I love contests! Sure, sometimes they becomes popularity contests, but contests provide me with challenges and inspiration. It's fun to enter (particularly when I have a doll I really love) and fun to see what other people do with the same topic. I'm offering contests of my own in the spirit of creativity and community rather than winning fancy prizes.

There will, of course, be awards, too. ;)

Awards & Judging ~ Current Contests ~ FAQ

Contest Rules

1. Your entry must be 100% your own work, with the exception of the base. All entries must include base credits, even if it's your own base. I need a working link to the site, not just a name.
2. Entries should be no larger than 300x300 pixels and 30 KB. Animation is permissible only within reason. (It should be small, and artistically important.) I prefer dolls without backgrounds.
3. All entries should be transparent GIFs. If you can't make a transparent GIF, send a bitmap with a solid color background and ask me to convert it for you.
4. Keep it family-friendly!
5. It is okay to enter dolls that have been part of another contest, unless your doll won first place. If you win in a contest that hadn't begun voting or announced the winners when you entered my contest, the doll is still eligible.
6. Please do not enter the same doll in more than one contest on this site.
7. The final judge of eligibility will be me, Salli. I reserve the right to refuse an entry on grounds that seem reasonable to me.
8. Additional rules may apply to individual contests.

Actual Contests

Current Contests:

• Make a Pattern (awards pending)
• Castle Contest: Royal Guard (deadline: April 9)
• Special Contest: Original Fantasy Character (deadline: April 30)

• Sprite the Doll
• Creative Color
• Winter Fantasy
• Sword Dancer
• Doll the Character: Jack and Arvana
• Healing Hands

Upcoming Contests (not necessarily in this order):

• Fantasy Character
• Dragons (specific type)
• More Castle Contests

Awards and Judging

I judge my own contests, using a specific system. There will be a poll for voters' choice.

Awards: First, Second, and Third Places; Voters' Choice; Salli's Choice; whatever additional awards Salli feels like giving
Prizes: Banners and links for all, usually a custom doll for the overall winner.

As long as your doll, or an award featuring your doll, is on my site, there will be a link back to your site. There's no reason not to, since a link doesn't take up much space, and it wouldn't be fair to display your work without crediting it. I'd really appreciate it if your award links back to me—maybe your visitors would like to see who ran such a cool contest. ;)

All deadlines assume five entries. If I don't have five entries, the contest will stay open until I do. In all of my contests, I think this has happened once, though occasionally I extend deadlines for other reasons.

More information on awards and judging.

So, you won a custom doll...

Sometimes, winners get to request a custom doll. What does that mean?

First, I suggest looking around the site and seeing what I can do that you like. (You could ask for a male doll, but I don't imagine you'd be happy with the results!) You can request a specific base, as long as it isn't gigantic. I'll happily do your characters, you, or characters from fiction. You can be a specific, or non-specific, as you wish. If you prefer, you may request a sprite or blinkie. There is no telling how long it will take me to get to your request, but I'll do it eventually. ;)

I will not base a doll on artwork without the permission of the artist. For the purpose of requests, this means I'll only do it if you've obtained permission for me. I'll happily work from written descriptions, and use images you provide for examples of color or style.

Please keep requests rated PG or lower.

What can I do with my requested doll/sprite/blinkie?

A requested doll is somewhere between adoptable dolls and gifts. You may display it on your site, use it in your signature or avatar, even use it in a layout... as long as you credit me properly, link and all. I reserve the right to use requested dolls in site layouts or banners and enter them in contests.

As of April 2004, requested dolls will still be adoptable by others unless your request is either you or a character who belongs to you. You may also chose to permit your request to be adoptable if it falls under one of these categories, though you can't offer it for adoption yourself. (Although I prefer to keep requests adoptable when possible - they often turn out so well! - I will honor your wishes if you just have to keep your request to yourself.)

Suggestions

Seeing as I'm the judge, maybe you'd like to know what I like? These aren't rules. I'm just disclosing my biases.

• The top awards usually go to the dolls with the best hair and shading. (That is, after all, the bulk of the doll.) However, categories such as creativity, design, and how well you followed the instructions can tip the balance in the favor less technically-adept dollers.
• For some reason, I find blinking dolls slightly disturbing. I try not to hold it against the entries, though.
• I prefer "normally" proportioned bases. Big heads, odd body shapes, and very cartoony appearances can be fun sometimes, but I ultimately prefer dolls that look "real." (Even if it's fantasy real!) Really big eyes scare me. That's just the way it is.
• Along that note, real people do not have hair so shiny it looks metallic. While such hair can be lovely, I prefer more realistic styles.
• Salli's favorite color is blue. That does not mean that you should go overboard in an attempt to stun her into giving you first place. She also likes variety. (And talking about herself in third person!)
• Finally, my number one suggestion: be creative! Creativity beats anything else on this list! Please remember, though, that just because something is the wildest, craziest, most bizarre thing you can think of, it does not follow that it is creative. It might just be tacky.

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