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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
I recently bought "Anatomy of a Doll" by Susanna Oroyan ("the fabric sculptors handbook"). It's got great photographs and simple instructions/sketches regarding techniques.
Good Luck and have lots of fun with your new hobby seeking adventure!! 
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~Chrissi
Welcome back Brenda! Looking forward to seeing you out here more, missed you!
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~Chrissi
Just found this while doing an ebay search...the picture with the truck cracked me up. This teddy is
!
auction: http://tinyurl.com/q66ju
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~Chrissi
Depending on where you live there are different processes and points of contact. If you're in the US you can start with the government sites. Be careful not to get sucked into middleman companies that charge you lots of money to basically submit forms in your name. This is the government link if in the US:
http://www.copyright.gov/
These are the basic points that may be of interest:
What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.
What does copyright protect?
Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section "What Works Are Protected."
How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark?
Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.
When is my work protected?
Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.
Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration.”
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~Chrissi
He's gorgeous!! What a warm and sunny fellow and for such a good event. Good luck with his auction, I'm sure he will earn lots for this worthy cause.
Did you dye his fur that color? It's lovely!! We have a baby coming into the family soon and I'd love to use a fur like that for a "first special teddy". (Not to be played with until much older of course!!)
:hug:
~Chrissi
I gotta say that's pretty darn cute!
Really great pictures and easy instructions, Jodi! Because of it's ease (you even worked the ears into the 3 piece design...very cool) this would be a really cute project for older kids too. I always liked making my presents for family.
:hug:
~Chrissi
Cool topic!! First just let me just say that your new avatars and banners are really really cool...loving them. I'm going to need help with a banner...the web site was just about enough to fry my brain on future tech stuff.
Leaping Bears......I took a leap with the classic challenge. I've pretty much always done mini's...they've always been pretty traditional. But I was buying Mohair and saving it for when I thought I was going to be....I don't know.. less likey to screw up the mohair or "good enough" to use it on a larger sized bear...kinda nutty huh? Now I'm making larger bears each week and I'm thrilled with it all. That bear was Truman, my avatar bear.
The mini's I'm working on right now are where I'm letting my imagination "run riot", with the plucking, shading, sculpting and the accessories! I knew what I wanted, had it in my head, drew it out and went shopping for the basics. I'm not sure if I've "cracked it" ....but I'm happy that I created what I wanted and envisioned
I wasn't going to put any pics out until Monday, but I'll throw this one here now...since yah asked so darn nice and all. He's one of three Halloween Bears I started a little while back...they got side tracked for various reasons. This one is Ichabod..the next one will be Stitch (in honor of the hubs surgery this week...Gallbladder and Laparoscopy didn't sound as cute :crackup: 
) and then lastly will be Jack.
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~Chrissi
We will set up a TT Bail Out Yoga Laughing Jane Fund immediately. Please PM me with the facilities name and address so that I can ship out your prize (psssst....inside will be a small nail file to help with your escape....just in case we can't make bail) :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
:hug:
~Chrissi
Wow Linda your Sheltie rocks!! You really need to start posting some pictures out here for us to admire!!
There's a picture "how to" under each topic, right before the postings start...the picture how to is the 3rd grayish blip from the top. Just yell if you need more help.
Wow, just took another peak...the Sheltie is just lovely!!
:hug:
~Chrissi
So sorry to read about your loss Jenn. It's the worst 
I am glad to hear that the little one is doing well.
You take care
:hug:
~Chrissi
If the accessories are store bought the cost is added into your pricing, so if you're creating them yourself it should be as well. As a collector it's an added bonus to know that the accessory is just as much of an artistic one of a kind or original design as the bear itself. Your doll won't show up with any other bear out there...that's a selling point and a big collecting point. If you were to list the doll alone on ebay what would you sell it for...what are others like it being sold for? I'd start there and then, like Aerianna said, by all means expect to include that in your cost and pricing!
By the way...she was adorable! I do little "rag dolls" myself, making their dresses and all so I know the time and care that goes into it all 
:hug:
~Chrissi
Hi Anne your bear's a little sweetie!! Very cute display as well!
I think if worse came to worse and you couldn't be "technically" added to the lemonade bears site (it's a lot of prep and work for Nancy to get all artists out there by the deadlines).......Maybe you could still list and sell your bear yourself and then donate the proceeds to the event to fight childhood cancer. I can't imagine that Sandy wouldn't be thrilled to present any and all donations to Alex's Family.
The site itself is not yet as big as ebay so I'm sure that both Sandy and Nancy are watching for any persons trying to do this in a scam fashion. Run it by them first so they know you'd like to still participate in any way and still donate the funds. I would think any donation would be welcomed in the end, but I'm just guessing.....run it by them and good luck!!
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~Chrissi
This is just about the funniest thing I've ever seen......Good Lord, I'm still cracking up. :crackup:
First person who does this in line at the supermarket wins a prize...come on I dare yah... :crackup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30ReulnLub4
:hug:
~Chrissi
but I can't see why having a separate mark for 'add ons' is necessary in a competition, if all works are being judged on overall design concept and appeal.
I totally agree with you Paula, very good point.
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~Chrissi
If I'm ever lucky enough to win an award or be nominated you better believe I'm putting it in my listings and on the web site...in flashing lights with a soundtrack (kidding) 
. he he he
Do you think olympians win a medal and say "oh well this is swell, who cares..." ahhhhh no. Or how about chefs, think they get a 5 star and say "whoopdedo, I was only tryin' to make a steak". Think Halle Berry chucked her Oscar in a closet and said "big deal, whatever, anyone can do this". probably not.
These people work hard, practice, excel and should be proud of it....just like the wonderful people in the arts who are "award winning". Actors might say they don't care about nominations, they act for personal satisfaction of it all and not the awards...but they're not the ones submitting the films. If you're not doing it to win the award and be proud of it..why enter? Whats the point if yah don't really care anyway? Unless I'm mistaken aren't the artists the only ones who can enter themselves in a bear competition?
The term "nominated" means something in the arts...and it should. If you're nominated 4 times, but not yet the winner, it stills means something if we all respect these judges and the idea of "critique". If the smaller scale competitions are stepping stones for the big leagues than use them for all they're worth and be proud of each baby step. Gotta start somewhere 
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~Chrissi
GOD HELP US THE 80s ARE BACK!!!! Old Navy looks like my junior high closet!!! I'm SSOOOOOOO Not doing that haircut I had back then...no sireeee I will not go back there :crackup:
I had younger cousins who all had teddy ruxpins. We never had one in our house with my youngest sister...personally the thing freaked me out. BUT we would mess with the youngins' and put a non-teddy ruxpin tape in it's back and watch it go :twisted:
Nothing like teddy ruxpin moving around and "singing" Metallica..he he he (I was young and that "noise" was cool 
)
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~Chrissi
THANK YOU EVERYONE!! Thank you for all of your warm wishes to get well and your prayers! I've been at the hospital pretty much all day since Sunday. Only came home to sleep, my family was taking care of the poochies. Hub had gb removed yesterday, all went very well and he's recovering superbly! The first procedure was not needed (thank God)...they would have needed to go down his throat with a scope to retrieve stone in the duct, but an MRI proved that there were non there (an ultrasound was making them think there were initially).
He's eating his breakfast right now and I will go to see him and wait with him until he's released. I hung around home a little more this morning to get some of his laundry done 
Thank you all again...it means the world :hug:
~Chrissi
Just ran home to feed and walk dogs, grab food (can't eat cafeteria food with allergies I have), and quickly ask for some good thoughts and prayers. My hub woke me at midnight in tears, worst pain he's ever felt (this is a man with 4 herniated disks...he lives with pain...this was hell) Spent all night in ER, he's in a room now...needs to have Gallbladder removed in 2 different procedures, first to clear duct..second next day to remove gb.
Just ate while typing...need to pack some stuff for him, talk to you all soon...think of us
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~Chrissi
Hugs flying your way...I'm so sad for you and your Sunshine. You did the best for the pups and can't beat yourself up, it wasn't your fault at all. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
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~Chrissi
Cool Thread!! :clap:
My very first bear was made back in Feb 1998, for my first Valentine's Day with my now hubby. 
I really didn't sew as much back then so I was beyond frustrated during the entire process. The head was the worst of all and to this day I call this bear "Rat Bear" because of his odd slim snout I used whatever safety joints I could find at the craft shop, I can't even believe how I jointed that darn head! Safety eyes obviously got placed before I stuffed or anything He's a McCalls Pattern, I think.....
Valentine's "Ratbear" 5 years before I got bit by the artist bear bug:
My most recent larger bear was Delby Del (I'm working mini's this week)
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~Chrissi
ok, my description of coffee was based solely on the description of COFFEE!! I can't have coffee anymore and I loved coffee...so when I put down my response I was thinking only of that smell of coffee filling the house each day knowing I can't have it!!! Jeez la Weez, can't a gal just like the smell of coffee without it gettin' all about the boudoir :crackup: :crackup:
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~Chrissi
Thank you everyone for your wonderful feedback!! It's feels so nice to hear that the site is easy for others to navigate and that you like the style and design of it. We're going to tweak a few more things, I expected we would.
A few have asked: the color photos are of me...the black and whites are all family shots of my mom, aunts, my great grandmother. The purchase page photo is my great aunt and great grandmother in my great grand mothers grocery in Philadelphia. The white border idea came from old scrapbooks my grandmother and her sisters made back when they would all go to the mountains during the summer....their scrap books reminded me of Dirty Dancing (the movie)... families would pack up and go to the mountain resorts and have dances and arts/crafts and theater shows to keep entertained. It was so much fun going through all of the photos to create the site. I plan to rotate pictures during the holidays, summer, etc.
Me going "incognito" wasn't totally intentional 
I will get a current photo out there soon, but I didn't have any on hand that "fit" the site.
Thank you all again!!
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~Chrissi
This little dude scares the wits out of his panda mom
http://us.video.aol.com/video.index.adp … id=1715564
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~Chrissi
Sometimes people fueled by anger don't understand what they are saying or how they are acting is affecting others. It's not excusing anything, bullies who use anger to make themselves heard and "respected" are turds.
If you've tried every positive verbal avenue maybe this person needs some tough feedback..the toughest kind...seeing themselves without another's verbal spin..the whole "looking in the mirror" route. I've known people to audio tape someone's "fit" so that the person could hear it when cooled down....nothing like hearing what an ass you are to make you want to be a better person. The person I knew use a mini voice activated recorder that cost about $20 from Staples. If physical violence was a factor I wouldn't even suggest trying it.
Maybe this person does have issues, but we all do. It's time they stopped being coddled, grow up, act like the big person and stop abusing their position as an adult around little ones. If nothing else you are doing works...you may indeed have the option of walking away. It's sad, but if it's for health, safety, sanity, or well being you can indeed walk away from anyone. If the kids can't walk away there are ways they can be protected inside or outside of a family structure.
Good Luck, it's a tough situation to be in.
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~Chrissi
