ALL DOLLED UP

Dozens of doll fans take their lumps at club's tea

The theme name given to the Central Arkansas Doll Club tea was a bit of a misnomer. Luckily, "Tea for Two," held May 18 at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in downtown Little Rock, attracted more than two people.

It in fact drew about 40 doll collectors from central and Northwest Arkansas, as well as Memphis, and from as far away as south Louisiana. They gathered to mingle; peruse the wealth of dolls, doll clothing and doll accessories available for purchase; and enjoy scones, mini-sandwiches and bite-size desserts, along with multiple flavors of tea.

Fred Patton, Region 7 director of the United Federation of Doll Clubs, steered the program, whose event speaker was Denis Bastien of Ottawa, Canada. The owner of Affordable Designs Canada shared how his love of dolls came about and how he went on to create Leeann, a doll that has become internationally popular and has her own social media account. A souvenir Loulou doll (one of Leeann's friends) was given to all guests, along with clothing for the doll styled by Patton. Each table hostess presented the gifts to her guests.

Also part of the event was a silent auction for an American Girl doll -- with clothes and accessories donated by Central Arkansas Doll club members -- along with drawings for porcelain dolls donated by the Northshore Doll Club of Louisiana and another doll and clothes by the Central Arkansas club.

The tea featured a doll competition for ribbons in the Antique, Dolls Dressed by Their Owners, and Doll Vignette or Diorama categories, with guests voting for first-through third-place ribbon winners. Ribbons were awarded by club President Barbara Boner.

High Profile on 06/02/2019

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