Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I clip the edge of the foot in about 5 places, then pin on the pad, then with the pad down I sew around on the machine - twice.  I sew all my seams twice - once going one way, then turn around and go the other way.

Nancy, I stood my ground with her, and told her she could have her money refunded if she wanted, and I would cancel the sale.  She has replied with a "please send me the bear!!!!!!!!" - I hate all these exclamation marks.

As you say Aleta, we feel like we are held hostage.

Please, anyone who sends bears or other goods internationally, do not put false customs declarations - not only are you breaking the law yourself, but it makes it even harder when our customers expect us all to do it.  We end up with sticky situations like this.  Thanks, I'll get off my soap box now.

Cheryl, we were posting at the same time - I think I am going to have to put that in my description from now on.

I thought of doing that Susan, but I also don't want her to leave me a negative feedback.  She seems to think that it is her right to request me to send it this way - actually she is demanding, not requesting.  With lots of !!!!!!! at the end of each sentence and all highlighted in bright colours.

Well, I have gone ahead and emailed the lady, and told her that I will not do it, and if she wants a refund I will cancel the sale.  Grrr,  I wish peeople would not ask others to do this sort of thing!

My latest bear on ebay has sold to a lady "overseas". and she has paid for it with no problem.  The problem is that she wants me to mark the value as $45.00 for customs.  The value is near $300.00.  I have tried to tell her that it is against the law to make a false customs declaration, and that I can't do it.  I get these demanding letters from her saying that she gets bears from the US and Canada all the time with this type of "under declaration" on them, and that she will be responsible for the parcel.  However if it goes missing or is damaged in transit all I have is a piece of paper with a value of $45.00 on it, and no way of making her take the loss.  She claims not to speak very good English, and so I have to email her in very simple sentences.  I just can't send off the bear with a false declaration.  Should I offer her to refund the sale? Or just send the bear with the real declaration?  I just hate dishonesty!!! (Besides, I always get caught  :crackup: )

Any advice,  Thanks, Jane P.

That's fantastic Aleta - and how wonderful that your family was able to be there too.

From my wet felting ventures I have all kinds of lovely coils of roving that I purchased a couple of years ago.  One of them is "Wensleydale Teeswater Sliver", and has been dyed the most glorious yellow and gold colours.  However when I went to use it the other day, the individual fibers were sooooo looong, that it was nearly impossible to needlefelt, and kept leaving all these long whispy ends sticking out all over the place.  Is there some special kind of wool that is best for needlefelting?  I have nearly run out of my Edinburgh Imports starter kit, and need to get a selection of colours.
Thanks in advance.

Great clowns Gail - wow you are fast!
With my new venture into needlefelting, I may just have to join in - the posibilities with needlefelting are endless!
So if I can find the time, I will joint too - how's that for a "maybe, perhaps, possibly" commitment ????

That's fantastic - contratulations to a well deserving group of artists!
Well done!

I'm with Jenny - machine all the way, from 7" - 19" all machine, otherwise it doesn't get done.  The same with their clothes - all machine. (except the snap fasteners)

As a pattern maker myself, I would not have a problem with you using my patterns in that way.  I think what the copyright mainly covers is the actual pattern itself - as in paper form - you cannot photocopy the pattern and resell it. 
I say you should certainly ask for the costs - most of them probably don't realize just what it costs you to make these bears.

Happy sewing!

I LOVE PUPPIES!!!!!!!!

To you too Cheryl, and all the other Canadians here on TT - HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Thanks everyone - here is a picture of the first one, a 12" girl (no name yet).  I think I need to take the pics outside as the lighting is much better there, instead of my studio.

Thanks everyone - I'll try and get some pics today.
Also, part of the reason I was loosing my interest in bear making was that I have taken up glass bead making (lampworking), and have been spending a lot of time (and money) trying to make beads that are half decent.  I seem to have a hard time focusing on more than one thing at a time.  You know, can't chew gum and walk at the same time :crackup:  that's me!
Anyway, I am organizing my time a little better now - certain days for bears, and certain days for beads.  We'll see.

I nearly always line the bodice of my bear's dresses.  If for some reason I don't, then I use my serger to sew around the armhole and the neckline, and then turn them (the armhole edge and neckline edge) over and use the regular sewing machine to sew down the serged edge.   Then quite often I will add some lace to hide the turned over edge.  Hope that makes sense!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

I just want to say "thank you" to Judi Paul.  Let me explain.  I haven't been around here much over the last few months.  I have been having a very hard time with my bear making.  The spark/enthusiasm/inspiration, whatever you would call it, just hasn't been there, and it has felt more like a job than something I love doing.  About a week ago, I was wandering around my studio tidying up and trying at the same time to get some inspiration.  I came across the bits and pieces from the on line course on needlefelting that I took at EbearzU from Judi Paul, and started fooling around with it.  I had taken the course about a year and a half ago, and then promptly forgotten about it.  WELL - I am sooo happy with the results of my last weeks "fooling" around, and my spark is back - all because of Judi - thank you, thank you so much!!  I am trying to make sure that my bears are different from hers, and while they do look like long lost relatives, I think that my own touch does show through - after all, mine are all girls     I hope to start listing the first of them shortly on ebay.  Stay tuned.
THANK YOU JUDI !!!!!!

Jane P.

When I took an online class with Judi Paul, she had us sew on the first base of wool to anchor it, and the subsequent layers then adheared to that anchored base.  Hope that answers your question.  Plus, these are not toys meant to be played with (and abused) by children, so should hold up a lot better without that added stress.

Jane P.

I have only ever used the special airbrush fabric paints - thinned down.  I would be interested to know if it works for you - let us know.
Thanks

Jane P.

Dear Louise and Garret,  I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved pet.  It is always hard to loose a loved one, be it two legged or four.  All the best to you both.

Oh you poor thing - when I saw the photo I winced, and my eyes teared up. :hug:

Many years ago when I first met my husband we were toboganing and I was seated on the sled behind him.  Our sled hit a buried stump and my nose collided with his hard back.  I had a swollen nose and two black eyes for a week after - and a very bloody ski jacket!

Take care of it, and perhaps you should see a Dr. as Aleta suggested - just to be sure.

Thanks for the heads up SarahJane.

Jane P.

Oh Krista and Kathy, what a shame some busybody had to put their two cents worth in and try to spoil things for you.  Your best revenge to this sort of thing is to ignor it (hard, I know) and carry on as you were doing before this happened.  Someone on here wrote that this kind of coward gets very brave behind the anonimity of the computer - and it is true.  So please try to put this unkind letter where it belongs - in the "round" file!

Jane P.

Lisa, I love that little Patootie bunny - he/she is adorable.  You certainly should do more of them, they are great!!

Jane P.