The dolls have safely returned from the Kansas City Doll Fair. This is my report-

First there is Jane. She is a gourd head doll. She was entered into the professional category of “Original” dolls (not cloth) in the “Character” division.

This is what I wrote on my entry tag- She is inspired by folk art portraits. Gourd head, painted with acrylic paint. Jointed, undressable doll, not posed.

She came home with a Blue Ribbon and a score of 94. This is what was written on the judging form-
“I love the gourd-doll concept and the use of it in a 19th century doll! Your next task- in my mind- is pulling it together so the viewer’s eye is not drawn to particular “parts”. For example, I love the face, the head, but immediately thought it wass too big. I know it should be larger then normal proportion, but if the body were even 1- 1 1/2″ taller, it would help. Also, the shadowing around the eyes could be a little more subtle. To me, it calls attention to the shadow- not the eyes. I’m being picky, and as you can see I gave you a great score. It’s the nuance now that I’m addressing.”

My take? odd- I had thought that the body was approaching too tall, so I guess I don’t agree there. I appreciate the judge taking the time to write so much. What a job it must have been. Unfortunately I can’t say I got anything useful from this evaluation.

I got an email from Linda Smith who was in charge of the competition at the Kansas City Doll Fair. She wrote to tell me that-
“Number 87 received a score of 98 points out of 100, and received a Blue Ribbon.

Number 88 received a score of 97 points out of 100, and received a Blue Ribbon.

Number 289 received a score of 94 points out of 100, and received a Blue Ribbon.”

I am not sure which doll is 87 or 88 ( I sent Haze and the Edwardian Gentleman ), but 289 is Jane, the gourd head doll. I was most nervous about sending Jane, because I think she was in a category with many mixed-media and polymer dolls. After my experience last year, I was surprised and very pleased with the scores. I can’t wait to see the written evaluation.

I had an idea that last year, the person who was judging did not have a clear idea of what I was trying to achieve with my doll. This year I tried to be very clear… assumed I needed to explain. I sent 3 dolls because I thought it would be helpful to see different dolls that shared my style. I wrote about what the inspiration was and also pointed out technical details- like the one-seam hands and the removeable clothing. When I get the dolls back, I will post pictures, what I wrote and the critique.

This is the REAL reason I thought it was worth sending dolls again this year- I met Sherry Goshon at the Textile Tarts summer picnic/meeting which took place right after WOW last year. I showed her pictures of my work. When I showed her the picture of Esther, she recognised her… Said she’d seen the doll in Kansas City and had really liked it! Yes Mimi, people are really seeing the dolls that leave my house! I needed to hear that- sometimes, when one doesn’t attend the show it feels like the dolls are going out into a great black hole.

This doll is going off to a new home and I had to give her a name. She has been sitting on the piano, looking at me as I eat every meal… and I’ve been thinking about it. She is now Daphne.