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Thanks for the info Donna. I have always wondered why they used the washers, and now I know. I remember the pop rivet days! Goodness, wonder how many of us have been making bears that long? Ha!
Luann
I have always used cotter pins for my bears, and have no trouble getting them so tight you can hardly turn the limbs. That said, I'd love to be able to do a good crown joint with them. I've tried, but have never mastered it, though Dale has shown me more than once.
The locknuts leave me feeling like I am trying to put them on with my feet! I feel so clumsy, as I have to hold the bear in one hand, while holding a wrench, yet the other hand is full of the arm or leg as well as the ratchet. Yikes! One slip, and it's over for me. Too frustrating.
I do have a question about locknuts, however. Almost everyone I have talked with uses washes along with the locknuts. Huh? What is the reason for the washers? Once you put that bolt and the nut on there, is there a reason for using as washer as well, or is this just something they have all learned and can't break the habit?
Luann
Oh, please tell me I didn't miss a posting about ordering the t-shirts! I've been trying to stay caught up, but I'm not sure I'm doing so well at it.
I'm one of the guilty ones about not posting my photo. Sue Ann and I discussed this not long ago, and I keep thinking I'm going to get an avatar and my photo done, but, well, uh.... I promise, I'll try to get it done by the weekend. Then when I get a t-shirt, I'll post a photo of that too.
Hugs,
Luann
I have a son who was diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder, and I swear, when he took the medicine, I felt better. If I went to the pharmacist to get it refilled and they were out, I always made it real clear they better find some. Ha! On a lighter note, my cat of 18 years had never once had an accident and suddenly starting using the middle of our bed to piddle in. (Of course, it was always about midnight when I would have to get up to change the sheets!) Turns out she had a urinary tract infection. A nice round of antibiotics cured her and she never did it again. While the antibiotics were certainly a godsend, I might have been feeling even better just knowing my cat had a prescription of paxil in case I needed it. Hang in there!
Hugs,
Luann
Thanks everyone. I have no intention of letting her bully me. I have known her for years, and she usually gets what she wants from others. I don't like the methods she uses, and have no intention of giving in at this point. In ten years, she has attended our show almost every year, but has never written it up. I'm fine with that, and will have the info submitted by someone else.
Luann
I came home last night to a message on my answering machine that rubbed me the wrong way. The caller writes for both of the bear magazines and had offered to do a "trade". She wants me to let her into my show on Sunday at the same time the artists are to arrive to set up their tables for the day. She wants in free of charge, so that she can mingle with the artists, have continental breakfast with them, interview and photograph them for a "possible" write-up about the show in the magazine. She indicated that since the magazine won't compensate her for her time and in her words "trouble", cost of photographs, etc., she wasn't interested if I wouldn't let her in early or if she had to wait until the general public could come in. She said if that were the case, she definitely won't show up. There is no guarantee that an article will EVER be picked up anyway, so I don't really see what I'm getting out of the "deal". She said that "several" of the artists coming to do the show had asked her to write up an article.
As an artist, I need every minute of set-up time to do just that - set up! If I were to stop to answer questions, I might not be able to get my table done in time. Photographs of artists setting up don't necessarily appeal to me, and by coming in that early, she wouldn't get any photos of any tables that were compeltely set up. She did indicate that by getting to come in early, she might find something that would be of interest to purchase, but again, wouldn't bother if she had to pay to get in. Her entrance fee, by the way, would be a WHOPPING $1, as she is a senior citizen and that is what they get in for with their admission card.
I haven't responded to her, partially because she said if she didn't hear back from me, she would assume I wasn't interested in the "trade". She also said there wouldn't be any "hard feelings" if I decided not to let her in early.
Opinions? I thought she was VERY cheeky.
Luann
I agree that it's time to give up. I placed an order some months ago, and received only a portion of what I ordered. The items were (and are still) on her website, but I was told they were out of them. Even then, some of the items I received were incorrect. The wool felt pieces were WAY smaller than they should have been! E-mails have gone unanswered. Great prices don't always equal matching customer service. In the bear world, this type of service seems to travel pretty fast, and I'm sure Gail will get the word soon enough. I can't support someone's business when it appears that all that really mattered was getting my money - then forgetting about me. Follow up is so important! Moving on....
Luann
I wanted to let everyone know that the latest edition of the Australian magazine Bear Creations has a 4 page article featuring Danni from Delartful Bears. We probably won't be able to get the magazine for another month or so, but I got to see Danni's article, and it is really nice. You can see it too at http://bears.delartful.com/bearcreations1.html
Congratulations Danni! Way to go!
Hugs,
Luann
Hi Sabine. Your idea does make sense, and I can try it to see if it will work. Since the image will take up almost the entire front of the bear, which will probably end up being about 18" tall, I make have to tweak it a bit to make it work. I'll let you know how I get on with it. Thanks again. Luann
I think I'm brain-dead! I found the most incredible men's tie with realistic bears on it that I want to use to make a bear with, but can't figure out what kind of pattern to use without it looking like a stuffed pancake. I want the tie to be the front of the body so that the entire image can be seen, but I don't want to have a seam down the middle of the front. Any suggestions? Luann
If that was a gift for Mother's Day, I'd rather they just got up in my lap or twirled around my ankles! I'm not sure what kind of snake it was, but have been trying to look it up on a website with snakes common to our area. I'm almost certain he wasn't poisonous, as I would surely recognize those. We have plenty of poisonous snakes in this area, though they tend to keep their distance.
Luann
I've been following the posts about all the new baby kitties, and just love every one of them. My own little darlin', whom I affectionately refer to as Soxilla, kept hanging around today, just inside the back door. She's usually outside all day, and comes and goes, so I was a little suspicious of her. One of my daughter's cats, who now resides with me, also hung around inside the back door. I was working on restoring an antique composition doll today and looked up to see the two cats in the breakfast room, lying on the floor, very close together facing each other. That's when I KNEW something was up. I called, no answer. Called again, no answer. I got up and went in there. They had a snake in my breakfast room! It was cornered between the two of them! Wiggling for all he was worth, tongue slithering, etc. My heart was pounding, and naturally, I am here at home by myself. I was afraid to leave because I didn't want him to get into another room where I might not be able to find him. At the same time, I had to do something! I finally managed to get outside and get a shovel, scooped him up and threw him out (WAY out). Couldn't kill him in the house, as I knew I'd ruin my linoleum. What an afternoon! I think I need a baby kitty whose eyes are still closed so that it can't see to bring stuff like that in the house. Soooo, what have your cats done for you today? Ha! Luann
Thanks Chrissie. I'll be sure and take some photos, and if the artists don't mind, maybe we can post them. I'm really looking forward to it, and the artists coming to the show have really jumped in and offered to bring their first bears. This should really be fun!
Hugs,
Luann
Thanks Daphne. Luann
Can someone help me with Dale's e-mail addy? I have a lady that needs him to bring some fabrics to our show for her, but I can't find his e-mail address. Thanks. Luann
Hey Janet. I think most of us started out with bigger bears the first time. I'm glad you are bringing your first bear. Hint, hint Sue Ann. Ha! I know my first one is about 15" tall.
Scott - as for the online idea, it sounds like a good idea, but my experience has been that if you don't include everyone involved, you end up with hurt feelings, and I try to avoid that at all costs. I would have to have someone specifically dedicated to setting up a computer, finding out who is a TT member, getting photos, etc. My staff of 3 (me, myself and I) couldn't possibly handle that. Yikes! (Of course, I'm not counting my ever-present husband, who helps with everything - and I mean everything- I do at these shows.)
I appreciate the comments about the shows. We've hung in there all these years, despite never having been mentioned in any of the magazines. We're in this for the long-haul!
We'd love to have you at the show if you can swing it, as we always have a good time.
Luann
Hey Sue Ann! We all feel the same way about our first bears. Just wait until you see mine! I'll bring it along as well. The good thing about this table is, we will not only be laughing at own bears, but everyone else's as well - all in good fun. That opportunity doesn't come along often, and it will be interesting to see people's reactions. I think we may find them looking at the "first" bears, then returning to the artist's tables to see their work they do now.
Daphne, I'd be happy to help you in any way I can. I just jumped in, and have learned from my mistakes about putting on shows. We basically use the KISS system, and it works for me. E-mail me privately if I can help. Most of all - have fun!
Luann
Thanks for your encouragement. We've been at this a long time. This is our eighth year to host Albuquerque and our tenth to host our show in Ausin, Texas. We just keep trying new things every year to help keep it fresh and help bring in new artists and collectors. I'll let you know how the "set price" bears idea goes over. The artists doing the show have been pretty receptive to it so far. Luann
Hi everybody! In an effort to try to bring some of the fun back to the bear world, we are trying out some new ideas for the Albuquerque, New Mexico show this year.
First, we are hosting our "First bears" table. We've asking the artists participating in the show to bring the first bears they made. We will set up at table at the front of the showroom, with all the bears marked as to who made them. We thought it would be fun to see where we all started and how far we have come.
Secondly, we are hosting our "Great Opportunity" table. We've asked participating artists to bring bears and/or critters that will be set up on a table at the showroom front and sold at a set price. Pieces that are 10" and smaller will be $50. Pieces that are 11" - 15" in size will be $75 and anything over 16" will be $100. No bargaining - no dealing. Just 3 set sizes of bears/critters in 3 set prices. Artists will be able to submit only 1 piece in each of the size categories, but this gives everyone an opportunity to get great artist bears at a great price. Up until 1:00, collectors will be able to purchase one piece from each of the size ranges. After 1:00, if there are any pieces left, the limit will be lifted. We did this so that everyone will have a fair opportunity to purchase affordable bears. Of course, the artists will have their own separate tables filled with their bears for everyone to purchase all day long
We thought this would be a great way to let new collectors start a collection of artist bears at affordable prices, and allow established collectors to add to their collection.
We're also adding photos of the artist's bears to our website as they send them to me. Everyone can get a glimpse of what will be at the show.
Thoughts? Comments?
Hugs,
Luann
I get mine from a company called Cherry Tree. Their website is www.cherrytree-online.com. They have a pretty nice selection of wood and metal wheels, and their prices are reasonable. Hope this helps you find what you are looking for. Hugs, Luann
Sorry we're gonna miss you this year at the show. Darn! This is our 8th year for the show and we're pretty pleased with that. Sadly, there aren't any bear shops in Albuquerque, and as far as I know, not even any shops to buy artist bears from there anymore. We always have our show the 3rd Sunday in May, so look for us again next year. We have a good time, and several of the TT members always come. Sue Ann has been with us for a number of years, and Bev Haring was there last year. Dale always comes with tons of fabrics and supplies, as he will again this year. The artists always go to dinner together the night before the show and that's always fun. Always something fun and different, so keep an eye out.
Luann
Hi everyone. Our annual all artist bear show in Albuquerque, New Mexico is quickly approaching, and we have two really fun workshops lined up for the day before the show. Jennifer Laing will be teaching her "Makeover" workshop, which affords everyone an incredible opportunity to learn a lot of different advanced finishing techniques. She will be covering needle-sculpting, noses, eyelids, re-shaping and placement of ears, trimming, teeth, claws, whiskers, needle-sculpted paw pads, etc. The list just goes on and on. Best of all, you get to bring two or three of your own pieces to work magic on! This is a great opportunity to learn many techniques in one day.
We also have Mary Ann Neisz from Arizona coming to teach her sterling silver bear fetish bracelet class. Mary Ann is an incredible teacher, and you always have fun with her. Everyone will be able to complete their bracelets during the class.
Full info for both of the workshops, as well as the show can be found on my website - www.lulubears.com.
Hugs,
Luann
Thought I'd jump in here. I actually live in Austin, which is about 4 hours south of Dallas. I'm a died in the wool Texan. I was born here and after my husband's retirement with the Air Force, we settled in for good. Like Sue Ann mentioned, I'd probably look for someplace on the outskirts of Dallas, rather than right in the city. Everyone commutes anyway. There are a lot of bear artists in the entire state, not to mention 3 shows! That's a pretty good incentive in itself. There's a bear show in Albuquerque in May as well, so things are looking up already. Ha!
I would check with the local Chamber of Commerce as well for information, as they are usually very helpful. Looking up the various towns online can give you a lot of information. Best of luck to you! Luann
I just read the message about the Dallas Bear Club. There is a "loosely" knit group from the Dallas area that get together on a monthly basis. They are more of a social group than anything else, but do try to keep each other apprised of shows, workshops, etc. It is called the Texas Bear Artist Guild, and has about 30 members. They pool their wares together and set up "guild" tables at the shows that allowed shared tables. If anyone would like more information, you are welcome to e-mail me privately.
As for shows in Texas, Sue Ann was right. I host one the last Sunday of each year in Austin, Pat Moore hosts one in Dallas (usually in January or February) and Valerie Rogers hosts one in Dallas in October.
We do host an annual retreat in Fredericksburg, and just returned from our annual retreat 2 weeks ago. We had an absolutely fabulous time, and managed to get 4 workshops finished! Next year, we are adding an additional workshop, so it will be a really fun-filled weekend with even more planned!
Hugs,
Luann
