Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I had Norton three or four years ago and had a lot of problems - mainly conflicts between different software - but perhaps the newest versions are better?

I use AVG anti-virus, the free version (http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01). I find it very reliable. If you suspect a virus, you can scan your computer using an online service such as Panda which is also free (http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan). Sometimes one will pick up a virus that the other does not.

Unfortunately I can relate to what Eileen is saying...I had lots of strange problems with my computer some time back and couldn't find any virus or spyware. Eventually the hard drive packed up and the problems had been a prelude to that  :(. The fan can also cause overheating and similar things can happen. Hopefully this doesn't apply in your case, but it's worth considering!

Hope it's all sorted out soon....

Oh no! I really feel for you.....can you carefully use the thinners to remove some of it, or will that just spread it around??? Maybe someone with more experience of oils can help.....

Aww, Clare! I didn't see your thread earlier....I'd love to exchange links  :D. In fact, I'll add you to my link page right away....

Gosh, what a fantastic page! Thanks Daphne, it must have taken you quite a while to sort all those photos out.....but they look great don't though?!

*Off to take another look....*  :cool:

Oh, and I'm 5'5" -ish 

Deb, I have no problems with anyone using my photos for their own purposes - I'd be flattered! But would hate to think anyone could try and profit from them, or misrepresent them in some way.

SueAnn, how awful... :o. What a cheek some people have!!!!!

Hmm, what a worry...  :/. Sorry to hear you've been affected by this kind of theft, Terrie.

This page has a list of the different methods that can be used to protect images: http://www.artistscope.com/techniques.htm . It seems that all of pretty much all them can be circumvented by a determined & knowledgeable thief  :(. Even the digital watermark.

Surely the timing of the auctions should give some indication of the origin of the image?

Also, I never ever make alterations to my original photos....so I have copies of all the original images, and surely that's proof enough??? In addition, the original photo as saved from the camera contains something called exif data, which is hidden data specific to that photo that can only be accessed by certain software. There's a good free 'exif reader' here: http://www.takenet.or.jp/~ryuuji/miniso … d/english/ . Basically, if you have the original photo complete with the intact exif data, you can prove the photo came from your camera model on a certain date.

Most of the big search engines have a link on their homepage that will take you to a section for webmasters. For instance, in Google click on the 'about Google' link. However, if you simply leave your webpage up long enough the Google 'bot' will find your site as a matter of course....usually within a week or two. So you should find yourself listed without doing anything. It's fairly important to have some keywords in the metatags at the top of the page. If that sounds like gobble-de-gook  ;), you can find lots of information online by searching for 'keywords'.

OK, here's a useful link: http://www.apromotionguide.com/ . They mention the open directory, yahoo and looksmart as the important places to submit a site. They also describe the use of 'keywords'.

Hope this helps! Good Luck!!! 

Have you tried eBay? I did a quick search and found a few, but I don't know if they are the sort you are looking for. On eBay UK there's a special section in 'Crafts' that is dedicated to floral items. Good luck!

Lulu, he has the cutest little face!!! I also think he has an 'old bear' look to him that is very endearing....

OK, I admit I haven't caught up on the whole thread.....5 pages! Eek!  :redface:

But I'd love to join in, and maybe swap a mini bear? I'm happy to send abroad & will go along with any chosen theme  .

:dance: :dance: :dance:

I'm going to regret this....

I've enjoyed this thread so much! So here's my contribution....not the most flattering photo (Dylan-the-bear will kill me when he sees it  )

Hehehehehehe 

Well, my only advice is depending on what fabric you use you might want to cut the pattern smaller than you think is necessary! I recently reduced my 3" pattern to make a 2" bear, and used rayon fabric. When I'd stuffed him (hard as I could) he turned out...you guessed it!....3" tall  :P. The fabric must have had some stretch despite my extensive testing in all directions (pulling, tugging...I'm brutal  :lol:).

I also used invisible thread on that little bear and found it to be tougher than Gutermann's. But obviously it doesn't pass the Shari test.... 

Oooh, thanks again Eileen - I have some plastic eyes in my stash so I'll give this a go!  :dance:

I had a look around and realised it's an 'either/or' situation - either the plastic eyes have push-on backings, or they have the hole so they can be pulled into the head. I kind of vaguely thought there might be eyes that could do both, but thinking in more detail...it would probably be impossible!  :lol:

Eileen, thanks for telling me (us) how you sunk your eyes. It must be safest to use the eyes with the backing, yes? So this sounds like the best way to me. Just got to be careful to hide the sculpting stitches, like you say. Thanks. 

Thanks Kim     :redface: :redface:

Thanks Shari! Your description was clear, and I will go on a hunt across the internet later! When I was little, my 'bear-friend' was mohair, had glass eyes and cotter pin joints.....how times have changed, eh?! And despite how rough I was with him, his eyes and limbs are still intact!

Does anyone know if there are plastic, childsafe eyes that can also be 'pulled' in to help shape the face? I haven't made any childsafe bears but would be interested in doing so, and have been reading this thread with interest!  :dance:

I usually cut the gusset out so the nap faces towards the back....but have been known to do it the other way too. It results in a 'fringe' which can look very cute, even on little bears such Bob (above)!

*Sigh*  :)

The Lakes is just one of those places that looks beautiful in any weather - I think I even prefer it in the rain! It's so much more dramatic that way! Must get a trip there soon....

Catherine, did you have any luck finding bear shops?

Aww, thankyou Clare! The money's in post... 

Sassybear's longpile is wonderful to work with, and gives another dimension to little bears because of the dark backing. I like to trim the muzzles to reveal that backing...  :thumbsup:.

Hmm, I don't remember them. They were after my time I think...eek! 

forever_bears.com?
Or 4everbears.com?

I love the name by the way...but when I googled it I got a lot of links to a teddy calendar....maybe that is who the domain name is registered to?

Googling '4ever bears' brings up very little. A few more ideas (just to confuse ya!): 'Eternally Bears', 'Timeless Bears', 'Evermore Bears'...

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