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Evidence was piling up against me the day of the show. As you must know, I had nothing to do with the cubnapping! In any event, the show must go on and spirits were high when the door opened to those in search of a new bear or friend to add to take home with them.
Unfortunately, I discovered much to my dismay, the missing teddy’s locket was on my table. It didn’t take long for the press to discover it and soon the word had spread throughout the showroom that yet another piece of incriminating evidence had linked me with the crime.
But did this little piece of evidence stop all of us from enjoying a fabulous show? Well, you know the answer . . . Of course not!
There were artists there from at least 3 countries in addition to the USA and from at least 19 states spread across the US including Florida, California, Wisconsin, Iowa and several others.
(Just a little aside here: On my last post, I forgot to mention the Auction of Teddy 2006, a stunning 24” creation from Donna Griffin. The hammer finally went down when the final bid reached $2000! All for the zoo!)
I took loads of photos of artists tables, but I am only going to offer you just a few of them here due to space and well, the mystery must be solved eventually right?
Here’s just a few of some of the impressive tables you would have seen there if you had been able to be there with us. (Hint hint: Make plans for next year if you possibly can!)
Our very own Janet Anderson’s table:
Pat Berkowitch
Deb Burnham
Armella Dana
Kelly Dean
Karen Dinicola
Joanne Duckworth
Christy Firmage
Sarah Forrest
Penny French
Ethel Hughes
Johni Jacobsen
Sharon Lederer
Pam Overmier
Sharon Queen
Art Rogers
Robin Ruinsky
And from Teddy-TalkThe Zimmermans
Reaction to the show from collectors and artists alike: “It was wonderful!” “Fantastic!” “Breathtaking!” “Phenomenal!” It seems a little much, no? Well, what can I say? These are the reactions of many of the people I talked with. The ones I didn’t get a chance to ask were either too busy selling bears or buying them. Many tables had empty spots on them with a few selling out or nearly so. Did everyone have a fabulous show? No, but most everyone would come back in a heartbeat if they could. It is a show with wonderful spirited enthusiastic people from the teddy bear world.
Here is a photo of teddy-talk members at the show:
Janet Anderson, Ginger Brame, Kelly Zimmerman, Deb Burnham, Pam Overmier, with Francisco Carreno Stewart on the end there.
As I said, it was looking pretty bad for me early in the day as far as being nearly tried and convicted of being the cubnapper. Alas, other evidenced materialized on other tables which took the pressure off of me. Finally, with the expert investigative skills of the participating collectors and friends, the case was solved. The crime was committed by none other than . . .
Bum bum bum bummmm
John Lamb, former detective and now a bear mystery author!
Apparently, his motive was to get money to buy his wife more artist bears. Who would have thunk it??? Whew! That was so close. At last, the bear was returned unharmed and will now go home with a lucky bear lover as the raffle money served as the ransom.
After the show, we all enjoyed yet another tasty meal under the picnic shelter at the Zoo.
Here is photo of the picnic:
It was a bit abbreviated due to rain, the first time I can ever remember it raining on the day of the picnic. Still the food and fun were great. We were able to see and pet a couple of the smaller Zoo animals and then we said our goodbyes. Now the planning begins for next year! Mark your calendars for August 16-18, 2007 – just write an “F” on August 16, a “U” on August 17 and an “N” on August 18!!
I hope you enjoyed this little peak inside TBAI. Let me know if I can answer any quesitons! See ya!
ginger
Hi everyone,
I am glad you are enjoying this little bit of craziness we call TBAI! You all are such a fun group you would fit in just perfectly at this show! Now that might be just TOO much fun! Jodi Renae Eileen Jane Diane (Dilu) Carolynn and Edie - it would be fabulous to have you all here joining in the madness. There's more of us out here . . .
Take care,
ginger
After yesterday, none of us knew quite what to expect today, but the show must go on. First on the agenda for those who chose it, a brief train ride throught the countryside to Cooperstown. We had to take a bus to get to the station an hour away, so here you see a snapshot of our "flight attendant" artist Darlene Allen who flew all the way from Florida just to serve us juice, danish and apples on our trip. Who says there aren't perks to being a teddy bear artist? And of course, those of us who were served felt pretty special too! And trying to dodge out of the way just down front, you might recognize a familiar face from here on TT - Deb Burnham.
Next a shot of some of the passengers in the open air car of the train. A nice, breezy day for a relaxing 10mph train ride on an old train.
There was an "incident" on the train. And yes, I was involved, but it was purely a frame-up. How it happened I do not know, but someone is trying to put the blame for the cubnapping on me. While on the train, a whole bunch of bit o' honey candies fell out of my bag! I have no idea how they got there, but now I have a cloud hanging over my head. Apparently, evidence in the case includes bit o' honey candies and chocolate left handed fingerprints.
Trying to put the situation out of mind, we returned to the hotel and after lunch the artists set up their tables in the ballroom. Here's a photo of mine:
While the artists set up their displays, the collectors and interested parties gathered together to discuss the clues with the lead investigator. I just happened to walk by and discovered my name is on the short list of suspects. Not only that, my husband, the compassionate one, proceeds to volunteer that I am left handed. I will tell you like I told them, I had nothing to do with the disappearance of the bear.
Here's a photo of the list of the evidence they have accumulated so far.
After a break, it was time for the gallery to be revealed and votes casts for the winners for the People's Choice Awards. Here you see a bit of the gallery and people trying to make up their minds which piece to vote for and which ones to purchase. Decisions! Decisions!
Then they got a sneak peak at the Artists tables before the TBAI feast begins.
On to the feast!
First the table:
Then the guests:
And after a sumptuous dinner, the long anticipated, famous TBAI dessert made especially with some of you choco-holics in mind:
Then they announced the results of the voting for the Peoples Choice Awards.
Oh my - look how late it is! I really have to get to bed. The show opens tomorrow and I don't want to be late!
Well - okay. I guess I can at least tell you the winners before I sign off. . .
3rd place went to Art Rogers:
2nd place went to Ethel Hughes:
1st place under 8" - Donna Griffin
1st place over 8" - Penny French
Congratulations to them all! I think that about covers the highlights. There's still no definitive answers on the cubnapping. But, truthfully, if you had seen the bear, she's a real cutie, so it's no wonder she caught the eye of some crafty opportunist! The experts are getting closer to solving the case, so watch for further developments tomorrow! And maybe I can snap a few photos of some of the artists tables which will just make you drool. Actually, I think they are passing out tissues as you go in the door!
It all started out innocently enough. Arriving in Binghamton, we had the usual artists reunions, usually in front of the elevators as we carried our luggage up to our rooms. And things proceeded normally as you would expect....for a while anyway.
TBAI began Thursday evening with a Ross Park Zoo Benefit Gala. See this photo of some of the attendees gathered around the teddy bear display table, chatting, catching up with one another -
Here's another photo - all fairly innocent, yes? Jo Duckworth chatting with fellow artists Sarah Forrest and Robin Ruinsky. You can even see a little of Karen Dinicola in the foreground.
Part of the gala included a wine tasting of the area Finger Lakes Wineries. Yes, that is Mindy Kinsey and Kellie Love from Teddy Bear and Friends having a taste using the finely etched Teddy Bear & Friends/TBAI wine glasses so generousy provided by who else, but Teddy Bear and Friends.
Soon Cindy Malchoff, artists and TBAI show promoter, was at the podium making a few announcements and introducing artists in attendance. All of a sudden Cindy faints, there's a scream, the lights all go out and the next thing you know they are asking all of us not to go anywhere while they investigate what has happened.
Uh - oh! There's been a been a cubnapping! The raffle teddy made by Ethel Hughes has disappeared and in its place is a ransom note. Luckily, John Lamb, former detective and author is in the room and offers to help investigate the bear's disappearance. The crime scene was secured and now clues are being assembled. What is this world coming to when a teddy bear is not safe at a teddy bear artist invitational?
John Lamb with artist Penny French in the background.
The Crime Scene
Luckily, my husband Jay was in the right place at the right time to comfort a distraught Ethel Hughes. He's so compassionate . . .
When something like this happens, you start looking at those around you and become very suspicious. Could either artist Karen O'Brien (left) or collector Linda Anderson be the culprit?
How about Karen's husband, Paul? Do you think he's as innocent as he looks as he chats with the Teddies Spring Show promoter Robin Atkins?
Lastly, you see me on the right discussing the tragedy of such an atrocity with Judy Mallar, collector.
Stay tuned, they've got some experts on the case. I'll bet this mystery is solved before the weekend is over!
TBAI is right around the corner and for those of you who are not able to be with us, I will be "Reporting Live". (Barring any unforeseen technical glitches! We don't know what they are, do we?) Starting on Thursday evening EDT, check out the Reporting Live forum area to see what's going on in Binghamton, NY. It will be very mysterious . . .
ginger
Hello Again, everyone -
We've gotten safely back home again - always a good thing....
I am so glad you enjoyed the photos. I have enjoyed the photos others have posted from shows, so I thought it was something I could do on the day. I must confess - I really didn't have the leisure time to log onto TT myself. I snapped the photos with permission and then my husband posted them for me while I was watching over the teddies. Robin does a fabulous job of this show. It's well run, affordable, and a real pleasure to be a part of. I wish you ALL could have been there - I am sure it would have been a blast! And it was nice to be behind the table instead of wandering around. There was entirely too much temptation out there as you can imagine. As for the results, I had a very good show. I didn't know quite what to expect when things can vary so much with so many outside influences, including what kind of weather you have that day! I heard many artists say they did well and one who sold nothing last year, sold 14 pieces this year. You can never tell just what to expect. I think the best part was that everyone - artists and collectors alike seemed to really have a great time - everyone was upbeat and happy, even those who wish they had done better were cheerful. It must be that teddy bear karma or something. I have to say it was good for the soul - so many enthusiastic people and some really side splitting laughter at times.
Thanks for your interest and responses - that makes a BIG difference too!
It's back to the studio/sewing machine for me tomorrow and looking forward to whatever happens next!
All the best from me and the bears here at the piece parade!
ginger
Here are some more photos
Robin Atkins -show producer
The Door
Patty Tieri
And a couple of Patty's bears
Donna Neilson
Susan McKay
All the bears say hello!
Enjoy!
Here are some photos from Teddies Spring Show in Timonium Md from Today Saturday April 1. Hope you enjoy them!
1st one-Sign for the show.
2nd-Darlene Allen
3rd-Mary Dowd
4th-Cindy Malchoff and some of her wonderful birds
5th-me-Ginger
6th-MaryAnn Wills with some of her tree trunk/house teddies
7th-David Stollery
8th-Anne Cranshaw
9th-view from above
10th-Wendy Meagher
More to come......
Here's the info on TBAI:
The "event dates" are Thursday August 17 through Saturday, August 19
On Thursday evening there is a Gala Reception open to anyone to come and meet and chat and view a small selection of artist bears on display - this isn't "The Gallery" with the 1/1's for sale, just a sampling of the artists work.
The event activities include:
Friday - fun & interesting activities, set up for the show, "The Gallery" revealed, an artist preview, and "The Feast" (it truly is a feast!)
Saturday - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm is the TBAI show and sale. And afterwards the picnic.
Please join us. I think you will have a lovely time! If you cannot come for the entire thing, I think the sale on Saturday would be worth the trip, in my opinion.
The website for the show will be updated with this year's info sometime in the near future. Check it out at:
We'd love to see you there! And if anyone has more questions, I would be happy to answer them. If I don't know the answer, I can ask Cindy, who runs the show and is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.
ginger
TBAI is a wonderful place to see a great selection of many of the artists finest work. The gallery pieces will be special one-of-a-kinds for sale to benefit the zoo, etc. and this year's photos will be posted on the website when the pieces are ready. The set up is like most bear shows, with each artist having their own table and everyone going crazy trying to decide which ones they want the most. I have met the most interesting people there and there is much excitement building about this year's show. This will be my 5th year I think...and it continues to be a great place for bear people of all sorts!
ginger
My bears and I and a whole group of wonderful teddy bear collectors and friends and families from North Carolina will be heading to TBAI in August unless something dire happens to keep us from going. Mary Dowd and I will each have a table and the rest of the crowd are coming for all the fun. I am sure there are some fantastic shows all over the world, but only in my dreams am I able to attend them! In my experience, if you can choose only a few shows to attend, either as an artist or a collector, this is one you will not want to miss! It seems that everything is done to perfection and all who are there have the best time - lots of fun and laughter and lots and lots of the most fabulous bears you will see. It seems to get better every year and I hope this year is no exception. If I seem a little biased, well, I suppose.... I am! The show is held to raise money for the Ross Park Zoo and endangered animals. The gallery of artist pieces are unbelieveable! And the collectors - let me tell you - they love love love bears! It's one of the few times I am content to be behind the table so I won't be tempted by every thing I see. (I let my daughter roam around and then she comes back oohing and ahhing over all she's seen!) If you are going, please stop by and let us know who you are and meet the whole crazy crowd! Anyone else here going to TBAI in August?
ginger
