What a busy last couple of days!  The results are in from our Dragon Tales, Faery Tales and Heroes Juried Show.  It was a fantastic turnout.  I thank the judges that took their time to critique and evaluate the entries as that is an important part of the show.  Those comments are priceless in helping us see our own work from another perspective and learn in our doll journey.  You can see the winners of the event on our Awards page on our IADR website.

July 15th, Monday, the summer issue of the IADR Art Doll magazine should be released if all things go well.  We should also hopefully know the results of our Dragon tales, Faery tales and Heroes juried show results.  Again, if all goes well without any summer time glitches. 

July 17th, Wednesday, will be the next IADR Planning Committee for the Italy Convention coming in 2025.  It will be an 8:00 am MST meeting via Zoom.  This is for anyone that wants to help shape how our convention will be no matter where you live.  You don't even have to be planning on attending to still have some input because hopefully this will become an annual event and who knows after the Italy event where the next one will be.  Email [email protected] if you would like to be sent an invite.

July 22nd, Monday, the new Fall Juried Show begins with the theme DO WHAT YOU LOVE!   The deadline for this event will be September 30th, 2024, followed closely by the Peoples Choice Event.

July 30th, Tuesday, is our next Shylock Doll Gathering at it's new time of 12:30 pm MST.  We currently have challenged ourself to share and explore the book of Facial Expression by Gary Faigin.  We are beginning with our first head being the expression of Joy.  If you like to join in this live zoom meeting please email me at  [email protected] for the zoom link and also the sketch image we are using for inspiration.  

So dog-gone-it!  Why not come join us dollmakers for a little R & R (rest and relaxation)?  For what can be more fun than hanging out talking or making dolls with other dollmakers *smiling*?

A big thank you to everyone that enter our juried shows as this is one of the best ways to support our group.  When we can offer opportunities (like the juried shows), then it offers the chance for not only our jury show attendance to grow but the IADR to grow as well.  When people ask how can I help support the IADR, this is just one of the many ways.

So, in between this stage and next, is our Italy IADR Art Doll & Miniature show Planning Committee meeting --let me know if you would like to be a part of the planning process (no matter where you live).  This way I can add you to the group chat and zoom notification.  Our next meeting is Wednesday, July 17th, 2024 at 8:00 am MST.  Contact me either with Instant Messenger on Facebook or email me at ​ [email protected].

Since the website can take all sizes of pictures - that is not the problem.  It just means the bigger (file size) the picture is the longer it takes for the photo to be sent after hitting the submit button.  Each time you click the submit button, it tries to send it all over again to the IADR website.  Once the submit button is clicked, take a few minutes to give it time to process.  If after 5 minutes from clicking the button, if you still don't have the message that your form has been submitted on the screen, then it's time to contact us at [email protected].

Also, why you are on the website, take a moment to fill in the Poll for the IADR Doll & Miniature Conference to be held in May 2025.  All answers are helpful in planning this first ever event.

Click this link to be taken to the IADR Convention Polling . You'll notice that there is an option to read it in Italian as well in the upper right hand corner of the page.  Everyone - Please take a moment to give us some of your thoughts.  Even if you don't see yourself going this time around, help us shape this event for future ones.  If you are planning on attending then help us to make this event the bang-up over-the-top event of the year with your ideas, comments, and commitments.

And now for our second major event - the our Dragon tales, Faery tales and Heroes Juried Show.  The Deadline is just days away - June 28th, 2024, Friday at 10 pm MST.  Remember, as a member of IADR to get your pieces in to Registration first so you have the information needed for the Juried Show entry form.

If you are a non-member, get your entry fee processed so you have your invoice number available for your submission form.

We have had a few glitches in the registration and jury show entry forms, but hopefully they are fixed now.  But, it is very important when submitting your pieces for the show that you receive the notification from me that I have received it to confirm your entry.  Your entry isn't accepted in to the show unless you have that final check off of receiving an email confirmation from IADR.

If you have any questions regarding the polling or the juried show, please contact Lesley at ​[email protected].

Also the Deadline for the Dragon tales, Faery tales and Heroes Juried Show is fast approaching. Spread the magic by entering this fun themed juried show and let your creativity shine!

​Deadline is June 28th, 2024.

The first thing that had to be decided was where to have the conference.  The doll ladies in Italy are excited to host our first event.  We are only in the very beginning stages of planning, but have narrowed down to location which will be in Florence, Italy.  We are currently attempting to confirm the dates for some time in May 2025.

But there is so much more that needs to be done and we certainly want to give everyone a chance to be thinking about this opportunity.  Three things will be planned for the conference.  (1) We would like to be able to offer some workshops; (2) There will be a juried doll show which would include physical trophies and ribbons to receive; and finally (3) The opportunity for doll sales.

As I said, this is all in the beginning planning stages and more information will be coming out as we make final decisions.  Now is the time to be dusting off that passport and making sure it is up-to-date to attend! If you would like to be involved with this FIRST-EVER event, please email Lesley at [email protected] or you can contact her through Instant Messenger on Facebook.

This might be a link often over looked as you are completing the Registration form.  It is right in the middle of the Registering page (after the section explaining "what dolls we do not accept") for a show.  See where it says "NOTE"- These certificates are available FREE to all IADR members.  They are for your use to give out to your customers with your creations.  The certificate indicates the date and IADR number that is associated with your doll certifying the doll's authenticity.  These certificates can be used with any doll that is registered with the IADR, whether you are submitting it for a juried show or not.

There are five (5) new forms and they are in jpg format.  That way, if you want to download them and put your picture of the doll in the form, it should be easier to do.  Enjoy, and as always, if you have any questions please email me at [email protected].

It does take a little imagination and a lot of play to capture these magical creatures.  But they aren't the only source of inspiration.

Stories are a great resource.  Tales we read growing up like Knights fighting Dragons, Dragons befriending a Princess or even the tales of far off countries where there were young peasant boys saving the princesses from evil.  Don't forget about the boy who defeated the evil that we dare not mention.  Heroes show up in the most interesting way.  We all have a favorite and what better way to bring those fun loving memories to life, than by creating a special character through sculpting.

I hope you enjoy finding that special magical moment and can't wait to see what has inspired the inner child within you.

Doll judges or judging should not be a matter of choosing 'a who is popular' type of an event.  Doll judges have chosen to be judges because they have the skill level that we desire to achieve and they are willing to share their expertise with us.  In most competitions, and the ones I have submitted an entry into (as well as in the IADR Juried Shows), entries are sent to the judges without names.  The judges don't have a clue who they are judging, they are just looking at the body of the work.

Polymer judging is a little different than Porcelain judging too.  Overall, the appearance of the doll is always going to make the biggest impact but then comes the tie breakers.  Tie breakers are the additional details that are added by the artist to their creations.  It is those tie breakers that the judges will look at that will help them decide on one doll over another for skill level.  In the competition I entered, porcelain doll makers aren't judged on a full body sculpture unlike in a polymer competition (porcelain doll makers are required to use molds to pour in our liquid porcelain).  More often than not, it is the sewing for the porcelain doll that will be the tie breakers as well as the China-painting skills.  That is why it is nice to know what is important to the judges for their scoring.

Since the IADR Juried Shows are open to all type of medias from polymer, porcelain, cloth to fiber art - what is it that the IADR judges are looking for when scoring?  There are three areas that the IADR judges take into consideration.  Each area has a value of 1 to 5 points with 5 being the highest. 

Those three areas are:
(1) The Skill Level in creating your doll (how well it is sculpted and is the doll in proportion/well formed);
(2) Interpretation of Theme of the IADR show you are entering in; and
(3) The Overall Appearance of your doll.  The big impact look as I like to call it.

​Knowing what the doll judges are looking for helps the artist entering their submission for the competition to focus on for those tie breaker judging elements.

Not to say it isn't fun when our entry wins a category or achieves a win at a certain artistic level, but also if we don't win this time to remember - dust yourself off and start again.  Don't take it personal, instead take what the judges say into consideration for improving your skills for next time.

As I leave the doll convention this week, my doll (Faun) as a sculpted OOAK (one-of-a-kind) doll, did win in it's category.  Faun will go home with her ribbons, but I'll be dusting myself off for my attempt next year.  Without trying I wouldn't have learned what I have learned and would like to think that next year's submission will even be better! *Smiling*