Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Welcome back, friend Shelli.  Sounds as if you had a very happy, successful, wonderful anniversary trip to Disney, CA!!  We missed you and are glad you have returned to inspire us further.  Carry on!!:D

Thank you all SO VERY MUCH!!  Since Beezley was going down a road that's new to me, I wasn't sure what would turn up!   But very big hugs to all of you . . . I appreciate so much the positive feedback that encourages me to try another!  Diane, thanks so much, too, for reporting your friend's reaction!  I am totally flattered that she thinks I'm famous   I'm just Sue Ann . . . unkown from a very small town on the plains of west Texas . . . who happened to have the incredible luck to discover teddy bears and the whole community of bear people!!  A wonderful bunch of people you are, too!!  Every last one of you!! 

Yes, yes, thanks for sharing . . . we all can relate, I think!  Wonderful! 

Thanks, ladies, for your compliments on my kitty Pixie.  I modeled her after my Russian Blue cat, also named Pixie.  I'm REALLY sorry that the fur is no longer available.  As I think Kjeld with Intercal said, it was a fur that coats were made out of and I can see why . . . it's luscious!

Hayley, I'm willing to part with 1/2 yard of the alpaca . . . will that be enough to make your koala?

This is Beezley (10"), my very first attempt at anime.  I already know how I'm going to change the next attempt.  Smaller ears, maybe a little shorter arms and legs, and "stubbier" paw pads.  I also will probably use a different design of mine . . . one with a rounder head.  Anyhoo, so much for my "foray into anime"!! 

  This is what the original design looked like.  This bear - Kip - was made four years ago.

Beezley is finally finished!   I gotta download my digital photos to the computer, then will get one up.  See ya!

Oooooh - I sincerely hope not!!

Oooops . . . I got about three weeks ahead of your meeting time!    Anyway - when it does get here, have a great time!

Yes, Hayley, I do know the fur you are "refurring" to!!   I have a whole yard of it and would be willing to share it with you if you don't get the look you want by dyeing white alpaca.  Just let me know!   

Hey, Guys.  Is your outing/meeting this weekend??  If so, have a blast and occasionally think about us left behind!!  Sounds like this thing could become a tradition!

Thanks much, guys.  Didn't get as much done today as I wanted . . . had to run some unexpected errands.  BUT, the head is done - so I should be able to finish tomorrow!   

Welcome, Jossan . . . hope you have lots of fun here.  We will enjoy posting with you!!:)

K . . . I sell bears by the inch.  When I started out 8 years ago, I asked a show promoter what the "going" price for bears was and she said $10.00 per inch - so that's the price I put on my bears.  A 10" bear cost $100.00, etc.  I've gradually raised the price over the years . . . now at $15.00/inch unless it has a handmade accessory like Hallie, then I go a little more.  Even at that, don't expect to clear much.  Teddy making is labor intensive and you won't get much for the hours you put into it.  That's just been my experience.

A big welcome to this message board, KBonsall!  Wow, 3 bears made in one week's time . . . I think that is great for a beginner!!!   I have never "registered" my company Past Time Bears officially, but did a search to see that I wasn't using a name that someone else was already using.  And yes, in the state of Texas, I have to have a Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit in order to sell my stuff anywhere . . . but I didn't have to advertise in a newspaper.  So, in that sense, I guess the name has been filed with the state government as a business.  I would imagine that the rules are different from state to state.  You may want to copyright your patterns after you start designing yourself, but I've never done that.  Also, if you go to shows out of state, you will have to pay that state's sales tax.  The paper work seems endless!  Have any photos of your bears you can share with us?

Paula . . . what an extremely cute avatar bear!!  He's adorable!! 

OH YES!!  The poem does speak to me!!  I'm really glad there are others who let the house/laundry/grocery shopping, etc. go while making bears and playing on the computer!! 

Hello, All.  This foray into anime (poetry?) is really just a trial and error thing for me.  I chose to be a bit on the conservative side for my first bear . . . and if I decide I like it, maybe I'll get brave and experiment more with the designing part of it.  I've sewn up all the parts now, so stuffing will be tomorrow.  Cross your fingers , everybody!! 

Stunning examples of your very wonderful airbrushing, Judi!! 

Hi, Gail.  I've started working on my very first anime bear.  Decided to jump on the anime bandwagon - at least one time - to see what I could create.  What I did was this:  I took one of my smallish bear designs and enlarged only the head pieces about 20%.  Then I did some very minor alterations to the rest of the pattern.  I've only gotten as far as cutting out the pieces, but will be glad to show my results when I'm done.  Maybe even show the bear from the original design compared to the enlarged head bear.  Anyway, I'm kind of excited to see how everything will turn out!! 

Hee hee, Winney . . . what were we thinking???!!! 

Penny - you are quite the talented poet, my friend!!  What a joy to log in and find your cute verse . . . keep it up!

Dilu, don't ask such personal questions, but hey, inquiring minds DO want to know, Winney!!
What bear would I look like??  My bear that's up for sale . . . Hallie the Moppet.  She's got all the right colors and is continually comforted by her quiltie.  Think I'd have to be able to move around a little more than she does, though . . . so guess I'd need loose joints!

Lesley, a great big WELCOME to this board!  Your bears and gollies are REAAAALLLLYYY cute!!  I've already taken a peek at your website.  Hope you like it here . . . we're all pretty silly, but like to share and help one another! 

Looked at your site . . . wonderful bears!!  Isn't Shelli the best about donating her time and expertise to help??!!  Will look forward to seeing more of your work and thanks for your compliment!