virtual Video Playlist {15 videos}

Nashville was a hoot and a holler to say the least! For both the virtual attendees and in-person attendees, we had a spectacular time seeing and getting to know everyone.

Our Dolly Dingle made by Joelle Strathers at the VDC Meetup event in her Secret Agent Sunglasses

To live and relive the experience, I made a playlist for you to refer to with links to all the content. Most of these videos are on Facebook, and some are inside the June Virtual Convention Group. We are also adding videos to our YouTube channel today.

While we were not allowed to film anything within the actual event, we made our special content outside of the 'official' activities. We were officially unofficial and had a BLAST - please share and enjoy these 15 videos.

*Make sure to change your Facebook video view settings to the highest setting (HD) for the best viewing experience.*

Walk through the The National Doll Festival with me! We are having the BEST time. 💕🎸 (50 minutes)

www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156693168128163

LIVE at the National Doll Festival with the booth of Elizabeth Christensen (9 minutes)

www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156693117828163

The VDC Meet Up Details and Room with Bradley Justice Yarbrough and Billye B. Harris (4 minutes)

www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156695878058163

The HILARIOUS opening ceremonies to the VDC Meet Up with Kathy Turner and BelleAnne Curry!! You’ll love this song and dance. 🎉🎉🎉 (4 minutes)

www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156698098043163

The VDC meet and greet with Robert Tonner, Michael Canadas, and lots of fabulous friends. Thank you for everyone who stopped by! (11 Minutes)

www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156698164983163

Dollmaker Superstars in one room! Enjoy a chat with Helen Kish, Maggie Iacono, and Robert Tonner (8 minutes)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156698234998163/

The Pink Princess shares her gifts chat with Bradley Justice Yarbrough (5 minutes)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156698253878163/

GOOD SOUND! A fun different view of our meet up and conversation with Robert Tonner and Michael Canadas. What a fun event, thank you to everyone and thank you Billye B. Harris for sponsoring this gorgeous room for us! (11 minutes)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156698464543163/

“Bad to the Bone” Miniature Steiff Dogs Program with Steiff Gal live in Nashville (18 minutes)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156699420263163/

Kruse Collecting: A Beginner’s Guide with Jonathan Green (7 minutes)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156699821318163/

“Booth Undercover - Secret Shopper” Shopping Treasures with Michael Canadas and David Robinson (21 minutes)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156699982093163/

Meeting Gregg Ortiz by the Fountain (3 minutes)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156703830633163/

PART ONE: Tips and Tricks of the China Doll Trade with Kathy Turner and special celebrity guest filmed LIVE in a secret location! (5 minutes)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156704436603163/

Part Two: China workshop in undisclosed location with Kathy Turner and BelleAnne Curry (2 minutes)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156704621663163/

We ducked out for a fun and exciting announcement about the January 2020 Virtual Doll Convention with Gregg Ortiz! Learn about the amazing mask workshop we will have AND learn a special dance move to use in the doll salesroom. ✈️🎉💕 (4 minutes)

https://www.facebook.com/rachelghoffman/videos/10156704988453163/

Our friend Alan Pate also took his own videos that we loved and wanted to share:

Inside the Salesroom - this booth, WOW! https://www.facebook.com/antiquejapanesedolls/videos/2315650685373973/

Special Exhibit of 18th Century Japanese Fashion Dolls: https://www.facebook.com/antiquejapanesedolls/videos/662251767604368/

Enjoy a gallery of snapshots from the VDC Impromptu Meetup - thank you to everyone who was able to come by and to Billye B. Harris for sponsoring this space for us.

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Click here to shop the Virtual Doll Convention Boutique