Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I love antique markets and fairs! What an awesome find!! It might just need a cleaning and a good wood oil...might not even need stain. (??) Show us the after pictures!!   

:hug:
~Chrissi

I guess it just all boils down to how each person runs their own personal business

Personally I leave feedback after the buyer has paid, the payment has cleared, and after I've let them know in a friendly email/ebay contact that their item is on it's way with tracking.  I always send follow up thank you's to my buyers. I've always felt that's my responsibility to do, to make that initial contact. 
I'm sure in ANY of the methods given in this thread that issues can arise on either end.  I'm sure that neutral or negative feedbacks "could" happen, but if unwarranted there are ways to address and/or remove. 
I like giving feedback once the buyer has done, in good faith,  "their part" in the transaction.  In a good faith agreement they've trusted my description, purchased my item, sent their funds and now wait for me to ship and uphold my terms and descriptions.  Once I've met my end they can leave my feedback.
That's my way anyway...not that it's right, wrong, or better than anyone else's.  It's just what makes sense to me and my way of doing biz. 

Here's a funny example.....person comes up to your show table.  Do you wait for them to make the first move? Not say a positive thing about them, the day, the bears, or a sale as it's happening?  Do you wait until they have the bear in the bag and are walking away to suddenly say out loud "Excellent day, thanks so much..glad you came...whhooo hooo...sell to that one, she's an A+++++" (??) Then, as she's walking to her car a rabid dog rips the arm of the bear and she comes back for you to help her fix it.....do you say.."wow I wish I had known about this before I said anything nice about our transaction..this could change everything."      No. Most buyers are smart enough to know that you have no control over that dog..just like you have no control over that shipping if something should go wrong in transit. BUT it's how you, as a seller, handle that shipping issue that feeds into the feedback you will then receive.

I had one shipping incident during those big storms in December.  I had already left feedback for the buyer before the incident. I made it my job to send daily updates on tracking to my buyer...even though my buyer had, herself, all of that tracking info. Her appreciation was reflected in her emails and in the feedback she in turn left me. The feedback I left her had nothing to do with the shipping incident, why should it?? We're not leaving feedback on crisis management...it's left on the definitions of buying and selling.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Cute cute cute!!  I personally love the scruffy mohair. 
So, how did you like working with the mohair??  Already scanning the mohair pics and pages for your next order!?? 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Dilu, I had one thought like that too....

"We're" all watching airports and power stations and "they" might be taking on the food supply. Who knows anymore.  Sad scary thing nowadays

:hug:
~Chrissi

For someone who knows nothing about blogs how do you find or search blogs??  You all have  links to other cool blog sites....how'd you find them?  Is there a blog mainpage you search from or something... or is it just like searching for another random web site? 
Thanks!

:hug:
~Chrissi

My mini's are always weighted...I liked that it gives them substance when being held, they're so small  .....and it assisted them in posing,etc.  But for larger bears I'm wondering if it's just preference.  I have a few bears nows in my collection and it seems half are "heavy" and half just are not....well filled and wonderful to the touch yes, heavy no.  Visibly they're all fantastic artisan bears (from very well known and respected artists) and I think they're all made to perfection, although different.

So if you saw a bear and feel in love and then got to hold it (before or after purchase) and it wasn't weighted or heavy...would you feel the quality was lacking?  Would it or would it really not be a factor??

:hug:
~Chrissi

.....and check out the bargain list when you're there too!!  It's a great way to try out different styles, colors, etc for a really really good price! 

:hug:
~Chrissii

"heavy"  "weighted"  "rock hard" ...is there a reason behind weighting a teddy bear or making it heavy?  I remember reading a topic where it was thought that artists bear were "suppose to be" heavy or stuffed hard.  Is this the standard that collectors and artist expect of bears or is it a artistic choice at this point? 

If a bear doesn't need heavy weighting in order to stand, if it's a seated bear that doesn't "need" extra weighting in order to sit, is it still the thing to do??  Is it considered a lesser quality if it's not weighted??

I know what I like myself, but I'm wondering what others think.

:hug:
~Chrissi

I just saw this too Brenda.  Makes me sick to my stomach to think of all the people feeding their beloved pets what they thought was well made food, to only find it's literally poison!!  With the pet industry booming as it is this incident should get some serious regulations and guides in place for companies to follow.  The pet industry is making millions upon millions off of us...they need to be regulated and held to a much higher standard.  Self regulation is not acceptable when the dollar is the deciding factor and not the overall well being of those they're selling to.

This recall has brought SO much more to my attention.  Some things that I still find myself cringing over.  I didn't realize how food companies test the foods...how cats and dogs are caged and treated, how the animals are not just given foods to eat...but illnesses and conditions are induced to see how the food affects.  Iams I've found is notorious for this.  Just one of the incidents I read about this week tells of Iams taking 19 Beagles and having their gums surgically altered to replicate gingivitis...just so they could do a food based test.  This was done instead of having clinical testing done with pets who already have the condition. Meaning, rather than set up a test with a vet clinic, pets already having the condition and their owners in order to track the condition....  Iams instead decided to deform and essentially torture 19 little Beagles with surgically induced gum disease.    I have a beagle...and unfortunately I know that they're the animal of choice for testing due to size and their overly docile and happy nature    Whole thing makes me sick....and has made me just this week search out pet food companies that do not use these practices.  Once I'm aware I can't support with my hard earned dollars.    Poor beagles... <ugh>

:hug:
~Chrissi

Tami,
So sorry to hear of your loss.  I'm thinking of you and your loved ones, you're in my prayers :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

I do most of my noses exactly like Shane describes, except for the sticky felt...that's a really great idea!    Doing the graduated sizes like he describes creates a gentle slope when your stitching your nose...so you don't get to the side of the nose and suddenly have a "ledge" to stitch up somehow.  Some noses I don't use the extra "lift" for, like when I'm going for a more old style nose for example.  For minis I'll do one little lift under the template.
I haven't waxed a nose yet.  I seal them for a little bit of a wet look (healthy noses ).

I just got a copy of Australian Bear Creations and Sandi's (bearlysane) nose "how to" is in there...excellent tutorial with clear pics!! Check it out if you can

:hug:
~Chrissi

Ann, Sarah, Heather, Tammy, Pauline , and Richy,
Thank you all for your sweet words and encouragement!! :hug:  :hug:   

Pauline, Yes the monkeys are really made from socks!  It's pretty much like any stretchy material, you just have to sew smartly to avoid unraveling...... when cut, socks unravel very quickly.

Richy,
Make one!! They are so much fun.  You can use any type of sock.
Write your ideas down and then tackle them one by one   I have an idea book.  It's little and can easily fit in my bag when I go out.  I jot down anything and everything and even do quick little sketches. 

Thank you all again
:hug:
~Chrissi

My sister had the same hamster for, I think it was 5 years!  All through college and a year after.  Zoe, the hamster was notorious for escaping.  Once time we all thought it was the last.  Zoe was nowhere to be found.  My sister lived on the third floor of a 3 story house in Old Philly, near the UofArts.  She searched everywhere for Zoe and finally just thought that this was the last escape and zoe was gone for good. Several times they found Zoe on the steps leading downstairs, or in a pile of laundry in the 2nd floor bathroom. But this time no Zoe was found.  A few days later my sis was all the way down in the basement and heard some rustling near (IN) the big old heating unit..she took of a panel and there covered in soot was little Zoe.  The little thing shot down the vent and ducts 3 stories into the main heating unit! (Thank God it was late spring and no heat was used or poor Zoe would have been baked  )  My sister still had her for 2 years after that.  Zoe was big and happy and old, really old when she passed.  But she had a brick on top of her little hamster condo after that escape....maybe 2 bricks 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Oh Brenda it's all so gorgeous!!  I'm so in love with the bunny pull toy and will have to take a peak on bearpaths.  Too Lovely!!   

:hug:
~Chrissi

Kim took what she thought was a lemon at first and made lemonade...she's looking at the up side. Collectors and sales are an obvious upside to what we do.  She should view the listing as a good thing now. Maybe it will bring in a few more eyes and collectors/consumers.  I hope it does for her

:hug:
~Chrissi

Kim don't feel sad....it happens to everyone.  I could kick myself 20 times for missing the bidding on a michelle lamb resell.  The auction ended just this Sunday morning.  I had it tagged as a watched item and I missed it by one hour.  I don't think anyone knew it was even out there.  I don't think it reflects poorly on Michelle at all. I"m not sure why the seller didn't list as featured and set a reserve, but I could still kick myself for missing it!! <ugh>  You're in very good company for re-sells.  And who knows why the buyer is now selling...maybe to make room for more bears and future KimBee bears
:hug:
~Chrissi

So pretty Kim!  Your girls must be thrilled!!

:hug:
~Chrissi

Hello,

I posted earlier in General about sock monkeys........so here is a CatherWoods Sock Monkey! This is a really fast photo with no real set up...just him sitting on the couch!

Roddy is 12 inches seated (from his bottom to his head, hat not included in measurement). Every aspect of Roddy and his costume are handmade...from his polka dot clown pants/shorts, to the hand twisted chenille ballon stems, to the daisies that dot where his shorts and suspenders meet.  He was tons of fun to make. 

My teddy bears are traditional in style, but my monkeys are funky    I like the bright colors and circus themes for my Sock Monkeys. And of course I love balloons (many of my mini's hold a balloon of some kind). 
He'll be for sale soon, just not sure when.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Lovely little teddy!!  Love the colors too...so springtime
:hug:
~Chrissi

Thanks guys!! That's pretty much what I was thinking, but I wanted to get a few other opinions. I actually just finished up a monkey and will be putting a pic up in the showcase.  He'll be for sale soon, just not sure exactly when.   

I've been scanning as many sock monkey photos online that I can find and none look like this guy, so he's an original (and more will follow...they are a blast to make!)   

:hug:
~Chrissi

I thought this might be an interesting topic. The latest issue of Cloth Paper Scissors has an interesting question asked and then answered by readers/artists.  The answers are all very interesting and different.

Here's the question:

For Love or Money? Would you rather sell a piece of work that you were not completely happy with for a grand sum, or make a piece that you thought was a perfect expression of your artistry and never receive any reward except personal satisfaction?

(I'm throwing in that "not completely happy with" will have different meanings for everyone, it's not at all referring to shoddy work or workmanship quality..unless that's your personal take on "not completely happy with".)

For those who have never seen, Cloth Paper Scissors is a collage/mixed media magazine.  Filled with art pieces, how to's, project ideas and eye candy. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

On more update to this recall.  Just don't want one furball to slip through the cracks 

UPDATED MONDAY 3/19:

Over 50 brands of dog and 40 brands of cat foods are now involved in the recall.  The most accurate code information can be found here: http://menufoods.com/recall/

Please check your food,even double check..... the results of the bad batch are not good.

:hug:
~Chrissi

I've seen some people state in auctions that bidders must have at least ___ feedback prior to bidding. The number is usually between 5 & 10 feedbacks.  I'm not sure if it's the best or most fair system, but neither is getting hit with a fraudulent auction.  We're all so on edge and sceptical about scams and fraud. 
If you're at all concerned about others thinking you're doing something wrong, shill bidding or something.. don't.  You're never going to make everyone happy, you're never going to put everyone's mind at rest and you're never ever going to have any control over ebay (unless you make stipulations and bidding rules for your auction). 

If you didn't make any mention of a required feedback in the listing and you don't contact all of your bidders I wouldn't personally contact this bidder. Even if you did...what could they say "yes I intend to buy".  That's already been said with accepting the terms prior to bidding.  if it was me I'd wait and see.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Hi!

For getting perfect circles I use the same tool that Jane talks about here:
http://teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=9421    Jane's post starts on #13 and she gives a pic of the tool.  I got mine for $19 on amazon (can find on ebay too) and it's a must have for me.  I don't do a whole lot of eye white with my bears, but when I do the hassle of trying to hand cut wasted too much time. 

And it's just not for eye whites....I use this machine for any little detail or decoration that needs a perfect circle of fabric. The tool has paid for itself.  (because this is made for machine work it may come to you fully oiled...I soaked mine in Dawn Soap and then dried really well to avoid rusting...it's perfect now.  If the screw threads need oiling in the future I'll use something light and use a Qtip for application so my fabrics aren't affected)

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm not sure if this will answer any of your questions, but I'm sitting here doing paperwork (I'm a TOTAL night owl nowadays) and planning to list a few items under my hubs account so I went to live help to see what they had to say. What this rep is saying here is completely the opposite of what another rep told me last week when I listed Forest. Last week the guy made it sound like every delay is in order and no one listing will suddenly pop into a line of currently visible listed items.  But, here's what they said exactly this time......
:hug:
~Chrissi

  Lynn R.
Hello, thank you for waiting and welcome to eBay Live Chat! My name is Lynn.

  ME
hello, quick questions before I list a few items.

  ME
first quick question is about listing delays....using featured listing my item is within the first page or 2 no matter what, but if I list and there's a delay up to 6 hours will my items be seen 6 hours after the listing on top page or will it fall down to 2nd-3rd-4th-page +/- because of the delays?

ME
this is assuming I'm not using featured for these items

  Lynn R.
It will be seen when the listing goes up, and it will show that it was listed at the time it was submitted.

  Lynn R.
So if you listed it at 12 pm but it's not visible until 6 pm it will still show that it started at 12 pm and fall in search accordingly.

  ME
ok, one more question about that

  Lynn R.
Sure!

  ME
so if I list right now and get a 6 hour delay and 25 others list in the same category right now after me over the next hour and they don't see delays their items will essentially be seen now on top pages and mine may not...the delay will keep me in time line order with them, but the more people that list the further down I get bumped.

  Lynn R.
It is possible that this will happen. However it's also possible that your item would not see a whole lot more of a delay than other items in the same category.

ME
Do buyers ever miss out on items because they've scanned the first few pages and don't realize that items might pop in line 6 hours later?

  Lynn R.
Most items are actually found through keyword searches.

ME
right, but in collectible categories where specific pages are searched, this could be an issue...maybe??

Lynn R.
I haven't heard about this happening a lot honestly but I did hear of it happening once. It depends on how busy the category is, really.

  ME
Does scheduling a listing ahead of time prevent any of this from happening. Is it a best way to avoid delays?

  Lynn R.
It does help with some of the delays, yes, so you can try scheduling in advance. It still doesn't guarantee an exact duration or listing time though, it does guarantee an exact end time.

  ME
So even if the listing is created a week ahead of time it could still see listing delays of up to 6 hours from it's launch time?

  Lynn R.
It is still possible, yes.

  ME
ok. well, thanks for your help, it's appreciated :)

  ME
good night

Lynn R.
You're very welcome! Thank you, you too!

SO.  What I'm getting is that there are no guarantees except that your auction will end.  :doh:    
Your item will show up eventually, stamped at the listing start time. And delays are random. If you and five other list at 10pm Sunday half might see delays and half may not.