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NIKKEL Sep 12, 2008

At last - I've finally got a bit of time to catch up with you all on TT at last!

After losing my beautiful mother-in-law suddenly only a few months ago, I think I lost my passion for bear making for a while - but I'm back! 

I have been entering critique competitions (to continue to learn) and have just come back from trading at the Newcastle Charity Doll Show last weekend.

Here are a few of my bears:

This is Cappucino - who won the Open section (9" Bears) at the Adelaide Annual Doll & Bear Show.

This is Alfie - my clown bear who won 'Bear of Show' at Newcastle.

and finally, this is little Coco - a 6" little bear who won a 1st place ribbon at Newcastle.

I'm absolutely thrilled by these awards, and am now looking forward to the Mittagong Bear Show in December (and madly cutting out new bears).

thanks for taking a peek!

Marg 

BootButtonBears Sep 12, 2008

Glad to hear from you again Marg.  Congratulations on these awards, all the bears are just terrific.  You must be so proud.

Laura Lynn Banner SponsorSep 12, 2008

Marg I am so sorry about your Mother in Law  :hug:

Congratulations on your awards!  Your bears are wonderful     That is one thing I think is really cool about bear making in Australia and NZ -- the critiquing competitions.  It's gotta take a lot of guts to enter as you are really putting yourself out there.  But what an awesome opportunity to learn! 

I had to judge a tropical fish photography contest once and it was tough. 

Not tough to choose a winner.  The other judge and myself created a point system.  The hard part was explaining to some people why their entries didn't place at all.   

In our opinion if a photograph was either out of focus or incorrectly exposed (too light/too dark), then it should not place at all regardless of what the subject is.  Some of the entrants disagreed with our judging method and had no interest in wanting to learn how to do better next time    I decided never to judge a contest again 

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorSep 12, 2008

Great bears, Marg, and certainly deserving of their awards.  Big congratulations!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Carolyn Green Sep 12, 2008

Congratulations on your awards Marg! your bears are all adorable.

Hugs
Carolyn

Boogaloo Bears Sep 16, 2008

Marg

So sorry for your loss, your bears are all superb - I particularly love Cappucino.

Hugs

Lisa

NIKKEL Sep 16, 2008

Thankyou girls so much for your wonderful thoughts - our family is starting to move forward now after our devastating loss.

Anyway, back to the bears ... unfortunately, my photography skills are not that great, so I probably haven't shown off these kids to their best advantage (note to self:  must check out the TT library for some tips on photography - he! he!)

Laura Lynn - although they are daunting, I do find critique competitions a challenge and have found them a great opportunity for learning, particularly as I find it difficult to attend workshops (I live in a rural community and work full time!)  In the critique comps I have entered, the bears are judged 'in the fur' and not from a photo, so wonderful feedback on stitch technique, placement of ears/eyes/nose etc. is given, which I have found to be invaluable.

Marg 

NIKKEL Sep 16, 2008

Thankyou girls so much for your wonderful thoughts - our family is starting to move forward now after our devastating loss.

Anyway, back to the bears ... unfortunately, my photography skills are not that great, so I probably haven't shown off these kids to their best advantage (note to self:  must check out the TT library for some tips on photography - he! he!)

Laura Lynn - although they are daunting, I do find critique competitions a challenge and have found them a great opportunity for learning, particularly as I find it difficult to attend workshops (I live in a rural community and work full time!)  In the critique comps I have entered, the bears are judged 'in the fur' and not from a photo, so wonderful feedback on stitch technique, placement of ears/eyes/nose etc. is given, which I have found to be invaluable.

Marg 

Carolynn Sep 17, 2008

Was just thinking about competitions the other day. I entered a couple and was alway really nice to have feed back. Other people you know just tell you the bears are cute. Nice having suggestions and comments. Like Marg was saying, ear placement etc. I always got good comments (dont want to sound big headed) but it is the odd critique that I really appreciated. My one bear had a scarf on and was too heavy for the size of the bear. That has always made me think about accessories now. Love learning from other people.  And I could never be a judge. But Marge your bears and very very good. Well done you