Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Well, I think I remember way back when the board was pretty new that Dale suggested putting wooden dowels or something like that in the legs.  I'll have to go back to his post to accurately describe his method.  It sounded rather complicated, but then I guess it would "for sure" stand!!

Hayley . . . your mom has a genetic hearing disability??  So do I!!!  I wear two hearing aids and still have a terrible time understanding a lot of conversation.  Did the cochlear implant help?  My problem is an auditory nerve thing and the implant supposedly doesn't help that.  Your mom does sound like a very successful, very courageous lady.  Good on her!!

Yep, Danni, I don't see any pictures . . . just x's.  Kelly, I'm thinking you are a genius!!

Big congrats to all you magazine stars . . . that is totally GREAT!!!!  It is a real kick to see your creation in a publication that is read by a gazillion people!!

Wow, Shelli . . . that was toooo cool!!  And fun!! Thanks for sharing!

CR's Crafts (www.crscrafts.com) has several different types of stuffing from the economy that stuffs very firmly to the fluffy stuff that gives a soft touch.  I buy the economy in a 25 lb. box because I use so much and the price is very reasonable.

Yes, I believe Christine wrote the article for the August issue of Teddy Bear Review.

Millie, I have a certificate of authenticity with every bear I make.  This is what mine looks like and I just print it out on my computer.  I'm sure there are other ways of doing this . . . the purpose of a certificate, I think, is to just assure the purchaser that the bear is made by you from your original design.

Luuuuuuuv your gardener, Dilu!!  Soooo glad you are feeling better . . . you almost sound like our "normal" Dilu!!

Oh goodness no, you don't have to draw well to design your own patterns!!!  Just drawing circles and ovals will do nicely.   There are some other "general" proportions to consider.  The head should be approximately half the size of the body, the legs approximately the length of the body, and the arms as long as the legs or a tad longer.  Now of course, rules were meant to be broken, so these proportions are just a guideline to get you started.  Making adjustments to pattern pieces are part of the fun of designing.  HAVE FUN!!!

Cute, cute Jane!  By the way, how are you feeling?

Gorgeous jewelry, Nancy!!  Lucky people who get these pieces!

Ooooh, Nancy, I love your Yorkie and Shari, your early attempt at soft sculpture is VERY impressive, girl!!

Kim, I bought my Olympus digital camera (5 megapixels) at www.overstock.com.  They have reasonable prices because the cameras are mostly reconditioned ones.  Have enjoyed having mine and it works very well.

Wow, Daphne . . . very nice photos and your cabin is in a wonderful environment!!  You and your parents look wonderful (and Tucker!).  Your hubby is a cutie and how romantic . . . proposing on a mountaintop!!!  Looks like it was a very successful weekend ---  beautiful place to rest!  Welcome back and have fun catching up!

Mark, how wonderful that you joined us here on the board!!  A huge, warm welcome and hope you enjoy posting with us.  Hooray that you are going to participate in a show . . . which one . . . Schaumburg??  Since I still don't take credit cards yet myself, I can't give you any advice, but there are many members here who do.  If you are going to the ABC show, they will take credit card payments for you . . . for a small fee.  Bright Star Productions (Valerie Rogers) also provides this service.  Again, welcome to the board . . . I'm really, really proud of you, Mark!! 

I couldn't find the original post, either, so I'm just putting it up again.  If you have a flexible ruler, the measurement is easy to do.  The distance from C to A on the gusset should equal the distance from C to A on the side head piece.  Likewise, the measurement from A to B on the gusset should be the same as from A to B on the head piece.  Some ladies said they add a little bit to the end of the gusset just to make sure it will fit.  They said they could always cut off a little if it's too long.  Hugs,

Yes, Jane . . . what do I need to do??

Nancy Tillberg has a great article on copyrights.  Actually, I saw it on the Edinburgh's Classroom board.  Those of you that are members of that board might be able to find it better than I, or steer these ladies toward Nancy's website.  My understanding is that as soon as you have an original design, it is tacitly copyrighted.  In other words, it is protected under copyright even though you haven't registered it.  I have never gone to the trouble of officially copyrighting any of my designs.  I have patterns for sale on my website and with Beary Cheap in Australia.  I do put a copyright symbol on those patterns and request that the user NOT make the bear for sale purposes.  I read somewhere that those artists who allow their patterns to be published or sell them are just asking to be copied.  My feeling is that when I started out making bears, I appreciated the fact that there were established artists willing to share their knowledge and allow beginning bearmakers to practice on their patterns.
Think Nancy Tillberg's site is http://www.northcountryteddybears.com/  and the article will be under the "General" topic . . . subtopic "Copyright Policy".

Thanks Winney . . . that site has some great info!!

I've never used the Ezy Wax, but it does sound easier than my method.  I melt bee's wax in an aluminum pan on top of my stove burner with the heat set AT THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE POSSIBLE.  I paint the melted wax on the embroidered nose and let it "harden" between coats.  As with Ezy Wax, you can build up as many layers as you want.  If it gets a "milky" haze on it, I use a permanent marker to put on color that blends with the bear's mohair.  One word of caution:  Laura Lynn did point out to me that wax catches on fire at a relatively low temp, so be careful when you do this.  I've never had any problems over the years of using this technique, but it doesn't hurt to always be aware!!  I have a pan and brush dedicated to this method, so that I just reheat the same wax over and over.

Thanks, girls, for the welcome back, and YES, YES . . . I missed you ALL!!!  Fortunately, there was a room with a couple of computers in it available for use by hotel guests and I was finally able to get online Saturday morning.  It took me 1 1/2 hours to read all the posts I'd missed!!!  People kept looking in and (in my imagination!) wondering why I was still there!!   Sooooo, when I returned last night, I was able to get back to posting fairly quickly.  Aaaaaahh,  now I know I'm truly addicted!   

Shelli, the publishers said Paul's book should be available at Amazon.com in 3-4 weeks.  I also hope to get it up soon on my website (along with Tex R Masaur) for purchase.  The title is "Looking for Love in the Telecom Corridor".

For me, it's just the "general look" of the bear when it's finished . . . I'm not sure there is one specific attribute that says "I'm a girl", or "I'm a boy".  Occasionally, the color of the mohair will influence my gender decision . . . such as a pink color will usually be a girl.  Also, so far, all the "all fours" or more realistic bears have been boys because they just 'look' more masculine.  Other than that, I'm pretty much flexible in my reasons for designating males and females!

Shari, Gina, UK Jane, and CA Jane . . . all of your bears are wonderful!!  And welcome to the the board CA Jane!!  I'm a little late chiming in here!

Hope you're having LOTS of fun, Daphne!!  Miss you, and look forward to your return.