Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

OUCH!!  Oh my gosh...that's such a shame!! They do sell fantastic cover up makeups...like Dermablend that would work and not look cakey at all.   

I did this once too, but it was in a lit room!! The bathroom door was halfway opened and I was in a rush and the door and the wall all blended out of my peripheral vision.  I turned quickly to walk straight out of the room and took the door right between the eyes...I thought I broke my nose when I hit it.  Total klutz move.

:hug:
~Chrissi

If presented with something like this I don't at all think you have to jump right in with fists blazing and lawsuit lingo. It might be a total oversight on the other persons part. They may be open to your concerns and respect them.  But if in the similar situation that Jodi explains above I would expect that if my piece was used in a sale as a set, pair, or collaboration that I would have granted permission first.  If the pooh hit the fan after I already gave my permission...well then that's just a life lesson in the end and I'd base future dealings on it.

But you can most definitely prevent future sales no matter the form.  I'd hate to think that someone here could start cut and pasting our pics, painting them (even on bears), putting them on tshirts, magnets, or calendars and selling them.    I agree that legal issues are costly, time consuming and a hassle but I also think that if you're running a business you need to be aware and protect what is yours, even attempt to protect via less costly channels first.  Why should Disney be respected and not Potbelly, CatherWoods, or Wild Thyme??

I have a bear listed right now "shabee".  I used the words "shabby chic" in her listing and I was hit with a VeRO warning before I listed. I didn't even know what that was!!    I googled this and it turns out that eBay had a big ta-do with "shabby chic" in the past.  Shabby chic is a definition of decorating style...BUT it was also trademarked, registered, copyrighted and all the a like by one company who will cancel your auction in a heartbeat if you simply use the words "shabby chic". :doh:   I went back and re-phrased stuff and chopped it up a bit so as not to have my own auction canceled. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

I was originally leaning towards the "what is sold is free reign" idea, but then I started to think about it a little more and look into it a little bit more.  Just because something is "sold" doesn't mean it's lost to you rights wise and free game for anyone else to use artistically as they see fit.  Yes, people can re-sell what they want via auctions, shops, garage sales and swaps...BUT if someone is selling where it's being represented as a collaboration of artwork  or their own then that's a different story (I think).  There are laws and such to protect writings, music, and art in this aspect.   

I can make a mixed media collage piece using old sheet music from the Beatles decoupaged onto a park bench...musical notes out there on the page for all to see and probably not violate any laws at all.  BUT if I take a line of those same musical notes and place them in their original musical content, mix in a little of my own "musical art" and play it on the radio as my own I've just violated numerous copyright laws.  Music sampling is popular and those artists who don't get proper permissions first wind up with enormous legal fees.

If I sold a piece and 4 days, 4 weeks, 4 months, or 4 years later it showed up in a listing with a piece that was made to look as if they were a pair, then that's a violation unless permission is granted first.  It's not just about being nice and asking first, it is a legal thing actually if sold in that context.  If someone's selling off their collection and listing " huge Lot of bears" and your bear is mixed in with a few others...that's a simple resell. Listing my bear with their own creation without permission first is most definitely something else.  Aleta for example having open communication with her doll artist friend and then creating a bear that went with is legally what is supposed to be done.  It's not just about being friendly and nice.  Who wants to be misrepresented in the end?  "Works that are derived from a previous work of another violate the rights of the owner of the previous work. Therefore, if you are creating an image that is based on the work of someone else, you need to obtain permission from the original creator prior to your use of your work. "

Osh Kosh Begosh can't make teddy bear overalls for toddlers and sell with a free Gund bear clipped on unless they first go to Gund.  They're using another's work to promote their own. It doesn't matter if they paid for all of the Gund bears legally and have a receipt....it's not theirs to resell with their own product. 

I'm not sure if that makes any sense or if it's even legal...but it makes sense to me and from what I've read online it seems like there is some legal standing as well.  Makes me wish I had a lawyer in the family, I'd pick their brain right now  ....I find it all very interesting.

:hug:
~Chrissi

I think you answered her perfectly.   :hug:

Questioning others artistic desires ...all whilst throwing backhanded slaps mixed in with "adorable".  ?????  Nothing better to do on a lovely mother's day weekend? 

I worked for a man who owned his own shop...several actually.  He himself was very very customer oriented, BUT he wouldn't allow for people to abuse him or his workers just because they were potential customers. The customer wasn't always right.....a phrase that some times allows for abusive people to take advantage of others.  I think valuing our collectors and potential consumers is key, but when push comes to shove we also need to be able to stand our own and let those who would hurt us know that we don't accept it. It can't be a one way street of respect and fuzzies as you're getting beat about the head with rude comments and accusations (Is she saying you used a pattern?? That takes some nerve too)

You were perfect Kathy!
:hug:
~Chrissi

HA!  Take it from me.....sad people grow brass ones when they're sitting all alone behind a keyboard.  Tell "dear abby" thank you for her input and then forget about it     If we all followed this saccharine laced (bitter after taste more than it is sweet) advice no one would ever make a bear, dog or cat again...it's all been done.

:hug:  :hug:
Double hugs for you!!
~Chrissi

My husband and I were just talking about this while driving home from the grocery store.  I can't even begin to imagine what her family is going through.  It's just not the same world anymore.  I'm praying for this little one's safe return to her family. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

COOL Thread!!  Jodi, love your vintage stuff!!  They'd send out missing person reports if we went antiquing together!! :crackup:

Collections...years ago I collected kitchenware...the old red handled gadgets from the 40's and 50's, enamel pots, tin signs, campy serving trays from the 50's , etc.   

Now I've been really good about making sure my "collections" are mostly functional...little do dad's were taking over my house

OF COURSE I have my artist bears!  I'm a new collector, so my group is small, but they are a spectacular small bunch and I adore them each so much!!

I have 7 pieces of Hoosier/enamel top furniture from around the 30's and 40's.  I found some on antique hunts and some on ebay..way before they were the ebay hot ticket and super pricey out there.  I love their functionality and their decorative appeal!  I have 2 large Hoosier Cabinets, a kitchen table, my studio work table, 2 "night tables" and one piece that was from my great grandmothers kitchen (my favorite piece). This is my great grandmother's piece here

I started collecting vintage children's quilts years ago...now they're almost all out of my price range too.  If I'm lucky I might find one here and there...I hate it when folks catch onto your collection and make it harder for you to collect   (kidding).  These are the few I could get a shot of tonight.....I have more!
I love their innocence, the amazing hand work that went into each one, and the stories they probably hold.  At first it made me sad to think of the family that let them go...all of that work and the memories....but I appreciate them so much that those feelings quickly faded.  These quilts are hanging in various rooms throughout our home.

This here is my very first collection EVER. I can remember opening up the little circular tin and treasuring each little button as if it were pure gold.  I would line them up and just marvel at the details and colors and then tuck them away. I don't know what's up with the giant fuzzy button (????) I guess it was appealing to a little kid!   Details, colors, fuzzy....I guess it all played into eventually becoming a bear artist

:hug:
~Chrissi

This has been an interesting read. Thank you for posting!
I haven't had this happen yet, but I'm only a year into selling at this point.  I'm guessing if I think about it now I won't take it to heart if it ever happens.  I had a hard time even selling in the beginning...simply because I really get attached to things I create, especially when I think they're animated and "lifelike".  Yah know...we give them lil' personalities.  So I worked on the letting go piece for a while (am I nuts?   )

This thread made me grab my latest copy of Home Companion Magazine.  It reminded me of an article I  had just read about an artist who makes the most amazing paper items. I was going to try to use her philosophy when creating and selling. I thought I'd share it here!

Anandamayi Arnold is from Berkeley California. She doesn't have a site that I can find, none was listed in the article.  If you google her name you'll find little write ups and bits about classes she teaches. Here's what she said and what she makes.....her pieces are just awesome!  And here's the thing...she spends hours making these detailed little pieces of perfection so that someone can rip it apart!

Those aren't real bulbs and flowers!  She's constructed them from German Crepe Paper! Look at the lovely lil' birds!  Amazing....

Inside each piece is a trinket or toy...she WANTS you to rip apart her work.........

Her words here are pretty cool. I would hope that no one would ever "destroy" what I/we make here...but I like the simplicity of her words and how it brings her peace about her work. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Kim!!!!  They are sooooooooo precious!!   I made the mistake of showing Dean the pics, he's like an 8 year old with dogs..."can we get one flown in??" was his first remark.      I still love the little one with the stripe on his back...2nd from mom in the one shot. 

All of our pets are rescues except for our one dog, Brinkley.  She was flown in like your doggies. I did a flight that had her in the actual plane, not cargo or something like that.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Edit PS.....we have 3 dogs and 3 cats....  so I just said "ahhhh no" to hubs question  :crackup:
But if I got to HOLD one.... well, then I might be walking out with one  

I'm truly so sorry to hear about your girl, it just rips my heart out.  She knows you love her and that you'll do everything and anything to keep her comforted.  Sending hugs

:hug:
~Chrissi

Now that's what I call hands on customer service   :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

:hug:
~Chrissi

aww, Debbie I'm so sorry to hear about your loss.  Regardless of what type of animal, once you've cared for something it has a piece of your heart. 

I understand the fish thing too!!  I had a little 10 cent "feeder fish" from a party centerpiece come home with me once.  He was with me for nearly 5 years!!!  I was devastated when he finally said goodbye.  He was really a smart and funny fish!!

:hug:
~Chrissi

:dance: Congratulations Eliza! :dance:
You'll  have perma-smile for days    Post a scan if you can so we can see!!   :clap:  :dance:  :clap:

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm happy to say that Samantha (samanthapotter) won my lil' blog giveaway! (pics are out there) I was hoping a TT'er would be the lucky one Dean picked from the hat.   

:hug:
~Chrissi

I've noticed some of the suppliers calling the eyes they sell "hand blown" so that's probably how folks are creating their description information.  Hand blown does sound a lot nicer than "manipulated blob of glass eye"
I guess folks only have the original sellers description to use in the end. 

This site gives a few terms for the eyes they sell...one is hand blown. (really cool eye selection here too!)  http://www.tohickonglasseyes.com/page2.htm
From this site "hand blown" might be different from "mouth blown".  Another site lists definitions and calls hand blown any project not using machinery.  I've seen tons of glass working done at a local folk fest, but that's as close as I've gotten to the craft.

:hug:
~Chrissi

What a trip that one is...so sorry Shantell.
This is where I'm hoping that blocks might be put on either IP addresses, mailing addresses, names, credit card info, or something so that these gals/guys can't register again under a new name.  I wonder if ebay is playing with some of us....(conspiracy theory )...trying to take out any competion that presents itself.  Why not, they either own everything else or bought everything else to dismantle or shutdown.  OR maybe the antihistamines are still making me wooooozy in the head and I should go to bed

:hug:
~Chrissi

They asked you for the following Friday, probably a payday thing, but now you're seeing no funds and no replies. Yes life happens, but this is a business too. We make fluffy lovely bears, but it doesn't mean we have to be fluffy doormats in order to be customer caring.  You were flexible, you were professional and you agreed to accommodate their needs. You even took the time to email once more.  Now you're seeing nothing in return. I'd relist the bear, you're looking at nearly 3 weeks since your auciton ended.  Send them an email to let them know, keeping you as a very decent business person in the end.  They can't claim you were unfair.

What's bid4bears policy on buyers like this? (I'm wondering outloud) Are they blocked so they can't re-register under a new name and do this again?? Or will this just be a negative feedback type thing for this buyer?? Now I'm curious...gonna go look out there.

:hug:
~Chrissi

How cute is THAT??!!  Totally creative and totally adorable!!!  Love her

:hug:
~Chrissi

I make mini's and biggies    and I love what I've used from Hembold and Norton so far. I haven't tried Schulte yet.  I bought the swatches...I just can't seem to pick one.   
Maybe try something from the small cuts or bargain list and see what you think.  Either way, if you're bored with colors, try buying white or cream in the brand you find you like the best and dye yourself.  I just started doing it and I love the results so far.  I should have tried it way earlier but I was afraid of the whole process.  It's a total snap and gives you lots of options for colors. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm confused.....
I insure everything but I've never had to use (knock wood).  Why would you be out supplies and cost??  Doesn't the insurance work directly with the buyer to reimburse what they paid for the bear?  You wouldn't refund her and then have the post work the insurance...then the buyer is  getting a double dip (??) 
I'm slow today...sinusitis and meds making me woooooozy ..so I might be totally missing something here.

:hug:
~Chrissi

edit...ok, I get it now...we were typing at the same time jennifer.  I see your edit up there!    I'm so out of it right now I thought I was having a double dose of brain fart.    <wooooozy>

Thinking of you and your family, prayers and thoughts are with you all  :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss.  My deepest sympathies to you and your family.  :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

Sending lots and lot of prayers and hugs your way Katrina :hug:  :hug:   
If you're checking out these well wishes, be sure to check out the General area to at this thread link too ...so many are wishing you a speedy recovery :hug:   http://teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=15806

:hug:
~Chrissi

oh my gosh...in the cup!  Too cute, seriously just too cute

:hug:
~Chrissi

Wow!  That's a big dog in your grocery store    I caught the Oprah show, it was pretty funny seeing the tallest and smallest dogs next to each other. That dog was named Gibson...I'm pretty sure this isn't the same dog (looking at the markings), although this one's still huge! They're both Great Danes.  Gibson has his own web page, he's a therapy dog too. 
I can't imagine this one here is much shorter than the world's tallest.... such pretty dogs

:hug:
~Chrissi