Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Oh, horses are the most gorgeous animals . . . I think they are majestic!!  And they ARE extremely receptive to training.  Did anyone see The Horse Whisperer?  Besides having my main man Robert Redford (sigh - be still my heart!) in it, it starred a super horse actor . . . very effective!

That photo is amazing, Marie . . . very nice shot!!  Thanks so much for letting us see!!  We all wish we were there!

Happy, happy birthday, dear Eileen!!  Hope you get your camera AND Chanel!!

VERY well said, Hayley!!

Diane . . . you have some of the best stories anywhere!!!!  Bar none!!! 

Janet, I'm so sorry about your husband . . . he must have been very young.

Ha!  You're a nobody in the bear world???  Not MY bear world!!  You are a great somebody and don't ever forget it, my dear!!

AAAARRGGHHH, I LOVE horses, too!!  I've seen many miniature horses, but no donkeys!!  I bet they are adorable.  I just love finding out more about all of you bear artists . . . what you love besides bear making!

Awwwwright!!  Another member of the concert team!!  THis is sooooo exciting!!  Can't wait for you girls to get together and produce some lovely music!!! 

Shelli, I don't think I answered your question about whether I've seen RENT.  No, I haven't, but I have read a synopsis and it does sound really worth seeing.  It's been in Dallas, but I had a conflict at the time and didn't go.  Am sure it will be back, though.  I did know that Diana K. had married Elvis Costello and thought "how odd" at the time.  I think he might have produced her last cd which I'm not as crazy about as her earlier ones.  Well, I know Barry Manilow isn't very popular with anyone except maybe a few old ladies, but he put out a super duper album in 1984 that has remained one of my favorites.  It's called 2:00 AM Paradise Cafe and is incredible because it was recorded in the studio in only one take.  He composed all the music and every song just melts into the next one with no breaks . . . all he does is segue into each song with his piano work.  He sings duets with the late, great Mel Torme and the amazing Sarah Vaughan.  My very favorite piece on there is "When October Goes" . . . so melancholy and he does sing it with such longing.  Ooooops, I'm rambling.  Bye now.

Goodness, Dilu . . . your dad sounds like a very wonderful artist!  Such talent in your family!!

Oh goodness, Eileen,  you are beautiful and your daughter is gorgeous!!  What wonderful photos . . . thanks so much for sharing!! 

I'm so impressed with the oboe players here . . . you gals rock!!  So to speak.  I also looove the sound of the oboe and I think jazz can be played with any instrument.  Have you ever heard jazz violin??  Kind of strange, but haunting.

Yes, before bears, I played piano according to my moods . . . it's great therapy, too, but I don't play well enough to get as much good out of it as I want . . . I want to play like Diana Krall!!  In my next life, I will come back as a dynamite jazz singer/pianist . . . what I've wanted to be for a looooooooong time!   

I really can "tune in" to this topic  - - - music is the universal language, as they say!!    Nobody is going to chastise and tease me for liking Barry Manilow???!!!  He's worse than Neil Diamond, but I've always liked him . . . even if he has almost zero dynamics in his singing.  Sigh.

What a cutie-pie Pookums is, Shari . . . what do hubbies know???!!!  I have never in my life seen a beaver with a cute little bow in its hair!!  Wow, sounds like a really busy week coming up for you!  That oughtta to keep you off the street and outta trouble!!

Don't look at this, Dale!!  Think Dale has been a little miffed at our "sexist" posts.  It's all in jest, Dale . . . we think you are the GREATEST!!!  Come visit with us again, please!

Great little Joey Bear, Sandi!!

Great way to get everybody up there, Louise!!  The only thing I saw was that Cindy's last name is Woodson rather than Huggley as in www.cwhuggleybears.com.  Nice looking website you have there!!

Great idea, Shelli . . . thanks for getting the topic organized and easy to find!

OH YOU GIRLS!!! 

Oh my, dear psych nurse . . . you ask very hard questions!!  YES, YES I am far better off now than I was BB . . . Before Bears!  The set of circumstances that caused the crisis has not been totally resolved, but I can now live with myself a lot more comfortably than I ever have.  Sooooo . . . is that being healed??  I don't know, but what I do know is that I still feel compelled to continue with bearmaking and enjoy its therapeutic benefits.  It's my way of giving therapy to myself, and if others benefit from my bearmaking, then ALL THE BETTER!!! 

Oh, oh, Daphne . . . I do hope you find those earrings!  Good luck!!

I've never had that request before, either, but surely whatever she wants the photos for, she could accomplish it by taking photos herself after she receives the bear.  Our requests for photos on this board are just because we want to see what everyone's bears look like . . . 'cause we can't see them in person, or bearson!!  It's probably just an innocent request . . . but guess no one can intuit her intentions.  Good luck, Nancy!

Oh boy, Kelly . . . what a CUTE avatar bear!!  Love that expression!

Well, Dilu . . . at the time that I discovered bears, I was in the midst of an emotional/psychological crisis and I largely credit that discovery and getting fully involved in the whole teddy bear scene for literally saving my life.  So yes, I think that some bear artists got started because of the need for a source of comfort.  And - bottom line for me - bears equal comfort!  Don't know if this is the concept you were speaking about, but it is true for me.  My hope is that I can make bears that will bring the same comfort or joy to those that might need it.

I vote we have a concert . . . Dilu on piano, Janet on oboe, and Winney singing!  Is it a go, girls?

That's precisely the reason I quit making small editions . . . I simply cannot clone a bear either - no matter how hard I try.  I also have come to the conclusion that I don't like to duplicate bears at all!  So it's all OOAK these days and probably forever!! 

Great to have you back, Judi . . . sorry there was so much amiss on your return.  But . . . at least you had a good time while in Florida!!  Hope everything gets worked out without a lot of hassle for you.

Welcome back, Judi . . . hope you had a great time!  You've been missed, my friend!