Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I heard on the news just last night that some research people have found what might be a treatment for CFS.  Hope that means help is on the way soon!!  Now if they could figure out something for fibromyalgia which my daughter has.

Hee hee, you guys crack me up!! About a month ago one night we heard a loud bang, went to investigate and discovered a huge possum waddling across the family room floor!  He had somehow gotten in the attic, stood on the door in the ceiling (that opens revealing a ladder) causing the door to fall, then climbed down the ladder steps, jauntily walked out to the pet room and out the pet door!!!  Such nerve!!  I was dying laughing while hubby was just dying!

Judi is on vacation in Florida and Laure is trying to get ready for the TBAI show.  Don't know what happened to Marion . . . she hasn't been on in ages!  Hope nothing is wrong.  Where are you, Marion??

Wow . . . Daphne, that is a wonderful teddy bear story - and it's TRUE!!!  Thanks SO much for sharing with us . . . what a tearjerker!

Another option, Di, is to just print your cards out on cardstock (very heavy weight paper) . . . if you've got any hanging out around the house!  This is how I make my cards.  After printing, I just cut them out using a paper cutter.  It's not quite as efficient as using the perforated stock, but it works for me!

Clare, I try to get two bears done per week . . . but, sometimes it doesn't happen!  There are all sorts of things that pop up to get in the way of that goal!!  I'm not sure how you younger ladies with jobs and kids get ANY bearmaking done!!!   As for shows . . . yes, for sure there are good and bad ones.  By that I mean that I can sometimes sell well at a show, then maybe the next one will be not be nearly as successful.  One can never predict.  I have found that the shows I've done right after Christmas (January, February) usually aren't my better ones.  I'm sure other artists who do shows may have a different experience, but that is basically my take on things.  Hugs,

Hmmm . . . I'm not sure I can answer Shelli's question since I've only done the double jointed technique on one bear (an all fours).  The gusset and side head pattern pieces on an "all fours" or "realistic" bear typically are a little shorter than on a regular teddy bear whether using two joints or just one.  If I remember correctly, somewhere hidden on this board is a picture that Judi posted of one of her teddies using the double joint.  If we can find it :o, maybe it will give us a hint.  So . . . guess I really don't know the answer!

Hoo boy, Shelli . . . so sorry about the loss of that mailing address list!  As much as I love being in these progressive technological wonder days, the computer is a point of stress sometimes!  But lots of thanks for your observations about selling on ebay . . . one of these days I'll do it - I think!!

Grace is a perfect fit for your new bear!!  Can't wait to see more bears coming up!

Rita, so glad you are feeling better.  We love "seeing" you here on Teddy Talk again!

The only thing I know about the difference between gathering and inserting a circular piece is that gathering supposedly produces a "snowman" effect.  As I have only tried the circle piece technique, I can't say for sure if that is the case.  Very nice graphic, Shelli!

Hey, Laura . . . I wondered where you went . . . I've really missed you here, my friend!  Glad all is reasonably well with you and that nothing horrible has happened.  Sounds like your life has been bitter/sweet the last few weeks.  Big welcome back to us!!   I'm off to look at your website!  Wow, your website is VERY nice!!  Way to go!!

Sandi, my first show was in the fall of 1997 and I've been doing a few every year since then.  My goal is to take 20 bears/friends to each show, but sometimes I fall short of that.  15 has been the least I've ever taken.  It depends, too, on how many days the show will run . . . 1, 2, 3 days?  I never sell that many at a show, but having a nice variety of creations appeals to collectors, in my opinion.  I also sell on my website.  I try to have only what is available for sale in my inventory up on the site and if something has sold, it will say so on the individual bear's page.  Hope this helps!

Kim, thanks much for sharing your expertise for selling on ebay . . . sounds like you are very knowledgeable.  I still haven't taken the plunge, but have been seriously thinking about doing it.  Your suggestions are very helpful!

Shoot, I love reading posts . . . long or short!  Everyone here has good stuff to say whether it be in long or short hand!  So keep 'um coming, kids . . . this message board wouldn't be the same if ANYBODY dropped out!
Also, that baby photo is delicious!

Hey, Kim . . . a big welcome to the board!  We really look forward to your posting more about yourself and some of your bears!  And thanks for the pellon technique for toes . . . sounds like a great idea!  Good luck with getting some free time to hang out here!

After just the little "toe pulling" I've done, I think putting a little more stuffing in the toes seems to keep wrinkling down.  And that is just a different version of what Kim has said, I think.

Definitely a GIRL!!!  She is absolutely stunning, beautiful, awesome . . . and a teeny bit sad.  Someone else said she looked like she'd experienced a lot of life (paraphrased) and had perhaps more downs than ups.  The wonderful eyes give her expression LOTS of depth and and a very "I know what life is like" appearance.  At the same time, she emits a wise, classy, dignified look that says "I've been through the wringer, but I've come out on top!".  That said . . . sheesh - what a crazy observation for an inanimate object!   But that's what I do with bears . . . they take on a wonderful persona that I "inflict" on them and they always have a story!  Anyway . . . my suggestions would be:

Sienna
Adrianna
Sabrina
Serena
Malinda
Eden
Ariana

I could go on and on . . . I LOVE to name bears, but you probably have way more suggestions than you wanted!
Superb work!

Thank you much, Hayley!!  Oh goodness no . . . I had no idea my bears were being put in the ads!  As I looked through this issue, there was another of my bears in the "There's a Bear in There" section . . . I am astounded!  Beary Cheap does sell my patterns and makes up kits with them, so it's very nice to have that exposure!  Glad you're back! 

Thank you, too, Danni!  Front or back . . . it's an honor to be there!

Big welcome back, Hayley . . . we've missed you, too!  Wanna see that bear as soon as you have a photo!  What new things did you try on this one??  I'm really looking forward to seeing it! 

Do any of you ladies from Australia take Australian Bear Creations magazine?  I just received a complimentary copy of the "Annual", volume 11, number 1 and it has two of my bears on the back cover!!  I had no idea it was going to happen!!  Beary Cheap, one of your suppliers, sells my patterns and they chose to use two of my bears in their ad for this issue and I'm so very pleased and surprised!!!   Just thought I'd toot MY horn, too!!

Boo Bear is a little doll, Daphne!!  What a cutie!  And I really like what you've done with the feet . . . clever!!

Wow . . . Nigeria!!  I am super impressed!  Way to go, Dilu!!! 

Yes, Di . . . I did design and create my card on the computer.  I did it with the same software that I created my brochure with.  This software is years old, but does the job.  I got it at Office Max for under $10.00.  Just browse at any office supply store . . . in person or online . . . and you can find all types of cheapo programs that will fit your needs.  This one I got is called "Brochures" and is put out by Proventure.  Broderbund also has a line of printshop software and you can go online for it.  They have something called Printmaster.  Think their address is www.broderbund.com  Hope you can find something!!

Oh my!  So green is the color of the devil, huh??  Wow . . . think of how "bad" the trees and grass are - and the adorable little box turtles that come to eat at my back door - and the wonderful frog/toad that lives under the sidewalk and eats mosquitos - and the "devilish" green eyes of my good friend Katy!!  Humph!!

Wow!  Marie, those 3 little bears are just delightful . . . you did a great job!!  I'm SURE you will be selling lots of bears at your next show!!