Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I wonder if they FELTED that hairball, to increase the resemblance....!!! :lol::P

Clare, I keep meaning to add that I'd love to make you an avatar too, if you're interested.  When I resized your picture I thought you just wanted resizing; not an avatar, per se.

To answer your question, I use the full Adobe PhotoShop, version 7.0.  PhotoShop Elements, though, is almost entirely the same, with less "professional" functionality.  And far less expensive, at around $100, vs. many hundreds (don't even know how many; it was a gift!) for the full version.

No pressure ladies, by the way; my feelings and identity aren't tied up in creating avatars!  I just enjoy doing it, and get a rush seeing the results used (which reminds me that I keep meaning to ALSO say my feelings won't be hurt if those of you for whom I've already made an avatar want to change it at some point; I like change, myself, as evidenced by the three avatars I've had just since TEDDY TALK begain!)

It's not too personal at all.  What, exactly, are you making, in addition to bears?  That might help!

Well, in the US we can choose Priority Mail to ship, which has a very reasonable timeframe for delivery; 2-3 days, although it's not "guaranteed" and can sometimes take four.

If you use Priority Mail through the US Postal Service, you can obtain boxes entirely for free.  That's a huge cost savings!  Better yet, you can have them delivered right to your door by your carrier.

Are you CERTAIN the UK doesn't offer anything similar?

If not, I see nothing wrong with passing the cost of your packaging materials on to your customer.  I wouldn't state it that way, though; I'd just include it in my reserve.  You know; if the bear would be at a $100 reserve and the packaging cost you $5, make the reserve $105.  Or the fixed price.  Whatever; I'm sure you get what I mean.

This is a psychological manipulation, to be sure.  But you're right; people ARE put off by paying shipping fees.  I just had a lovely customer ask me to send her auction won bear to her in a flat shirt box, because it cost $5 less than the larger, roomier option.  She even admitted, laughing at herself, that she realized she had just paid over $400 for a bear at auction, but was really determined not to fork over the extra $5 for the bigger box -- which she admitted was entirely silly (she's a doll!)  But it illustrates perfectly, I think, the enormous reluctance buyers/collectors have to forking over additional money for shipping and handling costs, since those extra costs don't add any actual value to their acquisition.

(FYI, by the way... ultimately I felt I had to send my bear off in the larger box, for aesthetic/presentation reasons, so I ate the cost of the $5 difference and sent her a refund so we could both be happy!)

A few more ideas for cost savings...

I bought a bulk supply of tall, skinny, clear plastic bags at a local "Cash & Carry," which is kinda like a restaurant supply store.  You can get enormous quantities of retail/restaurant kinds of stuff there, like gallon jars of ketchup (that's what?  Like 2-3 liters?!  Gee, my lack of metric knowledge is showing here.)

Anyway... the tall, skinny, clear plastic bags were relatively cheap (it was about $20 but there are THOUSANDS!; they will literally last me a lifetime.)  I use them to wrap up my bears as the first layer.  In those bags, in addition to the bear,  I always stuff a business card (personalized on the back with a thank you note) and sometimes a little goody like a promotional magnet or mug for extra special, repeat customers (I just started doing this.) 

A REALLY cheap way to package your bears is to head to your local newspaper very early in the morning.  They will undoubtedly have "end rolls" left over from the morning's print run.  These are ginormous rolls of newsprint, but minus the ink, that aren't quite long enough to complete a new "run" and so must be discarded.  They are very long... many, many feet long, twenty or thirty or forty feet long... and quite wide (like 4 - 5 feet wide,) and are perfect for lightly crumpling and using to stabilize your bears within their boxes.  Best of all, an entire end roll -- which can package ten or more bears, firmly and easily -- will cost you about... get ready for this... a dollar.  Yes, just a single dollar.  Sometimes 85 cents, for the smaller rolls.   But you've gotta add tax, of course. ;)

They are quite large and awkward to carry; don't try this toting an infant or taking a bus.  But you can, for ten bucks, bring home enough newsprint to stuff hundreds of boxes.  The only question then becomes, where to store?  That's a tough one; will let you know when I figure it out.  For now, I have them standing on end, in a tall laundry hamper, in my entry closet.  Not a perfect solution, that!

Anyway, hope some of this rambling helps!

I keep reading these posts being tossed back and forth between California and the UK and I'm wondering -- and too lazy to look it up -- what time is it in the UK?  How far apart are out timezones?

It's 3:30 in the afternoon here.  Very rainy and dismal.  Just cost me $125 to get my stupid air conditioning repaired.  AARGH!

Miss Nancy, I thoroughly enjoy creating avatars for my friends.  It's a way to practice with PhotoShop with purpose, which I otherwise cannot make excuses for.

If you send me a picture or two I'd be happy to make one for you  Do tell me your preferred text, too; website, your name, etc., and any color preference or "look" you'd like me to include.

Find me at info@potbellybears.com

Clare, do you pluck after finishing the sewing and stuffing?

And Penny, exactly what ARE those techniques for stuffing a bear to feel "old."  I don't have any antiques in my own very small collection, sorry to say.  Is it that excelsior, "crunchy" thing to which you refer?

I'm still dying to know how to get that rumpled, crumply, rolled tummy effect.  Anyone want to share on that?

Anyone?  Anyone? 

That would be great!  When you find out do share; I'll be waiting with anxiously wringing hands and a pot of tea, some sandpaper, and my minivan!

Laughing here...

I want to add, too, that our own Judi Paul (Luxembears) is a nominee this year as well... in a BEAR category!  It's one of her needle-felted bears and is wonderfully unique and beautiful.  Just like Judi!

There are, however, plenty of gorgeous bears -- and thus, talented bear creators -- who don't get nominated, for whatever reason, each and every year. 

I happen to know for a fact that a particularly beloved, well-selling, very frequently awarded bearmaker of truly great talent and reknown submitted four entries (just like I did) to each of the two big US competitions (so, eight submitted pieces in total, and eight chances for nomination.) 

Despite the fact that each and every one of her entries could not only be a nominee, but a winner, she only managed to get one piece nominated per contest -- and it was the same piece for both!  The fact that my skunk somehow edged out her "Friends" submission for the Golden Teddy contest still has me slack-jawed in shock.

I share this with the board, here, in an effort to say that -- YES!  It's truly wonderful, heady, confidence-boosting and heart-swelling to receive a nomination or an award!  I hope I get one very year!  One... or twelve! ;)

But those nominations or awards do NOT a wonderful bear -- or bear artist -- make. 

So, if you are NOT one of the nominated few -- this year or any other, for that matter -- be sure to remind yourself that even the best of the best of the best (the wonderful lady to whom I vaguely refer, above), with a long history of nominations and awards, aren't always honored with nominations and contest wins... even when their pieces more than merit such acknowledgement and public acclaim.

Hugs and encouragement,

I usually make modern looking bears with very new fabrics but like most bearlovers I, too, adore the vintage, well-loved, old-fashioned look.  So I have been toying with the idea of keeping to my usual styling, but doing something really old and distressed with my chosen mohair.  I am just too, too afraid to start, though.  I'm not sure how to proceed.  I have never dyed or altered the mohair I use in any way, other than to trim and shade it after making up my bear.  So I'm feeling a bit... reluctant.

I've tried reading up on distressing mohair many times, and it's actually  not an easy subject to research.  There are ten thousand ways to do it, apparently, but nobody is all that forthcoming on their particular method; I can't find any "Here's how you do it: (1), (2), (3)" kinds of instructions, probably because the distressing technique itself is a part of what makes those bears so admired and successful!  I do understand the wish, on some level, to hoard trade secrets.

Anyway, I was wondering if you'd be willing to share your distressing techniques.  I've read about techniques ranging from tea-dying, to sanding... running over mohair (before sewing into a bear) with a car... scraping it across pavement.  Using paint to randomly color patches.  Trimming erratically.  Plucking entirely.

But... doesn't all that leave unsightly holes?

Do you distress before or after making your bear?

Shoe polish?  Walnut stain?

WHAT?!?

HELP!!!!!!

Yes, buy two magazines and spread it around!!!  Laughing here...

Actually, I feel the modest need NOT to vote for myself, to make it more "fair" and avoid loading the vote unnaturally.  And because I love her work and in particular her rooster, and consider her a peer, mentor, and friend,  Sue Ann is the logical OTHER choice for the "Friends" category vote.

But then, Sue Ann might end up winning, by just one vote... MINE!!!  AARGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Actually, truly, the nomination was a "win" in itself.  I love my pretty burgundy Nominee ribbon and stand tall in the knowledge that a panel of experts found my work worthy of inclusion in such a small and talented group of creators.  It's given me, somehow, just in and of itself -- and never to be taken away --  the stamp of approval to really consider and call myself an artist with head held high and proud, which is a priceless commodity; self-belief and confidence in one's work, I mean.  It's already been all I ever dreamed of.  Seriously.

But hey, Sue Ann... if you end up with the trophy, take a picture and send one my way.  Never hurts to remind onesself that it's good to aim high... :)

Hugs to all, and thanks for sharing your Shel/SueAnn dilemma, Judi.  It's good to know I'm at least in the running!!! ;):P:D:):rolleyes::P

Hmm.  After all the "off topic" talk over the last weeks about poetry, and acne, and meeting up in Oregon, and how hard life is sometimes, and who's the oldest, and who's the youngest, and geriatric diapers, and Aussie stereotypes, and  ... well, the list is extremely long; I don't think I can entirely cover it here... I thought being "off topic" was a big part of the fun here.

Go! teddy bears.

Well, whatever it is, it's absolutely gorgeous.  I can just feel the plushness of it from here.

I'm too chicken -- and, frankly, lazy -- to work with real fur for now.  But someday...!  Certainly, a fur like this one could inspire me to try.  Lots to learn about that, tho, with all the lining and conditioning, etc., required.  I've paid half-attention to posts where people discuss it; it's an area of expertise all its own.

Thanks!

Pat, what IS that fur on the big bear in your avatar?  It's lovely!  Looks kinda like Mongolian lamb... but then, not... ???

Oh, how sad about Millie.  I'm submitting a piece for TBAI this year but can't make the show and was very much hoping to be invited and able to go next year, and to meet her.  I know she's been a driving force behind TBAI since it's inception and is a wonderful fundraiser for the Ross Park Zoo.  Thanks for letting us know.

Congratulations, too, Janet, on your TBAI piece being published.  I'm still working on mine; didn't make the deadline for magazine article submission (obviously) but will probably end up overnighting my piece to Cindy Malchoff near the July deadline.  Are you going to/exhibiting at the show?

Danni... Sue Ann is right; TBR is TEDDY BEAR REVIEW.  It's one of the two big US magazines.  Both of them have big contests for bear artists each year.  TEDDY BEAR & FRIENDS sponsors the "TOBY" (Teddy Bear of the Year) contest and TEDDY BEAR REVIEW sponsors the "Golden Teddy" contest.  I think Sue Ann has been nominated this year for both contests!  I was lucky to be nominated for a "Golden Teddy."

These contests are open to international submissions and both have entry deadlines sometime near year end (late December/early January) so for those of you interested, you might want to look into entering this winter.  It's never too early to start working on that "special" piece!

Danni and all other Australians... I'm not that familiar with the Aussie mags.  Can you recommend the "good" ones?  I know there are quite a few from which to choose and occasionally they come up for auction so I'd love to know where to point my purchase power!  Thanks!

Yes, and what wonderful curls.  I've been fighting my own curls since I owned my first blowdryer at the age of about twelve.  I envy you!

But Jane you have a tiny little pert nose and for sure don't look like your bears in THAT regard!

Steve Irwin?!?  If we're talking outdoorsy TV guys with their own nature shows, it's gotta be Jeff Corwin.  Jeff Corwin is gorgeous.  Yum, yum, yum, in hiking boots, that guy is.

Steve Irwin parts his hair down the middle and CHOOSES to wear a mullet.  Despite that, he's still quite cute, though...   and VERY enthusiastic, which is inspiring and admirable, for certain.  But he doesn't quite make it, even as a total package, to gorgeous.

In the world of the TV animal show hosts, gorgeous definitely belongs to Jeff Corwin. 

Gorgeous also applies, though, to the total packages that are Alan Rickman (gawd, what a voice on that man!)  And John Cusack.  And Geoffrey Rush (even when he's playing evil, a crazy guy, or a pervert, he's absolutely magnetic.)  Not classically gorgeous, these guys; but dang me, they've got SOMETHING. 

While we're on the subject, though, let's be fair and not forget Clive Owen, Eric Bana, and Viggo Mortensen. 

Their presence just about knocks me off my seat and onto the floor in an oozing, gawking, puddle of groupiness, every time any one of them appears on screen...

<sigh>

Or maybe your gorgeous comment, Judi, was a reference to Steve's croc-speak...?  Gee, I hope so.  Otherwise I might have to re-educate you on where to find the hot and smokin' dudes on your TV dial... !!! :P:lol::rolleyes::D

I get mine late, too, Laure... usually two weeks after the east coasters (not fair!)  Same for TBR.

Congratulations to our talented, published board participants!  I admire your ability for forethought, since I would love to be published again, but keep missing all the deadlines! :P:lol::rolleyes::D

I'll look very forward to checking out your submissions when my issue arrives...!

Penny, I share your indignation that as we approach middle age some of us gain wrinkles but fail to lose those dreaded "spots."  I'd love to jump right into the anti-aging face cream fray but the truth is, my complexion isn't yet ready to give up the Benzoyl Peroxide and Salicylic Acid treatments it sadly still requires to stay clear of those disgusting, icky, teenage curses known here in America as "zits."  Ugh.  There is something truly and deeply unfair about an ever-deepening crease between my eyes, next to which is the occasional hideous bump.  I'm assuming someday -- maybe when I'm 86 -- this plague will leave me.  Until then, I guess it's just a reminder that while some of my parts are advancing in age, many others remain utterly stuck in adolescence (or infancy; just ask my husband for verification on that!) 

We are all of us physically imperfect.  That's what makes life interesting!  If, sometimes, a bit "spotty"... :)

I love looking at all these photos of you, the friends I've come to "know" via this strange and wonderful medium of the internet.

And YES, I do think that most of you look, at least in expression (not in hirsutism, that I can see anyway!), like your bears!

Shelli accidentally sewed her POTBELLY BEARS tushtag back onto itself in her most recent bearmaking attempt, ruining it completely and thus having to remove it... and now is faced with the dilemma of how to attach that promised tushtag without an open seam available, in which to insert it.  THAT is how "smart" Shelli is.  :P;):D

I thank you for your confidence in my abilities, but I'm as human as the next girl.  My lack of experience with Sharpies is pure dumb luck, since I already had the Micron 05 finepoint pens on hand from scrapbooking, and just grabbed what was handy in my early bearmaking tries... which "happened" to work out very well!

Hugs,

Head first.  I usually almost completely finish it, too, before I even really begin on the body.  I attach it once it's entirely done at the same time I attach the rest of the limbs.

Hysterical.

I do the nose, and the mouth... then set the eyes.  Then needle sculpt.  Then add the ears.

Variety is the spice of life!

I can see it now, Judi... "Eau de Cowpie."

Ewwww...!

Thanks for the anniversary wishes!  We had a great time.  Disneyland is always such fun.  We'd love to go to DisneyWORLD sometime, in Florida, but it's hard to justify all that travel time and expense when DisneyLAND is just a short (one hour or so) flight to Southern California, and flying five people to Florida from the west coast is exhorbitantly expensive, esp. when you add the cost of many days at the park to the bottom line.

We did enjoy, finally -- after nearly 40 years of waiting -- a wonderful dinner a deux at "The Blue Bayou," which is the atmospheric restaurant contained entirely inside of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  You know, the one with the lanterns hanging overhead, where it looks like the dead of night -- even in the middle of the day?!?  We got to sit right on the water; very romantic.  Except, that is, for the occasional "immature" rider passing by who yelled, "How's the food there?", or some such thing.

We got two days at the parks -- remember, Disneyland now also includes a second, separate park -- which is outstanding and more contemplative and mature, by the way -- "Disney's California Adventure," which was just about enough time to wear ourselves out and ride many, many wonderful rides and see many, many wonderful things.  The people watching in the parks, and in Downtown Disney (the shopping/restaurant district beside them) is superb.  I am a student of humanity and it's one of my favorite things to watch all those faces, shapes, accents, and clothing styles pass by.  Lucky for me, my husband loves that too.  So, coffee and scone in hand, we did a good amount of people watching too.

Speaking of coffee, and husbands, we're off to some together even as I type!  More later...

... and thanks again for your nice anniversary wishes.

Hugs,

Somebody -- maybe even two somebodies -- commented on how great it would be if there were a chocolate perfume.  This rang some bells for fashion-magazine-reading me so I did a quick Google search and while I couldn't find a "chocolate" perfume, per se, I did find the DEMETER FRAGRANCE site -- plus many other sites which sell their perfumes.

So, for your sniffing pleasure, may I share with you DEMETER perfume, "Chocolate Chip Cookie."

http://demeterfragrance.com/product.aspx?id=835

They also have other wondrous, aromatherapeutic options like "Cotton Candy," "Tomato," and "Dirt."  From time to time I've actually smelled some of these DEMETER fragrances.  Therefore, I can highly recommend against the purchase of "Dirt." :):P:D

Enjoy!