After a late start from Baltimore and a nice roadside nap, I arrived in Williamsburg, VA in mid-afternoon. I registered, then made a beeline for the Emporium and promptly spent most of my cash on STUFF. I’ll be bankrupt after three more days of temptation!!
The first person I saw was RACHEL DODGE!! We’ve been corresponding for over a year, and she’s been contributing the most wonderful articles to my blog. Here she is, behind a wonderful display of her book and the lovely gifts that accompany it.
I then met Aileen overseeing the Burnley and Trowbridge booth, at which an assortment of sewing items, fabrics, and patterns to create authentic-looking regency costumes are for sale.
Aileen was so helpful. When I asked her how long she took to create the ringlets surrounding her face, she said “5 minutes.” Smiling, she showed me the ringlet hair extensions. (See image.) I asked how uncomfortable the busks felt. She pulled one out and said “pretty comfortable.”
The hats at this conference are gorgeous. Just take a look at this sampling from Lydia Fast and I dare you to tell me that you don’t find the finish work exquisite:
Jane Austen's World 
Have fun!
Thanks! I’ll be updating Day 1 between visits. Check this post, plus new ones. Love your visits to this blog and comments.
Looking forward to more posts! I am a JAS UK member as there’s no chapter in my country (although I have been asked to start one hahaha). I have never attended an AGM but it looks like so much fun! Will follow this closely. :)
I’d love to attend a JA event in the UK, but haven’t so far! Thanks for visiting.
Thanks for the update. So glad that you two had a chance to meet in person! Looking forward to hearing more about the meeting.
Hi Vic, I think the comment I tried to make was blocked because I hadn’t logged into my World Press account. I see you have got plenty of literature about Chawton House in preparation for when you come over. That should keep you going for a while. The Lucy Inglis book is very good. I used to communicate with her on her blog before she published this. She has a love for finding and researching so many objects and houses from the 18th century.I think she got a job, when she first came to London, having to research this sort of stuff and then it became a real passion for her. I don’t communicate any more with her. She can be intimidating. I felt I always had to choose my words and what I wanted to say carefully. She doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Having assassinated her character Ha! Ha! her book is very good though.
So,Northangar Abbey. When you meet Deb, ask her about our adventures at Netley Abbey, near Southampton. A place the Austen family knew well.There are strong links with the Gothic Novel so Netley could have been a big influence on Jane’s writing of Northangar Abbey, actually I am sure it was a big influence.
It sounds as though you are having a great time. All the best, Tony
By the way, as a bit of promotion, if anybody wants an excellent book about Jane Austen’s England that provides insight and interest for all, the beginner and the expert,then you must get Karin Quint’s, Jane Austen’s England A Travel Guide. Karin is Dutch and it was first published in the Netherlands in 2014 but was published in English earlier this year. It was a must buy at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath this Summer and flew off the bookshelves. All the best, Tony
According to my twitter account, Tony, I am attracted to JA through her Dutch characters. Hah!
Sounds like great fun. Enjoy the cooler weather in Williamsburg today!
Yesterday I was too hot. Today I am cold, and I know it’s not due to the “change.”
Where oh where did she get the ringlets. I need some. I just cannot ‘do’ hair.