Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Big Hug to you Marie...

Did this letter come from the US or Japan?  I just went through what we call "probate" here with a friend and in the US the family is not responsible for their family members debt.  There is a process the family must go through in order to pay as much of the debt as possible before any inheritance is given any heirs.  I really encourage you as everyone else has said to seek an attorney of your own.  There is a great deal of fraud happening through the internet, etc., and I was just reading an article about how criminals are conning the dead and their families.  So...

Big Hug Again...

Shantell

This is sounding more like a quilt than a bear!!!  I too thought they were just two piece heads...and I've been reading quite a bit about bear making lately.  I'll never get this all figured out

Well...I think he's adorable!!!  I like him just as he is. 

Daphne, I really like your business name...backWOODS never occured to me either.  I thinks it great.  I'm still considering my options...it's tough to decide on one name kinda like naming your kids...what happens if you decide you don't like it later or it becomes popular a little later...which happened to me and my oldest son. 

I'm still pondering Green Pasture Bears...except...how many bears to you really see in green pastures...I only see cows...horses....sheep....no bears...I guess I should be thankful  :) 

Shantell

P.S.  Daphne, I also really like your bible verse you have also...that is my favorite chapter in the bible...I even did a needlepoint, embroidery thing and have it framed...my one and only attempt at needlepoint.  I turn it often when I need to be reminded of the true meaning of the word love. 

Like Daphne, I like it when you get on your soap box, Shelli.  I even go looking for it. :)  I very very much appreciate all your generosity in sharing your "lessons learned the hard way."  It makes it so much easier for the rest of us. 

I really don't  plan on starting a bear business...for me I just wanted a name that I could use and attached to any bears I might decide to sell in the future.  I still really am exploring the whole bear world...and am no where ready to sell anything.  I haven't found my "brand indentity" or my "style" yet.  I just love them all for different reasons.  And, my health wouldn't put up with what is necessary to have a successful business...so why push it.

Again...thanks so much for your "soap box."  I love it!!!

Shantell

I have the formula from Nancy's book 101 Bears to Make...I was just curious if you gals just go to the copy center, use a light box or grid paper transfer...things like that...or just how you go about doing it.  I'll probably just figure out how much I need to enlarge and go to the copy center.

Shantell

Thanks Dilu...you're a peach.  I can't make any promises but I'd really love to come.  My surgery is the middle of September and I won't be able to drive for at least two weeks...that and trips to Portland every other day if not every day for followup treatments....AUGH!!!  And...I wouldn't want to scare anyone because I won't be pretty post surgery either.   Oh well...

So...give me the details...where exactly and I'll put in on my calendar and play it by ear.

Oh...I did a google search, MSN search, Yahoo search and found no Green Pasture Bears...Bears of Green Pastures, etc.  Too many Snugglebug everything though so I guess that's out of the pictures. 

So...I'll ponder some more...but I'm thinking the Green Pastures thing is where I'm headed.  I just really like the visual I have floating in my head.

TTFN

Cute idea Catherine...how about Snugbug Bears?  That way if I move to the beach I won't have to start over again since I won't be in the Green Pastures anymore...it could happen?

:D:D:D

Shantell

How do you experienced bear artists adjust your patterns for different sizes?  I've read Nancy Tillberg's book and understand the concept but am just curious how anyone actually applies the theory.  I've been playing (I like that better than working) on a bear this weekend...he's only 4-1/2 inches but I kinda am liking the way he looks and would like to try bigger version of him...let's say 12 - 15 inches.  Should I just remove the seam allowance and take my drawings to the copy center and have them made bigger?  Or is there another method that works well?

Thanks again,

Shantell

See....aren't they darling...

I found them by using the search option for something else...but the other little bear came up under the search "anime".  It was about part way down under the bears for sale section...I think her name is Sugar.   Anyway...I think they are adorable and I want one...so the next one is mine, mine, mine... :):)

Do I sound like an only child? 

Shantell

Thanks for the compliments on my name...I have never been crazy about it.  But...then I doubt that's an uncommon thing. 

I'm still pondering the business name thing...I do like Bears of Green Pastures...but don't want to rush into it too quickly.  I do appreciate everyones input.  You folks are wonderful.

I'll let you know as soon as I decide.

Shantell

I was searching around looking at older posts early today and ran across your darling anime bears.  Are you going to be making any more of them because I certainly would love to adopt one if you do.  I've seen several on Ebay that I thought were cute...but yours are WAY cute.  Not all of the anime babies are all that cute...some are just plain strange.

Shantell

Thanks so much....I never even thought of using the Green Pastures term but it's a wonderful idea.  Daphne I love your visual idea...it's actually pretty close to what I had bouncing around in my head as I was reading these posts.

Dilu, when exactly is the Lincoln City show.  I probably won't make it because I'm having eye surgery in the middle of September which will put me out of commission for awhile.  If I do manage to get there it would be purely as a collector not an artist...but that's a good thing too. 

Winney, glad the pig farm is gone...I was thinking maybe I'd lost what was left of my marbles since I had no idea where it could be.  Whew....

Have a great day...

Shantell

I can honestly say I don't know where the pig farm you mention is.  Hmmmm...I'm actually closer to the mountains...it's really quite lovely here...my friend from Phoenix AZ refers to it as the "green pastures".  Cows...yes....pigs...no...not that I don't think pigs have a sort of cuteness but...ewwwwwww...are they messy and smelly.

Now...back to a business name...

Hey Winney....does Scio ring a bell?  Well not even in Scio...about 1/2 way between Scio and Lebanon.

I'm looking to all of you creative folks for some ideas.  I'm wanting to come up with a cute, catchy, clever name in case I do at some point decide to sell a bear or two.  I'm also a quilter and have had my quilts displayed and have again been asked to display them locally this spring (they wanted them for the holidays but that ain't happenin)...which means I need to get busy and produce a few new ones.  ;)

Anyway, I'd like to tie the two together with something original...then I can enlist Shelli's expertise in the graphic areas...hint hint hint.  Plus, I want a cool avatar...if nothing else.

Now get those creative thinking caps working...

Toodles...

First, I'd like to say that I am in no way defending some of Ebay's policies...I've also had a listing pulled for what I felt was a stupid policy.  And, the fact that they pull it...why not suspend it for so many hours and let you correct the problem so you can just "relist" it without going through the hassle of recreating the whole listing.  Anyway, there are also alot of not so very nice people out there in Ebayville (or the internet in general)...bidders who bid with no intention of paying, sellers who are deceitful in their advertising, the list goes on. Unfortunately, you can't tell these crooks from those that are innocently trying to sell their items or buyers looking for a good deal, so Ebay (or any auction forum) must have policies that protect everyone...they can't pick and choose who to apply them to.  Although feedback is nice...it's not always all that accurate...I for one have never left negative feedback....just doesn't seem worth it when there are so many out there who leave negative for a littlest things or as obvious retaliation.

I've not been thrilled myself with increasing fee costs...and to be honest I don't feel right adding those cost back as "handling" cost.  I know when I shop on Ebay for something, I'm looking for a good deal, quality item from a reputable seller, etc.  So as a seller I try to be to another buyer what I would expect...that whole "do unto others..."

Anyway, that's my 2 cents...I just think we have to remember there are rules in place for our own protection even when we don't always agree with them. 

Shantell

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...but I would think that by narrowing the gusset in the back you would be reducing unnecessary bulk where you joint your bears head to the body.  Leaving it the same as the top would just create extra fabric that you would be needing to gather around the joint piece.  I think and I again may be incorrect but you would be better off trying to create a different affect using darts. 

And yet Shelli has so graphically described another reason to NOT go camping.  Don't get me wrong I love the great outdoors but there are a few things that I would prefer to avoid.

Oh...wait...there was one thing I wasn't clear on...

I'm not sure I know what you mean by "dart ending".  So far all the patterns I've done don't have darts.

Thanks!!!

Thanks Hayley,

I think (and I say that loosely) that I get it.  I tend to let my overachiever perfectionist tendencies get in my way.  :lol:  That and my only child..."I want it now!!!"

My two little bears are definitely a shrugger and a sloucher...I guess they must be teenagers...ya think?  I'll send them to my mom...she seems to think she needs to keep anything and everything that I've ever made or attempted to make in my entire life.   She'll love them.  Should be interesting when she's gone to see what little treasures she has stashed... :D

TTFN

Shantell

Thanks Sue Ann...you're always so sweet and helpful.  Next  question...along the same line.  I've been working on a design of my own...but I'm not sure how far down on his little body I should place his arms.  I either get them too low or too high...good thing I'm just "practicing."   Some time I'll get brave and actually post a picture...;)

Thanks again...

Hello...

Not sure what my problem is but I can't seem to get my arms and legs jointed straight.  I don't care how carefully I cut, sew or mark my pieces, it seems I always have one or the other slightly off and quite frankly I'm annoyed.    I've read and reread Nancy Tillberg's directions as well as a couple others (but I seem to like her stuff best) and can't get it right.  Any pointers...

Perhaps my bears are just meant to be lopsided... :D

Oh...and when you are designing your own...how do you figure out where to mark your joint placement...any pointers, hints, instructions, pictures or otherwise would be greatly appreciated.

I keep saying I'm going to take some Bear U classes....

TTFN

Do you make the head gusset wider in order to achieve a rounder head for the "babies?"

Thanks

Fascintating....I developed fairly severe optic nerve damage from glaucoma that just appeared out of nowhere (literally) about 4 years ago and have had a boat load of vision tests...these things always amaze and fascinate me.   Those stupid charts they have you read at the end of the hall...I've learned they mean diddle...just a very basic screening tool....but then try to convince that to insurance companies.  The eye and brain connection...pretty complex.

Thanks for sharing, Shelli!!!