Have you registered for the IADR Art Doll Convention yet?  December 31, 2024 is the last day to get the best rate to register for the IADR Art Doll Convention in Florence, Italy, for May 2025.  After that date, the prices to register start to go up.  To register guarantees a opportunity to enter our first live juried show, an opportunity to take workshops from talented artists, and a chance to sell your own artwork.  This event includes fun, meeting other doll artists, and the sharing of our love for dollmaking.  The convention is open to all doll artists in all mediums.

I am still learning all the fun features to Bluesky myself, but there is a sense of positive outreach and community to this platform.  To make this easier to understand - Bluesky is similar to Instagram that you can post to the stream of posts that creates the timeline.  Then build a community of followers that will help your post be seen by either commenting on it, reposting it on their timeline, or simply leaving a like to it.  The nice thing to Bluesky is that it works with #hashtags to help you be found in searches.  Bluesky also allows outside links to your product in your post!  That means a higher rate of people clicking on it and going to where they can learn more about your artwork instantly instead of having to look to other places (like your bio for example) for that information.  Or simply loosing them because they could never find it.

So, how do you find the IADR on Bluesky?  Here are the 3 easy steps to do just that.

1.  Download the Bluesky app which has the butterfly logo on it (see image above).  Then create your account.

3.  Start building your community with going to the search option on the left hand side of the screen inside of your Bluesky account.  Type in #iadregistry and you will find our account.  Start following the IADR and we will follow you back.  Use the hashtag - #iadregistry when posting your posts.  (I am guessing on this part -- but it should work.)  When you use the IADR hashtag when creating your post, then I should be able to do a search for anyone using it.  When I find one of our IADR members using it I will then like the post, repost it on the IADR timeline, and comment.  This will boost your post back up the stream on the timeline as we build our community.

Helpful Hint:  As I said, posting to Bluesky is like jumping into a stream of flowing water.  When you repost other people's post on to your timeline (which should be things you like or supporting other artists), then your own post gets lost.  The helpful hint is PIN your post.  When you create a post and post it to your timeline, go to the post and at the bottom of it - to the right should be three little grey dots.  Click on them and a list of options should pop up for you.  The first option should be is to PIN your post to your timeline.  That way that post will be the first post anyone sees that comes to your page.  So, as you help build your community of followers by being seen with reposting their posts on your timeline or simply sharing those things you enjoy --your PIN post will always be there.  When you want to update it or change it out, you can unpin it and pin a new one.  It also seems you can pin several posts to your timeline.  I'll be doing more research into that and also planning on a more in-depth look at this new platform with an article about it in the January 2025 IADR Art Doll magazine.

And as always, if you have any questions about Bluesky or the IADR then drop me an email at [email protected].

But we are not there yet.  We have a Convention Planning Meeting scheduled for 8:00 am MST - 4:00 pm (Italy time) on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 via Zoom.  Members of this committee should have received some of the information we will be discussing through Instant Messager prior to the meeting.

Please mark your calendar for that.  If you are new and wish to be a part of the Planning Committee, simply email Lesley at [email protected] to let me know you are interested and to receive an invite to the Zoom meeting.

Also, mark your calendar for the IADR YEAR END Juried Show event as the deadline to enter is December 31st, 2024.

That is also why the link for the sale was posted on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and the new Bluesky social media platform.  But as I so often say, I can't do it without you.  So, thank you for being an active part of the Sales event and sharing the link yourself.  The IADR can't guarantee sales but we can guarantee we do our upmost to help get the word out and promote our amazing doll artists.

Also don't be shy.  As a member of IADR you have so many ways to be seen - The Artist's Studio page, juried shows, and also by being involved with the IADR Art Doll magazine.  If you have any questions on how best to use these tools for your own artwork, contact Lesley at [email protected].  I am always willing to try new ways to help being seen.  With that in mind, I hope to be able to get more information out on Youtube and TikTok soon.  These options are still in the beginning stages but I'll keep you updated.

In the meantime, remember December 31st is the Deadline for the Year End Event.  For those wanting to participate in that event the details are on our website at https://www.international-art-doll-registry.com/year-end-2024-submission.html.  This is the only Juried Show that you must be a member of IADR in order to compete.

The Winter Blues Game will be starting in January, 2025.  If you would like to increase your following on Instagram, think about becoming a sponsor for the game.  More on that will also be coming out soon.

But social media, being what it is, the more that share, like, or comment on any of the posts helps boost the reach.  Meaning the more members that pitch in to get the word out, the better the reach.  Let's make this event happen.

If you have any questions about any of the upcoming events please email Lesley at [email protected].

The registration for the convention is now live and available to access on the IADR website.  If you have any questions, you can either refer to the magazine as we tried to explain the many options there or, as always, email Lesley at [email protected].

Learn about the "Catch of the Day" in the magazine and how one might actually catch it for their own.  Early Bird Registrations do get the best options when they register for the convention as they will each receive three tickets for the drawing of the "Catch of the Day".  See what a registration offers (such as access to discounted rooms during the Convention in the hotel hosting it) as well as other benefits.  

Talking of the November Doll Sales Page, our IADR Doll Sale will be going live on November 7th.  There is still time if you wish to be added to the sales page.  The deadline is November 1st if you want to send a doll picture linked to your IADR Artist's Studio page.  The doll artists that participated in the Peoples' Choice Event will already be included in this event.  Again, a great way to get your work out and be seen.

Another way to be seen is also to have one of your dolls on the IADR website.  So, if you don't have a doll image submitted yet, please do so.  If you already have a doll image on the website, this is also your opportunity to update it to a newer creation as well.  Come strut your stuff by showcasing your work by having it on a page on the IADR website, being in the Artist's Studio page, on the Doll Sales page, or by entering a jury show.  Remember, it is all about being seen (either to inspire others or to find those wanting and admiring your works) and if you have any questions please email me at [email protected] or Facebook Instant Messenger.  

As we continue to be seen - mark the November IADR Doll Sales on your calendar.  Those that participated in the Peoples' Choice event will already be on the page for this event.  Anyone that would like to be added to the page just let me know through Instant Messenger on Facebook or email me at [email protected].

With the new members we have added, I thought now would be a good time to freshen up the website as well.  So, if you already have a doll image on the website and would like to change to a newer piece let me know.  Otherwise, if you don't have an image somewhere throughout the website and would like to have a picture on it, again let me know.

As we wind down to finding who will be on the cover of our Special Edition magazine, there is another deadline.  For those doing workshops for the 2025 IADR Art Doll Convention you should have received your mock up for the magazine.  Please confirm that the information is correct as the deadline for changes to the Workshops for the Special Edition is Wednesday, October 9th, 2024.​

Email me at [email protected] if you have any questions.