Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Creating teddies comforts my soul and gives me inner peace.  It's hard to describe, but I think my fellow teddy makers know just what I mean. 
To create, to be able to create, is a joy beyond words.  This site is a joy beyond words.
We will, as Sudey says, come out on a better curve of the circle!
   :hug:

OMG, that is too funny!   :crackup:  What a great picture she drew.
Fantastic!
Thanks for a good laugh, "Mrs Smith".  :dance:

Thank you so much, Brenda!  That shading gives the mouth such a cute and more finished look.  I'll try your suggestions.  I have prismacolor markers and  blender, and a blow dryer.  I'll go experiment on some scrap fur.
Thanks again, you're a dear!
:hug:

Hi all!
I'd like to get that shadow effect, under and between an embroidered mouth.  Not an open mouth, just a shadow of a mouth.  Like Melanie Jayne's.  Is it done with shading, like with an airbrush, or with embroidery thread?
I've looked through the library but haven't found anything.   
Maybe it's too obvious a question.  Or I should say, the answer is too obvious.   
Still, I'd love to know.
Thanks!!! 

Thanks, Mel, But But..
When someone visiting my blog clicks on the 100 logo, that has my unique link code attached, it seems to show up in the OUT column.  I've had a few friends try, so I could perhaps figure it out.  When they go from my blog to the 100 blog, via the logo, their visit goes in the OUT column.  I have like 20 OUTs from that function, and maybe 3 IN's. 
I'm not at all complaining, I'm just totally confused.  I have this brain that needs to understand the ins and outs of things. 
Sorry, I was overtaken by the punmeister.   
Am I making even an ounce of sense or just over the top confused?  :wacko:

PS: I'm sure I'm just confused. I just totally confused my hubby, trying to explain my "logic". 

Help!
Paula, or anyone who can answer this, which is probably a really dumb question. 
But I don't understand the In and Out thingys on your 100 Best Bear Artists Blog.  One of them adds up the hits from other's blogs, when it goes through the 100 logo, I think, if I explained that in understandable terms, which I doubt.  The other does...what?  And which does which?
Oh I'm so confused.   But I love the site!

Thanks, Aleta.  I guess I'm outta the loop.
Speaking of loops, your bracelet, Roxanne, is wonderful!  Beautiful work!  The wire is so smooth and neat.  That can't be easy, as Jaina said.
:hug:

  What's bling?

Louise,  I used Photoshop Elements.  It wasn't too too difficult.
Their "help" isn't very useful most of the time, for me anyway, but it did head me in the right direction for making a banner.  You start with a Blank.  Go to File (at top), scroll down to New, then click on Blank File. Then make sure it's the right pixel size.  At least that's how I started my banner.  Then I added stuff, which I'm clueless at explaining.  Sorry.
Some of the gals here are computer whizzes, especially next to me.  Maybe someone can walk you through it a little.
PS  I discovered I could use Photoshop to make a banner from fellow TT'ers, who I am most grateful to!!!  :dance:
Of course, that's if you have Photoshop.  If you don't ..this post will self destruct in 5 seconds.  (Too much caffeine for me).  :crackup:

Hi Paula
Great site!  I just signed up!
And I added a link on my blog to your new site. 
Thanks!!!
:hug:

Sandra, I hope you won't need surgery and that your hand heals quickly.  Finding (the hard way) that those steps had been removed must have been quite a shock.  A very painful shock. 
And your spider tale.  Double, triple EEEEEK!  My skin feels like it's crawling, just thinking about those nasty spiders.  I HATE SPIDERS!!!
Take care.
:hug:

Bonnie, I'm afraid I'm clueless.  But I do know you're not stupid, the program is hard.  Photo Shop's "help" is almost useless with their halfway answers.
I'd also love to know how to do what you want to do.  I hope someone is in the know regarding Photo Shop.
There's so much we could accomplish using it, if only Photo Shop would explain things better.  They do it on purpose to make us crazy!  It's making me crazy!!!
I'm off my soap box now. 

Hi Sue!
I like your blog.  You did a really great job! 
And I love those photos.  Wow!

I'd love to swap links.  I just added you to my list of favorite blogs.

Here's my blog address:
http://danceswithteddybears.blogspot.com/
   :hug:

Erin ..If I may ask, how do you joint without using discs?  You've really got me curious.

Erin, Do you buy your discs at hardware stores, or just the nuts, bolts, washers, cotter pins?  I've never found discs anywhere but on-line.
I, too, do like Sue Ann and Joanne.  I have an assortment and use what works.  Also, for a boy bear use a smaller size, so you can bulk up (stuff) his shoulders more, and for a girl bear a slightly larger size, for the opposite effect.  I think.  Do I have that right?
I use the largest cotter pin that works for the bear, and those slightly wider washers (which I really love).  My bears range between 10 and 15 inches, sometimes a wee bit smaller but none larger.
   

Hi Cat
I like your blog!  I'm following it, I also added your blog to my Favorite Blogs List.
I agree, blog linking does bring in traffic and gets your work seen.
Thanks for adding mine, to yours! :dance:

Joan, interesting question.  And I think pertinent to the times.
I agree with Melanie, that selling higher quality, Collector Edition, manufactured bears alongside artist made bears, would be okay.  Especially since you live in a touristy area.
I've been thinking along similar lines.  About adding a teddy bear section to my antiques store; with bears, bear supplies, etc.  My shop is not full of high-end, out-of-reach antiques.  It's more of a mish-mash.  This too is a small town, with a tourist season, I sell whatever works.   Which right now isn't much.
So much has changed in the marketplace.  I guess we just have to ..go with the flow.
I'm anxious to read other's opinions regarding Joan's question.
    :hug:

You're welcome, Vicki!  I think listing other's blogs and following blogs is great, for all of us.  Hope more of you TTer's can join us!
I finally figured out the Blog List thingy and added it.  Thanks, Patty!
Blogspot is really great.  But how can they offer such a wonderful service ..for free?  Simply amazing! 
Hugs  :hug: to all!

Thanks, Sudey!  You have a great blog!
I'm following you, too!!! :dance:

Vicki, thanks for the help!  I've added a "Follow Me List" to my blog.  :dance:   And I've added myself to yours!
I really like your blog.  Looks like you put a lot of thought and work into it, and it shows!!! 
Now to figure out how to do the "blog list" thing.
   :hug:

Hi all!
Well, I finally did it.  I now have a blog.   :dance:
Such as it is, I'm still learning  ..Not too long ago I didn't even know what a blog was.   
So, I'd like to add, and be added to other teddy bear blogs.
How do I do this?  I have it set up, but it's sitting there empty.  I'd love to add your blogs.
I'm a bit clueless.  Help, help..
Thanks!!!
:hug:

Sue Ann ..It did!  Great shot!
But poor little kitty.. 
..looks like she could use some oxygen, CPR, a clothes pin for her nose?  :crackup:

You guys have me rolling on the floor in hysterics.  You are too too funny. :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:   
Love Rocky's transformation!!!
Shelli, if you're not already ..you should be a writer.  That was great!
Rocky has been to obedience school where he was taught etiquette.

Rocky seems to be amazingly well mannered.  He'll nibble a bit, then leave.  Our birdie friends just wait patiently in the nearby bushes. 
Our yard is large and on the wild side.  ..Bird and critter friendly.
I agree, a separate feeding area set up for Rocky would be nice.  But how do I convince Rocky to eat from there, and not here??? 
I could hang a sign but Rocky would simply ignore it. :crackup:
We bungee-lock our garbage cans, too.  Just in case. 

He is adorable, I agree.  But SueAnn, I must admit I'd rather he stay outside and not wander in through our doggie door.  They are rather large creatures. 
I'd freak out if I met up with him in my kitchen! 
He has a "sweet tooth" for sunflower seeds.  I guess really for just about everything and anything.