Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I used to think that I was at a disadvantage as my bears never look the same even when I use the same pattern and the same mohair but in a different colour(even the head shapes are different) but I am now happy to say that as I am hopeless at reproducing "something similar" I need not worry any more that my bears are not ooak and  I can rest at ease that this lack of skill will make my life easier :crackup:
Laurie :hug:

I sold a panda on ebay once and someone who missed the auction wanted me to make one similar.I couldn't get the same fur anyway so I told her this and in the end she did buy him but I did wonder if he really lived up to her expectations.
We can't make them exactly the same as otherwise they wouldn't be ooak but the slight differences seem to be enough to put the person off from what they want as you are not making exactly the same bear.This has put me off making any bears to order though as I just like to make what I want and when I want and feel that your bears turn out better this way when you are free to create in this way.You are also able to take the time to decide exactly how and what you want your bear to turn out like without any pressure.
I must say I have great admiration for people whose bears look so similar as I haven't been making bears all that long and if I use the same pattern and similar mohair they come out completely different and you would never think that they had come from the same pattern.I always say though that my bears are like me -they have a mind of their own. :crackup:
Laurie :hug:

We have a Dobermann and he is such a big softie but he does like furry bears and things and especially when he was a little puppy.The dog probably had a great time playing with all those toys and couldn't believe his luck when he was left in there.Imagine the horrified look on the persons face who discovered the mess especially if it was the owner of the dog. :(
Laurie :hug:

I went to the dentist the other day and had to fill in the occupation bit on the form but I took the easier option and put housewife. :redface:
It is awkward to describe what you do though as the only people that understand the time ,effort and skill involved in designing your own bears are those that are artists themselves or that collect artist bears.You know that whatever way you try to describe yourself people just look at you and see £2.99 plush toy as many are horrified that you could spend so much money on making or buying a bear.Of course they are worth every penny as so much time and effort goes into making them.
Laurie :hug:

I hope you like Rupert.I have just finished him and he is 15 inches high and the first that I have done in this size.He is for sale so if you are interested please contact me.
Laurie :hug:

He is a little sweetie.I have admiration for people who can make such tiny bears with such cute little faces.
Laurie :hug:

Maybe your hired help have got their wires crossed and instead of doing you your garden they are building an extension on the back of your house or maybe Terry told them to as he realises he would be better living in a granny annexe in solitary confinement 
Laurie :hug:

Jeremiah is great Jane.He made me smile with his cheeky little face.
Laurie :hug:

I like to work in peace and quiet when bear making especially when trying to concentrate on noses etc.I find the children make enough noise and I need to keep my wits about me as between my youngest child and thieving cats I have to watch pins, ears, scissors etc don't disappear.I spent more time yesterday putting everything back in my sewing box thanks to my youngest that I hardly done any sewing :doh:
Laurie :hug:

Penny you are so funny even though I am sure you could throttleTerry.Now that they have left your garden bare is it possible to get yourself a nice conservatory as there is enough space-I am sure your cats would love it.It might cost more than the slabs but you are in a good bargaining position You have to make good a bad situation :dance:
Laurie :hug:

I love Duffie   His eyes are lovely and they add so much character to your bears
Laurie :hug:

They are both lovely      The little panda is so cute.
Laurie :hug:

They are all sooo cute-I especially love the little peach one. They are great especially as you haven't been making them that long :clap:
Laurie :hug:

Please don't go Dianne as we will miss you       and your bears    
I am sure you can pop in to teddy talk just a little bit here and there     then we all won't feel quite so bad       
Laurie :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Sorry to hear about Elliott.Little Reggie is just great so hopefully he will help to fill the big space that you had.    
Laurie :hug:

Kookie is lovely and he will look even nicer when his eyes get better.You will know when he gets better as they can be quite energetic-my two Balineses still bounce up and down on the top of my net curtains and they are two years old.Our Siamese is 11 years old and she is a blue point although she is a bit tubby :redface:.The blue colours will spread more across her body and back as he gets older.I am sure you won't regret getting her as Siameses are lovely affectionate cats.Keep us posted with plenty of pictures.
Laurie :hug:

We have a blue point Siamese girl and two Balinese brothers(siamesexangora).The Balinese are just like a longer coated Siamese.I also have a Birman but even though I love them all you just cannot match the temperament of the oriental cats as they are so loyal and loving.Once you have one of these type cats you find that you cannot find any other type cats that are as lovely as these and would always buy this breed.The only thing is the Siamese can be a bit more stroppy than the boys and will soon put them in their place. The Balineses are now two and they have endless energy and often race around the house together.You will have to post a picture for us to see as I love cats and would love to see him.They can be one person cat as well so they might get attached to your husband then he might let you get a load more kitties :crackup:
Laurie :hug:

We have an Irish Setter who is now 6 but from a pup he had a lot of stomach problems,blood in his stools and mucous too and he kept loosing weight and in the end we tried every sort of food and ended up with one particular dried food in lamb and rice.We had to carefully monitor how much he had as overfeeding can make it worse as it was tempting to give him a little bit more to try and get his weight up.We stuck with this variety and he gradually got better and he is perfectly ok now.You can also find that a lot of dogs cannot tolerate chicken and ours was no exception as if we tried to give him another flavour in this food it didn't agree with him so he ends up with the same flavour all the time but he does not seem to mind.If you try lamb for example check the labels as they could still  have chicken in them even if they are lamb flavour.You might have to try different things to see what works for you or if this is any help with your problem. I hope Midget feels better soon.
Laurie :hug:

Thats normally my solution-in the bin :crackup: The only thing is that you have wasted so much time trying to put it right and have nothing to show for it
Erin had a good solution by suggesting a cat as they usually like to seek out heads for playing with, but the only problem with my cat is he only wants the good heads and not the ones that I give to him that are ready for the bin-he is not interested in them in the slightest   
Laurie :hug:

Hi Paula,
There are many bears that I like but I suppose my favourites are older style bears although I do like a lot of artist bears of different styles-sometimes it is hard to pin point what you like but as soon as you see the bear you know whether it's for you.The only bears that I am not too bothered about even though they are lovely are manufacturers bears as they just don't have the personality that artist bears have.
Laurie :hug:

Hi Cindy and Maggie,
I expect your cat could be picking up on your own insecurities at the moment and it is making her feel the same herself.If possible try to keep her out of the bedroom unless you can watch her so you can try and break the habit making sure her tray is always clean so she has no excuse.Then when you can trust her start letting her in again and keep an eye on her so she doesn't start again.In the meantime mind she does not try to do this  elsewhere.Sometimes it is possible to break the cycle especially as she hasn't always done it and maybe when you feel a bit better so will she.As for medication I always try to avoid it(unless it is necessary)-you just need to get to the bottom of the problem and pills will not help you to do this.Try not to get too annoyed with her as this will only make her worse. I hope this is of some use to you.
Laurie :hug:

Hi Jenny,
I done a commision on a bear a few months ago and ended up waiting nearly a month for payment.I emailed this woman a few times and she would take a while to answer back but in the end she did say that she wanted the bear and paid for him.
I was lucky as in the end she still had the bear but it has put me off commisions as I like to do bears how and when I like and as bears are individual they might not turn out how people thought they would look and I would rather people choose from what I have already made as there is no pressure then.
The only other thing is money-did you finish it quicker than she thought you would and was hoping to get her wages at the end of the month and pay then!It boils down to how long you want to wait for your money and whether the wait will be worthwhile in the end.
Laurie :hug:

I am now getting quite hooked on making older style bears and notice that people who make older bears advertise them with vintage leather pads.Does this mean that they have used older leather to start with and what sort would you use and where would you get it from and do you age them any further and how.I have read the article on how to age wool felt  but would like to try and use leather if possible.I know of a bear supplier who sells new leather so whether this could be aged sufficiently I don't know.I would appreciate any help from you clever people on here
Laurie :hug:

Your bear is absolutely gorgeous.I love his colour mohair and his hands.Your daughter is very talented too.
Laurie :hug:

I have messed up the odd head but more often than that its when I make the head up on new designs or old ones and I don,t like him. It can make you feel very cruel disposing of it but sometimes if there is no way round it you just have to do it If he is beyond repair you will just have to be brave and do the right thing  :doh:
Laurie :hug: