Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Danni, the little ratinee is adorable!!  I do notice that the only place I've ever seen the curly, matted mohair called ratinee is Beary Cheap in Australia.  I do love that place . . . Cindy is SO nice!!

Louise, you may get your dammit doll from  www.rags-n-tags.com/  Just click on "Prim Folk" in the left column and scroll down.  I LOVE what the tag says!!  Also, at this site, you can buy the walnut stain ink crystals that will dye just about anything!!  It's great for using on mohair to "grunge" it up a little.  Glad you're feeling better! 

Rita, your bears are very sweet . . . and I definitely see a "style" there!!  While my bear designs aren't all alike (I don't want each one to look like a clone), there is a family resemblance (as one customer told me).  And your bears are anything but "plain"!!  They are truly remarkable!  Keep on keeping on!! 

Jane, your gollies are really, really cute.  Great job!!

Oooooohhh . . . so sorry, Louise.  Those blue funks can really be bummers, I know!!  Maybe you need a dammit doll . . . one of those little goodies that you can slam around whenever you need to physically vent.  I have the web address of where to get them if you'd like to look into it!!    Hope things get back on an even keel for you soon.  Big hugs,  Sue Ann

I try to have an even number of boy and girl creations at a show, but most of the time it is after finishing the bear that the gender is established.  However, I always give male names to my all-fours bears . . . they just LOOK masculine!!

Hmmm.  I'm gonna jump on the wagon here and agree with most everybody that, in general, the mid to lighter colored bears sell better . . . although I've sold several dark ones.  And I agree it's because the face detail does show up better on a lighter bear.  However, as in the case of Shelli's cute little stinker Chauncey, the facial expression is easy to see because she has worked wonders with the eyes (as usual).  When I make black/white pandas, I always add a little white shading around the eyes so they will show up better.

Yes, chutzpah is a Jewish word loosely translated as nerve . . . although I'm not Jewish myself.  I am in awe of your talent!!   You and Dilu need to get together for a concert - she on the piano and you singing.  I'd LOVE to attend!!  I really like finding out what other talents/hobbies all of you have besides bearmaking.  What fun!

Oh, goodness, Winney . . . you BEARLY missed being a STAR!!  Gosh, I'm pleased to "know" someone who almost played opposite Bob Hope!!  You do have a bunch of chutzpah, my friend, but I do admire it from one who cowers in a corner!  Hugs, the wallflower

It's those state tests that did it to you, Kirsten!!

Very interesting story on the golly, Winney.  You actually talked to Ted Menten??!!  He's a hero of mine!  I took my second design workshop from him way back in 1997.  He is a CHARACTER!!  He's selling off his vast teddy collection on e-bay right now, and I've bought a couple from him and am bidding on another at the moment.  Fascinating!!

Great avatar, Kirsten, and a big welcome to Intercal's board!!  I guarantee it will be fun posting here!  We have a LOT of witty, knowledgeable, generous, sharing, warm people and I think you'll fit right in! 

I second what Danni says . . . your avatar (what a cutie!) says that you would CERTAINLY be advanced enough!

So glad you posted, Jean, and welcome!!  We'd love for you to post more!   I REALLY like that sign on your door . . . it expresses a lot of my opinions, too!  All of my pets have been strays, Humane Society orphans, or furry ones that have just adopted us.  We've had dogs, cats, fish, turtles, bunnies, guinea pigs, parakeets, and a ferret.  Now that the kids have grown up and out of the house, we're down to 5 cats.  A beloved Spitz dog, Cissie, died last year and we're still missing her.  I am SO elated to read all of the wonderful animal stories here . . . they warm my soul!

I forgot to mention Fuzzy Ann.  As a small child, I had a day-long companion that I loved fiercely . . . one of those big, hairy caterpillars that I named Fuzzy Ann.  I built a little sand playhouse for her in my sandbox, so when I had to go indoors at the end of the day, I knew she would be waiting for me the next day in her house.  NOT!!  I was SO disappointed that she was gone, I cried all day . . . another sign to my parents that I definitely needed a real pet!! 

Laure . . . the gollies are adorable!! You know, I try to be politically correct as much as possible, but sometimes there is just going to be SOMEBODY that is gonna be ticked anyway!!  And I LOVE that avatar!

Hi, y'all . . . Darleen, very nice to have you on board!  I also use artificial sinew for setting eyes and just LOVE it.  After trying all sorts of things, I found that the sinew works by far the best.  I get mine at craft stores . . . Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and sometimes JoAnn's.

That's great, Marie . . . I love your story!!  My first pet was a collie mix that I named Lassie (wasn't that original!).  Lassie was my very best friend and heard every tearful hurt and every secret I had growing up.  She always listened and comforted me.  She lived 15 years and will always be special because of how much she knew!!  Kind of like teddies!!

I'm interested in checking out a theory of mine and thought I might get a good response from all of you.  My thinking is that all, or at least MOST, of us that make up the teddy bear community also love animals.  I have talked to many collectors and they all seem to be, in general, "animal" people.  One of my customers even operates an animal rescue shelter.  Do you guys have pets and/or just really connect with animals?  I know I do, and have all of my life.  When I was a toddler, I ran away with a stray dog . . . an adventure that led to my being allowed to have my first pet.  And I have never been without one or more "companion animals" since then.  At the present time, I have 5 cats.  Anybody else?

Daphne, Sienna is so wonderful . . . great job with the airbrush! 

Dilu . . . would LOVE to hear you play sometime!  You ARE a talented wonk!! 

I'm with Laure . . . I love the natural/brownish colors.  Guess it is because my favorite colors are in the autumn range - greens, browns, yellow/gold, orange (my very favorite color of all!), rusty reds, etc.  And, yes, I like the "out there" colors on bears other than mine, also.  But - my theory is that YOUR creation is an extension of who YOU are and reflects your personality.  But, hey . . . what do I know??!!!    That could mean that I'm in the "autumn" of my life - which I am, literally - and not in very good shape for the fanciful!! 

Whoa . . . you guys have WONDERFUL first bears!!  I can't "bear" to show mine! 

I do save whatever scraps are big enough to use for something . . . like a small bear, pieces for my roosters, etc.  But a lot of them aren't big enough for that and I toss them in my "scrap holder" after I cut out my pattern.  Think I have a lot of ideas I can work with after hearing from all of you, so thanks bunches!!  Yes, Diane, what you said made perfect sense!

Cool, KimKC . . . I know there are scrap solutions out there . . . just too lazy to think of them myself, I guess.  Thanks, everybody, for your ideas!

Wow, Paula, great "first" bears!!  I don't know if I'll ever get the courage to show my first design/mohair ted . . . it's waaaaaayyyyy amateurish!

Marie, I'm so glad you are a part of the teddy bear world.  No matter where we are on this earth, we know we have a connection with those whose passion is making bears . . . or collecting them - or whatever else that is related to teddies.  I love to read your posts, so keep coming back, and I'll look forward to hearing about your first show!