Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Katie,
Buzz is so cute!  I love the yellow colored mohair.

Hugs,

Alison
http://www.TeddyBearMohair.com

He's so handsome.  Great job!

Hugs,

Alison
http://www.TeddyBearMohair.com

Great job!  And, just like Hope, she hasn't quite grown into her ears yet. 

Bear hugs,

Alison
http://www.TeddyBearMohair.com

Absolutely adorable.  I just don't know how you can make such a small critter from real fur. 

Hugs,
Alison
http://www.TeddyBearMohair.com

I love this article.  Even bears get in trouble sometimes! 

Hugs,
Alison

I made bears for a couple of years then decided I was ready for a show.  BOY, was I wrong!  I struggled in the first years until  I became more known with collectors and I developed my own look.  My business has definitely grown over the years along with my skills.  AND, I'm still improving, trying different things and learning as I go.  I don't think that the experimenting and learning process will ever end. 

Hugs,
Alison

Clare,
You are visually impaired AND make teddy bears.  The power of the human spirit never ceases to amaze me!  Please do tell how you got started making teddy bears, I would love to hear about it.  Many of us have come to making teddy bears because of health problems and hardships.

I've been making teddy bears for 11 years and have made a business of it for about 9 of those.  My husband is the bread winner, but I do help some.  I am able to buy all of the clothing and shoes for the family which includes 2 teenagers.  I also pay my car payment and buy gifts for birthday's etc.  I pay the vet bills when they arise.  While I could never support myself of my meager earnings, what money I do make certainly helps.  Sales are a bit slow, but steady.  At this point in time, I am just grateful to be able to keep on doing something I love. 

Bear hugs!

Alison
http://www.TeddyBearMohair.com

Maria,
Thanks for sharing.  You are one of many who have boasted about the fur-minator.  So, I'm going to have to break down and buy one for Dolan.  He's a black lab and a HAIRY BEAST!  Next bear I sell, I'm buying my Dodie a fur-minator.  He LOVES to be brushed. 

Hugs,
Alison

Lenora,
How tragic that this has happened.  We will pray that all goes well.  Please keep us posted.

Hugs,
Alison

I just love her, love her, love her! 

Hugs,
Alison
http://www.TeddyBearMohair.com

He looks so soft! 

Hugs,
Alison

I love the combination of mohair and fabric.  I am totally going to STEAL this idea!   

Hugs,
Alison

What a handsome fellow!   

Alison

Thanks everyone.  Lileth has a new mom now. 

Hugs,
Alison

She's beautiful!  Love the fabric. 

Hugs,
Alison

I just wanted to remind everyone that the Golden Teddy Ballots must be postmarked by Wednesday, July 14.  I was cleaning my studio and unburied my magazine and noted the date.  I made the whole family vote, then we compared.  It's really interesting to do this because we all picked different bears.  I only matched my husband on 2 bears, my daughter on 1, and my son on 3.  You ought to try it in your house, we all had good arguments as to why the bear we voted for should win.  It made for interesting conversation. 

Hugs,
Alison

Beautiful!  You are so lucky!

Hugs,
Alison

Lileth is a very large 30 inch bear.  She's made from unique mohair which is lavender with pink backing.  She is available for adoption on my website. 

~ Alison

http://www.eTeddys.net
http://www.TeddyBearMohair.com

I just wanted to let you all know that we drew the winner of the Tiffany Benefit Bear today.  The winner is  . . . Julie from Rhode Island, USA.  Thank so much to all of you.  The support was overwhelming.  If you want to see a video of the drawing, visit my website http://www.eTeddys.net.  There's a link on the home page. 

Hugs,
Alison

Jane,
My husband said there IS a way to collect donations through paypal, even if you are not a non-profit.  I would read into this.  If you word things correctly so it doesn't look like a "raffle" you may be able to sneak by but I think it's risky and not worth it.  One way I thought of doing things in the future is creating an item in my webstore.  If you have a web store, this would be an option that would probably be able to sneak by.  Again, don't call the item "raffle ticket." 

Good luck!
Alison

Hooray, paypal fully restored my account.   That was quick, suspended me for less than 24 hours.  Please heed my warning about selling raffle tickets or collecting money for a charity.  This was a real worry as we have all grown to depend on paypal. 

~ Alison

Well, paypal has suspended my account due to selling the raffle tickets for the big bear raffle.  I am waiting on a letter from NTAF to resolve this problem.  Warning:   NEVER DO ANYTHING FOR A CHARITY THROUGH PAYPAL!!!  Even, if you have the proper documentation, it will be a nightmare.  I hope to have my account back up and running by the weeks end since I have some eBay auctions running. 

On an up note, all of the tickets were purchased and the drawing will be held this Saturday.    So, we raised the $2500 we intended to for Tiffany Tate's lung transplant in short order.  I got all of the money out of paypal before they officially suspended my account.   

Hugs,
Alison

Lori,
Love this one!    Hope you have time to keep making your bears!

Hugs,
Alison

ALL 250 tickets for the raffle bear have been sold!  Hooray!  We raised $2500 towards Tiffany's lung transplant in just 3 days time!  I'm just waiting on a few checks to make it in the mail and we might hold the raffle early!           

Thank you, thank you to the many who bought tickets.  I'll announce the winner by email and will also post here on TT!

Hugs,
alison

I am famous for yelling, deer or elk while driving down dirt roads.  My husband always slams on the brakes and most of the time it's a big rock.    One time I really did see a momma and baby javelina though.  He was glad he slammed on the breaks for that one.  : )

Hugs,
Alison