Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Arrgh Jane, how annoying are these idiots. 

I really hope eBay can sort you out soon and keep you going with the same id.

:hug:  :hug:

Hi Lanie

I'm just hoping my girls move out soon so that  I can take over one of their bedrooms and kit it out as a proper studio.    At the moment I work mostly in the conservatory where I have my machine set up and all my storage. It's lovely as I have it to myself and there is plenty of room but now that we are starting to get better weather I think I might just suffocate as the heat builds up  

Oh, did I mention that my girls are 5 and 10

Have fun sorting everything into your new storage boxes.

:hug:

Cindy..... Thank you, I bought the string mohair in that colour. I'm glad you like it, it really is a scrummy colour but I've also got it in candy pink and cream. Next time I'm in town I'm going to look for the Herbal Essence gel that some of you have mentioned. I know the brand but I'll have to see if they sell the gel spray in the UK.

Danni..... Hiya hun. Ditto...I've been meaning to catch up with you too. I'll be in touch shortly.

Hugs :hug:

Brilliant

Thank you all for the above suggestions - see I knew you'd put me on the right track

I'll give them all a try on the scrap bits that I've got left.

:hug:

Hi all

I've just finished an edition of little string mohair bears and boy am I pleased they're done!

I love using string mohair but it has a mind of its own and I tend to spend ages trying to tame it to lay in the direction I want with a occasional mist sprays of water.

Does anyone else have any tips or know of a product which is good for taming fur and keeping it in place.

Thanks guys

Hi Amelia, It's a toughie but as others have mentioned here it could be a genuine coincidence. On the other side of the coin, I knew instantly when I started making bears that If I ever sold any I wanted to trade as 'Meri Bears'. I thought it was a good twist on 'Merry'. I got all my tush tags printed up and started selling on eay under this name quite happily for a couple of months.

I then realised with shock that there was another bear maker from the USA trading as 'Meribears' and had been doing so for much longer than I had.  Fortunately our bears are totally different ( I think the others are miniatures), we are in different countries and I've never had negative comments from anybody about the name similarity.

I hope it will never become a problem as I feel that I am starting to establish my name now. It just shows that there are genuine similarities. This could also be said for the names we give our bears. There are always unintended duplications on names.

Hi Jenny. I got a copy of this at the newsagent this morning and saw the letter in question. The lady was praising the Sue Pearson catalogue and expressing her sadness at the emergence of 'the online buying of new friends'. This appears to be because of her limited/ no access to the internet and the fact that she cannot travel to shows as she has no car.

In one way it is a huge compliment that she really wants one of your lovlies but it is a real shame about the way her letter has been worded/edited, especially using your name when it could have said that she had tried in vain to purchase a bear from a well known bear maker. 

It is also a shame that this lady was not able to travel to one of the bear shows that you have exhibited at recently by another means of transport. After seeing your wonderful show piccies on this forum, I wish I'd got there too!

As a footnote the editor has asked for the thoughts of other readers - 'has the internet made it easier to find teddies, or do you feel closed out by the artists and shops selling online?' Hopefully they will put more thought into printing the replies.

I look forward to seeing your response in print.

Hugs

Judi, Penny

What a shame about your pulled auctions and the nuisance of having to re-list. If the person who's been dobbing you in has nothing better to do with their time, perhaps they would like to sift through ebay China and report all the stolen auctions there.

:hug:

Hi Lisa

We've also had a hosepipe ban in our area since last September. As the water situation hasn't improved they are soon to impose a ban on car washing, pond filling etc. The local councils have said that they won't be planning any flower displays and baskets in the town centres this year as they won't be able to water them. We are trying to save all the rain water we can in about 6 water butts, but they're pretty empty at the moment.

:hug:

Way to go......Huge Congratulations   :dance: 

Could Spring finally be here in England? 

I'm guilty of not really venturing out into my garden over the Winter unless it's to hang out washing. But it is such a beautifully sunny afternoon here and my girls are riding around on their bikes for the first time this year. It really feels like spring has sprung.

I love it when the garden starts to get some colour as it looks so pretty. I took a few snaps.
Does anyone else have any pictures of the first splash of colour. It would be great to see what it's like this time of year in the gardens across the world. Please show us some of your favourite seasonal plants in flower Please don't make me jealous though

Thank you ladies :hug:

These are brilliant tips and I look forward to giving it a go on the next one.

Have a fab weekend

:hug:  :hug:  :hug:

I just wondered if anyone had used wood wool as a filling. I have just created a new traditional style bear and as I have some fine wood wool filling, I thought I might give it a try.

Having never used it before is it ok to stuff the bear with part wood wool/part poly?

I seem to remember reading somewhere that it should be lightly dampened? Can anyone enlighten me on this

By the way, the wood wool was delivered in a black bin liner and upon seeing it my daughter thought we were getting a rabbit   'Oh no, not more bear stuff', she groaned. 

Any tips welcomed, thank you guys

:hug:

Hi Penny

I can see both sets of your beautiful photos. Really stunning work there my dahling

:hug:

Hi Jenny

I think this happens now and again when they are updating things at their end. I've only ever known pictures not appear for a short while. I just checked my auction and all seems ok now.

I love your new little girl by the way - saw her on eBay last night.

Take care

Hi Jenny

So sorry this has happened to you. I don't think in a million years that anyone would actually place a bid as the whole thing smacks of fraud. Just take a look at the other auctions this guy has running. 2 Very old and rare 1919 bears which are exactly the same. Does he not realise he has listed this auction twice???

It's a real pain for you and if it were me I would be mad too. Best of luck for your final sale tonight on your beautiful Pandie. I hope it gets sorted soon.

:hug:  :hug:

Well done to both of you. :clap:

The articles are fantastic.I look forward to buying the mag this weekend and having a proper read through.

:hug:

Sending lots and lots of thoughts and prayers your way Daphne

:hug:  :hug:

This all sounds very enchanting

I love to see bears with props and when a bear is teamed with the right item it can work so well.

Can't wait for pics Marion

:hug:

Hiya Jenn

Hope it's not too late to send my best wishes to you. Sorry, I'm still catching up with all the threads

How can you not feel cheered up after reading all the lovely well wishes from your beary friends.

Hope you feel more like yourself very soon :hug:

Daphne

I love this story

Can't wait to see your piccies

:hug:

Hi Deb

You are usually onto a winner with engineered wood. It is also known as real wood in the UK. My husband and I have a Wood flooring business and engineered wood is extremely popular for it's finish and cost compared to soild wood.

Engineered Board is a flooring product manufactured with real wood and gives the finished effect of a solid wood floor.
The board is made up of 3 main parts:

1. Hardwood surface layer (approx 3.6-4mm, products vary) coated with multi-layers of high quality finish (usually acrylic or similar lacquer)
2. Middle or core layer (usually hardwood, or occasionally softwood, products vary)
3. Base veneer (usually plywood)

Engineered boards are hardwearing and depending on the product specifications may also be sanded and re-sealed up to 2 or 3 times if required, in the same way as a solid wood floor. 

The chances of you wearing through the top layer of wood when the product is installed in a home are very unlikely.

We have installed it through most of our home now, except the bedrooms and I love it.

Hope this helps witha little extra info

:hug:

Oh well, at least if I get any more emails now from this particular person, I will be very cautious.

Dearest Dilu ...Thank you for your kind words. The fella you referred to was Nutley who now resides in the USA.    It's funny you should mention Trichotilomania. One of the reasons I've not been around so much lately is because I need constant supervision of my 5 year old who it is thought may have this condition. Never thought it would come up on this board though!!!LOL   Her problem is with eyelashes. At one point she pulled them all out but we have been putting a plan in place and to date she has done so well and about 80% have grown back.

We have to go back and see the hospital next month but I think we may have finally cracked it....hurrah   At one point  there I was nearly pulling my own hair out with frustration!

:hug:

Hi Tracy

I got this email yesterday via ebay for an auction that ended last night

Hi i would like to know if there is a reserve for his bear and the shipping to singapore?Hope to hear soon.Tks.
Regards
Kenneth

I told him there was no reserve and confirmed the shipping costs, he didn't bid though.

mmmmmm......could be genuine . Just wonder how many others have had requests.

:hug:

Jenny

They are wonderful. Your style is so appealing