Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

If anyone said they couldn't relate to how you're feeling they're either lying or delusional     All businesses see peaks, valleys and plateaus.  All businesses have to step back, assess and then reassess. Most larger companies do it at least quarterly; changing..updating.. challenging themselves. 

As hard as it seems to do take what you're feeling today as a blessing! (I'm not crazy, promise )  If things came easy and sales were always great you'd never truly appreciate it.  Appreciation and longevity comes from all of that blood, sweat and tears!  BUT in saying that...just like that old commercial says "never let 'em see yah sweat"

Forget that one feedback and move forward with your fantastic bears!!! :hug:

:hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi

I was just reading over the newer comments on this one and had a thought.  Feedback is optional, it always has been right?  What if sellers just didn't leave it.  If sellers don't leave any feedback at all ....and buyers don't leave feedback because they didn't receive any at all...well then the whole feedback system is out the window and ebay has to come up with something balanced again.  Instead of boycotting selling for a few days...Boycott feedback indefinitely.  That might be a heck of a lot easier and get ebay's attention a lot faster.  I know we all value feedback, but it doesn't really mean anything with the new changes anyway.

Again, we're lucky in that we're in a much more balanced and good natured industry.  Most of us really get to know our collectors and this feedback thing might not be as bad for us (??), but other sellers out there don't have that.  If I had a non bear seller wondering what to do I'd suggest starting a feedback boycott.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Shel, I agree with what you've written.  I've already started 2008 with the plans of selling via shows and my site/blog, etsy is something very appealing too.  I've never been a fan of ebay's policies so not using them isn't that big a change or concern for me.  I'm fine doing my own thing and not dealing with the issues (there always seems to be an issue out there).

In reading a lot of the ebay forums it's funny that so many sellers still believe that without "them" ebay is nothing.  Ebay is a buyers arena, the customer is always right and that customer across the board is the buyer.  Sellers will always list, it's the buyers ebay needs to keep happy.  Forming a boycott only makes other nonboycotting sellers list more in order to benefit from the event. (the mighty $ at work!) I'm not sure a boycott would have any impact except for the persons not listing.

Ebay's motto is "shop victoriously", not list or sell victoriously.  Ebay pleasing it buyers is their only corporate concern in the big picture, not a few sellers dropping off.  Ebay's policy makers know that sellers truly believe that they need ebay, sellers appreciate all that ebay has done for them, the worldwide "advertising" is priceless to sellers.  Why would ebay need to do anything to make or keep sellers happy, we're resigned to taking anything they dish out because we really believe we need them.  Where else can a seller maybe get much more than it's item is "worth", "reserved at", "or "appraised at" in any category?  Not many places...so who are sellers really kidding....seller's have made it perfectly clear that they need ebay. Buyers...now buyers have the entire web to find that "special something".  Buyers don't "need" ebay and apparently ebay knows that and is consistently making things better for the buyer.

As far as the feedback thing.  Sellers are limited to positive feedback only and buyers can leave all forms of feedback. huh  Dishonest persons please apply, ebay welcomes you and sellers can't bother you anymore *smile wink*.  I think this industry is very lucky in that we work with and sell to collectors and buyers who value an art and an industry from the heart, so maybe this feedback  system won't affect "us" as much.  But other sellers out there are going to be affected much more.    It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Nancy, B4B closing would be such a loss.  Shame on all of us for not working a little more in order to benefit the industry and each other via B4B.  You've been nurturing, positive and forward thinking for the industry as a whole, it's our fault for not using the opportunity to the fullest. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

:clap:

Congratulations everyone!!

   :clap:   The entries pictured so far are just fantastic, as I'm sure all of the winners are!!  Can't wait to see more pics :dance:

:hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi

Boy I hope you find your ticket or someone steps up to claim the prize...the not knowing would drive me nuts!  This lil' prayer always works in our house (we tend to misplace stuff a bit too much )

St Anthony St Anthony
Please come 'round
Something is lost
And can not be found.

Always works...St Anthony and St Francis are on speed dial here!!

:hug:
~Chrissi

PS....there was a story on our local news about a woman in the hospital whos jewelry was all mistakenly thrown away by an orderly.  Her wedding ring meant so much to her (her husband was no longer alive) that her entire family geared up in protective clothing and hit the landfill!  They did find all of the jewelry in one bag. It was a sweet story, but that's a lot of icky stinky stuff to sift through 

Wow Bobbi, that's unreal!!  It's like the Napster of "How To" books!  The musicians and music corps went after unauthorized music "sharing" full force.  That's probably what would have to happen here to get the
"we're not responsible" web sites like google to enforce a few policies.  The sad thing here is most people doing this probably think they're sharing with friends and not hurting anything or anyone....the knowing right from wrong compass totally went out the window with the internet.

:hug:
~Chrissi

:crackup: HA, cracking up over here.  I've had dogs my entire life and they've pretty much all had that essence-o-corn chip thing.  My dogs all get lil' paw baths before they come inside from the yard, so they've got really clean paws all the time...but they still have that light dog foot/corn aroma if you sniff a footsie up close  
I do know that dogs sweat from their pads and it's probably just their natural sweat smell, that we've related to a corn smell.  It probably varies in degrees, just like in people.
So, are all of our dogs looking at us with funny expressions after we've just sniffed their feet up close??  (Imagine if they had a doggie talk....."um, do your people smell your feet all the time..what's up with that?) :crackup:

:hug:
~Chrissi

Oh, that's just wrong (do we have a gagging smiley??? )    It's a pain in the butt keeping the dogs out of the box, I can't imagine kids eating something that looks like it!  Funny thing is we call the kitty poo "tootsie rolls"!!  "Leo got a tootsie roll, his breath reeks don't let him kiss you!!!!"

Actually doggie cakes and parties are pretty popular now-a-days....I could see this going over big in that mommy/daddy crowd   Just tweak the recipe to be doggie friendly.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Gaby,
All the questions you're asking yourself are all the right ones.  There's never a black and white or right/wrong answer with this stuff.  Being a mulitple dog owner for over 16 years you know your own situation the best and will pick a good companion for you and your Morschi. 
All of our pets but one are rescues.  Our beagle was originally homed to my grandfather, who found he could not keep up with the energetic nature of a young 2 year old beagle.  We didn't think we could take the beagle as the shelter said he was not good with other dogs, boy were they wrong.  I think they read his excited (typical beagle) howling and dancing around as aggression..not sure how they did that, but they did.  He's very good with every dog and person we've ever introduced him too AND he's the one we can take into any Petstore around here without issue. 

Do what you know is best for your family. Even if you can't adopt this poor neglected pup, maybe you were meant to help him/her in another way instead. Vet bill assistance, food donations, blanket donations are all welcomed at any shelter and many will have a list of "needs".  Sometimes you can sponsor a dog to keep it from being put down before it can find a home.

Good Luck with your search and bless you for looking to shelters where so many wonderful pets wind up.
:hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi

First thing I thought of were the Minikins from HuntValley show....I was in awe of the size and detail. They had to lifted up from the table.
She's using an acrylic riser display here.  You can find a lot of these (at really good prices) by searching jewelry and retail suppliers online. 

Or they can just find interesting display pieces to showcase minis while giving great height. 

I LOVED Lisa's doll dresser (still want that dresser!! ).  The look of the bears and the overall table look the artist is going for will really help him/her find the right display items.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Double me too Tami...that is my utmost favorite movie in the studio, in fact I just watched it again 2 nights ago.  It's a movie that totally inspires to keep trying while believing in yourself.
I do notice the "personalities" of the bears I'm creating and whilst creating I will find myself talking to them like "well, you need a bit more shading don't you"  or "what dress do you think we should try".  But I'm not about to sit a bear down in a park and have a game of fetch with it, just like I wouldn't treat a doll like a human child.  Like Shantell I can completely admire the art, the work and the amazingly life like details of the reborn dolls...to see them is unreal. It's a woman carrying it at her shoulder like an infant and acting as though it's a live being that makes me wonder. And I think a lot of folks do think we're nuts!!    I've grown to like the looks I get when telling strangers what I do.  Surprised, confused, frightened deer in headlights..what look will it be today :crackup:

:hug:
~Chrissi

The best could not have been better, my little niece arriving in March has made nearly the entire year fabulous.  I guess the worst would be hub's job relocating and making him drive over 2 hours total each day with a bad back, but even that's not totally horrid...at least he still has a job in an industry that it taking a beating nation wide. 

Wishing everyone only the BEST for 2008

:hug:
~Chrissi

Daphne, yep...I was thinking of that very story myself. 

I just watched the clip for the show (I googled the shows title to find it). I guess anything in life can be turned into an obsession of sorts, and some can take those into delusions even (pretend feeding a doll in public being an example).

The art of creating these dolls and the skill set is amazing! But I can't imagine the extreme side of it all.

The clip showed the artist taking her dolls out with her to sell....that's a smart gal!!  Hmmm...maybe some bears need to visit the local shops with me    Maybe a little bear peeking out of one of those ultra cool doggie handbags??? hmmmm...

here's the clip too:
http://www.channel4.com/video/my-fake-baby/index.html
:hug:
~Chrissi

Hmmmm.... with recent conversations out here I think the universe is telling Paula to make a mini right away in 2008!!   

:hug:
~Chrissi

Anyone hosting or going to a fantastic party? Maybe heading to the hot spot in your area for the countdown (Times Square for example)??  OR are you staying at home in your pajamas playing Scrabble like me & the hub  

Do you have any traditions or do you make a traditional new years food you'd like to share??  I'm wondering what to make for our Scrabble tournament

:bday: :dance:  HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!  :dance: :bday: 

:hug:
~Chrissi

I've been popping in and out of the studio, but nothing like normal.  I'll roll back in officially tomorrow.  I'm setting up my 2008 goals and re-prioritizing things.  I have to be honest I don't know that blogging will be part of 2008.  After doing it now for over 8 months I have mixed feelings....but the feelings are definitely weighted to one side.  I know we blog to connect, but I've found it to be more of an overall disconnect.  Rather than share out here we blog hoping that the same people will pop on over and read. There's so much to read and comment on, nothing really seems to get commented on.  Time is a a factor too.  It's easy enough, but if you want to do it consistently and do it right you do need to put that extra time, thought and "wow factor" into it that I'd rather spend on my design, production, & photo submissions at this point in my career. I don't feel I can do it all to my own standards, so the blog was the easiest to consider letting go.  SO, with getting back into the swing of the new year I'm set for a few changes.  
:hug:
~Chrissi

PS....Tami I won't hold that agianst you     

Jane, you're a Rock Star!  What an awesome party!  I'm totally jealous of Jenny's conga partner, but dancing with Leo ain't too shabby either!!      Thank you for another rockin TT party!!  Happy Happy New Year to you and your family :hug:  :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2 … y_csi.html

I wanted to be sure that not a single one of our kids, grandkids, cousins, nieces, nephews, or siblings got this toy this season.

Once again we can't trust the toys our kids are playing with.  This is supposedly one of the most requested toys this Christmas.   I personally find it hard to believe that our children are not being targeted at this point.  Older kids won't lick a toy, so let's make it an airborne toxin they will unknowingly inhale.  Lead, Asbestos, toy beads saturated with the date rape drug....what next???!!? 

I think a good old fashioned mohair bear with glass eyes and lock nut jointing is a heck of a lot more child safe at this point!   

Be Safe!!

:hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi

CONGRATULATIONS PATTY!! I'm just catching up on posts! What a wonderful Christmas Present, he's such a big handsome boy!!     Wishing you and your family all the best with your new bundle of joy  

:hug:
~Chrissi

BIG BEAR bears    I started with mini's then moved onto mid sized bears and now I'm itching to do some nice BIG bears and "bear" bears. I've been drenching myself in photos, books and anything else i can find with real brown bears.  I have one on the table that I'm pretty excited about, totally new design.
I'm waiting for disks...I had nothing near big enough.  He's also my first attempt at Trapunto (which looks to be a trend in 2008!!)  I practiced it on a few dummy feet and really like the look so much....it's a lot of work at first, but the end result is worth it. 

I'd also like to try rabbits......the head design is something that I'll have to really sit down with....that's one that I could say I'm not exactly sure where to start as of this minute. 

:hug:
Chrissi

Congratulations!!  That's so exciting, enjoy this wonderful time!!

:hug:
~Chrissi

Bronwen, Mary and Bobbie, that link was really good! 
I was almost (again) confused (....I'm NEVER really this blonde folks, honestly!!) but I can see that I was being taught what this site calls the German/Continental/Left Hand method.  I felt all thumbs and zero control when taking this class.   
Now that I can see the English/Throw/American method (per knittinghelp.com link) I think I might have a shot at this!!! Plus I like that little rhyme... "in through the front door, once around back, peek through the window and off jumps jack"
Ok, there's hope folks....

THANK YOU ALL!! 
:hug:
~Chrissi

Thank you for sharing this with us Mary!  What a fun time you all had and the snowmen are precious, fabulous project and so nicely displayed for all to see!  Merry Christmas :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

HUGE Thank yous to all!  I'm looking up these books, videos and sites now    Edie.... I'm giggling at your last line because for some reason this is the most complicated thing I've tried and I've done loads of different art mediums to date! Maybe I'm all thumbs..... I'm hoping I just haven't had the right instruction yet and that I'll be set to relearn with these new ideas    Lisa...I think the relearn will be easy for me because I never really "got" what she was teaching us to being with...she was so darn fast!!!  Now crocheting I picked up right away...is this a left brain/right brain thing where I won't be able to do both   

Thank you all again!!
:hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi

We do a pollyanna in my family. We also do a wish list so that folks (the men) aren't left scratching their heads with what everyone really likes, needs or wants for Christmas.  I desperately want to learn to knit.  I took a class, but the woman teaching wasn't really great at teaching if you know what I mean.  She herself was a knitting pro and made the most gorgeous things..... but her explanations were confusing and her hands were always moving so darn fast I just got really discouraged fast.  I think she was teaching us a "european" style of knitting, if I recall what she told us correctly (???). When I tried to show others who know how to knit where I was and what was confusing me, well they said I was going backwards  (huh?)

So, the point....  Can anyone recommend either a really really detailed (pictures lots of pictures ) book or better yet an instructional video on knitting?? I'd like to add it to my wish list and maybe start knitting some beary accessories come new years!! 

Huge thank yous!!

:hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi