Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Oh, and I just want to add that competitions such as Toby's and now the new Australian Bear Creations Award which are judged by photographs are brilliant in this modern world.  I have yet to enter the Toby's but I have the oppotunity to do so without sending off the bear or getting on a plane myself.  Let's face it most of us are selling our bears online and therefore our photographs are what many customers are buying from, so isn't it a natural progression that we should be judged this way.
You only have to look at the high standard of bears in these competitions to realise what an honour it would be to those nominated. :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

And as for the new Australian Bear Creations Award, I am so thrilled, over the moon, and tickled pink that my little Gaylore has been nominated.
:dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Maybe the solution for the shows here in Australia is to have printed on the ribbons exactly what the ribbon is for.

The only issue I have with this is when the ribbons are misleading in there display.
I was a bit hot under the color when this subject came up, and regretted not mentioning the encouragement that ribbons at ALL levels gives to the person receiving them.  Though when they are subject to misleading the collector, I wonder if the system here in Australia of giving out ribbons for attendance is sound.

Congratulations to all !!!!!
And I was nominated too 

This is Gaylore and he was so excited just to enter, now he is stoked 

Sam is known around the world after David Tree the fire fighter stopped to give this little fellow a much needed drink of water.
What you may not know is that Sam and other badly burned animals are being cared for by dedicated wildlife carers in makeshift conditions.
Since Krista and others had been wondering where to donate for the animals that suffered on and after Black Saturday I saw an article on the animals and thought you might be interested.
Paymants can be made by Paypal too which is good.

http://www.samthekoala.com.au/

The dedication of these people are amazing, I do hope that this hospital becomes a reality.

Krista, I am sure your heart was in the right place, and who knows it may be all ligit and above board.
Maybe after the Royal Commission there will be regulations to have controlled burn back.
It is after all the Governments jog to control these groups.
It would have saved allot of Koala's in our area as well as lives if they did.

I think if in doubt always look at the red cross, they do fantastic work around the world, and have a separate Bushfire appeal.
http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services … l-2009.htm

One of the things that has been so heartwarming is the hand of friendship that has been stretched across the world, and it is all helping to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off.

As I am living in a fire affected area, with people dead in the road behind mine, I hope I can add my comment without anyone being affended.
Please remember people in country Victoria have been living on edge and nerves have been stretched to the limit, for this reason we will be rather sesitive to others reactions.  Yes there are bogus charities and it's hartbreaking knowing people have lost everything, and I mean everything, loved ones, home, everything, and there are scumbags out there trying to profit from it.
For this reason I have let my mailing list know that if they would like to donate to the bushfire appeal, please do it directly, don't give these scumbags a chance.  Sorry for the strong language, but I hope you can see where I am coming from.  I can find no other name suitable for People who profit from this terrible disaster

Denise is so right in saying that if the fuel load had been delt with by controlled burns this disaster might have been averted, or at least reduced.
Well done Denise for putting it so well.  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Wishing you every success Kassie, but knowing your wonderfull work I am sure it will be marvoulous!!!!!!!
:dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Hi All, this is really horendous.
I don;t know what to say, there has been 17 killed in my area alone and the total for Vic is up to something like 160.
Luckly for me they managed to get the power back on here, but I can't go anywhere as the police have blocked the street.
We still are under threat, but it has been downgraded to an allert.
Nothing is going to be the smae after this.
I will try to get on if the power stays on and let you know how things are fairing in my little pocket of the world.
Hugs~

Oh, what a lovely face she has!!!!! 
Gemma you are soooo lucky.
Good Luck for the British Bear Artist Awards, I am sure your bear will be a knockout  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

What a wonderfull idea Sandi, hopw you have a sell out for this worthy cause.  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Oh that is pritty Roxanne  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Oh how sweet !!!

Oh Vicky, what a terrible time for you.
I hope you can pick up your needle again soon, so that your little bears comfort you as you make them.
:hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Oh Krista, I am so pleased for you.    :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:
But What a well deserved Title. You Major is absolutely wonderfull.
Congratulations  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Oh, they look like they are having so much fun.
Someone certainly appreciates their efforts 

WoW!!!!! That's great , and it looks wonderfull  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Jane. just giving you my support, I found them great fun. 
I agree with Wendy, it may be someone passing through and wanted to cause abit of mischief. 
Please don't stop giving enjoyment to so many over one silly person.
Also, this is probably the response they were after. It will be the only way they can be noticed, if they are a bear maker they should concentrate on improving there skills, a much more gratifying way to be noticed don't you think?

Hi Kim. I Have not had a bear on Ebay for awhile, but when I did get one with 0 feedback, I would email them welcoming them to the Ebay experience and state that if they need any help or advice they could email me.
I just felt that I had to give them the benifit. especially since I had 0 feedback once and won a very expensive Collectable ( the Guy must have been having kittens    ).
I must admit that I would be abit nervous as you hear about such silly people out there, but I never had any trouble.  Some people put a block on people with no feedback, but I have had collectors join to especually bid on one of my bears, maybe that is what this bidder is, as I wouldn't blame them with your sweet little darlings 
So in the end you must do what suits you, to either block or not.
Hope your auction goes well.

Thant's great Sandi, and a very pleasant suprise  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Oh Wendy!!! he is sooo darn cute, what a shame.
But, it gives him a much cuddled and loved look at the same time.
Oh the poor little puddle 

Hi Susiray, what little darlings you have on your website, and the website is so easy to navagate. 
I think you should just take the plunge and start listing your bears on a few auction sites and see what happens.
Don't be dishartened if it is slow to start off with, as people need to get to know you first.
You will find that you will improve as you go along, the main thing is to stay focussed and enjoy creating.
You might like to consider doing some of the challenges here on TT, they are a fantastic way to stretch yourself.
There is one going at the moment I think. Pandamania I think it's called.
Check it out http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=24847
I wish I had time to join in myself 

Thankyou all for your comments. 
I am not one that is gifted with the gab, even though I have kissed the Blarney stone in Ireland.  :redface:
It's great to get feedback, thanks girls

HI Jennie, it should go by the measurement of the miniature when it is standing. 
That is how it is usually measured for shows.
I do see on occassions people putting a bear on ebay with the size of the bear sitting, but they do say that in the text. 
So if you see "3" Miniature Bear" advertised, it should be the measurement of it standing if not stated otherwise.

Hi Jynx, welcome to TT  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:
You can't go past Sassy Long pile for beginning your new hobby, it wont frey and is so easy to work with.
I suggest that you get a kit that includes the Sassy fabric, as you will have almost everything you will need in the Kit.
You will need to get some stuffing and a cotter pin turner.  Also matching thread and needles for sewing up your new little creation.
I am sure there are lots of kits on the Sassy website that are ideal for beginners.
Hope you have lot's of fun  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Oh Nooooo!!!!
You will have the dying bug like me now 
What a wonderful pink you got with your dye.   :dance:  :dance:  :dance: