Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I was layed off from Imperial Oil in 2002 after 17 years, as they ceased to do business as a salary based operation.  Imperial Oil offered an employment course which made me realize that I wanted to start my own business.

I am a fairly new teddy bear artist,  I opened my Teddy Bear business in 2004 after going through a Self Employment Program.   I am also lucky that my husband works full time and is my bigest supporter and fan.  It has worked out that I mainly create memory bears from clients fur coats.  I love the creativity of bears for sale online or in stores when I can fit them in. 

There are definately alot of distractions when you work from home and it is difficult to keep yourself motivated.  I also feel sometimes that some people feel that I do not have a legitimate business.  Not long ago I was offered a part-time job and it was mentioned that I might like to come back for part time as I am probably "bored" at home.  Needless to say that their attitudes and what they were offering was not what I wanted.  One self-employed friend said that his pet peeve is when a friend calls him at home during the day and says "What you up too" and he wants to scream "I'M WORKING".

I also love Teddy Bears, love what I am doing.  Teddy Talk and all of you definately help with the isolation of working out of the house.  I do feel connected by just by signing on to Teddy Talk.  Thank you.

A little off this topic.  Does anyone advertise?  My business has been generated from an article in a local paper and by word of mouth, but, I think very soon I will have to advertise.

We do not always get snow in the winter on average maybe a couple of time.  We just received a dusting of snow last night and is snowing this morning.  It is pretting but this weekend we thought spring was here.

Daphne love your bunnies, you have done an amazing job!

Love your cards, they are wonderful.   I have noticed them on Bid4Bears.

Congratulations Sophie :clap:
I can see why she ordered a bear like Prosper he is wonderful.

Thanks Shelli for the info.  I did search anti-alaising in corel and found it.  I also did not realize that some fonts are better suited for smaller sizes.

I am amazed at the creativity and individual designs that are all based on the same colors and images.  They are all terrific.  Letha love you new avatar.  That is my next project.

Beautiful Bunnies!!!!!

Thank you Shelli for making us push our limits.  The last little while I have been fooling around with my Corel Paint.  Learning SLOW but sure!  It does help to be given the colors and images to kick me off.  I too have been having trouble with text, it never looks crisp - How do you do text?????????

Everyone your designs are awsome.  This is my try at it.

Get well soon, Best Wishes.

So Sorry.  I hope you arrived to find his condition better.  My thought and prayers are with you and your family.

You NEVER have to feel bad here.  Love Burleson, awsome!!

Beautiful dog Eileen.  The picture looks like a professional portrait.

I watched a TV show on a Naked Mole-Rat, definately not my favourite but I thought it was strange.

"Naked mole-rats are 7 to 8 cm long, with a 1 cm long tail. They weigh between 25 and 40 g. They have little to no hair throughout their body. Their skin is wrinkled and pinkish or yellowish. Their eyes are very small and barely used for sight. They have very small external ears and a good sense of smell. They have very noticeable front teeth that stick out beyond flaps of skin that close off the rest of the mouth. Their nose opens directly above their front teeth, but a skin flap protects it against sand and dirt."

Congrats Jared!

Congratulations Judi.  Awsome.

Congratulations Donna, wonderful work.

Hope you feel better Jenn, glad you called your Dr.

Lovely Studio Tami, I don't think it could even look bad messy!

Congratulations Judi: :clap:

Congratulations to you both Sue Ann and Shelli. :clap:

What a wonderful gift.  She is adorable.

Kim you are beautiful, I like both pictures.  I like the bottom pic a bit better as it seems brighter.

Alerta: You are so thoughtful.

I enjoyed the show.  Thank you.

Have a great time and Good Luck!