Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I've considered the mending tapes, too.  I'd like to try to darn the tear. It's a light green eyelet dress that had a run-in with a cat's claw. 

I may have to go to the fabric store and see what they recommend. Maybe there's a miracle product out there that will help.

Of course, if I can't mend it satisfactorily, the tailor at the dry cleaner had a good suggestion: cut it off and turn the dress into a top!

I just got a sample copy of a brilliant book: "How To Start A Home-Based Craft Business" by Kenn Oberrecht. It's the 5th edition, so some of you may have seen it before. It has info on business plans, sourcing supplies, taxes, publicity and marketing, setting up an office, sample invoices, using computers, finances… I'm sure even longtime business owners could find something useful in this book.

Mindy

I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a fray check product for lightweight fabrics. It's a long story, but I need to mend eyelet so I'm looking for something that wouldn't show if it were applied to the right side of a lightweight fabric. Any ideas?

Thanks!
Mindy

ABC is willing to allow a TT event at the Schaumburg show, but someone needs to step up to work with them, organize it, promote it, etc. Anyone willing? I'll donate a doorprize or two and give suggestions, but I can't be in charge.

Mindy

I know what you mean: I was away 15 days in the past month and had company for a further 5 days. I have no coherant thoughts left. It was all good at the time, but I'm wiped out. If the Sept/Oct issue makes no sense, you know why!

Mindy

I read it once on the way to the San Jose show and once on the way home. Loved it. Thought JKR tied up all the loose endings very nicely -- though you're right, the sword did pop up out of no where. Maybe the goblins brought it back in the final charge? I'll have to check that part again. I started blubbering in the airport when the first (nonhuman) character died in the first chapter, and pretty much kept at it through two flights, an extended layover, and 700-odd pages.

The point of the ending was that JKR wanted to make sure no one could go back and write a sequel after she dies (ala "Gone with the Wind"). So she tried to secure the ending against later additions. It's kinda hokey, but it's nice, too. This is a children's book.

I may have to re-read the whole series now that I know the ending. :)

I love that there's all this hype and fuss over a BOOK. Does my bibliophile soul good.

Cheers!
Mindy

She appeared to be there with her husband and granddaughter -- dressed in otherwise normal clothes. She wasn't an exhibitor, and did not seem to be attracting attention for another event. It was bizarre. I mean, I'm from California and went to school in New York: I've seen big hair. But this was beyond anything I've ever experienced. I was laughing so hard I could barely take the pictures.

Debi McCarthy-Beckett teaching her crochet bear class:

Author and collector John Lamb signed books:

I hosted an artist panel with Irene Heckel-Volpe, Judi Paul, and Jane Woodard:

Have you ever seen hair this big?? Vegas at its best!

Thanks again to everyone who attended IDEX -- we had a blast, and you made our first official show great! You've seen the highlights from Shelli, Terrie, and Judi, but here are a few more pix.

Terri Kalaputus & Grace Muninger:

Donna Mettling, Scott Mackenzie, & Diana Ussery:

Group chat (from lower left) Debi McCarthy Becket, Jan Nethercutt, Terrie K, Mary & Norma Encarnacion, Judi Paul:

Bear maker and collector Ellen Veldhoen with her antique might-be-a-Steiff:

Tammy Martin with one of the "celebrity guests":

Aleta with her two TOBYs:

Chris Herrington, and then the Herrington luncheon group:

Judi & Mark Paul led the dancing after the TOBYs. They were amazing; the rest of us had several left feet, but had lots of fun!

FYI, John was at Vegas signing books, and he'll be at TBAI in Binghamton next month. He's such a nice guy, he does a great talk, and he LOVES his bears. (I think he and Joyce bought 12 at TBAI last year.) He tells funny stories from his days on the force, meeting authors at book conventions, and his bear hunts. Bonus event for East Coasters: we're launching his third book at Boyds Bear Country in November!!

Mindy

The official list is here: http://www.teddybearandfriends.com/foru … wtopic=267

I apologize for the delay in posting it. It took ... a long time ... to get home, then I was off for the holiday. My e-mail isn't working properly today, so all participants should get something from me as soon as it deigns to cooperate again. Many thanks to everyone who participated in the awards program this year: makers, judges, and voters!

The banquet was really nice -- I didn't plan it, so I can say that. Thanks to everyone who attended, and special thanks to Judi and her husband Mark for leading the dancing. I've got pictures here somewhere...

Cheers!
Mindy

I posted this somewhere else, but thought I'd add it here, too:

Speaking of Schaumburg, anyone who's planning to exhibit or register for the convention needs to do so this month (June). ABC mentioned a somewhat startling lack of RSVPs so far -- very unusual for their shows. I figure everyone's wincing at the price of gas and plane tickets -- or yawning lazily in the summer sun -- but you really need to plan your travel and let ABC know so they can plan the show. In the whole supply/demand scheme of economics, they need to know what the demand is so they can supply the right amount of tables, workshops, etc.

Cheers!
Mindy

Thanks for the compliment...glad you like the new issue. Even after 13 years, I like to know people are reading the magazine and what they like (and don't like!).

I won't be in San Diego, unfortunately. Like many of you, I've run out of time and money to travel! There's been talk about organizing another party at the Schaumburg show in October, but that doesn't help you Left Coast residents. (That's why you should come to Vegas! As Glamour magazine wrote this month, "Go to Las Vegas. It's hotter'n hell but all the fun is inside!")

Speaking of Schaumburg, anyone who's planning to exhibit or register for the convention needs to do so this month (June). ABC mentioned a somewhat startling lack of RSVPs so far -- very unusual for their shows. I figure everyone's wincing at the price of gas and plane tickets -- or yawning lazily in the summer sun -- but you really need to plan your travel and let ABC know so they can plan the show. In the whole supply/demand scheme of economics, they need to know what the demand is so they can supply the right amount of tables, workshops, etc.

Cheers!

By the way, using the "If you build it, they will come" philosophy, the party is definitely on. Thanks to those who have registered, those who have donated doorprizes, and those who have sent me enthusiastic notes. It's not too late to join the fun. See you in Vegas!

If the bear itself is a fairy, yes.

Just a reminder to please, please register if you're planning to attend the party in Vegas. If no one registers, I'm going to have to cancel the event. I'll be terribly disappointed, but Shelli, Judi, and I can get together without renting a room, planning activities, arranging refreshments, providing doorprizes, etc.

http://www.idexshows.com/images2/LVWorkshopReg.pdf

Warning: The following is a strongly worded pep talk. I'm writing it in exasperation regarding the Vegas show, but it applies to just about every show (and bear "infrastructure" business) out there right now. If you're easily offended or committed to staying home, please skip it.

I've gotta tell you, the Vegas event registration lists are making the bear people look fairly apathetic. Several of the doll events are already sold out, and the bear events ... not so much. Well, not at all. Are we going to let the doll people get a reputation for being more enthusiastic, involved, and committed than the bear people? Are we going to let hard porcelain beat out cuddly fur? Are we going to disappoint the members of our community who have stepped up to lead workshops? Are we going to dissolve into indifference? There are more than 1,000 members here! If only 10% showed up, we'd have a rocking party. Don't you want to network with people in person? Share a hug and a laugh? And there are so many opportunities other than the TT event: At the show, you have the chance to meet at least 100 retail buyers. Learn new skills at workshops. Hand a bear to me and show it off in person. "The difference between 'try' and 'triumph' is just a little 'umph.'" Where's our teddy bear "umph"??

If you're coming to Vegas, please register. If you're not, please sign up for a different show. Mail postcards to your collectors. Offer your bears to a retailer. Buy an ad. Give a talk at your local library. Please do something to support the industry and spread the word about teddy bear artwork. My mother always says, "Many hands make light work." I'd love to see you in Vegas, but if you can't make it, we still need your hands. Please.

Princess cat, pirate bear, and dragon -- all perfect. The wizard bear would work, but, as you suspected, the 72 dpi picture won't. Sorry!

Everyone, be sure to send me the actual high res pictures and info -- don't just post 'em here and forget about 'em!!

Wizards, unicorns, and butterfly bears: Perfect!

These photos are definitely things I would consider for the magazine, but not for this particular overview. For "Fantasy & Flights of Fancy" I'm thinking more along the lines of unicorns, dragons, fairies, princesses, knights, fancy dresses, bears in their Halloween costumes -- elaborate costuming or fanciful designs.

Hope this helps!
Mindy

I'm looking for fantasy creatures and elaborately dressed or costumed teddy bears and friends for my "Fantasy & Flights of Fancy" overview in the Sept/Oct issue. The deadline is June 15, 2007. For details, please visit the "announcements" section of the TBF forum.

Thanks!
Mindy

Did I mention there will be door prizes?

a. 3 to to 5 free TT T-shirts (compliments of Teddy Talk) b. Free TT banner ad for one year (compliments of Quy) c. One web banner - TT dimensions or otherwise (compliments of Shelli)

We can wear our TT shirts and autograph them, make ATCs as souvenirs, take lots of pictures, and actually talk in person. C'mon and play, everyone, it'll be fun! (And be sure to register.)

Mindy "Register" Kinsey
(Yes, by the end of June, I may actually answer to "Regi".)

I wish I were kidding. I've learned a lot about shows since we bought IDEX, and most of it is very frightening. I've always respected and admired show promoters, but my appreciation has increased tenfold since I've learned some of the crud they have to deal with -- insane food prices, room night requirements, receiving charges for shipments, and A/V equipment charges are just some of the fun. I'm sorry that we have to charge admission for events like the Teddy Talk party, but otherwise it would cost us hundreds or even thousands of dollars per event to sponsor them. Believe me, teddy bear show promoters are NOT getting rich running events, and it's a wonder they maintain their sanity!

So, props to show promoters.

And please register for my IDEX events. :)

Mindy

Hey, Everybody!

If you're planning to attend the Teddy Talk LIVE event at IDEX Las Vegas, please register for the event at http://www.idexshows.com/images2/LVWorkshopReg.pdf. Lemonade costs $60/gallon in Vegas, so we need to know who's coming before we order too much of it! :)

Thanks!
Mindy

PS: We've got some other great teddy bear events planned, too -- check out http://www.idexshows.com/lv.events.php.

I'm on the list for "aromatic" coffee. Then again, I find dogs (and therefore myself) "smelly" - and I found myself ranking the cow, sheep, and pig by which was least odiferous. I don't know if this test is an accurate personality indicator, but is has revealed that I appear to have an odor fetish!

Whew, good to know I can open the dolls. They're too cute to leave in the packages. I need to go look around Target or Linens 'n Things and find a little display shelf for them.

I thought the Witch of the East was a weird choice, too. Give me a flying monkey any day. :)

Cheers!
Mindy