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Hi! Just popped in for a quick hello and spin around the party floor 
Amelia - love the cookie idea! I've use the large and small cookie press pieces in the past. I once did a gingerbread press and just added a touch of red color with a fine paint brush to his bow....that helped to make him stand out. (and the painted food coloring after baking)
( I should always spell check...I'm a terrible fast typer....
Hi Lisa Welcome!
Like Richy said above whatever pattern you choose will have a list of supplies needed to make the bear. I, like lots of folks, made my first bear ever using a pattern found at sewing stores (McCalls, Butterick, Simplicity, Etc). I used basic supplies like safety joints found at a craft shop/sewing store, safety eyes or button eyes, a wooden spoon to stuff the bear. If you've found an artist pattern you like then that too would list the needed supplies. If you're ordering the pattern online from a bear making supply shop you could always ask that company what supplies are suggested from the pattern, so that you can place one quick order rather than wait for the pattern and then get your supplies. BearyCheap has a nice selection of patterns from beginner on up, and they sell the supplies as well (one shipping charge for your first try). I'm sure there are other shops too, this is the one I know of right off the top of my head.
You can find patterns at individual artist web sites (for free or for purchase), eBay, and your local sewing store. SueAnn has a great pattern here on TT under Free Patterns.
Once you've made that first bear and are bitten by the "Bear bug" you can add to your wish list of supplies and tools: cotter keys for turning pins, or lock nut jointing systems instead, all the lovely glass eyes, hemostats and scissors used for tinier bears, etc.
I hope that helps you out a little bit! 
:hug:
~Chrissi
Millie is always a kind worded woman, a rescuer to our furry friends in need, a proud teddy teacher to our next generation of bear makers, and a fantastic artist (teddy bears of course... but have you seen the fantastic painted eggs??!! WOW)
:hug:
~Chrissi
Resolution/Personal goal for this year is to physically volunteer my time and services to a local charitable organization. We've always been very good about giving monies to charities..from large scale cancer fighting organizations to the man outside the supermarket selling poppies for veterans...but this year I would like very much to donate my time. I can't do habitat and things like that because of some health issues, but other things I'd be very happy to do. I'm looking into a few local organizations now.
Oh, and for us to use the treadmill I paid a ridiculous amount of money for 3.5 years ago. The cats think it's a giant pet bed. 10-20 minutes of nice slow walking 2-3 times a week in the winter months to start....better tell the cats now so as not to scare the fur off of them when their mega lounger suddenly starts whirring and moving.
:hug:
~Chrissi
The funny thing about this whole discussion is we have a favorites listing here on TT. Teddy and Friends is full of people posting replies about how they want that bear, love a bear artist,will someday own one,..etc, etc, etc. I guess I would ask out loud, 'cause I'm curious now that this topic is going on: does anyone know if anyone has left TT or been hurt because their bear listing saw/sees 2-3 replies while others see 10-20+? Could out there be more open for feelings getting hurt or people feeling left out or snubbed. Is that a silly comparison or about the same idea? I've wondered about it.
I replied above early on. I didn't make a list because I was extremely tired and trying to make a door wreath with hot glue...haven't used hot glue in ages and I now remember why (<dang>OUCH!). It wasn't about being uncomfortable with the topic, not for me anyway. I posted Christmas pictures earlier with my artist bears, it's obvious who I've liked and wanted to own so far from that. We all buy each others bears and say "look at what I got". I hope we continue to do that...I like the pictures and happy stories!! 
I guess if other boards have gone sour on a topic or if it doesn't work once you let it be and don't reopen. I'm new to forums, so I learn something new about them the workings all the time.
:hug:
~Chrissi
PS: I LIKE WARM AND FUZZY and have been accused of being lots of things because of it
Love THEM!! We have 3 dogs, so I'm in love with all of the above! I have a little book at my desk titled "PuppyDogs". It contains little quotes and sayings about dogs with heart stealing black and white photos.
One of our pooches is at my feet right now and would like to throw out his current philosophy:
:hug:
~Chrissi
PS....
If money and space weren't an issue I'd just take one from everyone. A bunny here, a puppy there, a rooster, a lion, maybe a cow (who makes cows???) hmmm...
:hug:
~Chrissi
With what happen to me personally on eBay just a few weeks ago I'm a bit sour still, but I think that they do indeed have more control than they would like us to believe. In the end they're a business hoping to make a few dollars from the same persons scamming all of us. If that scam artist has the potential to become a future payday why should eBay then put preventative measures in place to truly stop those with criminal intent from doing what they do? I would guess that the largest technological powerhorse running eBay, Skype, Paypal and many other businesses could block out those persons creating havoc, cease their continuous fraudulent registrations, and cease them from harassing legitimate online business persons and consumers. But doing that may prevent dollars from being made; that scam artist will need a toaster at some point and in turn allow eBay to collect a $2.00 listing fee from the purchase of said toaster.
To stop the fraud would also cost eBay (their fees would most definitely inflate to cover the cost) but what's the real payback.... happy sellers/buyers? We'll sell and buy with or without the fraud, that's proven, so what's the incentive for eBay to stop it? -$0-
I'm not trying to sway anyone by talking out loud right now. I'm just not into big corporations taking advantage so I'm trying to figure out how to be happy with my teddy bears with or without eBay. It's not that I can't take the other guy making a mistake either, it's not that way at all. Simply put, the way I was treated was horrid. What was done to my auctions (present, past and pre scheduled) was just plain horrid .....initially and as they back tracked to "fix" it all. What a mess and headache. Palpitations doesn't begin to describe the feelings I had that night. I had no means to manage my wee little business venture.... zip, zero, none. I was in their eyes guilty until maybe thought to be innocent and even then they offered no solid reason for what happened to my account..from the lock out, to the auction cancellations, to them "restoring" my personal email properties to an account I stopped using over 6 months ago. No solid explanation. Speculations occurred and the reps and I made rational guesses, but there was no one reason they could or would offer.
That old saying it's not personal, it's business. Well, for me it's tough to say that when my business is such a personal thing. You have collectors you become personal with. You create individual, hour intensive pieces with personal influences and personal touches. Your template is personal, designed personally by you to personally reach your collector and extend your personal hello & welcome. It's my very personal art out there in the hands of a impersonal conglomerate/business partner that doesn't truly have my interests in plain view. So as an artist and business person I have to step back and look at my own personal big picture and I'm just not sure yet about how I feel about allowing myself to believe that I "need" them. I might be ok with using them, but I don't think I'm ok with needing them.
One foot down, two feet down...feet on floor and pushing soap box under desk 
:hug:
~Chrissi
TamiL your card is too cute!! Andrea M, got your lovely card this week too!! Thank you both
My TT cards are hanging with cards received so far from friends and family. This old wooden ladder is a year round quilt/blanket holder, but turned into the card keeper this year
:hug:
Chrissi
What an AWESOME prize. How cool that this is Nigella's to begin with, I'm a fan of hers. (I'm a total cooking nut...addicted to the tv food network, attending food shows for tips and tricks...even got a few cookbooks autographed now and then) I can understand her excited...it's not sad at all!!! When I was in my early 20s KitchenAid hit their 75th anniversary year and I was over the moon excited that I was going to have one of the limited edition (sparkly) mixers that came with a bowl with my name engraved on it!! These mixers are powerhorses and the company will replace anything 100% if something ever fails. They're very good about that.
Congrats to your daughter!! :dance: :dance:
:hug:
~Chrissi
Kathy the photos look great!! You beat me to it, I planned to post mine tonight
My little poinsettia girl is hanging on my Hoosier Cabinet display...she needed to be showcased, she's so precious!!
So glad you like the beary box..I know it's not technically a tree ornament, but I got going on the head and saw a few of these Christmas boxes in a magazine and went for it!
So glad we did the swap!! :hug:
:hug:
~Chrissi
Hi Richy,
You've got the books I would suggest
I think I may have mentioned this before, but here's the thread for Shelia's class. I'm not sure when her next class will be, but she's out here on TT so you might be able to PM her about it. I took it years ago and enjoyed it very much. She's 100% available to your questions and her instruction is great. (very good for beginners too)
http://teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=10453
:hug:
~Chrissi
It's a shame the artist can't advise us to her product and her concepts. I think there's a lot of assuming going on with the artists work and her intentions. It might not be totally fair to on a forum designed to inspire and lift up our own kind, just my opinion here.
Personally I still think it's smart on her part to expand her market and tap into what was only called last week in an article about MerryThought "declining interest in collecting bears".
I've gone to the site again and no where does it state that she used anything other than traditional methods to create her award winning OOAK bears. She looks to be a traditional felter with years of experience trying a new twist in a crafting and hobbier arena. One of a Kind seems to be used in reference to the kit itself a few times. "OOAK Kit"...if her kits are the first of their kind, then for marketing and smart business it's technically a "ooak kit".
For me this still falls into the category of crafting and designed for the market that appreciates Donna Dewberry painting techniques, ScrapBooking ready mades, Gallery Glass "leading kits", and all that fun stuff you can readily find on Home shopping networks an in "craft" stores. If this artist is able to grab the eye of a crafter who in turn becomes a collector..have at it..is my thinking. Donna Dewberry isn't taking money from high end gallery sales and I don't see this felting kit as much of an artistic threat. If anything it might tap into new collectors we're always talking about finding and enchanting.
:hug:
~Chrissi
The same type of thing happened in Atlantic City, NJ a couple of weeks ago. 4 young women were found murdered and it was more prominent in the news that they were believed prostitutes. I'd prefer that they stick to the confirmed fact that someone brutally murdered these women and leave the "catchy" headlines to weather and traffic reports. The News is beyond tactless anymore.
:hug:
~Chrissi
This is hysterical. I love this stuff....when we were very little kids my mom would do this with us using an eyebrow pencil and lipstick. We'd take turns looking at each other upside down saying silly things. (no video games, we had to create the fun!!! )
:hug:
~Chrissi
Praying for your little ones. An awful lot for them to go through, but they sound like strong little kids and in good hands. Thinking of you and your family :hug:
:hug:
~Chrissi
Cute kit idea, smart business idea...to run with the idea that everyone could have their own little piece of a Toby winner. It reminds me of the pottery places that were/are so trendy. Where you go in and simply paint on the glaze. The pottery is already made, they do all of the firing, but the end result is still nice and something you'll display in your house. It's a craft type concept.
Not everyone can do high end arts. Some people are awesome crafters and kit workers, but the individual design and creation part isn't something they have in them or even care to do. And sometimes the kit or craft concept brings out the desire to try "the real thing". Most bear artists (not all, but most) started out with a kit or a pattern. That kit wasn't art, but the bear the artist is making now, 5 years later, is.
I've never felted, I know I'll have to start with some kind of kit and would like to soon. (any ideas of where to find good ones...I'd frustrated if the supplies weren't quality)
:hug:
~Chrissi
Wow that's incredibly cool. If there's no credit line given, you're still allowed to post it as your creation in a portfolio type thing aren't you?? My bro -in- law is an animator and can show works on his site, as long as the "ownership" stuff is noted...at least I think that's how it works, I'd have to check with him.
Wow, Congratulations..esp since it seems like the bunny is totally key to the movie.
:hug:
~Chrissi
Noah you ROCK!! How cool to show such good sportsmanship with your friends and classmates!! More adults need to take a lesson from Noah!! 
:clap: :clap: Congratulations on your Win!!!! GOOD LUCK (& HAVE FUN) in the future Bees!! :clap: :clap:
:hug:
~Chrissi
:clap: :dance: Congratulations Gemma!! :dance: :clap: Sounds like a wonderful day (very nice bonus to win the certificate to spend at the fair!!) Love the pics up top too...how cool is that Kiss Bear??
:hug:
~Chrissi
All of the tress are GORGEOUS!! (oh my gosh, Kim that tree is huge!! How on earth did your hub get it into the house..it must have weighed a ton!! Very very pretty...loads of lights!! )
Today was a good day, got lots of decorating done and some shopping too! Here's a shot of our tree (artificial...works best with dogs and cats; no one cares to climb it and no water to play with/drink from! ) Ornaments are pretty much all primitive-ish, some handmade like the homespun and spool snowmen.
This is a picture of my oak hoosier. I love old hoosiers. This is actually a reproduction, but I have 7 differnt styles and sizes that are originals. I LOVE the old hoosiers!! For years they were so easy to find for amazing prices, but then got very popular and unaffordable. But I digress....this is my oak display this year. My 3 artist teddies up top mixed in with my favorite Christmas chalkware pieces. Edmund by Jane Perala is a Christmas gift this year from hub , Cheekie is a Judi Paul and Mr Toes is my first artist bear ever.... by Lori E. Baker of Bramble Bears Wood. The bear in the bottom display is one of my guys. 
:hug:
~Chrissi
I'm so sorry Sandra. I had to say goodbye to my good old girl this August. I'm thinking of you and again truly sorry for your pain and loss.
:hug: :hug: :hug:
~Chrissi
Redo Collaboration sounds really cool. A light colored bear would be good if you wanted an airbrushing category (not me...I've never done..asking for an instructional DVD for Christmas though!!)
:hug:
~Chrissi
Thank you Shelli for organizing the swap!! Organizing all of that info wasn't a quick project. It's much appreciated!!
I JUST finished my cards and will be mailing them out tomorrow. I haven't made handmade cards for about 2 years and was determined to do it this year. I'm glad I did, I missed it actually.
Thank you again!!
:hug:
~Chrissi
Fantastic!! There's nothing at all wrong with a "plain" bear, don't knock your great work! Plain can be very appealing...some of the best bears out there are without frills Take a peak at the traditional bear challenge gallery for some examples.
And I agree that he does look very vintage.
Fantastic Job!!
:hug:
~Chrissi
