British Miniature Doll Makers Guild




 Guild Levels and Charter


The Guild Charter and levels offered.
 

Hello, And Thank You For Taking Interest In The British Miniature Doll Makers Guild.
Goals and Aspirations
The main goal of this guild is to raise awareness of the level of workmanship that can be found amongst doll makers within the UK and within the field of miniatures.
Our full aims are as follows:
 * To unite British Doll Makers
* To actively promote our work and exhibit our craft both nationally and internationally.
* To share, learn and teach our craft with others
* To strive to better ourselves and become a united force within the doll market
* To be recognized for our professionalism and excellence
* To actively work as a team
* To share one voice and actively participate in guild discussions and events.
* To respect the individuality of each member and to honour their work

This guild will be a non profit making organisation, all monies raised will be solely ploughed back into advertising, promotion and basic expenses, plus hopefully in the future be used to book fair space!
 

Levels to be achieved within the Guild.:
NOVICE : ASPIRER: RECOGNISED ARTIST: GOLDEN HAND : PLATINUM FELLOW
If you have never made a doll before, or need help in progressing from doll making as a hobby to that of a professional doll maker we offer limited places as a Novice member. This level is for members who do not sell their work. Novice Doll Makers do not receive a contact page on this site, nor are they entered on the Doll Makers Directory, but they are allowed access to the Doll Makers Forum, are offered to take part in a mentoring scheme and also invited to take part in challenges and their own Doll of the Month ( held bimonthly) Once they feel they are ready to move to selling their work, they are then invited to move up to the level of Doll maker. There is a waiting list to join as Novice member, as soon as places become available you will be informed by Email.
All Doll Maker members will start at the Aspirer level for a period of 6 months. Once a year doll makers can  submit 3 dolls to a panel in order for their work to be judged. If the panel deem the work of a suitable standard their membership will be raised to the level of recognized artist. There is a small fee for appraisals, this covers the application packs and administration costs. A maximum of 10 applications will be sent out within a 12 month period.
Once at Recognised Artist this level they will be invited to participate in teaching their craft, either through online tutorials to other members, or through online workshops, mentoring a Novice member or through hands on workshops arranged by the guild. This is voluntary and is at the discretion of the doll maker. Certificates will be awarded to all those that reach recognised artist and magazines will be informed. The Application packs contain all the details of what is required. But members can Pm Julie through the online forum if they have any questions concerning their application.
Full Quota has been reached already for this years applications for appraisals. Please email Julie in order to go on the waiting list for 2009 appraisals
The third level of the Guild is that of Golden Hand. To be able to apply for Golden Hand Appraisals you must have attained the level of recognised artist for at least a 12 month period. You would have been producing dolls for no less than 3 years. The application packs will be available later on in the year for this. More information to be announced soon.
The fourth and Final Level of the Guild is that of Platinum Fellow. This level is by invitation only.
It is awarded to Doll Makers who have achieved a level of excellence within the industry, those who have made a substantial contribution to promoting and teaching the craft of Doll Making. These fellow awards are limited.
This Guild's first Platinum Fellow Awards in it's first year have been awarded to :
Jill Bennet
Jamie Carrington.
Jill has been in the British Doll Making Industry for decades, she is presently chair person of the British Toy Makers Guild and her name is synonymous with excellence. Over the years Jill has produced Dolls with a completely unique jointing system, has exhibited in major museums and has helped countless miniature enthusiasts. Her award is in recognition of her life long work in the Miniature Doll Industry.
Jamie is a name that most people will recognise. Known for his abounding enthusiasm, his natural wit and strength of character in not only his dolls but as a person as well! Jamie manages to feed these attributes into the workshops and exhibits that he carries out yearly. He has flown the flag for British Doll making internationally for years and is an IGMA Fellow.
You will see their contact pages in the directory very soon.

The Member Directory
All members will be listed, under the levels attained. There will be a featured artist each month. Also you will have your own page where you can display up to 3 photos of your work, and provide details of how you can be contacted by prospective buyers. This can be done in a number of ways ( Web site address, home address, telephone number, email address are just  a few examples.)

Challenges will also be offered up and Doll of the Month competitions. Members are encouraged to take part. The dolls from some of the challenges will be used in exhibitions held at specific fairs through the year.

You will be asked to openly promote your membership to the guild.
and last but not least,
 be Respectful, Polite and Supportive to All other members.


Any questions please do not hesitate to contact us for further information!
Using the email link below!