Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

What a cheerful little bear!  She's bound to put a smile on everyone's face.

-Laurie

Oh, yes!  It would make stunning rabbits and rodents.  I had originally purchased it for an 8" horse that turned out quite well.  It was available in a sandy brown and white - It's soooo fabulous, I want more!

Hi Anne Marie,
Thank you for pointing out this source - I've not heard of them before and the alpaca does look like what I'm looking for.  I'll send for samples when they re-open.
Thanks again.
-Laurie

What a sweetie - I love the 5" size, but haven't tried making it yet. Great job!

-Laurie

A wish list??  Wellll, I would have to agree with Brenda (thumperantiques), I would love a Forget Me Not bear by the Wiltshire sisters, also a Wee Scone by Diane - (a black and white panda with red pads) and I also admire Aerlinn bears by Esther Pepper to name a few.
There are  just sooo many wonderful artists to choose from.

As for making a bear, I can hardly sit still, while I wait for my new fabric to arrive.  I'm working on a design/style that's entirely new to me - how exciting.  It's like re-descovering Teddy Bear artistry for the first time (but with a little more expertiste under my belt).  I'm so anxious to start these bears, I'm having a little difficulty focusing on the bears I presently  have on the go! 

-Laurie

I too am sending (waiting for tomorrows overcast day to take the pics)

-Laurie

E-bay now asks for your phone # as an ID verification.  They send a "cookie"(a marker) to your computor so they can identify you.  If you deleat it (as we often deleat cookies inorder to speed up our computor), or if you access your e-bay account from a different computor, they block  your login with a message asking if they can call you at the phone # they have on file,with an ID pin # for you to input and (there by verifying your ID).  They have done this to me a few times, until we stoped deleating their ID cookie.   It took forever to get the right e-bay help response from them, but I believe there is an alternative way of obtaining this Pin # when required(e-mail possible??) -You would have to ask e-bay for help there. 
  E-bay is a wonderful selling tool, but can be extremely frustrating to deal with.
_
Hope this helps - Good Luck!
-Laurie

They are all so sweet!  And the colours...  Did you koolaid dye them?
-Laurie

Thanks Donna.  I've found a some what comparable fabric in light sand colour - but it's wool and not near as soft as the alpaca.  So I'll keep waiting for the time being.
-Laurie

Thanks Janice.
Tonights home work - check out these 2 links.
Looking forward to meeting everyone in those groups.
-Laurie

One last post for me here today.  Finally, I'm looking for some alpaca that I bought about 2 years ago.
It's white, with a 9/16" nap that lays perfectly flat and has guard hairs.  Wondering if anyone has some they'ed be willing to part with. :pray:

-Laurie

I can't seem to find an invitation from one of our TT community members to join an Etsy group??.
I've just registered with etsy and will search on their site, but if someone here can speed up my search with the link -  would much appreciate it (as you've probably already noticed, I'm not the most technical person around!).
Thanks

-Laurie

A ton of great comments. 

My take on the topic is this; what ever the size , the quality of the workmanship/techniques being used  and the amount of experience the artist has is what affects the time it takes to make a bear. And, I try to price my bears based on that, letting the collectors actions aid me in setting prices. (and not so much on the cost of materials)

As far as how the collector values a mini vrs. a larger sized bear -
I think that generally, seasoned collectors do not discriminate against size.  I think if you run into someone who can not bring themselves to "paying THAT much for SUCH a TINY thing",  it will be a newby to the bear scene.
But that's just what I think.
I haven't made any minis (yet) but I do collect them - I tend to collect what I can't/don't make. They are every bit as appreciated in my hug as the bigger bears.

-Laurie

She's so cute!
Swaps are exciting - Done it once myself, and was thrilled all way around!

-Laurie

Happy new year to all

-Laurie

Thanks for the compliments - I've so many idea of what I can do with the next one - just waiting for more fabric!!

[/img]Here are the pics of Ella Bear - hopefully!

oops!
Pics didn't load - I'll check the size and try again after dinner

She's done - my first open mouth bear.
At 10" high and  with glass beads in her feet,Ella Bear stands quite well on her own.  She is 6-way jointed (with an extra neck piece).
I'm pleased with my progress, but see where many improvements need to be made. I can't wait to get started on the next one!

OK, I'm moving!!
I love the snow and a snow-in is my dream.  Living in southern Ontario, we were lucky to have had a white Christmas this year, the rain started on Christmas day and is here for the week.
Enjoy the beautifu white stuff.

I thought about doing the same thing!( felting a piece of wool felt to the mouth) but wanted to try the suggested ways first - next one I'll give it a try.  Just have to add ears and my bear is done.
Laurie

Wondering if anything (in form of tutorial/workshop) came of the 2006 discussions of open/closed hinged mouth ideas.

I'm currently experimenting with the idea and have gotten as far as a wired lower jaw that is possable, but does not shut tightly in the closed position (-yet ... I'm deturmined to figure this out!)

Aso, re- my last request for help in open mouth catagory;
I tried the black felt linned upper mouth with success and resorted to a different brand of black  marker to line the lips around tongue.  The uniball marker seemed to smeer less than copic marker.
Thanks for those suggestions

Laurie

I love Pandas and this one is no exception.  Great job!

What a sweetie!  I think the swap idea is so wonderful - Lucky you.

He's adorable.  I love the beard and no shirt!