Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Wow what a weekend it was here in Sydney, and although I haven't quite managed to get back to normal just yet (that requires another week of sleep!) I'm delighted to let you all know who the winners where for this years competition.
Once again thank you to all of those who entered, congratulations to the Category Winners, and  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: for the Grand Champion as selected by the thousands of voters.

To see all of the results just go to: http://sydneyteddybearfair.homestead.co … nners.html.

For more news on the show stay tuned! I know Lisa and Elly had a camera handy- and we'll get the shots all organised shortly  :photo:

Mel

Hi Guys,
No wonder my ears have been burning!!!
Just put the finishing touches on the announcement page on the website and it is now done for everyone to see- a huge congratulations to the Winners!
I'll start a new thread for the links etc
Cheers
Mel

Well today the sweetest little bear arrived in a little box all the way from the UK.
Laurie (who creates Laurie Lou Bears) was kind enough to make this beautiful bear for me, and she is just so precious.
I'm unable to take a picture of her now, because it is pitch black night! but if Laurie doesn't have a shot of her I will take one this weekend and zip it in here.
Thank you so much Laurie  :hug: she looks so at home on my desk and I'm sure she'll keep me in good company on many a late night at the laptop!
Thanks to you too Peta for organising the swap , I know the amount of work that goes into them- you've done an awesome job!
Can't wait till the next one!

Mel

Hi Peta,
I will PM you some details- I'll just say I've been working on it for 11 months now :O)
BTW: Plenty of colours and lengths to choose from (absolutely polar included!!)....you know me though, I line up all my ducks before I go off half *$#@)*$!!!
Cheers
Mel

Hey Peta,
You're in luck, I have this fabric (because I LOVE it), you'll be able to see alot of the varieties of lengths at Sydney! It was going to be a surprise but there you go, I don't need everyone bringing it, I've just spent a bomb!!!
I brought over a heap last year and it got snapped up in two shows, so I've expanded the variety so that there is something different to suit everyone.
For those overseas, it will be on my site after the show- I'll let you know then.

Cheers
Mel

Wow! I must say I have been very impressed with the number of votes this year, we have already surpassed last years tally and we still have weeks to go...
but if you've had trouble getting into the comp to make your choice, please go in via the Fair's site, it seems as though the system is a little overwhelmed by all of this Teddy Bear business and the link isn't holding up to well 
So if you enter via www.sydneyteddybearfair.com and select the VOTE button on the home page, you should be right.

Cheers
Mel

Too right Linda! Mix a week of over 40 degree days and then a "never ending parade of stupid" (Miss Maybelle)  :doh:  :doh:
The deaths last night could have been avoided, they believe this morning that 24 people who are confirmed as dead where killed by a fire probably started by someone throwing a lit cigarette out their car window 
So not only do those poor guys and girls down their risking their lives trying to put out this mess have to worry about malicious wackos, they have to now think about morons too!
I hope they catch the buggers and use them for practice fire drills!!!
This may seem extreme to some, but we haven't seen the likes of this since Ash Wednesday, I hope all of you Victorians are doing OK - the last thing you are probably worrying about is TT, but we are all thinking of you today!

Mel

Hi Sheryl,
Just wanted to let you know that I've had a couple of emails about this, I think we might have overloaded the system, but it seems to be ok now, though I have been astounded by the amount of votes already!
So if anyone has any trouble with the link, please wait a little while and try again - if the problem persists (I feel like Dr Mel  ) can you please send me an email to let me know, because I would hate to think that your vote couldn't be registered + it costs alot of money to host these things on the servers (and even they have to earn their keep by giving us reliable service  ) so we have to keep them honest!

Thanks for the support everyone- I know the finalists appreciate it!

Mel

Well these things don't happen instantly but they do happen!
Voting has now opened for the finalists of the People's Choice Awards 2009.

Here is the direct link to the page: http://survey.constantcontact.com/surve … ag4r/start 

Congratulations to all of the entrants, the standards were very high- the jury had quite a challenge on their hands. But I'm sure you'll all agree the Finalists were very deserving.

Mel

Hi Robert,
Yep the finalists have been decided, and they (and the voting link) will be up on the website shortly.
The new voting form has held me up a bit in publishing the pictures- but the larger viewing size will be worth it I think!! 
I'll post a link here as soon as it is live! Any hour now....
Cheers
Mel

Hi Shel,
I'm on cable broadband, and it works great for me, I love the style of your site too! I'm a sucker for the wing-ed bears 

Mel

Yep, Just a few days left till the closing date- the entries so far are fantastic (very international), but I must ask where are all of the Aussie entries!!!!

I know we like to do things last minute but....

Hi Laura,
I completely understand what you're saying- but your dilemma has me stumped too!  :doh:  :doh:
Mel

Hi Laura,
I think I have it figured out: (with Paula's help of course!) the In column registers visitors that have connected to Top 100 from clicking on the Top 100 banner in that persons blog with their own unique link code, the Out column registers where visitors leave through, or who they are visiting while at the site.
So at the moment you can see there are a whole stack of folk coming in through Paula's link  :clap:  :clap: , at the moment it is set up to push those with the most incoming clicks to the top (rewarding those who are advertising it the most), I think Paula mentioned in the other post, that the orders of blog banners can be selected on several basis' , in the future to keep it interesting she'll change the parameters- so there is always something new happening.

Cheers
Mel

Hi Guys,
If you want to send me your doo dahs I'll put them into a banner for you for the Top 100 List- if you email me your business name, favourite colours, favourite style (eg shabby, country, modern etc) and a couple of photos of bears. I'll then send you back the banner at the right size to simply upload.
Not everyone has photoshop etc, so I am happy to design something individual for anyone interested. I've been busy doing sites, so it will be fun to do a few smaller projects

Mel
cjsmum4321@yahoo.com.au

Just finished, that was easy to sign up to Paula!
Thanks for going the extra mile....

Mel

Ahh Paula,
You're a girl after my own heart! My blog is woeful at the moment (a casualty of the Society work), but I'm going to get cracking and get it updated- you've inspired me: see if I can't get myself into the top 100 
If you don't mind I'll also snag your link and put it onto the Society website so people can stumble across it there as well   
Cheers
Mel

When I was 18 I went to live in Bogense, Denmark for a year as an exchange student. While there I learned alot about the traditional craft of paper silhouettes (for lack of a better english translation- Danes you could probably help me out here) after visiting Hans Christian Anderson's home where he grew up. I did many while I was there, when the snow kept us inside.

I loved them, some naive and some so intricate they could take hours. I haven't thought of them for a long time and then I came across this article, about an artist, in an online craft magazine.

http://www.livingcreatively.com.au/curr … ge_drawing
Well, my cap is off to him- truly beautifully works of art! and another example of making something so fantastic out of something so ordinary.

Enjoy- Mel

Hi Sue,
Good question, just send the details in on an email with pictures attached to : cjsmum4321@yohoo.com.au or stbf@y7mail.com either is good
Cheers
Mel

Hi Mikki,
It seems you're experiencing what I have discovered over the past 6 months- there are alot of sites that have either a) disappeared or b)haven't been upgraded in ages......
What concerned me most was that nothing seemed to be happening, they have all just been forgotten about.
Anyway long story short, as it helps us all if everyone has a beautiful individual site - the Teddy Bear Society will be offering websites from glorified business card through to complete shopping cart/content management, with as much or little of the upkeep up to the individual and your own domain.
There are so many solutions out there these days, but making sure that you have something fresh that stays current with technology and that represents you as an artist is what makes a website worthwhile.
Then if you have the control you need/want + all of the rego info, all the better!
Feel free to email, I can send you more info
Cheers
Mel

Thanks Girls, the support is very much appreciated.
And cheers Sophie, those are the kind of links I'm after, now to just get them in there 

Mel

I thought I'd better remind everyone that the deadline for entering the People's Choice Awards is coming up on Feb 1st.
I realise that alot of the other competitions have moved their dates in the last few weeks, but as this is one of the first major competitions to be awarded in the Year (not to mention affordable), it's a great way to start the Awards season.
Last year we had entries from all over the world, it was fantastic to see so many countries represented.

Rascal from Lorraine Almond of Almond Bears (AUS) was the Grand Champion in 2008 - will it be you taking home the Crystal Trophy this year?
For more information on entering just go to http://sydneyteddybearfair.homestead.co … ition.html you can enter digitally or by mail.

Take Care
Mel

Hi TT'ers,
Well it has been a busy festive season on the Society site, with heaps of links being inserted- but I am wondering what is happening with all of the retailers and antique/vintage dealers?
If you have a shop or business that sells any type of bears feel free to contact me via email or the site to get your information up.
I will be gathering alot of information myself, but if you would like to attach your own details and photos so that people can get in contact directly with you, you are more than welcome. It also connects you then, so that you can then receive updates.
Cheers
Melissa

Little Nye on his way to a new home shortly
www.teddybearsociety.com

Ohh Daphne,
Just this magazine, have put my order in for a few titles to make it worth the $$ for postage.
As a matter of fact I'll be taking the link down to the local quality craft shop and suggesting they get a few in to really enlighten people about what is possible.
Thanks for sharing one of your "inspiration" sources!
Cheers
Mel

Well it has been a little while since Christmas now, and thankfully all of the ornaments have been accounted for, for a little while now, just one is on a round trip, but I'm sure once he gets back to his birthplace, he can start on his little trip back to the right address....
so I hope if you've got your ornament handy, and haven't yet put a picture up- could you get a quick pic so that Tammy can finish off the tree
Thanks
Melissa