Charlee - what is a county extension agent? And, I have been behind in my doll making. My daughter moved back home the end of March with some issues and she is making great progress. My son graduated hs Friday - yay! - and the last few weeks have been busy. I do intend to start back up in the next few days and will post when I have some new faces. And thanks for that - a confidence boost for sure!

I will check out the other guild but even so, I think my heart will be in doll making. I've been thinking of making a few easy dolls to see if they will generate enough interest for a class at Ben Franklin's. They will let you teach there and offer a 10% discount on products for the students taking those classes. I can also make doll quilts so my quilting skills won't be forgotten, but I prefer smaller scale items and they are not as costly.

This Quilting Board is my guild!!! Every one is so friendly and willing to share their knowledge. I'm as happy as a clam!

What a shame. I love to meet new people. People tend to get clicky when they have been together for a long time. We would discuss that often in our group and admonish each other for not including the new person. Every now and then we would have to do that. I found that if the person kept coming, eventually she would fit in...

A friend and I joined one of the local guilds three years ago. Before we could join, they had to vote to allow the membership limit (which had been 50) to be changed - with us sitting there! Phew, that passed.

Some members are more friendly than others; that's okay - chances are the ones who are already caught up in their own group would not be folks I'd want to be friends with anyhow.

As this past year was winding down, and committees were forming for the upcoming year, one long-time member made an interesting comment. Joining a committee is a good way to get to know some of the other members better. Right now, my life is too busy for that - but it stuck wtih me, and in a year or two, I'll strongly consider it.

Most of the time, I don't think people mean to be aloof - I don't think they even realize that they are coming across that way. Uncomfortable as it can be, sometimes the "new kid on the block" has to be the one to pursue new contacts, in whatever setting you can think of - work, church, guilds, etc.

I felt the same way at my LQS monthly meeting. I went twice and to me, 2 times of being snubbed was 1 too many.
I find NO excuse for anybody to shun someone just because they are new. THEIR LOSS!!!

Forgot to mention - earlier today, I was trying (without success :( ) a somewhat local offering of a Bonnie Hunter trunkshow/workshop. In clicking the links to where she will be, there was one that had something goose-related in the guild name. On their website, they had a tab labeled "goslings." It was about an upcoming meeting specifically for newer members to mingle with long-time members. Thought that was a great idea!

I would bet dollars to donuts you weren't actually "snubbed." I'll bet they just don't know you and meeting somebody twice for an hour or two is not anywhere near enough opportunity to get to know somebody or be friends with them.

It takes TIME to get to know people and it takes TIME for them to get to know you. An hour or two once a month is not anywhere near enough time to get to know somebody or even remember their name for most people!!

This is so common - keep going & keep being outgoing. Sooner or later they will warm up to you. When they go to fill positions, like secretary, charity quilt chairs, etc.), volunteer :)

The more involved you get, the more enjoyable the experience. It just takes a little time :)

What type of dolls do you make? I've been given several patterns for doll clothes for my girls but they don't have any 18" dolls and I'm finding it hard to find them inexpensively for them. They just want dolls to play with, not to just sit on a shelf.

County Extension agents are employees of the county that you live in, most counties have them...they are usually in charge of the county fair, but they have a ton of other duties as well...they can tell you how to can and preserve produce, shear a sheep, milk a cow, do needlework, anything really that has to do with country living.
Check with your county government offices...they should be able to tell you if they have Extension agents...

And.....I still want to see your dolls!! :lol: