Banner Sponsors
For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
As a show promoter and artist doing 5+ shows a year I can tell you that the majority of purchases are made using a credit card. Transactions paid by check have a higher rate of default than credit card transactions. Lots of bouncy checks out there it seems and it's not always possible to get it resolved with the collector. I've had one problem with a credit card in the last 3 years that I accepted at a show but didn't process until I got home. I don't have all the 'equipment'... I have a phone in account and one of those slide imprint thingys from the old days. I can call in for an authorization while the customer waits which I do on purchases over $300 or I can call in all my credit card purchases from a show once the show is over. I did a lot of research to find a credit card processing co. with the best rates.
Paypal offers merchant services where you can accept credit cards at shows then process them online. Their fees for this service are competitive and believe (not 100% sure) that you can just open this type of account when you have a show coming up so you don't have to pay monthly fees even when not using the service.
There are a lot of options out there now for accepting credit cards.... check 'em out!
I'm all for not having to schlepp anything more to a show than necessary or for incurring any more fees than necessary but I'm also all for accepting credit cards because they are the primary payment method at shows and no more risky than accepting personal checks!
I'm a collector too and have to agree with Cindee.... I don't like to carry cash - especially large amounts needed to buy artist bears. Just plastic! 
The more pieces you have for people to choose from the more collectors you are apt to sell to. The bear you leave at home will be the one bear someone at the show would have fallen in love with if you'd brought it. After just doing a show today w/15 bears I was wishing I'd brought more! (Not that I had any more ready, mind you!) I know I would have sold more if I had 'em!
Good luck next weekend and say hello to Fred Slayter for me!
Well, Beanie Babies are made from it.... its also used in an even shorter pile and printed on for upholstery fabric. It's used for pet toys, baby toys, car seat covers, sleeping bags....
Folkmanis uses it for some of their puppets:
If you search Google Images you'll find lots of pictures of products made with it.
Donna - I've only seen velboa in a very short, dense velvty pile, unlike viscose which comes in all lenghts and velboa is 100% polyester instead of rayon. Good source for either.....????? Sorry, not much help there!
I needed a bowtie pattern a few years back for a bear and found Google quite helpful!
Of course I found human sized ones but it's easy enough to reduce or redesign the pattern for the size you need. Seeing the shape of the pattern was enough for me to then make my own.
There are patterns you can download free too.
I highly recommend Google! 
You mean bears you've been making or cuddling while sick?
Like anything else you've touched, they need to be disinfected. With clothes, bedding, etc you can wash it. As for bears....
I'd lightly spray them with unscented lysol then put them in bags in the freezer for at least 48 hrs to kill the germs. Let them air out for a couple of days after to be sure there's no smell from even the unscented spray.
I do feel the need to clarify one thing after Alison's comment about making diabetics one of the high risk groups for the vac - I may have misread but she seemed to have implied this was a problem in her opinion, taking more shots away from others who need it more.
Diabetics are at high risk for a LOT of complications and are just as deserving of the vaccine if they desire as any other high risk group. They are at high risk for infection and secondary issues from any illness, even cuts on the skin because their bodies don't heal as quickly! They typically get sicker than the healthy person with even the simplest cold and take longer to recover, extending their chances of complications. Death from the flu is very possible and common.
Having said that, as a Type 1 diabetic for 27+ years, with additional auto-immune diseases, I will NOT get a flu vaccine of any sort and am also against taking any unnecessary drugs. Good old vitamins and plenty of rest have worked for me thus far. My fingers are crossed!! If it becomes an absolute necessity to get the shot I will reconsider. By then perhaps we'll know more about it's long term effects and it's effectiveness.
As a side note: A number of towns near me recently held free flu vaccine clinics... they all reported record low turn out and some future flu vac clinics were canceled as a result. That speaks volumes as do the doctors and nurses who won't get the vaccines!!!
I just got home from Chicago tonight and will try to get some pictures posted and a review too but I've also got to get sewing bears because I'm exhibiting at Hunt Valley, MD this coming Sunday and currently have NO BEARS finished to bring!!! (GULP!) Laura got some great pictures so we'll get 'em up soon!
If anyone else was there and took pictures please be sure to share them!! :photo:
It really was a wonderful day... good turn out.... lots of smiling faces and lots of bears went off to new homes!! It was also wonderful to see friends both old and new and we even met collectors we've only known through online sales... it was great to have them at the show as well!! And we knew we had talented artists exhibiting but WOW! They really brought amazing work!
More to come.......
:hug:
Bobbie it was SO wonderful to finally meet you and we're so excited that you'll be teaching a workshop at next year's show!!!
I just got home from Chicago tonight and will try to get some pictures posted and a review too but I've also got to get sewing bears because I'm exhibiting at Hunt Valley, MD this coming Sunday and currently have NO BEARS finished to bring!!! (GULP!) Laura got some great pictures so we'll get 'em up soon!
If anyone else was there and took pictures please be sure to share them!! :photo: It really was a wonderful day, lots of smiling faces and lots of bears went off to new homes!! It was also wonderful to see friends both old and new and we even met collectors we've only known through online sales... it was great to have them at the show as well!! More to come.......
:hug:
She's beautiful! I never progressed beyond love birds, parakeets and cockatiels but always wanted a Timneh. Such smart birds and wonderful pets. Enjoy your baby Grey! 
Oh my gosh, the girls have gotten so big!! They are gorgeous but growing way too fast! Kindergarten already, wow! I'm sure they keep you quite busy. They may get older but that just means their activities change, not that they'll demand any less of your time!
We miss you too! Maybe you can take a little trip to Hunt Valley, MD for the show on Nov. 1? It's a wonderful show! Fantastic artists, beautiful hotel and awesome shopping/restaurants right next door! I'm not sure how alive I'll be after the big Chicago show the weekend before but I'll be there!
It was great to hear from you and see a picture of the girls!! Hopefully despite being busy you are doing well! Stay happy and healthy!
Hugs,
Daphne
Call your doctor! :hug:
Eric has a good point but that doesn't make what Jenny is describing "ethical" or respectful to the original artist.
As far as I'm concerned this is right up there with outright copying. If you can't be original and do your own dirty work and have to disrespect a real artist's unique creativity then............ well...........
And yeah, I bet a lot of us have seen a handmade bear and thought "he needs a little more trimmed here, some shading there, his limbs are attached crooked etc. but to actually buy, alter and resell as your own!!! Shame!
Just my opinion! 
Ripples under my oars reach sand.
We've received nearly 40 ads this far!!! Thank you!!! Keep 'em coming! The more we have the more impressive the program will be and collectors will be sure to keep it so they can visit advertiser's websites!! The ads coming in are eye catching and colorful! So many sweet bear faces peering off the pages!! So much talent!!!
Artists have commented on how refreshing it is to have an afforable place to advertise and I couldn't agree more!!! (One of the benefits of being not just a promoter but an artist too - I know the struggles and costs so I'm trying to provide everyone with alternatives to the norm to help build their businesses!) The show program is a unique and VERY inexpensive way to reach hundreds of collectors and support one of the US's newest and largest bear shows!!
Don't miss this advertising opportunity! Get your ad in the program among your friends and peers!! Deadline is this Saturday, October 10th! Visit www.backroadbears.com/chicagolandprogramad.htm for more info!!
Hugs of Thanks!!
Daphne
Got your ad, thank you!!
Ads are coming in faster than I can keep up with! This is wonderful! :dance: Other than banners here on TT, I don't know where else we as artists can direct advertise to collectors for $20 or less and a big ad at that!!!
Thank you to all who have submitted ads! There's still room for more!!!
I look forward to receiving your ads, ladies! Thank you!
Sue Ann, next year maybe? We'll miss you!!! :hug:
Great answer, Becky!
Some styles (pile lengths, densities, colors) are hard to come by nowadays so when I see a rare piece at a show I get really excited! Even if I have NO idea what I'm going to make with it I just have to have it! I have one such piece that's been in my stash for at least 6 yrs now.... I take it out, lay it in my lap, pat it for a while, then put it back. I've never seen this color since and I love it so much I don't want to cut into it. Never being able to pat it again... making a bear of it and selling it is just unthinkable! :doh:
I think the type of mohair or fur totally dictates the style/size even sex of the bear. When I find a piece I want to work with the design of the bear usually comes to mind quite quickly. Sometimes coming across a really neat material for just paw pads will inspire a whole new bear pattern! Other times I want to use a particular pattern of mine and seek the mohair that it will look best in.
Now I want to go play in my mohair closet! 
I want to share some exciting news and a fantastic opportunity with you!
The Chicagoland Teddy Bear Show - Embassy Suites -Schaumburg, IL, which we've been working hard to organize and promote for the last year will make it's debut on October 24th! It's a sold out show with over 45 international artists and with a buffet, silent charity auction and also a workshop with Tami Eveslage it's going to be an exciting event! Collectors are registering for the festivities at a rapid rate and we've been advertising the show in local papers and with radio ads and ticket give aways so we anticipate a great turn out!
What does that have to do with you?
Well, as a teddy bear artist, supplier, magazine editor, etc any where in the world you're invited to be part of the show by placing a very affordable ad in our full-color Souvenir Show Program (free to all show attendees)! Reach hundreds of collectors and other artists with this direct marketing opportunity! Ad prices range from $10-20 and submitting and paying for your ad couldn't be easier! Just click here http://www.backroadbears.com/chicagolandprogramad.htm to learn more! Please note: ad and payment must be submitted no later than October 10, 2009 so don't wait!!!
Thanks and Hugs,
Daphne Blau & Laura Matthews
Back Road Events
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!
Etsy is really slow for me when it comes to selling bears. I've had success in the past on BearPile and would recommend it if it's bears you have to sell. Etsy seems to be great for less expensive items. Like you Clare, it's heaven to shop there! So many amazing things! Post on your website, blog, in an email to your collectors etc. that you've opened a shop there..... I've found that you do have to do some advertising for your Etsy shop to help bring traffic to it.
When the boys start asking for guinea pigs and such just make sure they are females so you won't be quite so out numbered! Perhaps you'll be lucky and they'll be complete opposites on the energy level. One can hope!!! Congratulations.... can't wait to hear what his name will be!
I can't think of a better word to describe a female teddy bear than "girly"! Let's face it, teddy bears, for all intents and purposes are meant to be cute. To me "girly" is a cutesy term so it seems very fitting for a girl teddy bear to be called that. It's a TEDDY BEAR - not a human. I really don't think the girl bears mind.
