Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hayley,

If it's any consolation I like to THINK I'm a full time bear artist. I stay at home to do just that. I don't have children, just a 1 yr. old puppy with 'issues' but that was a discussion on another post or two or twenty so we'll leave that alone.

HOWEVER, I seem to have a lot of laundry for just my hubby and I and groceries to get and bills to pay and cleaning to do and appointments to go to and doggie day care and obedience classes to get to and, and, and..... by the time I've gotten all the 'STUFF' out of the way (and I didn't even include the hours my computer suck up!) it's time to agonize over how I'm going to cook chicken for dinner. So, I sew after hubby and dog have gone to bed....9pm til the wee hours!

So, I haven't the foggiest idea how any of you could possibly get anything done with kids in the picture!!! I love the playpen cage, Dilu!! They make some pretty big dog crates... I have one that both the dog and I fit into... don't go there!

Can't wait to hear how some of you do manage to be productive on a day to day basis!!!!

Daphne

I take 20-25 bears to a show usually. My first couple of shows were discouraging. Then I learned to be very picky about the shows I did. (I'm happy to share some insight on shows in our area with you - most are great!) It also just took a bit for people to become familiar with my work. There are collectors out there who follow certain artists. Most aren't totally stuck on one artist but it can take some time to win them over. "Customer Service" is so important. Just smiling and being friendly, chatting easy with them can mean future sales. They'll look for you at other shows, remembering what a joy you were to talk bears with.

I held back on consigning my bears at shops for a long time because you really don't make much of a profit once the shop takes their commission. It is, however, a great way to get your bears out there and in front of collectors.

I highly recommend a website.

Dilu made some good points about how you want to present your bears. Also your overall business. Fun, sophisticated, cutesy....... and design a logo and business image that will 'stick' in collector's minds. (Here I'm giving advice that I have yet to follow, but it sounds good, doesn't it????):lol:

I think that your show display is important. Unique, easy to browse, inviting.... there are other topics posted here on that.

I'm rambling. What was your question??? :lol::lol::lol:

There are so many here to give advice - you'll be confident by the time we've all give you food for thought!
Food... hmm... I think I'll have a bedtime snack and go to sleep.....

Hugs,
Daphne

Oh, Shelli, plethora of knowledge and words, don't ever stop sharing with us!!!

Dilu's posts may be long but have you ever noticed that she double spaces between lines? Hmmmmm..... so perhaps her's aren't as long as Shelli's after all!

Though I must say Dilu puts a lot of wisdom into her words so her posts carry just as much substance.
You both make this board what it is, give it personality. OK, we ALL make this board what it is so whether we use 6 fingers, 10 or 2 and whether we're pianists and can therefor type a million words per minute or only 5 (with mistakes) we all add so much to this board and therefore to eachother's live.

OK, enough of the sentimental crap!

Everybody hold up a hand (here it doesn't matter if you have long nimble fingers or short stubby ones!!!). Stick out your thumb, index finger and pinky finger.....

I LOVE YOU, TOO!!! :):):)

Hugs, Daphne

Hi All,

I haven't forgotten about links to your sites..... I have so much computer stuff to do that when I sit down to get to work it's suddenly 3 hours later and I still haven't gotten half the things I want to do done! And make bears!!! I really need to manage my time better!!

Thank you to all who have added my site to your links page and please have patience with me for a couple more days..... I'll get you all on mine!!!

Hugs,
Daphne

Oh yeah, I used Vista Print at first too... got the free ones. Wish they had more templates to choose from. Perhaps they do now?

Well, finally.....
This is a new pattern. I've made a few alterations since and continue to do so but I've just finished this little guy's quilt and he's been dying to meet all of you! He's about 6 1/2 inches tall.

It's the feet I'm working on.... am going to try doing a gusset in the foot/toe area next to see if I can't get a better shape to the foot.

Thanks for checkin' him out! :)

Hugs, Daphne

I have paint shop pro but didn't know it could do THAT, Danni!

Sigh - so much to learn, so little time!!:/

Dilu - TURN A LIGHT ON!!:lol:

I used Microsoft Publisher - one of the programs that came with Micrsoft Office on my computer.

Oh, Marie - I just love all three! They are just so sweet!

I just started doing the exact opposite with the foot pads - matching mohair for the toes, ultrasuede for the heel. I'd never seen it done before. I like how it's looking thus far!
Your toes are great!!

Thank you for sharing these cuties!!!

Now, I need to get some of my bears finished..... 2 are still waiting for noses, 3 for accessories, 1 for jelly pellets which I need to order in the morning... one for..... oh it's endless.:rolleyes:

Hugs,
Daphne

Di - I won't spit or throw things at you!!

A cross-eyed bear artist - you'd be famous!!! Hey, how about a cross-eyed golly? (This would be about the time YOU start throwing things at ME! :lol::lol::lol:)

Yeah, I get to see my hits too and where they come from... kinda fun!!! The more folks we can swap links with the better for all of us!

PS. Dilu - would you be open to a little observation about your sight, err... SITE?:/

At the bottom of the page where your links to the rest of the pages on your site are..... the text is a nice bright pink. So bright in fact that it makes my eyes go buggy!:rolleyes: It's really hard to read. Perhaps it's just how the colors show up on my monitor? If this is the case than I'll just put my sunglasses on!!!:cool:

I hope you don't mind my pointing this out.:)

Hugs,
Daphne

Dilu -

Ok, there are many more tech minded women on here than me but let me give this a try....
(If I knew the software you were using it might help?!)

First, right click my banner and save on your computer.
Next, insert the banner on your webpage.
With my banner selected you should be able to click on an icon or perhaps right click on the banner to make a hyperlink.
Once you've selected hyperlink, type in my website address as http://www.backroadbears.com - be sure "http://" is there but only once! Click Save or OK. Now it should be all set.
You can do this with all of our banners. I've yet to encounter a block on right clicking on an image.

If that doesn't work - ask someone else! :lol::lol::lol:

Huggies,
Daphne

Danni - Benny is wonderful!!! Your avatar is too!! Yes, did you do this yourself? What program did you use???? It's so pretty! :D:D

Cindy,
It's sounds like you are thriving with support from all those wonderful people in your life. And it sounds like you are being very strong and putting one foot in front of the other. That is great. I've been thinking about you and praying for you.

Once you are in that apartment of yours you'll be able to really start fresh. I bet you find a bit of freedom and excitement in that prospect as well as sadness. But focus on the good things - more great things will continue to blossom in your life as the days go by.

We'll look forward to hearing from you whenever you can check in. And your new website sounds wonderful! Can't wait to see! Must be nice to have someone who knows what they're doing creating it!!!! I'm jealous!!! I've tried to fire my web designer but she just won't go away! (It's me!!):lol:

Big Hugs & Love,
Daphne

Purple by any chance??? :lol::lol:

Eileen you crack me up! My husband has suggested duct tape!:lol::lol::lol:

Sue Ann, there is no rush, tell Pam to take her time. I still have to cut and stain the shelves! And get ready for my first  bear show of the season in August.

Debbie, I've never experienced that either. In fact, many show promoters would probably frown on such a thing if they knew about it. Jeesh!

Sue Ann - Oh, I want them!! :D

Eileen - You really shoud see my straight line sewing - you'd then agree there is no hope for me!:( My finishing quilter has to work so hard to make my quilts lay flat so she can quilt them. She does a perfect job although she lectures me on how to stitch straight every time! I've even taken a kids class on how to do basic quilting just to learn the tricks they use to help kids sew straight. I guess that's why I love bears - I do great curvy stitching! Thank you for the trim suggestion, though. I just might try that!

Sue Ann, your brochure truly is amazing. Just perfect!

Hugs,
Daphne

I don't want to take away from ones she'd make for you for a show, Sue Ann!
BUT :D..... if, at some point, you both are willing to sell a set to me I'd love a set in warm tones and will set them on my shelves so they won't need to be attached to hang.
Oh, how wonderful!! Thank you, thank you!
I should ask, duh, how tall the letters are? Just so I can visualize and plan! :D
No rush, in between those 14 jobs..... phew!
Hugs,
Daphne

Donna,
I'm seeing a fireman bear in your future! :)
You can never be too careful and that's the last thing I'd want to be sent home for!
I haven't ruled out buying a real table cloth....yet.....

Sue Ann,
And there I was thinking, Oooo, I want some of those letters to spell out BEARS. But if your daughter is THAT busy I won't want!!! I'm still decorating my sewing room in our new home and will be putting up a shelf that runs around the whole room about 2/3rds up the wall. All, well, some as not all would fit, of my bear collection will go up there along with some other bear related knick knacks. As our home is very 'country charm-like" her decoupage letters would be perfect! What a great idea!!

Jane,
I hope we can help you figure out how to get a picture of Hunter up here! Welcome!!

Hugs,
Daphne

I have a question.....

What do you all use for a table covering that doesn't cost a fortune?!?

Something that covers an 8' table to the floor, looks neat & professional. I really don't want to do layers of sheets, etc. Just one big something that fits properly. I've thought of making my own but would have unsightly seams as I don't sew in a straight line very well!!!

I've found banquet table cloths to be very pricey but perhaps this is the way to go?

HELP!!

Daphne

I find it can take 5-10 minutes to go through my stash of glass eyes to find two that actually match in diameter, dome shape, etc. Maybe it takes even longer!

I buy 10 pr. at a time of each size with the exception of a couple of sizes I use all the time - those I get more of. Is there an easy way to find two that match? Is there a brand/quality that tends to be more identical in shape/size than another?

(Yes, I keep each size separate but there is such variation in size and shape of say 7mm eyes.... because they are handblown I don't expect them to be idnetical but this is time consuming and I start going cross-eyed!!)

Seeing Double-Daphne

Hi Kelly - I don't think we've 'met'.:)

I have a photo album (including pictures of my bears, family & dog as somehow conversations often go in that direction - besides, my dog is inspiration for some of my work) and a guest book - name, address, email and comment column. Because I teach workshops, if someone is interested in them for a future endeavor or wants to know about shows I'm doing the next year, etc. I make a note in that column myself so I know who to send what announcements to but those who sign are welcome to make their own comments also.

Candy- no way! Little kids (and some not so little people) + gooey fingers + expensive bears = YIKES!:o

Business cards I put out in two or three places as space allows, flat on the table, staring folks in the face! (And they STILL ask if I have a card! I figure it's cause they are just too busy looking at my bears!)

A friend of mine has a framed collage of bear parts & tools, etc. involved with the making of a bear that she puts out at the bigger shows. A neat way to educate customers!

I've used store bought garlands - berries, pinecones, whatever- and been asked if it was for sale, where I got it, etc. So now I limit the frills - that's hard for me! :/

Sue Ann - wish I could see you at a show - not only would it be wonderful to see your bears in the fur but it sounds like you've got lots of other fun goodies to see/buy!

Hugs,
Daphne

Oh, YIPPPEEEEE & HALLEUIA! That was quick!!! You just had surgery not too long ago! WOW! How amazingly wonderful! Oh, I'm so excited for you two... I have goose bumps!! :D:D:D

I'm glad you think of us as family..... that baby is going to have a lot of Aunts!! :lol::lol::lol:

Love & Hugs,
Daphne

Come on around about January - you WON'T be hot... average temp is about 10 f in my part of the world!! Do you have the change of seasons like we do - tree leaves turning warm autumn colors, etc.? You must. Boy, am I sounding naive!!?? Sometimes I think New England is the only place on earth where the autumn colors are so vibrant and the snow so darn deep. I need to move!! No wait - I'd have to pack - forget it!!

Oh, Louise, I can't wait to see the polar bear! I think it's so neat that you two work together on your creations. Perhaps some here know a bit about the two of you and your bear history. I just think it's amazing - what a blessing to be able to share your talents this way.

I can't get my hubby to even trace or cut a pattern piece, nor tighten a joint! Of course, if he did try I'd be nagging at him, telling him he's doing it wrong!!!:lol: It would be fun to see the end result of just one bear that we made together...... hmmmm.....

I have three bears sitting here all done but noses... I just don't have the right color perle cotton for any of them... I'm going to the new embroidery shop I discovered this weekend so then I'll have new bears to show - one is a new experiment with feet.....

Hugs, Daphne