Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Jenny

I didn't see this post until now - how exciting!  Can't wait to hear what you've got.  Thinking of you and your family.

Vicky

Hi Laura

I know what you mean about being shy - I'm the same and you're right it must put quite a few collectors off particulalry if they're already thinking "Well there's no price, so they're probably going to be expensive - don't think I'll bother".

As for shops, yes they do get a substantial trade discount, but their mark up, depending on what it is, will invariably bring the retail price up higher than the artists own.  The only way for the artist to counter that is to give an even larger trade discount and barely cover cost, or bring their own prices up in line with that of the shop.  It's not an easy situation.  I only supply one shop now, so it should make it easier for me to publish my prices - Jenny you're right - it would seem to be the way forward!

Thanks girls.

Vicky

This has got me thinking now - would it give a better impression to collectors if I were to at least give a starting price and maximum price as a guide somewhere on my ordering page?

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Vicky

I'm one of the non website pricers I'm afraid  :redface:but it's not because my bears are horribly expensive or so I can up the price according to someones interest.  It's more to do with not biting the hand that feeds you ........

I have a similar problem to Jenny - a  large number of my sales are via shops (less so recently)  and therefore I don't want to appear to be undercutting the shop by publishing prices on my website - it's a really tricky situation and I hadn't realised that it could be interpreted as being under hand.   The shops have to have a mark up and therefore will always be more expensive (in varying degrees!) than going direct to the artist.  Not putting my prices on the website allows me to keep my own prices at a level where I feel comfortable and works in the collectors favour - however it's not something you really want to shout about on your website.  When I do have bears available, I send an email to everyone on my mailing list and include a list of prices.  For price enquiries I send the collector my full price list to give them a clear idea of how much my different size bears would cost and they can make a decision from there.

It's food for thought though -  it's horrible to think that collectors might get the wrong impression and think they're being ripped off when in fact that is the last thing I would want to do.

Well that's my two penneth worth ....... :)

Vicky

Hi Kim

I did bleach some mohair a couple of years back - I'd ordered peppermint and when it arrived it was a horrible shade of lime green :o.  I tried a test piece first and then dumped the whole piece into the weak household bleach solution and if I remember right - I let it soak until most of the colour was removed  :redface:.  I did rinse and rinse and rinse afterwards though as I was worried about the fabric rotting.  I then put it into tea, and the colour took - albiet slightly green!.

I also tried it on a piece of royal blue mohair and bleached it out to powder blue.  Both pieces were Schulte and a fairly sparse, feathered quality.  The pile seemed to fade better than the backing but the quality of the pile didn't seem to be affected.  I still have the bears, they're with my other "learning bears" and surprisingly they are still in one piece - I just checked on them.

To be honest, I'm not sure I'd recommend using bleach as shifting the bleach smell was virtually impossible.  Then again if you don't like it as it is and think you won't use it, then it's probably worth a try.

Hope this helps.

Vicky

Jenny what a beautiful bunny - I think your talent pot must be bottomless!

Absolutely stunning job.

Vicky

Amanda - he is so sweet - I would never have guessed he's so little!  He deserves to do welll in his auction.

Vicky

Hi Heather

I like to buy plain coloured wired ribbon most of the time.  It makes great distressed bows and can be used really well as a ruffled collar.  If you don't always want the wires you can just pull them out.  I buy mine in bulk from a local floristry wholesaler - so I do have rather alot!  Thing is the way I see it is it will keep and I'll go back to it in time.

Another alternative to ribbon that I use is dressmakers tape - it comes in lots of differnt colours and a couple of widths and it's quite matt, when it's pulled about, frayed and twisted it makes a quite authentic looking "vintage" ribbon.

I have to admit, I have a shameful amount of ribbon in the draw, but I never seem to have the exact one I need so I'm always buying more!

Have fun shopping - you'd better make some room for all that ribbon.

Best wishes

Vicky

oh Jenny - she's too beautiful by far!

Wonderful face!

Vicky

Another gorgeous bear Paul! :clap:

Vicky

Hi Neysa

Thanks for all the tips - I must admit I was a bit confused about the different types of needles - it's much clearer now.  Washing the wool in a piece of stocking sounds good - with children anything that would shorten the process has to be a plus!

Thanks again.

I'll let you all know how we get on!

Vicky

Hi Matilda, Dilu and Judy

Thanks for all the tips and pointers  :rose:- we have the little book that comes with the kit but it's never the same as getting some good advice!  I think my little one was under the impression that it would be super quick and she have instant gratification.

Dilu there will be no stopping her once she's realised that it's not just bears that we can make - we'll have a look at those links in a minute - thank you.  She has a terrific imagination so the results should be really interesting - don't hold your breath for piccies though ......... we could be some time! :whistle:

Thanks again.

Vicky

Hi Matilda

Thanks  :)- I thought needlefelting can't be too difficult - HOW WRONG COULD I BE :mad:!

Vicky

Morning all

My daughter loves little bears and loves making things too - she's made a couple of minis but she thought she'd have a go at needlefeting (she's only 11 - a bit ambitious I know!).  We've bought a kit with a book - the only problem is I've never tried it before and haven' actually seen any needlefelted bears before so I don't know how they feel.  So I thought it was time to ask the experts.

We've been poking at the wool for what seems like hours ............. (no pricked fingers so far!).  It's gone into a ball shape and is firming up but it still feels squishy on the inside if you know what I mean.  It doesn't seem to be getting any firmer now - have we done something wrong or do we just keep at it?  Maybe it just takes more patience that the two of us have!

Any tips for beginners would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Vicky

Hi Paula

What a gorgeous, chunky boy!  :clap: If he suddenly disappears from your stand - you'll know who's got him!  ;)

Vicky

Hi Denise

Thank you - the CD Rom sounds good.  No wonder I couldn't get the book!  I'll pop along to her website in a minute and have a look. 

Thanks again.

Vicky

Hi Judi - I think it's Rotraud Ilisch or something like that - I've tried to get the book but haven't had much luck in the UK.

Fran I have a book by Jennifer Laing, Teddy Bear Art: How to Design and Make Great Teddy Bears which is also very good. 

I also go the whole hog with new designs.  I just go for it with the mohair and more often than not something is wrong, but I've learned to always have a little more mohair than I think I will need - that way if anything is really bad I can make up new replacement parts.

Thanks Jenny - I definitely think I'll give it another go.  I'll let you know how it goes :/

Vicky

Hi Jenny

I've been wanting to use wood wool to stuff the whole bear recently - I tried once before and wasn't very pleased with the result - plus it was really hard going on the hands.  When you say you chop it up into little pieces - how little are they?  I'm feeling quite enthusiastic about giving this another go and thinking that chopping it all would be the answer to a better finish.

Thank you!

Vicky

Wow Paula, that is an impressive stand!  The bears all look stunning.

Vicky

Hi Pipa

www.calicocrafts.co.uk is a brilliant craft site, I haven't been to their website for quite a while but have just had look and they have quite a large selection of buttons.  They've got mini buttons, baby buttons, just for men buttons, Halloween buttons, Autumn buttons, Easter buttons - the list just goes on.  They can be found in the Twiddley Bits department.  She also stocks a wide range of wooden shapes, repro vintage labels,rusty tin and all manner of craft items we would find of use.

It's definitely worth a look.

Vicky

Oh Jenny

What an absolutely beautiful bear  :clap:
You've excelled yourself yet again!

Vicky

Oooh Jenny - you've done it again!  She's gorgeous!

Vicky

Oh Jane, you poor thing - I hope you're feeling better now.  They say bad things come in threes so hopefully that's it - no more bad things for you!

Don't work too hard - you have to take it easy!

Hoping you'll be fighting fit soon. :hug:

Vicky

Fantastic news Helena!