​That’s when I had one of my “aha” moments.  If I knew everything when I was beginning my art path, then I would have nothing new to learn now.  For me, my art is all about the experience of expressing myself through my creations.  If my art sells, that is a wonderful benefit and I am glad for it, but it isn’t the motivation as to why I create it.

To continue my "aha" moment I also realized people learn and remember more with pain than pleasure.  Sad but true.  For every moment I got frustrated or fed up with a piece I was working on, I tend to remember those moments more than my successes.  But that is okay if I also took away from that experience a new understanding or progressed in my art.  For art is truly practice - practice - practice!

So this blog is for any of you that are in one of those "moments".  Especially with all the changes to the market, AI development, and at times even the feeling of lack of support or community, remember you are not alone in these feelings.  For myself, even as frustrated as I can get with my art, I am glad I have the ability to still do it and the passion to continue to follow it... where ever it leads me.  As someone recently asked me, "Do you believe dolls can heal?"  I absolutely believe that and that they can teach us about ourselves and also make our world even a little better.

Since the IADR is about promoting our members, let us know if you are participating in any shows or events and we will happily get the word out about it.  The IADR is about supporting each other and what we do *smiling* whether it is one of our own events or one you are involved in.

2026 IADR CONVENTION PLANNING COMMITTEE will be having their next meeting on Wednesday July 16th, 2025 at 9 am MST (which is 5 pm in Italy).  Do you want to be a part of it?  Then drop me an email at iadregistry@outlook.com so that I can include you in the chat group and send you the Zoom link. 

From specific tutorials like Sculpting Hands with Deb Wood or China Painting Eyebrows from MisPlace Dolls, that is just the beginning.  There are also a Costuming section, a Wing section, and even a little bit of Miscellaneous to look at.

These resources have all been generously donated to the IADR library and they are free to IADR members.  Also this is another way to get involved!!   We are in need of some helpful tips or inspiration for the Fiber Arts as that interest grows.

Also think "Marketing"!  What do I mean by that?  When a tutorial or project idea is sent to the IADR library, it can be linked back to the person who supplied it.  This is a great way to cross-market for those that have websites.  Also, if you have supplied tutorials for the IADR Art Doll magazine, I don't automatically add them to the library.  I'll try to get better about asking about that because when a tutorial or project is submitted to the IADR Library, there is a reference to who supplied it.  This gives the person name recognition and if they share links how they can be found (for those that don't have websites) - that can help their social media platforms grow.

Let's keep our IADR library healthy by using it and adding to it.  If you wish to add tutorials or projects, send them to IADRegistry@outlook.com.

Yet another way to get involved is in our juried shows and our IADR Art Doll Convention.  We are already in the beginning stages of planning our next convention for 2026.  Since we meet only once a month via Zoom, it doesn't hurt to get this started now for a successful event as they do take a lot of planning and work.  Why not join in and be a part of this event?  Help shape it and discover new friends along the way.

Click the link below to view the videos of our first planning meeting.  One has been translated in English and one in Italian.  Keep in mind, the AI is only so smart and so am I (laughing) but I think they are understandable.  Especially because my big plan for the Zoom account to translate for us didn't work out.  We won't give up though and will still find something that will work for us.  In the meantime, let me know what you think of the videos and you can always email me at iadregistry@outlook.com.  IADR members only have access to the video - so when you click the link below, please login to the IADR website to be taken to the videos.  Our next meeting will be July 16th - Wednesday for the Planning Meeting.

Was the IADR Art Doll Convention a success?  Yes, it could have used more artists at it... especially those offering their expertise with workshops.  Could we have had better attendance at the workshops?  Hopefully that is something that can be taken care of with more exposure of the event and more advertising.

And Yes, the IADR Art Doll Convention was a success because from the start of mentioning having a convention for 2025, we received 15 new members both in Sculpting and Fiber Arts artists.  That is a big boost to our membership and it is exciting to meet the variety of talent.

Don't let the barrier of language hold you back from participating in the planning meetings.  I am amazed on how helpful the Google Translator app helps us in understanding each other.  Otherwise there is also the "type-chat" option in the Zoom meeting which can be translated too.  The main thing is to just let me know that you would like to be involved and the rest can be figured out.  

What are those changes?  It is hard to say as we are in the middle of experiencing those changes now.  Did you know that Naples existed at the time of the Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD, though luckily they did not receive the devastation of Pompeii?  Naples helps today to shine the light on Pompeii's history.  It is at Pompeii that we can see the amazing art, walk the stone roads, and just get a glimpse into an age that no longer exists.  How we have changed but also how we have remain the same too?

​I was reminded of some of the "sameness" as I walked along an ancient Roman roadway in Naples called Christmas Alley (Via San Gregorio Armeno).  It was there that I discovered that the way I structure my porcelain dolls is the same way many of the specialty figures are still made in Naples.  What are these figures used for?  They are used in the building of presepe or in English- Nativity creche. 

I was simply blown away when I saw these many displays.  Plus anything (small or large) that was created for them.  From animated figurines - to small bowls of fruit like you can see in the video.  These displays are not just about Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. They’re elaborate scenes that depict a whole village and are quite unique from your average manger.  You’ll also find modern politicians and celebrities right along side biblical characters.  Plus, they are worked on throughout the whole year.

So what was my Italian epiphany?  That there will always be a doll market.  Dolls (figurines) express our view of the world, our spiritually, and captures those day-to-day moments in time.  Just like the artwork in Pompeii showed us, dolls help with the healing.  They give us hope in our ever changing world.  We may need to adapt and evolve to reach a new market, but dolls are timeless.  I am reminded of a quote from "The StoryTeller" by Jim Henson... 'They are a luxury.  Therefore a necessity.'  Meaning - that once someone experiences a luxury, it can become so deeply ingrained in their life and habits that they begin to perceive it as essential, or a "necessity".  Such is a doll!

Don't miss out on the fun by taking a peek into the IADR Art Doll Convention video now on our IADR YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7lGLb-xPus​.

But there is more to think about as not everyone can attend a juried show in Italy.  This year's events are already planned but in looking at 2026 I am thinking there might need to be one more on-line juried show added.  What do you think?  Can we squeeze another one in?

I like keeping the Winter Blues juried show as a start to the year as that is a great opportunity for non-members to participate if they wish.  Also, it's fun playing games and winning prizes from our sponsors.

The next juried show would then be at the IADR Art Doll Convention in Italy (keeping our fingers crossed) *smiling*.  Followed by the People's Choice Event that summer.  The People's Choice is important as that it is all about exposure to the public and possible sales.  Please note the "update" article in the next edition of the IADR Art Doll magazine as I would like to improve our social media reach for the People's Choice.

The final event of the year is The YEAR END event.  The first rule for the YEAR END competition is that one must have participated in one of the previous juried shows and/or the People's Choice in order to be eligible to enter this event.  

And as we are always thinking ahead to the next project or way to diversify our reach -- talking with Bambi in our last podcast had me rethinking Pinterest.  I have since then saw a new way to grow on there again.  When I first started a couple of years ago, it wasn't that hard to work up to having a couple of 100 monthly views.  But like everything - the algorithm changed and my numbers were dropping no matter what I did.  

Sign up now for this great opportunity to not only participate at the IADR Art Doll Convention but don't miss out on the chance to receive "The Catch of the Day" by Mark Dennis.  Only registered guest receive this once in a lifetime offer to own one of Mark's creations. Check out the IADR website to see all the perks to this package deal for Guests and Visitors to the IADR Art Doll Convention at:
                  https://www.international-art-doll-registry.com/convention-registration.html

Sign up for one of the many workshops that are available at the IADR Convention as deadlines are fast approaching.  The instructors have materials to prep and gather to get ready for the classes.  If you would like to attend the workshop but want to wait to pay for it on the day that is happening, that is fine.  Though still send the IADR an email stating that is what you like to do so these classes can prepare.  Email iadregistry@outlook.com with Workshop in the subject line.