We aren't even half way through 2025 and I am already thinking of 2026!!

With the fun and exciting IADR Art Doll Convention in Italy being successful and it sounds like from the comments received that we should to do another one.  So, how does that shape our future?

Since the polling responses received thus far were all for saying YES for another one, we are already talking and starting to form planning committees.

I am all for giving our members plenty of opportunities to enter our shows, which is why I was wondering if you would like another online event after the May Convention Show (like in August, 2026)?

You can let me know by leaving a comment here in the blog or email me at [email protected].

Nothing is better than making new friends and that certainly happened here at the IADR Art Doll Convention in Florence, Italy. 

Though some met friends that they already knew from past events or our zoom meetings, they were more than willing to take some of us who are new to Italy under their wings and make us feel like we were family.

With that, lets welcome our new members, Giusy Di Rocco from Italy, Kateryna Kadatska from Ukraine, and Mark Dennis from the USA to our IADR Art Doll family.

From the exhibit of the artist's creations to the juried show, it was exciting to see the variety of mediums as well as style of dolls. Overall, the event seems to have met with everyone's expectations which was great to hear.  But now is the time to be thinking of if we will do another one?

Whether you attended the convention or not, we want your responses in helping to know if you would support and participate in another IADR convention next year.  Please take a moment to answer the poll by June 1st, 2025!

The fun begins at The Hotel Albani Firenze in Florence, Italy (which also a four star hotel)!  It is here that the IADR Event will be hosted.  I know we have been very happy with the customer service they have provided via long distance and through emails or phone calls (even with an 8 hour time difference) in order to have everything prepped to welcome our attendees to our first IADR Convention.

​The royal treatment can begin with a helpful valet opening the door for you and seeing if you need any assistance.

Upon entering the door the warm welcome continues as we check in with the historical decor added to the 20th century technology.  Not all of us will be staying here as others have made other arrangements, but just the opportunity of the dollmakers community coming together is almost like having Christmas arriving early.  The anticipation of seeing who will arrive and the new friends that will be made is exciting indeed.

The actual Convention will be held in their conference rooms which is across from the hotel entrance.  Lots of spaces for the Sales Exhibit room as well as spaces for the Workshops.  Keep in mind that you are still able to sign up for the workshops on our opening day.  So, check the schedule to know when they are happening and see what fantastic learning opportunities are available.

You will find us by seeing our newly made banner guiding you to the registration area where we will be delighted to see you.

Hard to believe that in less than 10 days we will be in Florence, Italy with our first ever IADR Art Doll Convention.

Are you working on your entries for the juried show? There is a 30 Euro fee for all entries to help with the cost of actually receiving physical trophies for this show only.  Also remember you must either deliver the entry yourself or have a responsible person drop it off AND pick it up for you.

Have you made arrangements with the instructors for their workshops?  Whether or not you sign up on the website, please confirm with the instructors to let them know you plan on attending so they can make sure they have all the supplies they need to teach their class.

Now it is thinking of it as a search engine like YouTube instead of a social media platform like Facebook or Instagram.  If you have questions or like to know more of what I am doing then drop me an email at [email protected].

In the meantime, I have also developed a board on my personal page for anyone that would like to collaborate on it.  To pin on a group board is like sharing on Facebook but even bigger.  The more that join in on the board, the bigger our reach.  Since I was the one who created the group board, you have to be invited to join.  Again if this is something you are interested in doing... drop me an email.

WELCOME to our new member Valeria Bafumi.  She is an Italian artist and the founder of WondersItalyAtelier.  She makes beautiful paper mache' dolls inspired by Italian art.

Very unique and one of a kind work and looking forward to her sharing more of her art with us.