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Kansas Doll Show Contests

            🎨 Kansas Doll Show Contests 🎨

We encourage artisans of all levels to enter their creations in our exciting contests!
This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your doll-making skills, attention to detail, and creativity.

 

Who Can Enter?
Both vendors and guests are welcome to participate.

 

🏆 Contest Categories

  • Best Reborn

  • Best Silicone

  • Best Fantasy

📌 You may submit one entry per category.

 

🎖 Awards

  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies will be awarded in each category.

  • Judging will be conducted by an esteemed panel of judges. (KDS staff does not participate in judging.)

🌟 People’s Choice Award

  • One trophy will be awarded for People’s Choice, voted on by the public attending the show.

  • Each attendee may cast one vote for their favorite entry across all categories.

  • The entry with the most votes wins the People’s Choice Award!

📢 Winners announced: Sunday at 12:00 PM (Noon) on the showroom floor.

 

📝 Contest Rules & Guidelines

  • Spaces are limited. Please reserve early before all slots are filled.

  • Entry fees are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and non-transferable.

  • Contest entries must remain anonymous.

    • Entries must be fully covered before entering the staging area.

    • Dolls may not be published online prior to submission.

    • Do not touch your entry while it is on display.

    • Do not reveal which entry is yours until voting ends.

  • Entries must be posed/displayed Saturday morning before the show begins at the contest staging area.

    • Once judging begins, you may not return to your entry until judging is complete.

  • Contest entries must be picked up after judging on Saturday at the contest staging area.

    • Vendors may then display their entry for sale at their booth.

    • Non-vendors may not sell their entry at the show.

🚫 Failure to follow these rules may result in disqualification.

 

🧺 Display Information

  • The Kansas Doll Show will provide white baskets for displaying contest entries.

  • Please bring your own small blankets for posing.

  • The outer blanket must be white to properly display your baby.

💡 This is your chance to shine, gain recognition, and celebrate artistry in the doll-making community!

             📋 Kansas Doll Show Contest Rules

Please carefully read and follow all rules in order to participate in the contests.

 

Eligibility

  • You must attend the Kansas Doll Show on Saturday and Sunday to participate.

  • All entries must be 100% completed by you. No one else may work on your entry (clothing may be purchased).

  • Illegally produced or plagiarized kits will not be accepted.

  • Nude submissions are not allowed.

 

🧺 Display Requirements

  • The Kansas Doll Show will provide woven rectangular baskets for all entries.

    • Basket size: 14" L × 12.6" W × 6" H

    • Your entry must fit completely within this size.

  • Owners are responsible for bringing:

    • Small blankets to prop up the entry inside the basket.

    • One white blanket to cover the basket and display the baby.

 

🔒 Anonymity & Fairness

  • Entries must remain anonymous at all times.

    • Keep entries covered while waiting in the staging area.

    • Dolls cannot be published online before submission.

    • Do not touch your entry once displayed.

    • Do not reveal or mention which entry is yours until voting has ended.

  • Contestants cannot sell dolls during the contest.

⚠️ Failure to follow these rules may result in disqualification.

 

Judging & Pickup

  • Contest entries must be staged Saturday morning before the show begins.

  • Owners are responsible for picking up their entries after judging on Saturday at the contest staging area.

    • Vendors may then display their entry for sale at their booth or table.

    • Non-vendors may not sell their entry at the show.

 

📸 Media & Rights

  • The Kansas Doll Show has publication rights to all contest photographs.

  • Photos and information submitted may be used in promotional materials.

 

⚠️ Liability

  • KDS is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged display items or contest submissions.

 

📝 Registration

  • Contestants must complete contest registration forms at the contest staging area.

 

Special Notice

If there are insufficient entries in any category, KDS reserves the right to cancel that category for this year’s competition.
➡️ In that case, the entry fee will be fully refunded via PayPal.

🏆 2026 Kansas Doll Show – Official Contest Categories & Rules

Welcome to the Kansas Doll Show Contest!

All entries must follow the rules below to ensure a fair and consistent judging experience.
Thank you for helping us create an exciting and inspiring competition!

✅ CONTEST CATEGORIES

1. Reborn Doll Division

  • Best Reborn – Beginner

  • Best Reborn – Intermediate

  • Best Reborn – Advanced

2. Reborn Fantasy Doll Division

(Reborn dolls with fantasy elements)

  • Best Reborn Fantasy – Beginner

  • Best Reborn Fantasy – Intermediate

  • Best Reborn Fantasy – Advanced

3. Silicone Doll Division

  • Best Silicone – Beginner

  • Best Silicone – Intermediate

  • Best Silicone – Advanced

4. Silicone Fantasy Doll Division

(Silicone dolls with fantasy elements)

  • Best Silicone Fantasy – Beginner

  • Best Silicone Fantasy – Intermediate

  • Best Silicone Fantasy – Advanced

5. Alternative Art Doll Division

(Non-Reborn, Non-Silicone Fantasy or Art Dolls)

  • Best Alternative Doll – Beginner

  • Best Alternative Doll – Intermediate

  • Best Alternative Doll – Advanced

6. Art Skill Categories

  • Best Painted Hair

  • Best Rooted Hair

  • Best Display

  • Best Seamstress Work (NOT displayed on dolls)

  • Best Clay Sculpture Doll (single category)

7. Show-Wide Award

  • People’s Choice Award

✅ GENERAL RULES

All contestants MUST follow these rules:

1. Work Must Be by the Artist

  • All work on the entry must be done completely by YOU.

  • No assistance, collaboration, or partial work by another artist allowed.

2. Required Clothing for Doll Categories

  • Reborn, Reborn Fantasy, Silicone, and Silicone Fantasy entries must wear a:
    ✅ Plain white onesie ONLY

  • NO accessories:

    • No hats

    • No shoes

    • No socks

    • No blankets

    • No props

    • No clothing other than the white onesie

3. Judging Criteria

Judges will review:

  • Skill level

  • Realism or intended fantasy design

  • Paint work

  • Rooting or hair work

  • Sculpting / detailing (if applicable)

  • Clean finishing

  • Creativity and execution

4. Doll Eligibility

  • Doll must be complete — no unfinished entries.

  • Weighting and internal feel are NOT part of judging.

  • Artist level must match your category (Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced).

5. Handling

  • Do NOT touch any dolls or entries.

  • Only staff and judges may handle entries.

6. Drop-Off & Pickup Times

  • Entries must be dropped off during designated check-in times.

  • Entries must be picked up at the specified time after judging.

7. Professional Conduct

  • Any arguing, disruptions, or attempts to influence judges may result in disqualification.

  • All decisions by judges are final.

✅ CATEGORY-SPECIFIC RULES

Reborn Fantasy & Silicone Fantasy

  • Fantasy elements must be part of the doll itself, such as:

    • Elf ears

    • Wings

    • Tails

    • Scales

    • Fantasy skin tones

    • Sculpted features

  • Clothing must still be a plain white onesie.

  • Judged on creativity, fantasy design, skill, and execution.

Alternative Art Doll Division

(Non-Reborn, Non-Silicone Mediums — fantasy or art dolls)

  • Dolls may be fully dressed or styled.

  • Props and accessories are allowed.

  • Judged on:

    • Craftsmanship

    • Creativity

    • Concept

    • Execution

    • Artistic presentation

Seamstress Category

  • Entries must NOT be displayed on dolls.

  • Sewing must be 100% done by the entrant.

  • No store-bought or altered clothing.

  • Entries may be displayed:

    • Flat

    • On a board

    • On a hanger

  • Judged on stitch quality, construction, finishing, and overall craftsmanship.

Clay Sculpture Category

  • Entry must be fully hand-sculpted (no kits).

  • Armature allowed but must not be visible.

  • Judged on sculpting skill, proportion, detail, and finishing.

✅ AWARDS

Each judged category receives:
🏆 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Trophies

People’s Choice Award receives:
🏆 1 Large Trophy

Winners are announced during the Kansas Doll Show Awards Banquet.

✅ GOOD LUCK to ALL ARTISTS!

We are honored to showcase your creativity, talent, and passion.

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