Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Yippee, Kirsten!!  That is THE most wonderful news!!  Yes, the nausea and tiredness will pass and the next huge excitement will be the first time you feel him/her kick!!

Will plead the "5th" on that one!! 

I'm not sure there are any that don't sound like cows!!  I have a Steiff bear with a growler that sounds like a cow, and you'd think that they would put in the best, most realistic sounding growler out there!!  Good luck with finding one!

Oh yes, McAllen is waaaaay down in south Texas . . . . near the Mexican border.  And the climate is very temporate in the winter.  They grow lots of citrus fruit down there in the valley.  Hope she likes it!

My older sister lives on E. Fairmont Dr. and her name is Sandra McCrary.  I sent her a card one time that had something on the front that I can't remember, but on the inside said "cause I will ALWAYS be younger than you!"
I like to remind her of that from time to time! 

Thank you much, Jill!

Great, great bears, everybody!  I love seeing this very fine new work from y'all!  My newest pieces are under the "fur samples" topic in the General Discussion forum.  If you haven't seen that new sample fur from Intercal, please look and add your comments.  Thanks much!

Rita, keep on keeping on . . . Dilu will give you great care!! 

Louise, you are one courageous lady!  I admire your determination to keep going in spite of your disability.  What a model for us who get discouraged easily by lesser demons!

Yeah, it was 100 degrees here in Texas yesterday, too . . . along with humidity   Eileen, I have a sister living in Tempe, AZ, too!!  What a coincidence!   She hates to visit here because of the humidity, but I won't visit there in the summer because of that 117 degree heat.  We have a difference of opinion as to which is worse!   But, we've only had 3 days so far with 100 degree temps, so maybe it won't be a really bad summer.  Judi, have a great time in Florida, and hopefully there won't be anymore hurricanes blowing through!

Past Time Bears has multiple meanings.  My teddies have some basic traditional features like the old bears from a "past time".  When I started making bears, it became a "pastime" after I retired from my real job.  And as I became more and more passionate about creating bears, I would frequently work way "past time" for me to go to bed at night.  So, it felt natural to call my teds "Past Time Bears".  I have a little saying that I print on all my hangtags that goes as follows: 

"These warm-fuzzy companions are for the young, the young-at-heart, and all in between.  When the hectic pace of today threatens your peace of mind, this bear will be a comforting reminder of a more serene past time."

Oooh, Marie . . . I like the name Kiprie because it sounds like Capri, the name of a tropical island.  What could be more sweet and warm than that??!!  Unless it's a bear, of course!   I say go for it!  Actually, Capri is part of Italy.

CAN'T WAIT to see the polar, Louise!!  Know he is going to be outstanding!

Oh no, Danni . . . you aren't alone in your admiration of Shelli's ability to write.  She is VERY talented and could have had a successful career in journalism had she chosen to go in that direction!!  At least that's my humble opinion. 

Marie . . . Shanty is adorable!!  She doesn't look like my cats at all!   You did a wonderful job on her . . . congrats!

Kelly, your mom's fur bears are terrific . . . just wonderful!

Wowee, Kim . . . beautiful girl you are!!  And you are so deliciously YOUNG!!  Oh yeah . . . those dimples on your guy are to die for, too!

Wow, Dilu . . . great, great place!!  What do you mean when you say it's better than you deserve??!!  OF COURSE you deserve it!!!  YES!!!  Now please come and organize my stuff, will you?

Many, many thanks everybody!!  And, yes to your question, Dilu!!  I believe the powers that be at Intercal DO take an interest in what goes on with this board and will seriously consider all of the answers that are posted on this thread.  After all, a supplier does want to stock mohair that will sell well . . . right, Intercal??!!
Also, I appreciate all the nice compliments on my bears . . . you boost my confidence so much and your support is totally awesome!  You are a bunch of sweethearts, my friends!!    Please keep posting any new comments about the sample fabrics.  I'm sure Intercal is interested in what you think!! 

Can't wait to see your furry bears, Shelli!!!

Hiya, Luann . . . thanks for the update on shipping charges for the steel beads!!  Great news! 

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.  Think we are all in agreement that Intercal should go with AT LEAST the 2" fur in several colors!!!

Dilu, CR's Crafts has lots of accessories for dolls and bears.  The address is   www.crscrafts.com   Hope you can find something.  Your sailor golly is adorable!!

I think it just depends on the collector.  Some like the smaller ones because of space limitations, then I have a customer that doesn't want anything under 25 inches.  My bears range in size from about 7" to over 30" and at shows, all sizes sell; however, the bigger bears usually go FIRST.  For whatever all of that is worth!! 

Dilu, yes, the long mohair has a nice, tight backing on it.  It wasn't as hard to work with as I thought it might be.  The pile is sooooo long that you can just ease it out of the way (I use my awl) as you are sewing the seam.  Okay and thanks much for your reply . . . will see if it can be obtained in black!!

The last sample is tipped in two colors.  As it was explained to me . . . the basic brown color was tipped in white and then red.  Makes a really nice effect!  Marble is 14 inches and says "Yippee, I've been born"!!

This next sample is a short black/white "frosted" look mohair/viscose blend.  This is Frostee, an anime style bear and 12 3/4 inches.