Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

So far my MP aging method has not shown any signs of weakening the fabric ( I go over it with a fine tooth comb looking for damage), mohair is a very sturdy material it has been around for thousands of years it dates back to biblical times. It can take a lot of abuse and still come out lookin great. 

As for the bugs nope didn't see any of those either, now I do was my buried piece several times after I dig it up.  I don't burry it in the fresh horse crap I use the well composted stuff that has been around  for ages by then it is really just soil.  It is no different than dragging it through the mud just sound more dramatic. :crackup:

Who knows maybe 50 years from now my little bear will start to show some signs of bad aging methods, but then again who knows if plucking and tweezing and dying won't effect mohair in the long run either.  I know that tea is bad for the fabric because there is a chemical in it that breaks the fibers down in the backing but how many of us have used that method, raise your hands I know I have.   

I just keep my fingers crossed that I haven't stepped over the line and gone too far with my aging methods.  I know it's not for everyone and is hard to wrap ones head around the concept of using an unconventional method but it works for me and I don't expect to many people to jump on the MP aging method. All the better then I know my guys are truly one of a kind

Hugs deborah

Great thing Gaby is I get an uper body work out, my deck gets cleaned, I have found a use for my ever growing poop pile and I get a unique one of a kind bear out of the whole mess.  I mean who else is sick enough to use horse crap in such a way.  :crackup: Who knows I might of just started a new trend.
Hugs Deborah

Yup it's true Gaby!!!! poor fella's can't seem to figure out why they have a large trail of poop flies following them where ever they go :crackup:  I don't want to be the one to have to tell them it's because they are full of crap :twisted:
Hugs Deborah

Hmmm..... not sure if you gals want to know this one, you all may view my work in a whole new light once I reveal my dirty little secret.:crackup:

One of my aging techniques is what I call the MP technique.  I burry a piece of sparse mohair in a very deep hole in my manure pile and leave it there for months .  Now before you all toss your cookies, the poop has already turned into compost by this stage and has lost all it's stinkieness, I sware I smelled it and no poop smell I then wash my patio stones with the mohair and hubby has a nice rusty piece of car part not sure exactly what it is but it has a lovely shade of rust on it.  Well the mohair washes the rusty car thingy too Then it's off to the wash bin for a good clean and this is what emerges from my MP technique. Promise it's not me the dog must of let one rip.

I have started a less dramatic way of distressing my fur, far more boring in my opinion but less time consuming. I use various dyes and yes I still use the washing the patio stone method to remove fur a few kicks in the mud doesn't hurt.

Where do I draw the line I refuse to put holes in my bears, to me this is going to far. Poop is okay but wholes not a good thing

Hope I didn't disgust you all with my aging process, My daughter went around telling her friends that I use poopy fabric to make all my bears. They all thought I was off my rocker but now they know just by how much. :crackup:
hugs Deborah

Oh my goodness Paula can your noses be any more perfect!!!! Suffering from a bit of nose envy here :crackup:  Sunny Jim is to die for I just love the colour and I'm not one to go for bright colours be he is a stunner.  I just know he will do a bang up job with raising $$$$.  All your bears are fantastic but this fella sings to me
Hugs Deborah

Melanie Jayne you must have been reading my thoughts because I was thinking the exact same thing. When I saw all the bears that won I said to myself they all looked like they could be related.  They were lovely but too much the same for my taste, but I guess that is what is hot right now!!

So heres the delima when preparing to enter these compitions dose one create what one thinks will win (now that we know what is hot) or do you create what is in your heart? Me I'll always go with what is in my heart.
Hugs deborah

Great question Jenny,  I have entered the Toby awards a few times, was even nominated once (2003) never took the prize home though . Oh well there is always next year to kick beary butt.

Why did I enter ? not to win (I know crazy ) but to gauge where I stood in the industry.  Not a very accurate measuring tool, since winning the Industry Choice award  didn't make a damn difference with boosting my sales.  My thinking at the time was, if I was at least nominated I was on the right track with what I was doing, and it felt real good to be up there with some very big names.

  When I started out in bear making I told my self that I would win a Toby someday, I set very high goals for myself, and by hell or high water I'm going to get me that prize (I'm half way there).  So I keep pluggin away at it with the hopes that my work will shine brighter than the others who entered, it's all about my fragile ego. 

I'm not the toot my own horn kinda gal so all the accomplishments I have achieved in this bear world I have kept to myself.  I do this for myself an no one else ( I'm very selfish).  I don't give a rats behind how it looks to anyone else, wether I have an award attached to my name or not.  I enter to prove to myself that my work is just as good as the next, keeps me going even if I live in la la land.  Okay If I ever win the grand prize I think I'll give the old horn a small toot, just to see if it still works.

I know I'm no help but it was fun making you all read through my dribble
Hugs Deborah

Again Thanks guys for all your lovely comments I'm blushing  :redface: it is a honour to have you see my guys.

Eileen- Yup these guys will show their ratty mugs Monday Sept 25th at www.bearpaths.com not sure how it works but it is all very exciting to me. 

Thanks again guys
Hugs Deborah

AW THANKS GUYS  I'm rather fond of the old ratty well loved fellas myself, they are my favorite kind of bears to do.  I still do the cutesie bears but these guys make my heart go thump thump. So I'm really honoured that you find them smashing too.
hugs deborah

Hi Beary Pals

  With the TBAI show just a fleeting memory I needed to find a new way to get my bears out into the big old world ( with eBay being rather icky   right now).  So I'm giving the Bearpaths online show a whirl, keeping my fingers crossed that little ole me is not overlooked by the overwhelming great talent that Diane seems to represent.

Anywho those are the three old ratty Bearhaven Bears that will be showing up on the Bearpaths next online show, I think it is on Sept 25th.   After that I'm finishing up my swap bear Yah I know it was suppose to be done ages ago!!  Can't rush these things ya know

Hugs everyone
Deborah

My lazy way of dealing with this lady is to not answer my phone, I'm terrible with confortations and if she is unbalanced I don't want to go there.  I like to take the cowards way out, call me yellow but this woman freaks me out   So far there have been 4 hang ups since her first rambling phone call, this I can handle    
I'm still creeped out about  how she managed to get a hold of my number because it wasn't in the write up or anywhere in the magazine.  Ironic thing is I haven't received one email (they have the wrong email listed)  from this article but a loopy  bear stalker was able to get a hold of me, just my kind of luck   My one chance to shine and all I get is our friend the picture lady, Oh well at least someone noticed. :crackup:

Hugs Deborah

Oh my I came home on Sunday to find a rambling message on my answering machine about sending bear pictures, it left me feeling kinda dirty it was so random and out there. Yahoo!! Who knew, my very first bear stalker I feel like I've just joined a select group,  looks like I'm stepping up in the bear world :crackup:

Funny thing is my article in Teddy Bear and Friends didn't have my phone number listed and the email address they had for me is wrong so don't know how this nut job managed to find me.  I guess I'm not hiding very well, or she is a very good stalker.  I don't have caller id I just screen my calls by not answering my phone  not very good for business but I get so many teleamarketers, I'm a softy and find it hard to tell people to take a hike. I'm working on it though so if this lady gets a hold of me I'll tell her I'm not interested in dealing with  loopy ding bats.

  Kinda disturbing though don't you think? how she manages to get a hold of our information Now I've got the heebie geebies.
Hope this wacko finds a new passion and gets tired of harassing us bear people.
Hugs deborah

   
Deborah

Hi Kelly,
I'm goin too as an artists, my very first US show and I'm all jitters and I think I'm coming down with a cold, just my luck.  Still madly stitching away trying to get just one more bear done,    Don't know how many shows I've done over the years but I always find myself rushing at the last second, you would think I would learn by now, I know I'm forgetting something :doh:
Can't wait to meet all the TT'er attending in the flesh
Hugs deborah

Hey Brenda,
I've been counting down the days all the while thinking of you.  Now sit back and relax evey thing will work out just fine, you know it always does.  Gonna miss ya big time, sorry we didn't get to do another tea, can't wait to drop by the new digs for a sleep over.  I can just picture you running around in a tizzy but try and slow down and take it easy, let the movers do their job :crackup: that's what your paying them for you silly goose.
Please keep in touch
Hugs deb

HALLALUYA Amen- and I thought I was the only one who got those rolly eyed blank stares.  I used to avoid conversations in new social situations for fear of the ever dreaded what do you do for a living question? I hated being dismissed as a fluff ball, wing nut, hippy dippy, freeloadin kept woman, I pay half the bills too ya know :twisted: 

What your a grown up and you still play with teddies, How cute!!!  I always thought teddies were made by those merry mucnkins who just love to sing and dance while happily stitching stuffed toys for all the good girls and boys. I'm no muchkin(not that I have anything against muchkins, loved them in Willy Wonka-the orignial.) but I have been known to sing and dance on occasion.  :crackup:

I love what I do and am very proud of how far I have come with my bear making skills, however I tip toe around and only truly come out of the bear closet in the company of other bear artists.  I'm tired of trying to convince the "more Professional" mucky mucks out there that Iamb a worthy $$$$ makin contributing grown up.  I have given up on these poor souls let them think I'm a flake, at least I'm a happy content flake, not an over stressed, angry tired ole wind bag like most of them have become. 

I do find myself  becoming more comfortable in my bear artist skin (thanks to TT) and recently have found myself confident enough to speak loudly and clearly when stating YES!!! I'm a Teddy Bear Artists and what ya going to do about it, mister money bags I stand tall and speak clearly and slowly and without shame.  I'm tired of hiding, let them think what they want about me, I don't give a rats a..... I'm way to silly to take life that seriously and I feel sad for those that do.
Hugs to all great topic by the way
Deborah

Hi Tami,
I've been a veg head for about 2 1/2 years now and I've just started to cut out eggs and trying to give up cheese.  I use a lot of tofu, and beans for protein.  Like  a few girls have mentioned vegetarian times is a great mag for ideas.  I have many good vegi cook books and a few vegan ones to.  It is amazing how much there is out there that dosen't require meat.  I try to eat as much organic food as possible, especially fruits and veggies.  All my skin care products are vegan and I have started to use vegan house hold cleaners too, more expensive but worth the extra $$$, no animal testing and no animal by products and good for the enviorment too!
Congrats on making the switch I think you will find you won't miss the meat once you learn to create yummy veggi meals.
Hugs Deborah

Brenda you naughty girl showing my drawers in such a public forum :crackup:  :crackup:  After seeing how messy I had let them get I had a strong urge to tidy up, then thought naaaa why bother :redface: Now that my secret has been brought out in to the open, (I'm a messy mohair keeper), I'll just let sleeping dogs lie.     I feel so spoiled but when a gal feels the creative urge comin on and needs a mohair fix there should be plenty at her disposal. 

My hubby has no say in how much I spend on my addiction cause it's all my own money he just shakes his head and smiles.  I used to get the, I thought you weren't going to buy any more of that stuff, can't you find what your looking for in that stash, to which I reply    and the evil hoarder stare manages to stop him in his tracks once again, or maybe it's the hissing not sure might be the combination of the two. That's right buddy back away from the mohair pile if you wish to live another day.  However he does have a small point, while playing in my mohair with Brenda I did find a lot of stuff I didn't know I had buried deep in my pile. HMMMMM won't tell him that though will we.

Brenda I had a wonderful day I'm so glad you enjoyed all my 4 legged kids. I know how overwhelming they can be, big ole pains in the behind they are.  Brenda is one tolerant gal getting bitten by nasty Binx then drooled and slobbered on by the stinky boxers, they wouldn't give her a moments rest.  They know a good people when they smell them. 

I always enjoy Benda's company and  I will miss our tea times, who am I gonna talk teddies with B R E N D A I'm gonna miss ya, you have been an inspiration and a true friend Love ya girly and I really mean that. 
Can't wait to see your new house and Karen's and My bedroom , get cracking I feel a road trip commin on  :dance:  :dance:

Hugs to you from me and all the 4 leggers.

:clap:  :clap:      I'm trying to be a big girl!!! but I don't like that sold sign. I'm really happy for you Brenda just sad for me, loosing my bear buddy ain't gonna be easy.
Hugs Deb at least we have today hmmmmm been up all night have ya this is gonna be a hoot.
PS love your pictures

YAHOO!!! Diane so glad to hear you haven't given up on TT totaly.  I'll join the fun next time the dogy doo hits the fan, and we can get down a dirty together nothing like a good mud fight to bring out the love in all of us.  You got spunk girlie and that is what makes this world so much fun to live in. Don't ever allow others to rob you of that.

I am in no way implying Diane that you are a Flamingbear, and if it turns out you have a wee bit of that in ya, all the more reason to love ya.  I think you and I are very much on the same page with our ideas and values and I have great respect for you and how you live your life.     

I say bravo to those who are willing to speek their minds even if it is served with a bit of salt, just please if you do so take ownership of your words and don't hide behind the vail of secrecy.

We need the FLAMEINGbears of this world they keep us on our toes, makes us think about what we hold dear to our hearts, who we are and what we stand for.  How boring life would be if we all thought alike.  Tolerance, respect and compasion my friends are the key to happiness (or at least they are for me) if we could show these 3 things to all living creatures on this planet what a beautiful planet this would be.

That's my 2 cents and that is all that is..........
Hugs to all
Deborah

Nope, I haven't even started mine but my swap partner is okay with this ( I hope  :pray:  ) I'm trying to get ready for the TBAI show and won't even attempt  getting to it until after the show.
hugs Deborah

She is so beautiful Kassie, you have done a bang up job with bringing her around.  I know she is with yougin but you can tell that she is a healthy girl under that big baby belly.  My saddle breed was very thin when we got him now he has gone and got himself a nice round belly too :crackup: no baby though just plan ole fat.  Can't wait to see what your girl brings into this world, exciting isn't it.
hugs Deborah

YAHOO :clap:  :clap: Cindy,  I know you will be pleased as punch with the camera, But if your not You never herd of Deborah, she doesn't exist and she knows nothing about no digital Rebel doo hickey thingy   I'm thrilled for you and I can't wait to see what you do with it, that means we want pictures girly.....
Hugs Deborah

Hi Cindy,
I just did my own shots for a magazine article that will be coming out in the fall,  It will be interesting to see how the photo's turn out. If they turn out okay I'm not going to go the professional route anymore.  I plan on setting myself up with the proper lights and all so I can do my own bear photo's.  I have had shots printed up off my memory card and they where okay, I'm still learning.  I have been disappointed in the past with the professional ones because they didn't know how to capture the soul of my bears. I know what I'm looking for but it is hard to explain to one who doesn't get bears.  I'm sure if I look around I could find a better photographer but I think with a good digital SLR and some lesson I could do an okay job. That is one of the reasons I got the camera in the first place.  I'll let you know what I think when I see how my photo's look in the mag, I just may be to ambitious in my plans and end up going back to a real photographer.  I do think if you know what your doing the Rebel will produce just as good photos as the pros.
Hugs Deborah

Hi Cindy,
I have the Canon Digital Rebel E0S, and I love it   Still haven't figured out how to properly use it  though, I'm used to my old Minolta SLR.  I plan on taking some courses in the fall on digital photography, so far I use this camera in auto.  It takes clean crisp photo's and it is easy to focuss.  The thing I like about it is I can get more lenses for it, and am looking to add a nice telephoto as soon as I round up some $$$$.  When I went to purchase my camera I was looking at a Manolta digital SLR and Nikon and the sales guy told me the Rebel gives you more bang for your buck, you get all the same features as the Manolta and Nikon but they where in the $2000.00 range I paid $1500.00 for my Canon however that was with my memory card and other gadgets, (cable release and lense filter).  I did try the others out in the store and this was my Fav.  I'm very happy with mine and I'm sure I'll love it even more when I figure out how to use all the features.  For me this was money well spent it was a big chunk up front but in the long run the camera pays for it self, I used to take my bears in for professional shots and boy does that add up. Oh and it is sooo easy to down load your pictures on your PC.
I'm in love with mine but I do know there are some excellent camera's out there so go try them out you may find one you like better but if you go ahead and get The Rebel I don't think you will be disappointed.  My friend has one too and she is in love with her's too.
hugs deborah