Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

:crackup:  :crackup:

I have one of Mary Engelbriet's little magazine "posters" on my studio wall....."It's never too late to be what you might have been".   

I never looked into who wrote it, but I just googled it and it turns out it was by:
George Eliot is the pen name of Mary Anne Evans[1] (22 November 1819 – 22 December 1880), who was an English novelist. She was one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. Her novels, largely set in provincial England, are well known for their realism and psychological perspicacity.

She used a male pen name, she said, to ensure that her works were taken seriously. Female authors published freely under their own names, but Eliot wanted to ensure that she was not seen as merely a writer of romances.

Wow, makes me like that quote even more now!!! 
~Chrissi

Hi Dilu,
This link should work. This is listed as long pile, and its a really nice pile, but I have seen "longer" out there.  It's not "furry", so for my golly it was really a nice texture. The prices are pretty good if you just want to try a single piece too.  For $1.50 you could buy a piece of blue and dye it for smaller gollies. http://tinyurl.com/qdo2o

I've gotten really lovely stuff from Sassy Bear (one of the banner ads here) too.  Very good selection and the prices are not bad at all for the quality and styles offered.  I think she has some purple vintage rayon on her site too...looks like a deep eggplant-ish color if Renae wants to take a peak 

~Chrissi

Hi Celena,
I feel for you, so much.  I was seeing a neurologist for migraines.  He wanted to try a few different medications, but I'm pretty sensitive to medications so I sought a more holistic doctor.  I found a doctor who is on the board of a well known hospital but he practices in "preventative medicine" as well.  Prevent it rather than just treat it is the overall idea. 
Long story short I was put on what's called the elimination diet...eliminating foods known to cause reactions and then gradually reintroduce them to see what the trigger food/item may be.  For me we did allergy testing and knew I had wheat and dairy allergies so we started there.  After doing this diet for 3 weeks I felt so much better that I decided to not even reintroduce the wheat and dairy back into my diet. I eat no wheat and no dairy ( I do eat occasional eggs in items I prepare..why are eggs considered dairy?? never got that one).  I don't eat refined white sugar and no preservatives.  MSG alone will put me in bed for 2 days..it's a very bad additive for many people.
This is not an easy diet, but it was so worth my health.  I've done it for nearly 3 years I think.(??)  I will still get a minor migraine maybe once every couple months due to weather (I'm sensitive to pressure dropping) but I do not suffer from the migraines that I did before.  Occular migraines (where your vision gets blurry) are very scary, I understand.  MRI's are very simple tests..loud but simple..don't be afraid of those.  It's a good test to have with migraine symptoms.
This is just one other idea too...I'm a terrible teeth clencher/grinder.  If you're grinding your teeth in your sleep that can mess up your jaw and the muscles to your temple area. I think it's called TMJ.  Now that's a stress thing, but it can be prevented with a bite guard.  Simple ones can cost nothing, custom made by a dentist can cost hundreds.  Just a thought to help the tension part at night.
Take care and feel well.
~Chrissi

I'm in! I'm so use to creating my mini's that I'll take any opportunity to work the larger bear proportions.  I just promised my youngest sister (I have 2) a larger bear of her own, just so I could get the practice in!  She'll love a traditional guy. Practice, Practice, Practice....it's like scales (piano) all over 

Paula, the first bear pictured in the examples (your guy) is that mohair??  It looks incredibly soft and fluffy.

~Chrissi

Hi Renae,
The brighter purple I used is one of the shades offered by the ebay seller I mentioned before. I think she has others (??) It's incredibly sturdy, that's why mini makers love the stuff so much..the grid backing doesn't allow for fraying.  I think i've gotten some shades from Sassy Bear as well....good stuff. If you find a cream or white you could dye it up yourself 
~Chrissi

For smaller items....there's a seller on ebay who has some really nice vintage rayon velvet (upholstery fabric) in lots of colors, and it's pretty cheap for one 9x9 piece. It's a short -medium pile. If you search "vintage rayon velvet" it should come up.  It doesn't fray at all and has that white grid backing for easy stitching.  (I have no affiliation with her aside from buying in the past!  )

Lisa stated:Where have i said that i don't agree NOT TO SUPPORT, encourage or help others in this industry? Please show me?

I guess I'm confused now because I don't think I said that anywhere.  I was honestly asking a question in open discussion to someone who responded on an open thread. My questions were geared to learning via books, TT, patterns, seminars, etc. I only questioned Lisa because I was honestly looking for her opinion on the way I read the posts she and other wrote on finding your own way. She wrote a page and was very clear about self taught rewards and I just wanted her feedback on why I think that the otherside is just as rewarding..that self taught is a route, but learning via the tools available is just as rewarding and in no way makes a lesser fufilled artist.
That was it, really. I read that an established artist was giving the opinion and hence advice that being self taught brings out satisfaction in the end and I just wanted to get her feedback on my take, being that I couldn't be the only new comer who thought "I hope I'm not cheating here, I felt pretty good prior to." I thought if "some established people think that buying magazines, books, and studying others creates copying, mushing of techniques" than what about the way I saw it all when I started. That was it.

Lisa is a great talent, she's supportive, and willing to step outside to help others, I wasn't contradicting any of that.  My questions were not an attack(there was no bold, sarcasm,snide off color remarks or sayings), but honestly came to me as I read what others and she wrote about the thread. 
I never said that her paintings were being passed off as originals...NEVER...what I DID say is if she can study the masters in painting (I've done it too) and then still herself create her own original work (which she does) than it must still be possible for those here to study a "master"bear/doll maker and still create originally.  That using the tools available now can still create a very fufilled and successful bear maker and that new comers should feel honored to have this information at their disposal.

I really wish that some would re read my post without any tone or preconceived notion of what I was trying to say.  I've been nothing but supportive in the 60+ times I've written on this forum, it's not in my nature to be nasty, but it is to ask questions.  I guess I asked the wrong ones.

I'm off to re-group.....Erin have your coffee, don't let me irritate you and paula I don't have any boxing gloves on...just tears on my face.
Sorry,
~Chrissi

I have to ask ....When we go to a doctor, lawyer, hairdresser, realtor or hand our children over to teacher we want them fully educated and schooled within the best means available.  We want to see degrees hanging on the wall, we want to know that they spent countless hours being taught and that they learned their skill.
Why would we not accept and expect the same for artists? Those others all had a basic internal passion for their craft/profession and then built upon it via education. Why wouldn't an artist strive to enhance their talent via an educational route ? (books, magazines, seminars, workshops, TT all being avenues to pursue that education).

Artistic talent is a gift, but can we really think that learning should or can be left out of the equation.  The greats all had apprentices...many greats were themselves apprentices. Michelangelo was apprenticed at the age of thirteen (in 1488) to the painter D. Ghirlandajo. Leonardo da Vinci was apprenticed to the artist Andrea di Cione. The greatest thinkers of our times sat on stone steps teaching, discussing, and absorbing what both teacher and students had to offer.... they weren't off by themselves scratching in the dirt hoping to get it right!

My one younger sister attended a very prestigious art college. I don't think she is any more or less gifted than a self taught artist, but she shouldn't be looked at as a person who wouldn't figure it out for herself either. She possessed a gift and talent, but learned techniques that others could teach. And now she's teaching.

Lisa, (you worried people would jump on you for your post....not jumping on you at all!  Just need to find the line and discuss what's now in my head)
Your unique bears were not influenced by other artists and you 100% agree with finding your own inner skill and enhancing bear making talent without reference..but on your site you credit the greats as those you'll "mimic" while painting. You are still able paint original works after studying the greats, so it must be that those who choose to be educated in bear making can still create originally as well. So where do we draw the line on learning, studying, and achieving internal rewards for it?  It can't be that the bear industry is the place to give it a try on your own without influence, struggle, and learn it on your own while other skills warrant study, learning, and external influence?  How could we justify and support one and not the other?  If we observe the great sculptors to sculpt, the great painters to paint, the great musicians in order to compose...then why not embrace and support bear making to it's fullest with the tools available in books, patterns, magazines, and mentoring?  As a bonus, doing so can only create an educated creator and seller to a consumer. (??? thoughts on??)

I truly believe we have to support the idea of open learning in art otherwise it will continue to be stripped from our culture.  That's probably why I'm so passionate about open learning and seeking education within the arts. The arts are being ripped from many of our U.S. schools.  Music, fine arts, and hands on skills are all seen as needless costly extras and not as basics our children deserve to be taught. I think as artists we need to embrace the idea that studying your craft and learning your craft is critical. It's not at all cheating, but a way to embrace those who came before us and ensure that others will come after us.

~Chrissi

Hi Dilu!
She's in the Challenge Gallery area, let me know if you still can't see....I can see her, she's been uploaded.

~Chrissi

Thanks Renae  :hug: ! 
I'm new to the Golly world, so I just Googled it to find pictures of the traditional style.  And some of the oldest example I saw were very much like the Anime stuff we see now.  Pretty interesting stuff.
Have fun, I did!!
~Chrissi 

I had photo issues     I have to get an indoor light system set up...I just made the space, I need the lights now....weekend trip to the HOME DEPOT for me!  She's out there..  :photo:
~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

Jeez LA Weez there's always a flamingbear, no matter the board, group, or discussion panel. To say you only post when someone pushes your buttons is just plain silly. Who pushed "your" button when the girls were happily posting their art cards and you called them "GARBAGE"?  That's just mean. Found online......"Most organizations have a serial bully. It never ceases to amaze me how one person's divisive dysfunctional behavior can permeate the entire organization like a cancer."  Won't happen if it's ignored    And I'm taking my mom's good old fashioned advice and ignoring it from now on.   

No one here who is productive and supportive in the true spirit of art and learning needs the added stress in their busy day, I sure as heck don't. For all the time spent on this we could have been learning how to make my 2 headed, 5 limbed, 3 eyed bear!!  :crackup:  :crackup:  I'm a newbie, but I love TT and the people here are the best I've ever met!    :hug:

'nuff said... BACK TO BEAR MAKING  
~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods

Renae you pretty much described my little Anime Polly Golly    The name is not original but I was watching Along Came Polly when I made her, so it fit.
She's just over 6 inches, made from a bright purple vintage short pile, sporting straight black hair with pigtails, large green eyes (tried to get that reflection look going a little with different tones of green). She's wearing a cutesy little anime styled dress with "ruffled" socks and red booties with "buckles" that match her dress.

Once I drew out what I wanted on Saturday I just ran with it.  I've got some stuff coming up so if I didn't get her done now she might have just stayed on paper   

This was a blast to do, I really liked putting this little girly together! Glad I had the opportunity to try something new and fun!!   
I'm putting her out on the Challenge Gallery now.

~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

I haven't advertised yet, but plan to in the near future.  These are a couple small ideas, but they won't cost you a whole lot.
I used this first one with my other home business and it's not uncommon to see done in my area.  I live in a well trafficed touristy area outside of a major city (Philadelphia) and people around here take advantage of their cars for advertising. I've used a clear window transfer for my other home business and I'm going to replace it for a while with my bear info.  Anywhere my car goes the ad goes; gets people curious.  I use the top of the back window and the 2 side window areas that are stationary and do not roll down. You could go all out and have a professional/permanent ad done on the side of your car as well, but I lease so that ain't happening!
I've also seen home based businesses use an internet tool at http://www.constantcontact.com.  If you're constantly collecting email addresses (mailing lists, guest books at shows, etc) and want to send out monthly news letters, hellos, and a "what's new" to your buyers this looks like a pretty cool service. 
Hope those suggestions weren't too green, me being a newbie and all!  :)

~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it. ~good old Teddy Roosevelt himself.  Where this whole Teddy Bear thing started.

None of us here came up with this concept of "teddy bear".  We're all on a trip someone else started, we're all copying that first teddy bear and we're all "getting busy and finding out how to do it".  There isn't a single artist in the world, self taught or schooled, who hasn't "studied" those before them.  From painters, to photographers, to animators, to sculptors, to silversmiths, to bear makers we're all traveling a well worn path. We're all reading the books, researching the sites, and asking the questions. People pay top dollar to attend classes with "the best" in their industry, to assume you know it all in any business is ignorant. Until someone successfully creates and sells a bear with 2 heads, 5 limbs and 3 eyes (hmmmm, note to self...must write that down) we'll all be here doing what we do and helping others. How sad to think that learning, teaching, seeking assistance and mentoring is not a positive thing! "Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours."

ROCK ON SHANTELL!!  :hug:

~Chrissi
PS.... last weekend I read THE ENTIRE techniques list (ok, I have no life... :crackup: ).
#1) it is a plethora of teddy bear knowledge...GOLD i tell you! #2) each person has equally asked and answered questions with their peers. #3) 3 posts total and each very cruel....does someone need a hug??

Oh Tracy my dear how to put this....ahhhhh.... NO!!    :crackup: 

We were swarmed last summer with Japanese beetles and that was enough for me.  They're daytime swarmers so it pretty much ruined my gardening last summer for a few weeks.  Are the june bugs destructive??  The Japanese beetles destroyed all roses, tree leaves, etc around us.

~Chrissi

Oh MY GOSH that is beyond Hitchcock!  I would be in tears    I can't stand ugly flying bugs (lady bugs, lightening bugs...those are ok).  These swarmers are furry even.  The ground probably crunches under you right now....(big girly "eeewwwwwwww")
Can't look anymore, I'm getting the creepy crawlies 

~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

I'd like to join in too!  Since it's Anime and not "traditional" I guess we can stretch our imaginations a little with materials and what not right?  Hmmmmm... to the bearcave (that's what we call it at my house...kinda like the bat cave, but no cool bat poles to slide down) 
~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

I have a friend with a siamese and that cat is just about the coolest cat I've ever met.  He's very vocal, almost talky and that from what I've been told is common with the breed. He's actually more like a dog with his outgoing and social personality. I think since (after you get him checked out for illness and stuff) you'll be introducing him to your established "pack" that he should be fine.  Most times it's the only child cat that has issues with the newcomer and any breed can be viewed as mean when a new guy comes in.  It took 4 weeks for my one older boy cat to get over himself when we got our last cat, he did and they're all fine now.
Keep us posted, I hope he has a healthy check up!
~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

Wow, please let us know what they get back to you with.  I'm picturing Teddy Ruxpin meets Mad Max   :crackup: 
"Mature Themes" ?!! What teddy bear artist wouldn't want that gig on their web site about me page  :crackup: Sorry it's late and I'm really punchy!! 

~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

Hi all!
Wow, a year @ 100% wage!  Here they treat having a baby like a disability where you're lucky if you get 12 weeks at 65% pay...it's so sad how little our society values our babies and mothers!!

Shelli mentioned Silpada.
I actually sell Silpada and it's pretty cool.  After getting ill I needed supplemental income and a schedule I could control. Like anything I do I researched it to death and I chose Silpada for several reasons: the quality of the jewelry is 100% top notch (I'm pretty particular about anything I do and represent), the inventory changes only once a year and only select pieces are retired (I don't have to buy spring, summer, fall, winter inventories), I can wear my inventory (bonus for me!! and I'm walking advertising when people comment on it),  my prep time for a show is literally me getting ready for a party and walking out the door with my prepacked kit bags (I don't have to cook, bake, or anything. My inventory is not cumbersome or heavy). And this is what really did it for me...no demonstrations (everyone at the show just walks, talks, sits, eats, socializes...it's a party. No one is stuck in a circle listening to me talk about a product.  I'm pretty comfortable speaking to people, but I could never stand up alone and just talk about something like a QVC host :)).  The money you make is pretty darn nice to boot and the hostess rewards plan is just about the best I've seen.
You have to work it like anything else in life (phone calls, mailings, etc) but people really love the jewelry and the casual party/show atmosphere so it works.

And I don't personally have a team or anything, so I'm not trying to recruit anyone here.  I managed teams in my former corporate life and when I started this I wasn't looking to do that at all! I just wanted to be responsible for me...but if you're into making even more money the team's the way to go.

Have your friend check out the site Shelli listed. www.silpada.com. She can always email me or call me with any questions too, I'm totally cool with that. This is my web site (completely supplied by Silpada) there's a contact me link that goes right to my email:  http://www.mysilpada.com/chrissi.catherwood

~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

It's very nice of this holiday to fall on a Friday night (date night) where we'll be heading into town for "first friday".  In observance I plan to seek out and enjoy some dark chocolate...the good stuff..the expensive stuff....it's date night he can't care 

According to the National Confectioners Association web site (est 1884) we have a ton of overlooked tasty holidays... (I think march 24th is now my favorite holiday..yum!!)
~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

Candy Holidays
January
3rd – National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
8th – National English Toffee Day
26th – National Peanut Brittle Day
February
15th – National Gum Drop Day
19th – Chocolate Mint Day
March
3rd week – American Chocolate Week
19th – National Chocolate Caramel Day
24th – National Chocolate-Covered Raisin Day
April
12th – National Licorice Day
21st – National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day
22nd – National Jelly Bean Day
May
12th – National Nutty Fudge Day
15th – National Chocolate Chip Day
23rd – National Taffy Day
June
National Candy Month
16th – Fudge Day
July
7th – Chocolate Day
15th – Gummi Worm Day
20th – National Lollipop Day
28th – National Milk Chocolate Day
August
4th – National Chocolate Chip Day
10th – S’mores Day
30th – National Toasted Marshmallow Day
September
13th – International Chocolate Day
22nd – National White Chocolate Day
October
National Caramel Month
28th – National Chocolate Day
30th – National Candy Corn Day
31st – National Caramel Apple Day
November
7th – National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
December
7th – National Cotton Candy Day
16th – National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day
26th – National Candy Cane Day
28th – National Chocolate Day
29th – National Chocolate Day

Hi Shantell,
First off let me say I honestly think you're creating lovely bears and for that you should be happy..you're talented and you're working your art.

I'm kinda of in the same boat as you being a new comer so I'm not giving you any words of "wisdom" here, just what I've found for myself and what I've seen doing all of my research (and lurking  ).

The unique aspect.....from what I've seen and heard it's all about what you like, what's around you, what inspires you..even if you're not 100 % aware of it.  I read somewhere here that a pattern evolved from the artists cats face (a particular breed). From what I've read in postings Kim Basta (who I am in awe of) truly has a lyrical soul and that shows in her designs and use of fairy tale themes, wings, color, etc. If you're into grubby antique primitive things and design you're probably not going to want to make bright funky bears, like Barbara Ann Bears, day in and day out (love those bears!!). 
You just might need some quality "you time" to step back away from the design for a day or two and really look at what you love...is it color, is it nature, is it texture, etc...what do you LOVE?  Forget about what you're seeing on ebay (I luv my ebay, but it is NOT how an artist should be gauging themselves...can you imagine if Van Gogh just painted his sunflowers over and over to meet ebay sales?? Or if he changed things up because he thought Cézanne was getting a better run on ebay  :crackup: ) you just have to focus on what you love and what inspires you and your heart.

I started out with traditional styled mini's. I'm seeing that my dogs are influencing my "larger" bears.  I have a Shiloh Shepherd Puppy with a long honker of a nose and doe eyes.  I tell her every hour "you're so pretty", so it would figure when I sent a photo of my first large Mohair bear out to my family they all responded with...."he looks like Meadow". 

This is one of my favorite quotes and I think I just might add it to my signature here: He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.
~St Francis of Assisi

~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

Maybe give a due date for photo submission, create it's own topic where people can post their pics and make a challenge of it....like most original location for the picture, most creative shot, or something. (??)

I was just in a local bookstore and they had a book at the counter....108 ways to transform a tshirt.  I guess if your shirts starts to get older looking, or if it's too big you could always make it into something else!!

I just ordered mine yesterday...I had to wait until I needed some supplies 

~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com

Hi,
I was just wondering what others prefer to use for noses, sculpting toes, etc.  I think more and more I'm leaning towards Pearl Cotton over the Floss.  What do you use and why do you prefer it?

Oh, and if you use the pearl cotton have you figured out a way to keep it neat? Does anyone use those storage systems they sell, winders and all.  I don't think the pearl will fit on the floss bow things they sell(??).  Any hints?
Thanks!
~Chrissi
ebay, ctcatherwoods
coming summer2006...www.CatherWoods.com