Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

That's really fantastic!

Hey Brenda,

I run into the same thing and often wonder just how forgetful I am, because I don't recognize lots of the names of people who want to friend me!  But I figure they're collectors or customers or bear artists peers or ATC friends who I know by screen names or PayPal names, and not by their real names.  So if it seems like we have a lot of friends in common I usually just "add" the ones who request me and then if they turn out to be not-what-they-seemed, I can delete them easily enough.  I figure, better that way, than accidentally ignoring someone I really care about or want to know better, because I don't immediately recognize their name.

I wish I could remember the name of every customer, every Teddy Talker, every person I've exchanged correspondence with online.  But I just can't.  Probably because I'm such a visual person.  If I have a face to put with the name, I'm pretty good about it.  Even better if we end up meeting in person and I can REALLY get to associate the name with the face.  But if it's just a name that passes through my inbox or a forum I visit or even my PayPal account, it just doesn't "stick." 

Long story short (or... long... :))... I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt on FB.  It's a fun place to get to know a different side of people.  I rather enjoy it when I can carve out some time to visit.

See you there!

This guy's AWESOME, Paula.  I absolutely love him, whatever his backstory.  Sooooooooooooo chubby/fluffy/huggable, and I love the soft look at his ears and paws...

Oh, reading some more in this thread of course these other bear peeps are right.  You can BUY a custom template which makes it a bit easier.  I've not done that personally but I know there are a billion people selling them at good prices.  You might check Etsy for that, too; there are a lot of designers selling graphic and web design products there, customizable to your needs.

www.etsy.com

Hi Cathy!

I used to use Seller Sourcebook but stopped when I went on sabbatical a few years back AND decided to cut back on eBay sales and concentrate on sales from my website.  Around that time I'd also decided to try my hand at html coding.   

With hand-coding, I like that I can custom design every aspect of my auction listing.  But I don't have an easy way to code my auction page -- I use Notepad, ack!  So primitive! -- and I admit, I REALLY miss the ease of Seller Sourceboo, where everything is "check this box" or "drag and drop photo here."  In fact, I miss that ease so much that if I ever finally get back on the fulltime bearmaking bandwagon on eBay, I've already decided the convenience and ease of use at TSS will make it a worthwhile business expense right off the bat.  After setting up just one auction, it's pretty much a breeze to use.  AND you can create an About Me page to match! 

All this... Just FYI, if it's the learning curve that's worrisome.

OOh, sooooooooo cute.

Adorable bears!  And I love the way you interpreted your chosen song.  The teapot is beautiful and those minty greens just delicious.  There's something very mint-chip-ice-cream about the whole thing.  Refreshing and yummy!  I'll bet these fly off the TBAI table...

Wow, Mikki!  This sphinx kitty is just super!  And what a wonderful face you've achieved.  I've always loved your mini work but this more life-size critter really allowed you space to show off your strong needle sculpting skills.  I'd love to see more big ones from you along these lines.

Just super.

Just absolutely, positively superb.  SUPERB.

Omigosh Sylvia, this little one is ADORABLE.  So cute!  Love her...

HehHeh.  Awesome.  (oink)

This kitten is flippin AWESOME, Karen.  I absolutely adore the expression you achieved, even if it did take you ten eternities to get here.  We have four cats and they are our lovies and our friends and this happy little kitty just reminds me so much of how cats so quickly and easily win hearts.

You're so incredibly talented.

Bwahaha!  He's adorable!  What a sweet, funny little face.  The cupcake box is wonderful too.  What a great set!     

Adorable, Bonnie.  Cute, cute, cute!!!  Love 'em all.

Your little round-nosed bears are adorable.

Julia, this little one is so cute.  I got a big smile seeing him today! 

HehHeh.  That's darling.  I'm trying to design something right now with kinda this look; trying sculpting in clay and then will pattern-drape for the first time to see if I can get closer to desired proportions at an earlier stage, without so much pattern trial-and-error.

Very cute little thing!  Inspiring!

Whee!  Just joined and am awaiting acceptance.  Great idea!!

AWESOMEEEEEEEEE!  I saw that workshop and love that girl; her videos are too cool.  Might take that class myself, actually. 

You've made a wonderful, wonderful doll; I really love it.  So pretty.  Thanks for sharing it!!

What a little kewpie doll.  You must be so thrilled!

Me too!  Shelli Heinemann.  :)

Marg, I'd love to add you but there are twelve billion Margaret Burke's on FB and I can't find you.  Can you add me??

Wowee!!

All these truly wonderful, charming, and not-nominated pieces really illustrate the point that it's not the "good" work that receives notice and the "bad" work that goes home empty-handed in these contests.  Any one of these pieces -- heck, all of them -- could proudly call itself "nominee" this year, and no one would be the wiser, based on quality and charm.

These bears are incredible, ladies; thanks so much, really, for sharing them. 

Yay and congratulations to all the nominees.  It's exciting to see so many familiar TT names on the list, and some unfamiliar names, too.  That means the industry is growing and drawing new artists who'll keep challenging us all.

Hugs and kudos, too, to those who entered but did not receive nominations.  Keep at it -- Next year's your year!!

Just gorgeous!  You're so talented...