Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Shelli,

Thanks.  You are most definitely too sweet (but don't change).   How big is it?  If the avatar is only 185 pixels wide, as is acceptable on this board, I can't imagine how it would be too big for my program.

I have been thinking about calling you regarding another matter, but I have had a writing project over my head, as well as normal day-to day life, which, as certainly most of us know, can interrupt for days at a time.  I finished the most urgent writing project tonight, and will need to clear a couple of other semi-urgent ones before I can formulate any new plans.  As soon as I can, I'll call you.

Let me know if you still have problems with the avatar, we'll figure something out.

Hugs,

Paula,

Your 'Orange Blob' bear is not at all bad for a first try.  It looks to be very carefully sewn.  Unfortunately, I can't view Pomeroy.  Maybe he will show up on my monitor later.

Hugs,

Spiffy new avatar, Louise.  The sweetest, kindest people hang out around here.

Hugs,

Penny,

Joshua is sooo cute!!  Aren't grandbabies the greatest?  My baby (of 6) had baby Isaac in January.  I could just eat him up, I love him so!!!

Sue Ann, I took a peek at your very charming Shiloh, but when I clicked the link for Hallie, I got a message that told me I made a bad request, and that the link I followed is incorrect or outdated.  I'm disappointed, and now I feel like I'm in trouble for making a "bad request".  Not really, just making a point that it would have seemed gentler if  the message had said "Sorry." instead.  Quy, was that your wording?

Hugs,

I made a cernit(polymer clay) faced bear whose face I could not love.  I felt sorry for it, but didn't feel it was my best work.  The great teacher who taught me to sculpt, promised me that somebody was going to think it was terrific, but after quite some time of lugging it to shows, it still hadn't happened (should I be telling this?).  Soooo..... I ripped the face off of the bear, chucked it and made a fur one for it, which I like much better.  Some times you just gotta go with your gut.

Click on links to see the bears.

http://www.pix05.com/t/chicols33744.jpg

http://www.pix05.com/t/chicoside3651.jpg

http://www.pix05.com/t/lacie_14_in_bear … eady50.jpg

Cat Mats!!  What a purrfectly creamy idea; it's a moused-have!!! :rolleyes::P

Hi All,

When I started making bears to sell, I was a soft doll artist. The first jointed bears I made were from an older book.  I just now went looking for it and it is either gone or buried.  It may have been a pamphlet.  Anyhow, it had me making joints out of cardboard.  I used corrugated cardboard like a box is made of, and wondered why the joints were so sloppy. :P:rolleyes:

Another book came along that was much more sophisticated; 'Teddy Bears and How to  Make Them' by Margaret Hutchings, printed in 1977.  My first designs were not very close to what might be cosidered an artist bear, even though they were my own designs.  In the beginning, I didn't even know that artist bears existed.  It wasn't til probably 1992 that I first saw a copy of a collector magazine.  When I saw what the possibilities were, my wheels started spinning, but not until I had a moment of frustration did they engage the track. 

I had an invitation to attend an international cloth doll show, but was unable to come up with the money it would have taken to travel to the show and attend classes, let alone eat, for heaven's sake!  That was when I chanced to sew up a pattern I had purchased from Gooseberry Hill, their '1903 Bear', which had a very Steiff-like shape.  The first one I made was of knitted-back synthetic, but it looked pretty good compared to what I had managed up to that point.  The pattern suggested using mohair, but the only mohair I could find was some barely fuzzy coat fabric.  I still have the bear made from that coat fabric.  Somehow, probably through the collector magazine, I managed to procure some real mohair, made a Gooseberry Hill bear from that, and since I already knew the priciples of how bears were made, from that point on, I began creating my own designs.  The first ones were fairly classic, but with somewhat longer legs.

Old Ted, the Gooseberry Hill pattern made from mohair coat fabric.

The older bears, I don't have .jpgs for, only photoshop scans, and they won't work with the photo hosting site I'm using.  Too bad, 'cause I wanted to show you one.

Anyhow, I just keep having more and more fun the longer I'm at this!!!!

I once read that an aspiring artist asked a famous artist (I forget who), "should I continue to pursue art?"  His answer was, "Only if you must."   I've asked myself the same question, and undeniably, the answer is, "I must."

Dilu,

Wonderful story!!  Wish I had been there with a video camera.  That is one to tell to the generations that follow.  Do you have grandkids?

Sue Ann,
Laura,

Somehow I missed your posts, until I saw a post on P.2 of this thread that made me realize I had missed something, so I went back and read. 

Glad you've made it, girls.  Life can be so terribly tough.  There was a period of time when I think antidepressants might  have done me good, but with God's love and the arms and prayers of my friends I've come through it.  My teddy bears were very patient with me, as at the time, I barely paid any attention to them at all, although it was still a comfort to know they were there.

Kindred Hugs,

AAAAh!!!

Feeling much better now, though, as you might guess, still not 100%, despite a wondrous two-and-a-half hour massage.  Eat your hearts out, Honeys!! :lol::lol:  In the words of Jessica Rabbit, "What a lucky goil!!!" Whoops!!!, that was Betty Boop, speaking of Jessica Rabbit.

Not everyone gets to have a massage therapist daughter.  Even so, with my tremendous discount, paying her for one hour instead of the actual lengthy massage I got is beyond my budget except for a rare treat.

Very relaxed Hugs,

You could say I'm a bearmaker by default, although I don't see it that way.  To me It seems it was by design.  I first set out to become a doll maker, but along the way reality brought me up short, as an empty pocketbook prevented my appearance at the gala doll event of the 1993 season.

Sad and weary was I, a would-be reveller, now steeped in misery over my pitiful plight.  Seeking distraction, I'd sewn up a new project from a teddy bear pattern that just happened to be lying about. 

Somewhat amused, I stood gazing into the furry little face of this new creature in my hands. Then, unnoticed at first, like patchy fog creeping in... slowly, barely tangible, a scintillating childlike wonder was stealing over my senses, calling me , enveloping me--then suddenly, without warning it came:  First a subtle "Twangg!!" and immediately, the sharp impact!  "Thawakk!!!!"

Aghast, I find myself reeling!  Falling!  Swooning, careening out of control!   Tumbling, thumping, bumping head over heels, at long last I come to rest-- dizzy, out of breath, and all dignity askew.  I Grapple to regain a modicum of composure, my pulse yet dancing a merry jig in my chest, when abruptly the mind-pleating deja vu alights:  Queerly, despite the absurd attack, that very same feeling of beguiled amusement which launched this lunacy remains unabated in my senses, and with it, a faint touch of giddiness.  Strange contradictions aside, however, there seems no immediate cause for alarm.

Gradually, as my blood pressure decompresses and the tingling begins to wane, my senses regain their focus.  No sooner though, have I  thought myself to be compsed and back in my right mind, when yet another stunning shock arises.  To my utter confusion I discover that the furry object of my diversion is still planted firmly within my grasp!  “what in the world?...How could...??”, and then slowly, over my befuddled grin  dawns the glimmer of understanding.  “Teddy Bear Cupid has shot his teensy little arrow into my unsuspecting heart”,  I muse.  “He's whispered his teddy love song in my ear, and I shall never be the same.”

Well, Penny....................We're waiting!!  I want to know what it's like to hoot like a drain...;) Hee, Hee!  Did you mean crane??

The suspense is killing me.  If you don't tell here, you'll have to email all of us separately.  What was up with the games masters that he was suspected of having a heart attack?  Did he overdose on Viagra??

Cute rat, Rita!

I can see how it could be 'fiddly', but when I make 'fiddly' pieces, the collectors seem to like them a lot.  I have been thinking about rats for a few years now.  Some day I will get down to actually making some.  In my interpretation, they will be somewhat seedy characters, as my memories of rats include my son's pet ones pulling the curtains into their cage and chewing them up!!

Hugs,

Hi Ladies,

Oh, my gosh!  I had no idea my little invitation would grow into the such a gathering.  Should be fun, though.  I will try to come up with something to share with others.

Here's a little something to think on.  I'm going into town to get a massage from my daughter who is a m. therapist.  Teddy bears and computers seem to be awfully hard on my neck and upper back.  Does anyone have ideas of how to alleviate those terribly tight muscles?  I do the usual stretches that I know and get up every so often and take a break, but am I destined to deal with this forever?

Sore Hugs,

Oh, Judi,

I'm so sorry you've had to experience the loss of your dear ones, especially in the tragic way it happened.  Please know that I share your grief and pray for continued healing for you and the rest of your family.  I appreciate the beautiful thoughts expressed by the other members here, and I agree that as horrible as it has been, God will make some good come of it, if in no other way than through your enduring faith and forgiving heart.  I pray that the world will be touched by your generous love.  I feel privileged to share in the deep trials of your heart .

Sounds like great fun.  Thanks, Dilu, for finding a place for us.  I will bring something for show & tell.  I'm sure I'll at least have a project with me to work on during our trip, as I am getting ready for Kansas City, ABC show in July.

Well, Paula,
It seems I'm the only one up at this hour this side of the deep blue sea (1:30 AM), and I have the good fortune of recieving your reply.  May we never cease to learn.  

Nitey-nite from here.

Winney, Dilu,

Does either of you have a phone book that includes Cave Junction?  If so, maybe the restaurants are listed in the Yellow Pages.

The Deer Island reunion is Sat., June 25.  We might be wise to go up on Friday and spend the night in Portland with Werner's brother.  I Don't know Cave Junction at all.  Is there a reasonable meeting place right on the highway?  What's it, about 2 & a half hrs from Eureka?

How about clear acrylic paint (I think such a thing is available), brushed on a little at a time and scruffed up as you go.  Maybe try it on a sample piece first.

Winney, so glad you like my bears.  You're right, creating bears and other characters is the most fun I've ever had.  I'll be coming up with more of those anime inspired little twerps soon. 

Daphne, I don't think we have AC Moore around here; not in my neighborhood, at least.  That name sounds like a paint store to me...Oh, I guess that  would be Benjamin Moore, huh?  The grommets would be good for tags, a nice finishing touch.

I dunno... "Tillating Teddy Temptresses" sounds more like a personal romance ad to me than a teddy bear club (You weren't thinking of meeting in the O'Brien bar were you?) ...How 'bout Antediluvian Arctophilic Afficianados??

Hoo Boy!!  That self-destruct button'll getcha!! (just got me!!!)

I was telling Winney and Dilu that I sent up a prayer for both of them, since they both have the same health condition, tho Winney's is more urgent at the moment.  Hope you're feeling all fine soon. 

I have teddy plans to go north in late Sept. for Lincoln City show, but was just asking hubby, Werner, if we might be going up any sooner for any reason.  He reminded me that Deer Island School, where both he and his mom attended eons ago, is having it's 100th anniversary reunion this year.  I asked if he wanted to stop in Cave Junction (niether one of us is fond of flies or bars) for a visit with teddy friends, and he said he'd like it. 

I'm thinking this could be the start of something big...The Northern CA/ Southern OR Teddy Bear Confab...First General Meeting.

Judi,

I saw this vignette somewhere else recently, either Bears & Buds or NCTB.  Anyhow, they are quite a vision!!  Definitely a piece destined for greatness.  Those bunnies are adorable; and Snow Bear, her eyes are simply captivating!!

Why, Paula!!:o (feigned shock)

If your creations are "all Bear", then it seems to follow that you must be "all Woman", yourself.

Michael's, If you didn't already know, is a large craft store chain.  They have almost everything.....except Michael, that is.  

"arms across the sea"(Hugs),
[Paul McC.]