Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Dale and I always give a nice check to the local Toys for Tots.  We used to go pick out the toys but we've never had kids and we are so clueless about what to get for any of them.  We got together with his family a few years ago and we decided that none of us need anything.  We give a gift card to his young niece and nephew and that's it.  The rest goes to charity.  We also have a local womens group that have a tree with the first names of elderly people on it who are in an assisted living area or without family.  We pick some names and on the card is something they want...slippers, cologne, anything they may want or need.  That is really fun to buy those and wrap them up in fabulous paper with bows....next the animal shelter always needs things.  We support them all year but give extra this time of year too.  Don't forget the troops overseas.  There are organizations that make care packages to send to them.  This always busts our budget with all this stuff but it's fun anyway.  I know it makes all of those people happy but I think we get more benefit from it than they do.  I love all the ideas you all have, I just have to remember to check with TT more often!!  Susie

Uhhhh....hmmmmm.  I'm sorry but pretending a doll OR a bear is real should be over by the time you are six or seven years old or so.    I was was creeped out  last weekend by a cat and a puppy made from rabbit fur that had a mechanism in it that looked like the sleeping pet was BREATHING....  I'm glad I haven't had to see those dolls... but I'm sure we will see them at the San Diego show in January.  Wow, if I thought the breathing pets were weird...  No nasty emails please, this is just my opinion.

If someone makes a doll that's a talent, but taking them around in a carriage???   

I'll try to remember to remind everyone.  I'm really excited about this and now I remember her saying where it was filmed.   How fun!  I hope it gets a lot of press ahead of time so people watch it.   Thanks to you all for writing in on this thread!!  My first one I start and the spelling is wrong...go figure!

Oops, here is the picture!

Oh my gosh!!! I spelled CHRISTMAS wrong...  I have an excuse, between getting ready for the show this past weekend in Pleasanton, and getting orders done for bears for Christmas I am a bit stressed.  Not to mention we own our own business and run it out of the house.   I could go on but what's the point, we're all in the same boat.  I found the picture of the cover that Wanda's clown bear was on but this isn't all that she did.  This is an old magazine too...

I've watched some of the trailers and it looks like it's going to be a cute movie.  Wanda is still writing and I hope she does another one that gets picked to be made into a movie.  Personally I've never known anyone who has ever done anything like that, but considering how her talent was with bear making I shouldn't be shocked at this news!

Wow...that's the biggest turkey I've ever seen!!  Our little nine pound turkey would look like a Cornish game hen next to that thing!  We went to friends for the holiday and made our own small one (we NEED the leftovers) on Saturday...  Hope you all had a great holiday!  Bear and bunny hugs to you all!  Susie

Many of you know Wanda Shope when she was making bears and doing bear shows.  You may also know that she is a writer and among other things writes screenplays for movies.  Well her first movie will be aired on ABC on Saturday December 20th at 8:00.  Go to http://abcfamily.go.com and click on Movies where you can scroll down to Christmas in Wonderland and see shots of the movie.  Or you can Google "Christmas in Wonderland" and find it that way.  The DVD will be out shortly after the movie so if you miss it on TV you can still see it. Her screen credit will show her name as Wanda Birdsong Shope.  This is so exciting to have one of our friends move on to a totally new creative process.  Now....if I could only convince her to start making bears again!   :dance:  :clap:

Bear hugs, Susie

I love your new style here Sue, just gorgeous!!!  No wonder her new mom is speechless!   :dance:  Susie

If you see a bear from an artist that you love and you can afford it, get it.  Sometimes I have waited and many things may happen that cause regret. It could be a one off, they quit making bears, or they change their style into something you don't like as well.  There is nothing like the 'one that got away' and you don't forget it.  We have a huge collection but sometimes you run across one you really love.  Most artists accept lay a way plans.  I've been making bears and doing shows for 14-15 years now and I still love them and I still collect from other artists!!  Have fun and good luck on your own bear making!!!

I have been wearing bracelets made from magnetic hematite beads off and on for several years.  They help me, and they help my husband.  I've made them and given them to friends.  I don't sell them, and I have no reason to gain monetarily from them.  They work for me but definitely you don't want to wear a watch when you wear the magnets.  My friends mother has a terrible back and she has a magnet under her mattress pad.  She swears by it and she's one of the most skeptical people I know.  Whether it's in your head or it really helps doesn't matter to me.  If it helps, it helps!!  I've gotten these beads at Walmart and craft stores but be sure they are magnetized...  Good luck!  If someone wants some and can't locate them I can mail them to you, I have extras...  I give them to my friends anyway!!  Susie

YES!!  Where is it?  I'm wondering too!   

I've always wanted to see him in concert.  I've been a fan since early days....I used to have his LP 11/17/70 and my favorite is Tumbleweed Connection.  Isn't that what it's called?  Has Burn Down the Mission, etc. on it.  Wow...I'm giving away my age!  Have fun!!!  Susie

Well...I too am slower than snail poop!  I love that, it's hysterical.  And I agree with Daphne in that I have bears in varying stages of 'doneness'.  Mainly because sometimes I just feel like doing the grunt work.  I don't want to work on a face....or ears or whatever else.  I found out years ago that if I work on a face when I'm not in a good mood....well....I have two in my stash that will always be here because they are my 'PMS' bears.  Oh...you can tell I wasn't in a good mood when you see them.  Everyone works at a different pace and sometimes when I can't get enough done I just come to a show with seven bears.  Oh well....at LEAST I made an effort to get there!  Good luck!

I hate hearing about things like that.  We recently rescued a kitty from our Home Depot here.  My hubby was waiting for them to open when a half grown kitten popped out of the trash container with french fries in her mouth!  He practically flew back home for a carrier and off we went with food.  As soon as we shook the food into the bowl she was there eating and we popped her into the carrier and off to the vet.  We had her 'fixed' got her shots, etc and here she is with us now.  We named her Dee Dee because the vets office were calling her Depot.  Shes sweet and fun and we love her!  This picture is on her second day with us.  Turns out an employee didn't want her and dropped her off by the pallets of wood...poor thing could have been crushed by the fork lifts.  We've had her for a few months now.  I don't understand how anyone can abandon a pet.  We have six cats because of people like that!  I hope that kitty where you are finds a good loving home and soon.....

I agree with you Ellen, sounds like spam to me too!  I've gotten alot of it and none was really from paypal.  They were phishing for information is all.  So, change your password and any other important information but do it from the paypal site.  Good luck with all that!

OH a huge congratulations to you!!! I can hardly wait to see it!  I'll be sure to share it with the two bears I got from you, they will be sooooo proud! :clap:  :clap:    :clap:  :clap:

I agree with Sue....the bunnies could be out there handing out information to do a sit in outside the studio!!!!  I thought he was ADORABLE!!!  Mistake??  I think not!

My husband likes to buy sewing machines for me and he is really crazy about Featherweights.  We have several, actually four with the carrying case and my old work horse beat up one without a case that has seen it's better days.  It's not pretty but it works as well as the others do.  I've sewn his jeans pockets back on with them so they're pretty sturdy.  Keep an eye out, you can get them for a fairly good price sometimes, and I've gotten a couple on Ebay.  However they are very popular with quilters and I believe that is what keeps the price up.  The best thing is they are light enough to take with you when you want to some sewing other than at home.  I agree with the previous post about getting the older ones as they have all metal parts.  My newest one is a white one in a green case.  It's really the newest of the bunch but it's so CUTE!!!  The elderly gentleman that works on my machines say they are his favorite machines because they run forever.

Ok, the funniest thing about this whole post is that I sew my fur bears all by hand!!    :crackup:   Maybe I need to rethink that and try them on the machine!  Susie

Well Gemma, I guess I'm like everyone else out there!  I'm always working on something!  Unfortunately with our business being based out of the home....as far as paperwork, phones, etc... I have little time to sew.  Hopefully I'll get some things done for the San Jose show at the Doubletree on the weekend of July 20th.  If there are any of you that want to do that show in California just sign up!  We have other commitments so I can't attend the convention but we will be there for the show itself on Sunday.   

When I figure out how to get pictures up I'll take some new photos and post a few of our collection.  It's all over the house.  I get a kick out of it when people see the bears for the first time.  Most are shocked.  People always hear me talk about Bear shows, making bears, etc.  But they don't understand until they actually see them.  We have quite a representation of artists in our home here, more than any store I've ever been in and we both love it!  I'm wondering if someone should start a topic on collections!!  Just wait until I figure out the picture thing!!!    :doh:  Bear Hugs, Susie

Well...I don't think you're greedy!  You should see my house.  My husband and I both collect and we really can't count how many bears we have.  I'll have to take some good pictures and post a few.  Dale used to pretty much collect Hermann (original red tag) bears and Steiff.  We both collect artist bears too.  There are plenty of things we don't spend money on and of course being a bear maker helps.  Sell some bears and spend some money on other ones!!  SOMEBODY has to help out the economy!!     Bear hugs, Susie

WHEW!!!  I'm glad you aren't going to Tennessee!!  I just was getting to know you at Larry Herman's show!  By the way....I LOVE my bear!  Just adorable!  Good luck finding a house you'll just love!  Bear hugs, Susie

Now Daphne, he's cute!  Actually, he kinda looks like my neighbor....hahahaha  Susie

My husband shops....at bear shows!!  Seriously, he has waaaay more bears than I do.  Sometimes he comes over to the table, grabs something and comes back with something new after trading my bear off!  It's funny really but occasionally I have to remind him that it would be NICE to come home with some money!  Ask Donna....she's seen my house!  Plus he's in construction.  I have a large 9foot by 8foot oak bookcase coming that had to be cut in half because it won't fit in the door!  It was made by a cabinet maker for a woman who decided after paying for it that she didn't like it after all.  Good luck on that one I'd say.....

Obviously I love bunnies and that one is GORGEOUS!!  Lucky you!!  Susie