Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Laura Lynn wrote

Hold it, hold it...I just dropped a bears head and my cheeky dog Lucy has run off with it and I can't find where the little darling has left it. It's a good job I have enough mohair for a new bear head. I couldn't think of using the doggy drool one now could I!

Jane.

oH Kirsten, I'm sorry that somehow you didn't seem to be present...how was New England?
I'll try better tonight.
Extra special bear hugs for you...now about the photo of Shelli......:rolleyes:..................................:rolleyes:

Jane.

Judi and Dilu...Wow, the bear and the Golly...I love them both!!!!:)   They really do look good together!

Jane.

Hi folks,
Boy did I have a life like dream last night. It was one of those dreams that makes you wonder for a second or too when you wake up... I hope you don't all think I'm crazy! But I do often dream with bears in there somewhere! :rolleyes:

The dream.

We had all agreed to meet up a Sue Ann's house for a teddy bear convention. We had all agreed on Sue Ann's house as ABC tv had done an Extreme Makeover on her house and there was room for all of us to stay over night.Sue Ann asked us to put one of our own bear patterns into a box and she pulled out the winning bear pattern for us to make whilst at the convention. I was so happy as the winning pattern was one of my patterns (not a favourite one, I must add) it is the Japanese bear pattern which I designed for my Mikado bears. Our dear friend Marie had somehow known to bring lots of beautiful Japanese materials with her from Japan. Laura Lynn had bought her husband Bob with her and he was going to make the wooden shoes for the bears and Judi was going to paint all of the designs on the shoes. Marie was making all of the fans for the bears to hold and Marion was going to cut out all of the Kimono pieces for us all to sew together. We were all in Sue Ann's lovely wooded garden sewing away happily to the sound of beautiful music played on a grand piano by our dear friend Di,  Laurie, Rita and Winney were all singing in turn and Sue Ann's waiter was serving us all with strawberries and cream. The best part was Shelli doing a fan dance (sorry Shelli, I can't help what happens in dream land) We all had a fantastic time and I can still remember the dream so well, it was so real!
What makes you think I read all the posts on Teddy Talk I had the best nights sleep that I have had in a long time and although in dream land, I got to meet lots of my beary friends and we all made bears to take home to remind us of the very special day that Sue Ann opened up here wonderful (dream )home to us all. Here is a picture of the Mikado bears from my website.

Big Bear Hugs to all of you.
Jane

Kirsten, Samson is wonderful. I have always wanted one of these intelligent birds. I must convince my husband that we should have one. Bye the way great photo! Do these birds need a lot of company or is it ok to leave them for a while (not too long of course)? Isn't he a great boy!
Jane.

Wow! Winney you told that story so well I could see it all happening whilst I read it. You really are a great person to take care of God's creatures so well. More stories please...ever thought of putting them into a book?
Jane.

Help! I have no idea how to needle felt onto mohair. Do you clear all the fur from the intended area? What size needle would I need to use and what is the best wool etc? I really am a duf head as far as this goes but sketching I came up with a real cute looking bear that has needle felting incorporated into it. I know some of you have experience with making needle felted items and I would really appreciate any help. :)

Jane

Just for you Laura Lynn

enjoy!
Jane.

Kirsten...What breed are the cats in your first picture, my sister has fallen in love with them? Myself I can hear the knitting pins calling or maybe if she should get one of these hairless babies I could use up some of my scraps of mohair and make it a fur coat. :D
Jane.

Laura...House, I just love that character! I was watching the program last night...did you know the character of Gregory House, played by Hugh Laurie is British? I think he carries being an American off quite well don't you! But what the heck I'm British so how would I know what a good American accent is anyhow! :)

Jane.

Wow Wanda! Don't get me into Harry Potter! I'm waiting for 11pm on July 15th when my daughter Sarah and I will be in town waiting for the launch of the new Harry Potter book at midnight. I paid a deposit for two of the books month ago when they first announced it's release. Why two? One for Sarah and one for me! We can't wait for each other to finish the book so we have our own copies. Sarah has so many H.P. things in her collection including the books in Latin, Japanese, German and of course English.  She has the USA editions and all of the books on tape and CD, the USA version read by Jim Dale and the English version read by Stephen Fry etc etc, Oh the list goes on and on!  Enjoy the new book!

Jane,  still living in in la-la land waiting for Ty Pennington!!!!!!!!!!

I make all my own tags and paper work on my computer. I don't use tush tags as like Laure I don't  feel comfortable about it. My bears all go to their new home with signed adoption certificate with a picture of the bear. I have done this now for a few years and prefer it to the tush tags. I have a complete record of all bears made and sold and a record of all customers. When at shows I have a book in which people can sign and leave comments about my bears. I have collected some wonderful comment and treasure each and every one!

Jane.

Who watches T.V whilst sewing and what do you watch?

As I hand sew all of my bears I will often sit and watch T.V whilst I sew. I love to watch films but have two favourite programs from the USA that I admit I am addicted to. The first is Extreme Makeover Home Edition and the second is 24 with Kieffer Sutherland as Jack Bauer. I just wish we had a Ty Pennington here to help me get some jobs done or even build me a new house!
I would like a six bedroomed house in place of my four bedroomed house. It would have three reception rooms like I have now only much bigger. A games room with a snooker table for my son Simon. A fantastic kitchen with all mod cons fitted. Two bathrooms fitted with bath, shower, bidet etc, plus one must be ensuite to the master bedroom. Plus (not being at all selfish) a huge big craft room with loads of storage for my mohair stash etc.  A double garage and the gardens would have to be landscaped with a larger pond than I have now and a lovely patio twice the size of my exhisting one. My kids have stated that they want a swimming pool with a waterfall and of course a trampoline! See we don't want much at all. :rolleyes:

I know that in the USA you are well ahead of us with the 24 program as it is in it's fourth season here and at episode 21 so please don't anyone say what happens as I would hate to have it spoiled for me. My son David is also a huge fan and has made his own website about 24.  I know David would love it if any of you would like to check it out. The address is:

http://www.24hourbauer.co.uk

Now back to dreaming of the day Ty shouts down his megaphone "Good morning Martin family"

Jane in la-la land!!!!!!

I've found it very interesting to read how you all sew your bears. I sew everything by hand, from the Dinky Doodles right up to the big bears 28 inches or so. Each time I have stitched by machine I am not happy with the result.
Sue Ann, poor you! I too have  arthritis in my hands etc;  I find hand sewing helps keep my hands mobile and I don't get half as much pain as I used to have before I started sewing every day.
Now is my favourite time of year so I can sit in my garden and sew my bears whilst watching my dogs  and listening to music...what's a better way to spend a few summer hours! :cool:

Toodle-loo
Jane.

Wow penny!!! Did he pay for lunch as well as hold your hand? :rolleyes:
You look wonderful and you must have got George in a bit of a sweat as he's looking a bit flushed, what did you do to him?

Jane

Hi Sue Ann_ Oh boy Beezley is so cute!!   I just love his expression, I think he is a wonderful little anime bear. I am waiting with bated breath to see your next one not that I think he could be any better than Beezley...I love the name too!!!!!!!

Jane
websites:
http://www.doodlebears.co.uk
http://www.craftyfolksads.co.uk

Now to spoil the level, I can't compete with all you beautiful ladies. I don't know if I really look like my bears, I think maybe I'm like them a little...firmly stuffed, some wobble joints and a big smile.

Jane.

websites:
http://www.doodlebears.co.uk
http://www.craftyfolksads.co.uk

Nose first, mouth second, eyes third ears last! I've always done it this way..oh yes! needle and scissor sculping in there somewhere according to the bear.

I am going to try something different over the next week or so(as well as making bears of course) My daughter, Sarah bought a Pat Secrist doll for me to Reborn. It will be the first time I've done this so if any of you tallented people know any good tips I would love to hear them. The doll was bought at a car-boot sale for £20 which is around $36 USD so I think she was a real bargan. I'll post some pictures when I finally finish her.
Jane.
website:
http://www.doodlebears.co.uk
http://www.craftyfolksads.co.uk

Howdy folks!
Glad you likes the poem. Thanks for the email Di I will get back to you soon. I can't wait to see your new little wollykins once they are dressed make sure they behave themselves in front of the pastor, wollykins can be a bit mischievious you know! I had an email once from a lady who thought it impropper for me to call my undressed bears 'Bare bears' as it bought down the standard of my website...duh! :rolleyes:
Have a great day everyone, I'm off now to visit my lovely Dad, 84 and he thinks he's 20...fair ground rides...go carting...etc.. Boy I love this guy!

Jane.
websites:
http://www.doodlebears.co.uk
http://www.craftyfolksads.co.uk

Hi Rita,
Anything that makes you smile can't be a bad thing. We've had lots of smiles here today as it is my son David's twentieth birthday. You should've seen his face when he opened a gift with a DVD inside that he's searched ages for on the web...plus loads of other gifts of course!
I think the poem probably does sum most of us up. This is the third time I've been on my computer today..that is inbetween present giving, sewing noses on bears and doing the every day things that really do get in the way of life.
Keep smilling!   :D
Jane.
http://www.doodlebears.co.uk

http://www.craftyfolksads.co.uk

I was sent this from a friend today and boy does she know me.  I love to be on my computer (and making bears of course) I think we can all relate to this one!

                                    I don't wanna do the dishes
                                    I don't wanna do the wash
                                    I sprinkled clothes a week ago
                                    And now my iron is lost!
           

                                   I don't wanna rattle pots
                                   I don't wanna rattle pans
                                   I see the mail light flashin
                                   I wanna chat with friends!
                           
                                   Oh, the table needs some dusting
                                   and the floor could sure be mopped
                                   But I know if I get started
                                   there'll be no place to stop.

                                  The closets are so full
                                  things are falling off the shelves
                                  I wish for cleaning fairies
                                  and magic little elves.

                                 They could sprinkle fairy dust
                                 and twitch their little nose
                                 The windows would be sparkling
                                 I would have no dirty clothes.
             

                                 Oh, I know that I'm just dreamin
                                 My head is in the sky
                                 I must cook that meat that's graying
                                 and bake that apple pie.

                                The hubby needs a bath
                                the dog needs attention
                                Oh... the other way around I mean
                                my brain is in suspension
               
                               
                                I am runnin round in circles
                                I am getting nothing done,
                                I keep thinking of my web
                                I am missing all the fun!

                               Well, I know I'm not addicted
                               Though I hear that all the time
                               But I quess this stuff can wait on me
                               Cause today I'll be ON LINE!!!

           NOW AIN'T THAT TRUE!

                       Jane
WEBSITES:
http://www.doodlebears.co.uk

http://www.craftyfolksads.co.uk

Oh boy this is a good one Kirsten!
If I were a bear to be a true replica of myself I’d be a big cuddly Momma bear who’d love all her cubs (and their Poppa bear) I’d keep my den tidy and free from mess. I would have to be small, dumpy and softly stuffed with wobbly joints and a mane of unruly fur that often needs treatment at the beardressers. My eyes would be googly and colour bright green. As for my feet they would be nice and round with claws of bright red (I’ve been at the nail varnish again). My nose would be neatly embroidered in shiny back thread. I'd be covered in patches from all of my falls because of my wobbly joints and I’d want lots of cuddles because of my pain (from the falls) I would be a pathetic bear wouldn’t I!

Now what I would really like to be if I were a bear.

I would be tall and elegant with long limbs and made from superior Schultz mohair. My eyes would be hand painted glass eyes with long lashes. My joints would be firm (no wobble in sight)
No patches needed as I would be a collectors piece worth a fortune in mint condition.  I would be admired by collector’s world wide.

Nah…what am I saying …who would wish to be so pretentious, certainly not me! I would like to be exactly as I am without quite so much stuffing and no wobble joints.

Shelli   I bought Adobe 7 for my son but I’ve been playing with it myself and came up with the avatar that I am now using. I am quite pleased with my first attempt.

Jane
http://www.doodlebears.co.uk

http://www.craftyfolksads.co.uk

You Girls and your storys...I just hate spiders. I got up one morning very early to get ready to go off to a bear fair in London where I was to exhibit my bears. I came down the stairs very quietly trying not to waken the family. I was carrying my clothes over my arm so I should dress in the lounge and not waken my husband... then all hell let loose...there was a huge big beastie on my forearm...yikes!!!! I thought I would die. I screamed so loud and so much that even my neighbours were awake. I am such a coward with spiders. I showered again but all day I kept checking my clothes for that nasty little beasty even when I had travelled miles from home to the fair. When I returned from the bear fair I refused to go into the lounge as I didn't know where I had flicked it to. Unconvinced that my son had got rid of it I spent ages searching for any sign of it over the next few weeks...daft as a brush...that's me!
Now back to searching through my mohair stash for the perfect piece of fabric for my latest design. More fluff to block up my cleaner with!
Jane.
website:
http://www.doodlebears.co.uk
http://www.craftyfolksads.co.uk

Hi Dilu,
My fax has died on me please could you email the address for the International
Gollywog Collector's Club to me?
Thanks,
        Jane.
my website: http://www.doodlebears.co.uk

Winney I loved your story about the Gollys. Here in the Uk there are not too many people who make gollys but I was prompted to make one for a very sweet lady. She said that Gollys were always seen as friends to Teddys and that she would love for me to make one for her. I spoke to quite a few bear artists and had mixed responses on the ethical side of if to make a golly or not. I decided that I would make my own kind of golly and so my Golly-dollys were born. The lady who had first asked for me to make a golly for her snapped up my first golly and asked if she could  buy everyone that I make thereafter. This was fine at first but I am now making extra gollys which I am selling via my website and at shows. I get a mixed reaction from visitors to the show but overall the response is good. 
Laure your gollys are wonderful. I felt so sorry to read of your upset over your golly. What a shame that things were so uncomfortable for you after you had worked so hard to make you little golly so special. I would never wish to offend anyone with my gollys only give pleasure to the golly collectors. I am making a collection of gollys for the show at Alexandra Palace in London, I just hope that they do not upset anyone.The little guy below is called Pip and the girl is called Miss Molly. I hope you like them.

Jane.

http://www.doodlebears.co.uk
http://www.craftyfolksads.co.uk