Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Eva,
I was wondering how you were faring.  My dad measured over 3 inches at his house, not including last night's storm.  I wish we had a rain gauge here but how often would it be any use???  They say we could get another inch today.  I've got 2 very unhappy, stinky wet dogs.  My lab will not stay out of the rain.  He drives me batty!  He keeps dropping his ball at me feet.  I can just see him now slipping and sliding across the lawn.  You should see his face when I say "NO BALL!" 

Hugs,
Alison

Most of you know I live in Phoenix, Arizona.  Sunny blue skies, warm winter weather.  I guess that we had it coming because boy are we getting it!  What a soggy, yucky mess we have.  Phoenix has receive more rain this week than we got in all of 2009.  There's so much snow up north that they had to CLOSE ski resorts.  We even had a tornado warning.  But wait, there's more!  Another storm should roll through tonight.  Row, row, row your boat, gently down the street!  Here's hoping for our regular weather to return soon.  I don't know how all of you who have weather on a regular basis do it.  Give me blistering heat!  You can keep this wet cold stuff!  Here's some pics for you to enjoy that show what we're dealing with in the desert and what they're dealing with in Northern Arizona.

Hugs,
Alison

I love this bear.  The mohair looks so soft and scrumptious!  Great job!

Hugs,
Alison

Jenn,
That is a bargain!  It's a lot of work to make a teddy bear. 

~ Alison

I love Bear Pile and Dave has did some things to improve it last year.  The price is certainly right, $9.99 a month to list unlimited bears.  I have had many sales through BearPile and have found loyal customers there.

Hugs,
Alison

The ONLY time I ever use more than 3 or 4 pieces for a head is if I am creating a panda, inset muzzle or very elaborate open mouth.  Even with a regular open mouth, you only add once piece for the inside of the mouth.  I don't see any reason to create more pieces.  You can alter the shape of the head by simply adding darts and needle sculpting.  Darts at the bottom of the side head piece will give you a fuller cheek.  Darts at the top of the side head will round out the top of the head.  You can also add darts to the gusset to round out the head.  On my latest bunny pattern with an inset muzzle, I added darts to the muzzle piece where it sews to the side head to add a bit more cheek.  I would experiment more with dart placement before I started added a bunch of pieces.  Darts are less work and will allow you to change the head shape in infinite ways. 

Have fun!

Alison

Welcome!
Sounds like the club you've joined will give you lots of experience.  You may very well want to keep your first 12 bears.  I think a lot of people assume that artists who sell bears started selling from the get go.  Most of us did not.  In fact, my first bears were not good enough to sell.  Perfecting techniques takes time and patience.  It took me over 1 year to make a bear that I felt was even worthy of selling.  I gave the bears without hesitation to my family members.  It was easy to do because I could see they really enjoyed them.

Also, bear making is very addicting and very expensive.  Mohair, glass eyes, etc are not cheap.  If I wanted to continue my bear making hobby, I needed to make some money to buy supplies.  Once you get addicted to buying mohair, it's easier to sell the bears so that you can afford to buy more so you can make more.  For me, the fun is in creating.  I made 58 teddies and critters last year.  I couldn't possibly keep them all nor would I want to.  I want to sell them, so I can create more. 

I'm looking forward to seeing your creations here on Teddy Talk.

Hugs,
Alison

What a wonderful birthday!  Congratulations!

Hugs,
Alison

Thanks everyone.  She's really going strong on eBay.  I haven't had anything on eBay in quite some time so I'm beyond pleased.  I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Year's Eve. 

Happy New Year!

Alison

Here are a few pics of my 6th Annual New Year's eTeddy.  Jubliee will be available on eBay with a one day auction to start on New Year's Eve and end on New Year's Day.  The auction will start at $1 with NO RESERVE!!!   

We will be ringing in the New Year with a small group of friends.  We get together every year for dinner and games.  I have to admit that it's gets harder to stay up until midnight as the years pass.   I hope you all have a wonderful 2010!

Hugs,
Alison

Thank you all for the well wishes for Tyler.  He is improving.  His appetite is coming back and he's even getting his quirky sense of humor back.  But, he couldn't finish decorating the tree this evening.  He finally pooped out.  We are very grateful that he was able to come home from the hospital for Christmas and that he will be fine.   We're following doctors orders and hope that we can get his lungs clear by the time school resumes.   I cannot stress enough how important it is to get this and other flu vaccinations.  I will never hesitate to get my kids their flu shots again.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Hugs,
Alison

Tyler ended up in the hospital with his pneumonia due to the flu.  We just brought him home and he's doing OK.  This will no doubt be a long recovery.  So, please take my previous advice on getting both of your flu shots seriously.  Here in the US you can get them both at Walgreens.  It's well worth the money spent to avoid getting the flu and any complications.

Stay well and Merry Christmas!

Alison

I will pass along your well wishes to Tyler.  His fever is down a bit this morning.  I just cannot stress enough that the risks of the immunizations are minuscule compared to the risk on the flu.  I was able to get the both vaccinations because of my health problems.  I have been caring for Tyler and have not got sick.  I have to believe that they work!  I just wish I could have got the h1n1 for Tyler.  It became available at his dr. office this week, too late!  Please, please, please, get vaccinated!

Hugs,
Alison

Hello,
I just returned home from the ER with my son who has a type A influenza.  We are on day 6 of the fever and it's still 103+.  Tyler now has pneumonia, I could tell when he woke me this morning; his cough had changed.  At the ER they gave him 2 liters of fluids and IV antibiotics.  They talked about admitting him to the hospital but allowed me to bring him home because they thought I've done a good job so far and he'll be more comfortable here. 

If you have not got your seasonal flu vaccination, GET IT.  If you have not got your h1n1 vaccination, it's available to everyone now, GET IT.  I don't care about the arguments on mercury, lack of testing, etc.  This is wicked and you should do everything in your power to prevent this flu.  The media is not exaggerating this, I know I am living it right now with my son.  Please take care of yourselves, and get your flu shots to stop the spread.

Hugs,
Alison

Lisa,
How is your cough?  I've been up all night because my son has coughed all night.  Are you still running a fever?  If no, when did it finally go away.  We're on day 5 of the fever.  Cough has increased and now vomiting.  I'm really for him to get better NOW.  Thi s is getting a little scary!

Hugs,
Alison

Hello,
I received the information below in an email today.  The TOBY Entry deadline has been extended.  If you missed it, you've got a few days to get your stuff to them. 

Hugs,
Alison

2010 TOBY Countdown: Deadline Extended!

Don’t miss your chance to participate in the most prestigious awards program in the world of teddy bear and soft-sculpture design, the annual Teddy Bear of the Year® (TOBY®) Awards! The deadline for all entries is Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009. The judging and the announcement of the 2010 TOBY Industry’s Choice winners will take place at the Crossroads Doll & Teddy Bear Show in San Diego, Calif., on Jan. 16, 2010 (click here for tickets), and the winners will then go on to compete for the TOBY Public’s Choice awards later this year. Questions? E-mail kpeck@madavor.com (617) 706-9081. 

TOBY Entry Checklist
Complete all TOBY entry forms

Print two high-quality photos of your entry piece, 4† x 6† (optional: second close-up photo), one for the entry form, another for TBF records
Mail forms and photos to: TOBY Contest, 85 Quincy Ave. Suite B, Quincy, MA 02169 – they must be received by Dec. 22, 2009.
Await e-mail confirmation within one week

PLUS
All TOBY 2010 entries will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win an ad in Teddy Bear and Friends magazine during 2010. All entrants will receive a coupon for 15% off their next ad in Teddy Bear and Friends.*

 
*One entry per person or company. One winner will be chosen and one prize will be awarded: either a 1/8 page, 4-color Artist Gallery advertisement or a $250 credit toward a larger ad in Teddy Bear & Friends during cover year 2010. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. One discount coupon per company or individual.

I would search for Springtime Creative Designs.  I know the artist designs animal patterns.  I think they sell the patterns at Ediburgh Imports, www.edinburghimports.com 

I hope this helps!

Alison

Lisa,
My son's got the flu too.  It's type A but they cannot say whether it's swine flu or a different strain.  He's had a fever for 4 days.  Poor things just a mess.  He's hanging tough though!  You do the same.  Just keep drinking fluids and get lots of rest. 

Big Hugs! :hug:
Alison

Glad you ladies enjoyed it.  They have some really funny choices for why people were bad.  Some were so appropriate for our family.  My husband sent one to his brother who is autistic.  I wish I could see his face when he gets his personalized message from Santa.  He will be so excited. 

Hugs,
Alison

OK, I got another really cute thing that I couldn't resist sharing.  Through this website, you can create a personalized video message from Santa.  You can choose if the recipient is on the nice or naughty list.  If they are naughty, you can choose the reason why.  Santa sent my hubby a message today informing him that he was on the naughty list for spending too much time on the internet.  It was really cute and funny. 

http://portablenorthpole.tv/home

Enjoy!

Alison

Cheryl,
You don't have to use a different email address.  Just be diligent with your current provider.   My husband had to get eTeddys on the "white list" on his parents provider.  It can be done.  You just have to make them do it.  You pay for their service and they should accommodate.   Like I said before, if they don't put bear pile on the white list, switch providers.

Hugs,
Alison

This is NOT Bear Pile's fault.  The problem is with your service provider.  It is your responsibility to contact your service provider and get the problem corrected.  They provide YOU with a service, not Bear Pile so he has clout with them.  Call and ask that Bear Pile be put on the "white list."  The first idiot you talk to won't know what you're talking about.  You need to keep asking for a supervisor until you get far enough up the food chain to get someone who is savvy.  If they do not put Bear Pile on the white list, they are giving you crappy service and you should no longer use them.  I run all of my email through my website because Cox is famous for blocking everything under the sun.  AOL is the absolute worst, we call that AO-smeLL around here.  Good luck!

Hugs,
Alison

Jenny,
I looked all over on-line too.  I was happy to see the info in my copy of TBR magazine.  Hopefully, everything will be on-line in a couple of days.

Hugs,
Alison

When will the guest room be ready?      I"ll start packing!

Hugs,
Alison

I'm glad you all enjoyed it.  I rarely share things that are sent to me but thought this was extra cute.  As for those 8th grade boys, JoAnne, you only have to work around them.  I live with one!

Hugs,
Alison