Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

No way dude....that's the one I LOVE!     :hug:  (mentioned above.... and the teddy)

SEE Shel....put her on eBay and you've already got 2 of us who want her and would bid.

Totally check out the areas Amelia mentioned on ebay and do some snooping around out there....you'll be pleasantly surprised. 

Are yah gonna list one...huh huh huh

:hug:
~Chrissi

Nope!

You could always test one out on eBay...see what happens.  I don't think it would go for less than $50.

Don't under price yourself on these...yes they're smaller and cute....but within the collectible art realm that rarely means a lower price. (look what some ATC go for) I'm not saying to over price, not at all...but compare it to other "well known" artists who do smaller quirky cute items. They're not underpricing themselves at all...they sell and they're in demand when they come to market. 

As a collector I may not be able to afford one of your bears right now, but I could afford one of these to place with my bears....it's still very much within reach.  And obviously still very much a detailed original item. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Hi Shel,
Um....I don't think that pricing is off actually.

Let look at things that are considered "artisan".... ...

These are pillows.  These sell...they have 'em every year with new sayings.
Cute "designer" (even gave the designers name) pillows sold by Garnet Hill: $48 each

Sundance catalog:
Square wool pillow $55

Hand Embroidered Pillow: $155

Your pieces aren't cat toys or pillows..they are artisan collectible (doll) pieces and should be priced accordingly.  I was at a fair where the only bear artist there was selling cat toys made from recycled furs and even those were $20-$25.  They were just oval fur "mice" with a tail. No details at all, just a stuffed oval with a "tail"....and they sold too.  Some of the simplist artist "plushie" toys..... a shape with eyes...go for $30-$40 each.  I've seen plain, undressed sock monkeys selling for $45.....and dressed ones selling for much much more.  Poke around on eBay....Click on home page Antiques and then hit Primitives for artisan soft sculptures/raggedy/keepsakes.

If you're still back and forth on a number, maybe stick with the $$ per inch rule for these. (??) I wouldn't go ANY lower than $10 per inch.  Maybe it's me living in an very artsy area filled with boutiques and being so close to Philly and NYC....but these wouldn't be priced lower than $50 around here.

Figure out a price quick 'cause I want to buy one before the show   
The teddy and imp are PRECIOUS!!

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm actually planning to move the entire desk and computer far far away from my studio.  Right now it's too tempting to "just take a minute" all day long :lol 

:hug:
~Chrissi

1 & 2....I really like 2 if I had to pick a single pic.  Be sure to share the coverage details!  Congrats on it all

:hug:
~Chrissi

I really don't know anything about cameras, I always used disposable cameras for vacations and whatnot.  I told my sister, who went to school for photography, what I wanted and my price range.  She gave me a couple suggestions and we both agreed on the camera I have now.  I personally love the camera for indoor and outdoor use.  I've never done indoor photo work before and the camera was user friendly and takes consistent quality shots.  My mini shots are always clear and give very close detailing.
It's a Canon Powershot S2 IS     If you google it you can see all of the specs and reviews.  I've had mine for just about a year and a half.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Holy Smokes is right   Giving you the "actual" weight of each brand new unused package of yarn?  If it's brand new yarn and the packaging says 50 gr...she's just picking at strings (literally) to make her point of wanting a refund. 

I'd do the same thing....give the full refund to and let this one go...BUT put a full out disclosure on all future listings about weight, color variances, and why the sky is blue     (no sleep lately...feeling punchy... )

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'd try different google searches too.  There are tons of technique pages out there for the clays...some have you add bit of "stuff" to get textures and colorings (like crayons for example).  If you read the pages you might be able to get a cool look with a little trial, error and experimenting! 

:hug:
~Chrissi

If you like You've Got Mail (one of my all time favorites) see the original from 1940....The Shop Around the Corner...it's cute to see the original concept (Jimmy Stewart).  For the oldies but goodies I LOVE ..The Way We Were and Bare Foot in the Park ( I LOVE robert redford)..and of course Breakfast at T's.  Newer flicks that haven't' been mentioned yet ( I don't think)....

50 first dates, Duplex, Ever After....(Drew Barrymore is too cool)...Along came Polly..(I can watch over and over)

Twister ...I think of it as an empowering chick flick

:hug:
~Chrissi

edit....YEP saw that lots were already mentioned!!

From my years of "market research"....(snooping on ebay and watching auctions for my own information :crackup:    :crackup: )..... I've found that auctions that start at $1.00 with zero reserve set are from folks who know  that their bear/creation/doll/sculpt will at least end very closely to their retail price, or the price they would sell for off of eBay.  Most of these artists, from what I've seen..not a science here...wind up with bids that are higher than that amount. (I'm sure sometimes they have a bad week....) But it's a great marketing tool for those who need not be nervous to use it with collectors. (Think about posts regarding the "thrill" of the bidding.  What's more thrilling than seeing "X's" bear/doll/creation within reach??)  These same folks didn't start out using this method of selling, not from what I've noticed.

Me...I wouldn't do it at this point. It's too risky to loose a piece of art that I personally value. If my piece doesn't meet my reserve it just means my collector wasn't there that day/week.  I'm not putting all of my hopes and dreams into one auction...there's always another auction, web site, show, or private event. 

(I kept my maiden name for my business...and pretty much in my day to day life.  I do hyphenate now and then and will do a solid hyphen once we have kids...but for now my name is my name and was for 32 years before we got married.....long engagements will make these things happen!! )

:hug:
~Chrissi

Oh my gosh, they're adorable!!!  Just this week my aunt had to say goodbye to her 11 year old boxer pit mix....he was the SWEETEST dog.  It's the owners and proper handling that make or break any dog.  Get good puppy socialization classes via a pet store or other avenues and you should all be fine with these luvies!!

:hug:
~Chrissi

I just had a thought.....I was thinking about this and how if this was my little sister (back in the day) (or my new niece) I'd want to be out on that play yard with those kids...as another "girl".  Although I don't totally agree with the idea of kids watching out for kids.....Why not have her "buddy" be an older girl??

Maybe these boys aren't bothered enough by just another boy out there with her.  If this is a K-8th grade school, can an 8th grader be out there with her......if it's k-12 make it a 12th grader, the older the better...even if it's just for a few play sessions.  Another girl giving them "the look of fierce death"....that gift we all have..... may make them back the heck off.  It might embarrass them heck out of them, maybe enough to make them stop. Little boys hate to be embarrassed...I'd take that ball and run with it.

:hug:
~Chrissi

I don't understand this one and normally I'm the super even headed typed. (??) 

Just quoting what is going on...your little girl has been : pushed off a slide (so she's fallen), punched in the stomach, knocked over, pulled and pushed. She's hidden in bathroom and been "attacked" to the point it's "no longer funny".

Maybe the boys will shed their little crocodile tears when your daughter has nice sized visible injury like a cast or internal injuries and can't play due to hospitalization from a fall or a blow to the gut-liver-and/or spleen ??  Maybe then it will stop.

I don't think it's a stretch to say that boys need to know right off that their infatuations or hormones can't rule their ways with females.  Otherwise we're breeding a bunch of little men who think that smacking a woman around is all in good fun love.  Of course your daughter is going to say she likes these boys and she thinks it's silly....she's 6 years old and probably wants everyone to like her and to like everyone in her class. 

Maybe I'm nuts. But again I've BEEN that little girl.  I've BEEN at the doorstep with a fat bloodly lip as a mother of a boy claimed it was my fault that her son full force punch me at a sledding hill.  My fault for being a little tomboy with long hair who liked to play around boys.  The funny thing is it didn't matter until the DAD got involved.  Then this kid that punched me got it.  His father wasn't going to stand for a son of his punching a girl...or anyone for that matter.  But you've said these boys are already talked with their dads, so maybe it's just a case of wee ones imitating big ones...any of the other mothers looked bumped about? The other mommies getting little love shoves when daddy gets home maybe.    (I'm sorry, this still doesn't fly with me, sorry )

:hug:
~Chrissi

PS...I'd be JUST as adamant if it was a girl beating up on a boy.  The thing is no kid deserves to be physically injured repeatedly by the same child/children. I don't care what the excuse for it is.  It's happened more than once with the same kids, it's intentional.

Being on the receiving end of "little boys" and their "affections" I can honestly say that having the adults around the situation not getting complete control is almost as scary as the taunts and/or attacks.  Your daughter really needs to know that this is not cute, fun, funny, in good spirits, playing or most importantly acceptable.  It's wrong (period).  It's wrong for her to being crying or to be alone and scared in a restroom. She is being punished for their behavior and at a much deeper level. The adage of "boys will be boys" is a total cop out. Boys will be boys when they're getting muddy, messy and tussling with each other...NOT when they are intimidating and mentally torturing a younger or smaller child. This isn't animal planet with the "trials of the pack" for God's sake.
This is bullying, especially when told not to do and they still continue.  At this point these boys know that no matter what they do they won't see any real or significant consequences...none that matter to them anyway.  If the other moms, teachers and officials can't get this under control insist that they get those boys OFF of that play yard. Instead of playtime make them sit at their desks and do extra schoolwork or clean the classroom until they GET that what they are doing is wrong.  (can yah tell this doesn't fly with me?? ) 

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm so excited to share!!  My sister had her baby girl today!  I got the call at 3am and hightailed it to the hospital...she had her at 11:29am.  Of course I think she's the most gorgeous baby in the world, but this little one seriously has the most beautiful complexion I've ever seen on a baby....and the lips!! Just perfectly precious!  I'll post a pic when her parents give me the ok 

:hug:
~"Aunt" Chrissi

TOO cute! (why do yah think we have a Beagle??  Can't pass that face in a shelter and not take it home )

:hug:
~Chrissi

Fuzzy Slipper sounds good to me

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm so in luv with my new animated banner!  It's beyond gorgeous and I have to thank Shelli a ton and a half for squeezing it into her hectic schedule.  I got in right under the designing wire with this one and I am so happy I did!  She nailed exactly what I was looking for, but it's way way better than what I imagined. Thank you Shel!!!  :hug:
It's too large to upload here, but it's already in the vendor section!  :dance:

:hug:
~Chrissi

Hi Jane!

Try the live help button. It's the last little blip in the same row as the search and advanced search.  Live help has a little question mark inside of a yellow bubble. This is all on the first page or Home Page.

Sorry to hear your listing isn't showing up...even with paying that extra.  They should refund your money, even if it is .10.  They charged it for a specific service and they've failed to meet it.  Good Luck!  :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

:crackup: Just sounds like you're trying to avoid doing the boring parts my friend!!  If we're talking mini's, hold the fabric and cut off of the floor.  The way you'd have to bend down to cut a mini from the floor... that way would drive me nuts too!  If it's a bigger bear.....gently move those lovely gray kitties, protect the table and just cut out the whole pattern.  Get it over with in one sitting, so you can move onto to totally focusing on the "good parts"! :crackup:  Just like you're practicing the whole art and craft of bearmaking, you're training yourself too.  You can't run the marathon successfully if you don't do the boring stretching first. 

How are your sis and the baby doing?? 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Hi Debbie!

I've used scents like this forever!  But I'm a total plain jane...I like citrus scents in the spring and summer and straight peppermint in the winter.  PLUS peppermint is fantastic for me when I get a sinus headache coming on. I personally can't take any of the musky scents or anything floral...I'm more of a single note scent person and more food driven  (figures  :crackup: ).  You can even take a drop of oil to the bottom of the tub...near the drain, and when the steam/hot water hits it..it will fill the shower with scent.  Again, good for opening up the sinuses. 
:hug:
~Chrissi

teresa!
Ah..weird NO!! I wish I was going to be at the Nevada Show..just to get first dibs on your table    I think your dressed bears are beyond precious!!  I usually buy boy bears for some reason (??hmm..maybe a topic of what's in your collection: boys or girls)...but your avatar bear and the pink girly in the green sweater are sooooo sweet! Fantastic use of colors and textures

:hug:
~Chrissi

We've stopped using all wet foods until this whole thing is fully cleared up and aired out.  Our cats are loving little bits of tuna with their dry food.  The dogs too....no wet food for us right now!!  It's just too risky........not loosing a dog or cat over a $1.00 can of food and some big$$ jerk at the processing plant covering his rump not wanting to get fired.

:hug:
~Chrissi

I've only just recently decided to try advertising in a teddy mag, so I can't talk to the success of it just yet...hopefully I will!!

Best advice I got was just to submit as many quality photos as I could to as many magazines as I could. I don't think that ever stops....if you've got a great design send it in and see if it's used!  Most teddy mags have a section especially for artist submissions, newbies, etc.  Plus if they have your photos on file they might work into another piece all together.  Joining any and all well produced events and sites can be very rewarding too.  Some are free, some have fees...but most that have fees wind up paying for themselves in the end. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Just another bit-o-info for the thread
From the "Official Ebay Bible" Written by the Dean of ebay Education.........yes I bought this book a year ago  :crackup:

Feedback Protocol - Who goes first?
.....there is no set protocol regarding who should leave feedback first.  Normally, the seller leaves it for the buyer once the seller has received the buyer's payment.  The buyer never leaves feedback until she has received the item.  Over the past few years, I have noticed that many sellers will not leave feedback for a buyer until the buyer has done so for them.  It really doesn't matter who leaves feedback first as long as someone does so.

Again, it boils down to a preference thing. 

:hug:
~Chrissi