Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Congrats on your new larger location! A step in the right direction! I am going to get out my atlas right now and see how far you are from Daytona Beach.We spend 6 weeks there every winter and I go through "teddy bear withdrawal".Maybe you are close enough for me to get a "fix"!! (Fingers crossed!) Sincerely Jane D.

Bronwen-I am not trying to be contrary here but I like the wall better.When I am collecting I tend to spend more time walking around the outside.To me the middle is more crowded and you can miss vendors by going down one side and having your back to the opposite table.If it's terribly crowded it's sometimes hard to turn.I am slightly agoraphobic so tend to like the outer edges.I will be sure to have a hot flash in the middle of a crowded room As a vendor I also like the wall side.Enjoy your show and let us know what you decide and how it works! Sincerely Jane D.

Thank you everyone for responding so quickly and for taking the time to help as I know you are all busy too! I was in such a panic that my heart was pounding.I get like that now as there never seems to be enough hours in the day anymore.I don't seem to sell many bears at the shows and I want them to be so perfect so they look just right and it seems that everything is going wrong these days.I just need to slow down and take my time.But I want to sell bears-----!!! Thanks again all.Have a wonderful day! Sincerely Jane D.

I am so discouraged.I am trying to get ready for TBOV Toronto-in 2 weeks and I can't seem to get my bears stuffed.I decided to make larger bears-16" as I love to dress them in antique clothing and hand-knits.However the feet are going crooked, the faces are crooked, the neck is hollow etc.For 2 weeks now I've been on the verge of tears everyday.Is there ang magical tip for stuffing larger bears?Is there a mantra to recite or a song to sing while one stuffs??? Is there a way I should be holding my tongue????What on earth is wrong with me? Perhaps I should go back to smaller bears.Hubby is convinced that my "claim to fame" lies in making bigger bears and of course, since I'm so "wishy washy" I always listen to everyone else!!!My bears are traditional and I'm so computer dumb I still can't figure out how to shrink my pictures to size for this forum or I would post some.I can only send them in an email.Please help!Sincerely Jane D.

Wow! So many of my fellow Canadians getting together.I'm so jealous.I wish I could be there to meet you all and visit the bears.I'm sure they are all gorgeous and you girls are too.I'm sure Heather doesn't want to think about this right now   but what about next year???? I love the Olive Garden! Good luck everyone and have loads of fun! Sincerely Jane D.

You are right Daphne I was so busy dreaming of Nips that I forgot to put in the "r" in carcasses in my heading!! Lisa will get the carcasses.She is very creative from what I have seen so I'm sure she will dream up something interesting to do with them-unlike yours truly here.Sincerely Jane D. PS Send me your address Lisa.

Hello everyone- I have bear carcasses-all mohair- sitting on my shelf- missing pieces, kind of crooked,some jointed, some stuffed etc. If anyone would like them to practice on,cut for smaller bears etc. just pm me with your address and I will send them off to you. PS If you live in the US and could mail me a box of Nips-coffee flavored candies in return I would be thrilled.I have eaten all the ones that I smuggled back from Florida and I am totally addicted to them!!!Sincerely Jane D.

That's great Marion.I hope to see you at Octobearfest! Sincerely Jane D.

Hello-Is anyone going to the Toronto show August 26th in Toronto? I was wondering if I would meet anyone there? I was there last November and some TT's were there but I didn't realize it and missed them.I am going as a vendor.I know Shane and Gail.Apparently Andrea M. was going to go as a vendor but I've not seen any postings from her for a long time.Where are you Andrea??? I hope you are well. I would love to meet up with anyone going.I am going to Octobearfest in October(when else would it be???LOL!) and I see that Pearl will be there. I am anxious to meet her too. Both Andrea and Pearl live not too far from me so it will be nice to say "hello" to them.Hope to see lots of other TT's too. Sincerely Jane D.

Thank you everyone for the tips. I amgoing to wash my mohair today with conditioner and brush it.It should dry nicely outside - a nice breeze blowing! Kim you are right-it is a sparse matted kid mohair.I have a dusty blue and a stone.I am going to make a panda.Too bad I can't figure out how to shrink my pictures or I would post one when finished.Sincerely Jane D.

Hello everyone- I have several pieces of kid mohair that seem to be limp and do not look fluffy.Is there something that I can do to give it some life?I know so many of you love kid mohair but I am disappointed with it.I have seen some lovely bears made with it from many of you but I can't make my mohair look like yours.What am I doing wrong?Thanks in advance. Sincerely Jane D.

Hi Karen- I must have the wrong format-dumb, dumb question but how do I know if it's 72 dpi? I send them on my computer by email and everyone has received them.Thanks so much. Sincerely Jane D.

Well it didn't work. I don't know what I did wrong.Sincerely Jane D.

I am trying this for the first time.What a dinosaur I am. I hope it works.If it does I will be thrilled.Sincerely Jane D.

Thank you girls for your interest and input.I will have a look at free webs-not much faith in myself but will try. :pray: Your sites look great! :clap:

Thank you Daphne-I didn't think of the library. :redface: Lots of stuff there.Sorry everyone.Ihad just used it to read about "Stuffing" but didn't look further.

I have admitted to you all honestly that I do not know much about computers. I want to have a website designed.What do I need to know and do? There must be some preparation involved.Can someone do it from their computer? (See how dumb I am???) What would the cost be? Do they update for me each time?Can I learn to do it myself when adding bears?I have looked at all the websites listed here for weeks now and they are fabulous.Do you girls make gorgeous bears AND gorgeous websites as well? :clap:  :clap:  :clap: Oh I think this is all beyond me! :redface: If anyone can tell me a few beginning steps, could you email or pm me.I would appreciate it and then I could get out of my chair and DO something.Instead I am spending my time with my head spinning and not accomplishing anything but tears of frustration! Thanks in advance! Sincerely Jane D.

I just received my Australian Bear Creations magazine today and guess what was on the cover!! I recognized your style at once! How exciting and your pattern is so wonderful! I am in awe of your work and that of so many TT's that appear in the magazines.It's such fun now to read the magazines and recognize everyone's work-although I still haven't received my new TB&F or TBR.Grrrrr! Once again congratulations Sarah- Jane.Sincerely Jane D.

Hi Jeremy-I am reading the Mournful Teddy and also am enjoying it.I can identify with the bear shows etc.I have also travelled through Virginnia so it seems real to me.I purchased the other book as well.Sincerely Jane D.PS Jeremy- I still haven't got my magazines and today's mail is in.Grrrrrr!

Hi Jeremy-I am also in Ontario and have not received my copy yet either.I was wondering as well.I also haven't received Teddy Bear Review. I thought they came at the same time.I keep losing track of when they come.So you are not alone!!! Sincerely Jane D.

Sorry to be so dumb folks but where in Illinois is Schaumberg.I cant find it it my atlas.I would loike to come as a buyer to either Schaumberg or Hunt Valley and am trying to see which is closer to me.I would love to meet some TT's and visit booths of the American artists.I already know who Shane and Steve are and they are such fun!!!I have done Canadian shows with them in Waterloo and Toronto!Any info would be helpful.Sincerely Jane D.

Hi Jennie-There are two that I know of here in Ontario and they ship world wide.www.theoldeteddybearshoppe.com in Kleinberg and www.bearsami.com in Shakespeare.In the US i know of www.thetoyshoppe.com in Richmond and www.myfriendsandme.com in Leesburg Virginnia.In NEw Hampshire there is www.collinsgifts.com and www.gallery-regards.com in France. This is why I never get any work done.If I could win the lottery I know what I would be buying!! Hope this helps.Enjoy! Sincerely Jane D.

Hello Jane-Perhaps you could try Judy Martin-www.brentwoodbears.com.She is in Australia but I have ordered before from her.Great service.Prompt too considering the distance and our dollar is good in Australia too-the difference pays for the shipping.Of course you will have Canada collecting the tax.

Hi Sarah-I hope you feel better soon.I love www.laboursoflove.com  from BC, Canada. Lots of sewing and bear supplies. Hope you like it.I have no craft shops near me so keep sending in these websites. I am looking for fabrics for my bear dresses.Jane Perala always has such beautiful floral dresses on her bears. We have a fabric and drapery shop but the fabrics are more for quilting.Have a good day everyone!

Hi Donna-Thanks for replying but I'm sorry that I neglected to mention that I only make larger girl bears. I have a husband,4 sons and a male puppy. I guess I so long for female companionship around my house!!!LOL! Thank you though! Sincerely Jane D.