​How in-person events build doll collectors and doll connections is what Bambi and I talk about in this month's International Art Doll Registry podcast.  

We discuss the advantages of being in a brick and mortar setup compared to doing fairs and markets. Join us as we look at the positive aspects of making connections with potential doll collectors and followers.

Yes, People's Choice is just around the corner!  Deadline to submit your entry is September 16th!

This is the first time of collaboration with ART DOLLS Magazine.  First reason to be involved is that this event is about being seen and the reach has just expanded with this collaboration.

The second reason to join in is the opportunity to win being on the cover of the October issue of the ART DOLLS Magazine.  The more you share the link with friends and family so they may vote for you is a win/win situation by having others see your work.  

Live Voting begins September 18th and runs to October 2nd.  The link will be emailed to all entries as well as being posted here next week.

We are accepting pictures of Witches, Wizards and Trolls to use in promoting the Art Doll Exposition on April 30 - May 2nd 2026 in Florence, Italy. 

We are going to start promoting the event this October so please send any pictures to Lesley at [email protected].

​We appreciate the support and this is a way to still be involved even if you can't make it to this event.  Thank you. 

​Say hello to our newest member to the IADR, Minji Kim who is a Fiber Art and resides in Canada.  You can see her work as her Captain Nyx won in the Novice category in the last show.  Welcome aboard Minji *smiling
​

​As Fall Cleaning is getting into full swing, please don't forget to also check your SPAM mail.  Make sure you have marked the IADR as a safe contact so you don't mess out on our updates, news and inspirations *smiling
​Thank you ~Lesley CDO of IADR

​So much happening right now in the Doll World!  Let's begin with the new issue of ART DOLLS Magazine  which is now available for download. Remember the issues are FREE to IADR members as one of your "perks".

You can also see what is happening in the Doll World just by opening the pages of the magazine.  Don't forget to check out the Events section to see what doll shows might be happening in your area.

Also Doll Scenes is a great way to get your dolls seen! This is just another FREE opportunity in your marketing plan you might think about using.

Our Marine Character Juried Show winners are now posted on our website.  All doll entries are featured in this current issue of the ART DOLLS Magazine and also in the Marine Character video now on our YouTube Channel.  Come explore the deep blue seas with the beautiful artistry of our doll maker members.

Be inspired, enjoy seeing under the sea through their eyes and even discover a little piece of history brought to life!

People's Choice is now open for submissions.  This is the first time the event will be a collaboration between the IADR and ART DOLLS Magazine.

You do not need to be a member of the IADR to participate and it is free for anyone to submit an entry.  The winner will have the opportunity to appear on the next issue of the ART DOLLS Magazine.  

How do you win?  By sharing the link to the People's Choice Gallery when it goes LIVE with your friends,  family and even social media.  Ask them to vote for you.  The one with the most votes win.  For more information - click here.

We are still taking your witchy doll image to help promote the Art Doll Exposition coming up in April 30 - May 2, 2027.  

You can email them to Lesley at [email protected].

Thank you to those that have already shared with us and thank you for your continued support. 

​Other Happenings 

• Art Doll Exposition planning meeting-Sept 16th​
• ART DOLLS Magazine deadline for articles, doll scene and tutorial-Sept 18th
• Award of Excellence is open for submission.  See more on artdollsmagazine.com

Yes, for the first time ever, The International Art Doll Registry and the ART DOLLS Magazine will be collaborating the 2026 People's Choice Event!

This is the one event that allows You, the creator, to have an opportunity to appear on the cover of the ART DOLLS Magazine.  

Who picks the winner?  It is your friends, family, or followers, whomever you choose to share the voting link with when it goes live.  It's fun!  It is exciting to see the variety of entries and gives everyone a chance to have their dolls seen. 

The People's Choice Event is an exciting venue when seeing your submission on the Gallery page with other one-of-a-kind creators and artists.  Yes, the main requirement is that your entry be an OOAK in any medium and created by you.  No commercial molds, remakes, or altered dolls will qualify.  If you have any questions you can read the qualification here or email Lesley at [email protected].

Oh No!  I can't believe it!  Here we are in trying to finish up the last edits to the ART DOLLS Magazine and also finalize the entries for the Marine Character juried show event when we lose our computer connection!

Of course it isn't any minor technical error either. So if I thought that I was all powerful with 5G fiber optic internet service -- wrong!!  It only takes someone to dig a hole where they weren't suppose to dig and thereby cutting the hidden internet highway running under the ground to my house and the whole surrounding area of 50 miles and more.  

Even then the solution isn't that easy.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, what do you do?  Why of course go back to the basics: Create, Read and Learn.  This down time reminded me of the wonderful tutorials that are on our IADR website for members given by members.  Some of them are even downloadable to enjoy for later use if you can't get to the Internet Highway.

Create and enjoy the world away from the Social Media. Read some of the wonderful tutorials that the IADR offers it's members.  

This is the Final Week to get your submission in for the Marine Characters Juried Show.  Deadline is Friday, August 14th by 10 pm MST.

Those new to the juried show, remember IADR members must registered their entry first as you need the registration number for your submission form. 

Non-member can participate also.  They use the invoice number from their entry fee payment for the submission form.

Good luck to the participants and remember every entry also will appear in the ART DOLLS Magazine as well as on our YouTube channel.

​Calling for pictures of your Witches, Wizards, and Trolls to help promote the International Art Doll Registry's Art Doll Exposition in Florence, Italy. Past creations are welcome—they don't have to be current dolls.

Our goal is to begin promoting the 2027 April/May Exposition well in advance. Since many participating artists won't have their new creations ready, ​we're asking our IADR members to share their images of their fantasy-themed creations for our posts and shoutouts.

Each featured image will include artist credit that give you additional visibility while helping us promote the 2027 Exposition.
​
Email Lesley at [email protected] with your images or questions.  We are accepting pictures now with a deadline of October 15th, 2026. 

There will be more to share about Jim and Nat from Elfenwild as we get through the planning stages of the 2027 Art Doll Exposition. (By the way, if you noticed the first change is that we are calling the IADR Art Doll Convention now the Art Doll Exposition.  We felt it was more friendly and to let people know they are more than welcome to come in to participate in viewing, purchasing, and visiting with the doll artists.)

In the meantime if you like to see more of Elfenwild visit their website here.

Calling for pictures of your Witches, Wizards, and Trolls to help promote the International Art Doll Registry's Art Doll Exposition in Florence, Italy. Past creations are welcome—they don't have to be current dolls.

Our goal is to begin promoting the 2027 April/May Exposition well in advance. Since many participating artists won't have their new creations ready ​we're asking our IADR members to share their images of their fantasy-themed creations for our posts and shoutouts. 

Each featured image will include artist credit, giving you additional visibility while helping us promote the 2027 Exposition.

Email Lesley at [email protected] with your images or questions.  We are accepting pictures now with a deadline of October 15th, 2026. 

Yes, beat the clock and get your submissions in for the ART DOLLS Magazine.  Whether you are submitting an article, Doll Scene. or even a Doll Collector entry, ALL submissions are due by Friday, July 31st and noon (12) MST time.

Go to:
www.artdollsmagazine.com/submission-forms.html 
​to select the submission form for the magazine.  If you have any questions, email me at:
[email protected]

You still have time before the Deadline of August 14th, 2026 for the Marine Characters Online Juried Show... but that will also be wrapping up soon.

Keep in mind that the Deadline means no entry will be accepted after 10 pm MST on August 14th.  Also to make sure that I received your entry, check to see if you have received an email or instant messenger acknowledging your entry submission from me.  

If you think you will be close but still can make the deadline, give me a heads-up (short message) so that I will be looking for your entry.

Looking down the road, what comes next?  Why it will be the People's Choice Event.  

This is where people will be encouraged to come vote for their favorite submission.  Very often when they go to see the entries, they will also go to the Artist's Studio page to see other creations.  

Have you Voted yet in the International Art Doll Registry's Poll for what themes you would like to see for 2027 Juried Shows?

It is easy to do.  Just go to the link​ and see that you have one group to choose from for the Winter Show that is in January and the second group for the August Show.  Select one from each group and the theme with the most votes will be used for our juried show themes. 

Voting ends July 31st!  Help shape the future of the IADR Juried Shows for the 2027 year. 

​DEADLINE  is August 14th for entries to the Marine Characters Juried Show.

Don't forget to have your entry "registered" before submitting it for the Juried Show.  You will need your registration number for your entry form when submitting for the Juried Show. 

The Planning Committe for the 2027 Art Doll Exhibit and Convention will be meeting July 29th, 2026 via Zoom at 9 am MST and 5 pm in Italy.

If you would like to be a part of this committee, then email me at [email protected] so I can add you to the notification/invite list.

This is an important meeting to get us off and running so we can get the word out sooner this year.  See you there.

Here are some tips and helpful information that is worth knowing for the IADR Juried Shows.

🎉The IADR offers two online Juried Shows as well as the 'in person' Doll Exhibit/Show in Florence, Italy.

The online juried shows are a great way to have your work criticed if you are looking for ways to improve your art.  The Juried Shows also offer cash awards. Did you know that winning just one juried show in a category during the year is equal or more than what an IADR member pays for their annual membership?  

Have you checked out the Tutorial section of the IADR website that is available to IADR members only?  

This section is a great resource and inspiration for those that look to expand their skills or try out a new techique.  But this Tutorial section is more than just that!

The Tutorial section is a fantastic way to cross-market your project.  People always are looking to see how something is made and this is a wonderful way to let people see your processes.