Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Rita, glad to hear you're recuperating so quickly and happily.  It can't be fun and I enjoy and respect that, despite that, you hang on to your positivity and keep yourself engaged in life.  I think you could teach my beloved mom a thing or two about how reaching out is as comforting as sitting back... <sigh>

As for the networking/banner exchange thing.  I've gotten mail from some of you -- thank you! -- about banners being posted.  I plan, when I find some time this week, to swoop through here like a pelican (have you ever seen those things dive?) and scoop up everyone's banner or info.  I first need, tho, to create a second "Artist" LINKS page on my site, so it's not a five minute job.  I'll get you all onto my site as soon as I can.

Thanks to those of you who have already placed me on yours.  Reciprocity will be yours!

You guys are cute.  Sorry to say I have no idea who that cutie pie is.  I did a GOOGLE search when I needed just the "right" photo to express my response to Danni's doubting-Thomas words.    I think I searched for "stick out tongue", or some such thing.  Then just downloaded the pic to my hard drive and uploaded it here.  (Thanks, Intercal, for allowing me to express myself with .jpg's!)

I won't stop writing long posts because I can't.  I'm a windbag.  What can I say? :P:lol::rolleyes::D:)  Oh, and I won't ever drop out.  I'm no quitter.  I'll just secretly use those nimble fingers of mine, hiding here behind my computer monitor --well, ONE of those fingers, anyway -- on you gripers, if I hear any more complaints.  Giggles here...

:D:D

Hi Kim!  Welcome.

Marie Celeste
Anastasia
Darleen
Kathrine
Catalina
Destiney
Desirre
Sienna
Adrianna
Sabrina
Serena
Malinda
Eden
Ariana
Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Abbie
Paige
Precious
Anastashia
Gillian
Aggie
Ariel
Callie
Chandra
Damitra
Desta
Grace
Penelope
Amber
Louisa
Lily
Lillian
Verity
Madeleine
Taylor
Sidney
Babbs
Savannah
Sierra
Kaitlyn
Heather
Anika
Miranda
Emmie
Dessa Rae
Pansy
Victoria
Princess
Beauty
Giselle
Marie
Chelsea
Kezia

PS  I'm keeping a log of all the great names you've suggested.  Maybe I'll do it online so we can all share.  I'll put it in Teddy Tips & Techniques, so you can use it as a "library" resource whenever you need a feminine, sophisticated bear name.

All right, you guys are somehow at the same time SO MUCH, and ABSOLUTELY ZERO, help.  Aargh!

The names you've suggested are great.  Some of them have weird associations for me (like, I have a dog named LILY, my sister's name is CHANDA, I've already made bears named SIERRA/VICTORIA/PRECIOUS/etc.)  For those of you who have kids, you'll know what I mean.  I LOVED the name "Peyton/Payton" for a baby, boy or girl, and shared as much with a friend... to which she immediately responded, "Oh, you mean PEYTON like the psycho nanny character from the movie, "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle?"

And *poof*.  There went any chance I'd be using THAT name.  :)

I am glad that, in the end, I get to make and finish these guys myself.  I could spend ten lifetimes pleasing the bunch of you!!!  Nose matches eyes, nose looks clownish.  Collar matches, collar doesn't match.  Focus on feminizing, focus on coordinating with mohair.  Forget the girl thing, make it a boy again.  I'm laughing here...

This bear is going to Collins and I sell to them at wholesale so the time for this little one to be showered with attention is drawing to a close as it becomes a serious cutting-into-any-profits question soon.  I think she'll probably keep the existing collar, for that reason (the fabrics are actually very pastel-y and the checkerboard one is a satiny-grosgrain, not remotely rough cotton or linen.)

And the name is...

GRACE.

Dilu mentioned in passing that this bear reminds her of Princess Grace and in keeping with that regal/sophisticated thing most of you mentioned, I think it fits.

By the way... this is the same head pattern I've used on a number of my bears (including my current fairy avatar bear, FAE) but I did some extra needle sculpting along the sides of her muzzle (along the gusset, from inner eye corner down to the nose.)  That's what gives it that more "elongated" look.

You're all stars.  Thanks so much for all the ideas, and for all the compliments.  If you're interested, I'll post pictures of bear#2 for Collins when I'm done.  It's EXACTLY the same pattern but I expect it to look entirely different!  It's fun sometimes to compare.

Thanks again, all of you!

Okay, Winney... good suggestions.  What about now?

Still need a name.  So far we've heard:

Giselle
Marie
Chelsea

Please add your contribution!

The nose is more of a deep, lush burgundy color (purplish cool tones) than a brick red.  It kinda went with the royal purple thang.  I was going for a kinda sophisticated, feminine finish, to go with that dense, cool-toned beige mohair.

Good point, Winney.  I didn't want to invest too much in her finishing until I knew she was being perceived as a "she." 

Here's a big closeup of the eyes.  They're handpainted starburst in beige-y tones, very cool, with some sparkle, and radiating black lines.  There is the tiniest smidge of deep purple to add a smattering of color.  It's not very apparent.

Oh, and I do want to be sure and mention this is a glorious piece of Intercal mohair:

Quality:  370 S/C   http://www.intercaltg.com/colors/finish370SC.html  S-Finish, Curly
Color:  584S          http://www.intercaltg.com/colors/584Sh.html          Beige (beautiful cool color!)

Frankly, Marie, the name "Marie" came to mind.  "No good for naming...."  Criminies, woman.  You're a gem.

Hayley, thanks for the characterization.   I had kinda the same feeling about her.  "Giselle" is very pretty; a great contender.

Anyone else have ideas?

Looks like we're leaning in the direction of "girl."...?

Hugs right back atcha, every one.

Last time I had an "official" typing test was in high school (back sometime around 1981, sophomore year <gulp>)  At that time I tested at 92 wpm, which is a net calculation that includes deductions for errors from the overall typing speed.  Yes, I'm bragging. 

I spent ten years playing the piano in my elementary and early high school years, too, so I guess I just got lucky on the fine-motor-skill thang.  I have long fingers that work well independently.  Especially my middle one, so be nice.

(Totally kidding, of course.  Sorta.)

:D:D

Thanks, Hayley.  This will be of use to many, I'm certain.

I've been absolutely stagnant in my bearmaking since my show in April (I think I've eked out about five pieces, if that) for a lot of reasons, some of them good (like the intrusion of health issues, family and feline.)

Having said that, I've finally finished a piece (for Collins Gift Shop) and for the life of me can't come up with a name.

Please don't be offended if I don't use your suggestions, but I sure would welcome some, all the same.  Sometimes a noodge or two is all it takes to get my own brain going in the right direction.

I think it's a girl; what's your take?

She has a new three-cord lid which makes the upper one darker than usual, and gives the eyes more depth.

Help! and thanks,

And my response to that is...

Spot on!  Crikey!  Good on ya!

I like it!  Shelli = Miss Brevity.  Just you watch and see.

(Giggling)

Dilu -- HA!  A baby in a cage!  I love it.  Too bad my boys are already too big and strong for that.  Although we do have some chain link in the backyard, just waiting to be put to good use... ! :D:P;)

Hi Hayley; welcome back.

Can I just add, for everyone's edification, that I just  the other day received the wonderful nose template I ordered from Hayley.  It came in perfect packaging, was quick to ship, and is clearly a very useful tool that I can't wait to test on my next teddy out of the studio.  Give our Miss Hayley some business, you guys!  She deserves it.

(Even put a cute little sticker on my stuff!)

Hi.

Yes, to whomever of you (can't remember; lucky you) said me and Dilu run neck-and-neck in the "who will overload the forum with lengthy posts" competition... I have, on rare occasion, and in times past, been known to write posts so long that they cut off mid-novella and must be continued in a second thread... or a third.

Having said that, be it officially and hereby known that I CAN write short posts.

Check it out.

Ooh, Danni... show us!  I wanna see!

Woo Hoo!  You go, Miss Texas!  That's great news; congratulations!

Great colors, and I love the blankie.

I had my business cards designed by my friend Andrea and printed at a print shop on very nice paper.  It cost some money but makes a wonderful presentation and is the one aspect of bearmaking that, even from the outset, I thought merited a little investment.  I enclose a card in every parcel (or two!) and carry them in my purse.  They are what makes your first impression so if you're not sure of your skill level or of your final product, it might be worthwhile to have someone design a card for you and/or print it professionally.

To that end, there is a place online called VistaPrint.  They print cards out very inexpensively and the service is good.  I used them very briefly, until my own cards were finalized and printed, and for the price thought their product looked professional.  You can choose from a variety of templates and create your own business card online, but of course it will lack the personalization and any photos/graphics you might otherwise like to include.  You can also, if you're inspired and skilled, design your own card (I didn't have those skills at the time I placed my order); I know of a bear artist who did this and her cards were very nice indeed!  I saw them in person at Nevada City a year ago.  Last, you can hire the VistaPrint designers (I think) to design something FOR you.  With each of these above-mentioned custom options, the price per card gets a little steeper.  As you might expect.

Find VistaPrint at:

http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/default.aspx

Re: brochures, which Sue Ann mentioned, above... I found this very nifty brochure maker site a while back.  It makes your brochure FOR you!  It has some limitations on amount of text and number of pictures but it couldn't be easier to use; I made up a quick try brochure of my own which I printed out on my computer.

Check it out:  http://www.mybrochuremaker.com/brochure-layout-fun.html

PS  Don't let the "themes" templates put you off.  You can change/remove any existing template photos and insert your own personal pictures.  Just pick which layout/color combination appeals to you, and then give it a try!