Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thank you everyone - I just had an email from my customer, and this little girl will soon be on her way to her new home in Alberta.  Whew!

Jane P.

A customer of mine requested that I make her a 15" bear and dress her in a traditional "Hanbok" - I think it is a Korean type of dress.  This is my interpretation of that.  I think that the real ones are a two piece - a long voluminous skirt and a very short jacket. 
I sure hope she likes her.  She also requested that the bear be named Amber.

My most recent bear Alexis (posted on the bears and friends section) was made with a curved gusset, and it really gives a round head.

Jane P.

An absolutely wonderful set!! Congratulations - a well deserved win.

Jane P.

He is wonderful - almost makes my mouth water thinking of lemon merangue pie!
Great cause too.

Jane P.

They are wonderful Deborah, I love ratty type bears - just wish I could make them.

Jane P.

Connie, he is absolutely wonderful - I bet you are thrilled with him.  I definately think it is time for you to take the "plunge".

Jane P.

OK, you asked for it Edie.  This guy was made before I ever had an interest in making bears.  I was trying to think of things to make for Christmas one year and decided to make this bear for one of my nieces.  He is made from a McCalls, or Butterick or one of those type patterns.  Many years later, when I was making bears as a business, she gave him back to me at Christmas, with this very "cheeky" note attached.  "Hi, I am Mr. Balloonhead, please take good care of me and my new sweater."  Oh my goodness the poor guy is sooo bad - but I keep him around to remind me that we all start somewhere!

Jane P.

I have a really good customer that lives in France, and neither of us speaks the other's language.  We just email back and forth in our own language, and we seem to be able to figure out what is being said.  I have high school French (but failed it!).  We keep the sentences really simple and it seems to work.  I have also purchased a French/English dictionary that is a real help.  Good luck.

Jane P.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, what a wonderful gift from your daughter.
All the best,
Jane P.

Oh yes, yes, yes - I have missed the Bear Fair so much - count me in.  I would like several months lead time though - if possible.  What time of year are you thinking about - not that it matters as my husband has just retired.  Oh I'm getting sooo excited!!

Jane P.

Another Katherine Hepburn here - always did like that gal - thank fully!

Jane P.

Hi Krista,
I get those emails all the time - it's really strange.  I just make sure I never click on any links in the email, and I delete it right away.  I think I may start sending them on to spoof@ebay.com.

Jane P.

Hi Sonya,
I tried to figure out the buyers preferences, but couldn't see where I could block 0 feedback bidders.  I will look at the immediate payment for BIN - if I ever do it again that is!  I may just stick to my web site after these two end.

Jane P.

Yes, I have been a victim yet again - Olivia was purchased by someone who wants to pay me more than the amount so I can send him back the extra money - and he is sending the bear to his friend in Nigeria.  Just how stupid do they thing we are??????  Oh I am so mad.  Poor Joey and Olivia - that is the last time I use the BIN option - both were purchased by fraud, and it is the last time I use the "Private listing" option.  Grrrrrrrrr!!!!!!

Jane P.

I am really hoping it has not just happened again!  My latest bear Olivia sold with a BIN, but the ID is brand new, and sounds suspicious, as well as the address number being #123
I will be some ticked off if it is.  I think they are going around to all BIN auctions and creating havoc!  But maybe I am just a little sensitive right now, and it will be OK.
Here's hoping!

Jane P.

What a handome group of boys!!  I love big dogs - well actually, any dogs!  I am really surprised that he is unclaimed so far.  Perhaps the owners are away, and the sitter "lost" him.

Jane P.

Great photos and story - thanks a bunch Ginger.

Jane P.

I just received an email from the lady whom I thought had made the winning bid on Joey, my latest ebay bear.  She said her passwords had been hacked into and they had placed thousands of dollars of false bids all over ebay in her name.  So now I have to figure out how to get my fees back from ebay, and relist poor little Joey.  What a mess!!!

Jane P.

Yes, it looks like it probably is, with each one having it's own handle instead of having to screw on the right size cutter.  I  know there are all kinds of types of these things.

Jane P.

Ditto Judi's comments. 
I love my airbrush, although I wish I could use it like Judi does!!! 
I used the Copic system too and found the same - that is blobbed when you started it and then almost no colour after that, until you started it up again - another blob!
So, yes, go for an airbrush - it takes practice (and I'm still doing that), but it is great.

Jane P.

Wow, he certainly is a beautiful bear Paula.  I am not usually a fan of the tie dye mohair, but you may have converted me!

Jane P.

Dinner was so so.  I went to the dentist today, and ended up with a headache, and didn't even feel like dessert - that is just so not like me!
Anyway, here is a photo of the hole punch.  That is what my husband calls it, and he is a heavy duty mechanic.  He says it is used primarily for punching holes in gaskets.  It comes with the main handle and then all the cutters around the edge.  Each one can thread onto the handle depending on what size hole/circle you want to cut.  Mine came with a point in the middle of the handle, and I just removed it, as I didn't want a hole punched in the middle of my circle.  You then place the handle with cutter attached over top of a piece of felt or whatever, and place it on a piece of wood - end grain is best- and then give the end of the handle a few whacks with a hammer.  They vary in price - I think mine was about $35.00 Canadian, and you can also get them individually, but this seemed the best option for me.  I wasn't sure just what sizes I would be wanting.  You can also pay a lot more for them if you go high end - but this cheap one works for me just fine.  If you do get a cheap one like mine, then make sure that all the cutters thread easily onto the handle - I had to go through several sets before I found one that they all threaded on properly.  Hope this helps.

Edie - Ron thinks you should be able to get one that would be small enough for little bears - or maybe go to a place that sells leather working tools - they should have something similar for punching holes in belts, etc.

Hope this helps.

Jane P.

I'll take a photo either later tonight or tomorrow morning - we are just heading out for nidder - no, make that dinner!  See how hungry I am!
I purchased mine at a local  "liquidation  type" store that specializes in tools.  Perhaps Canadian Tire, but I don't think Wal-Mart would have it.  But you never know.
I'll be back later.

Jane P

Ok, so I didn't answer all your questions:

How do I secure it: -  for the round pieces, I run the eye cording through it slightly off centre, and then when I am happy with the position I dab a bit of clear fabric glue under the edge.  It will be held in place by friction, but could perhaps move around a little.

Finishing the edge: For the round pieces I take a permanent felt marker and very carefully mark the cut edge to give it a more defined edge/look.

How do I determine the size:  - I use the hole cutter mentioned in my previous post, and cut all the sizes, so I can try them all to see which I like the best.  I highly recommend this little tool to anyone who is going to want to have the eye whites showing, because I don't know about you, but I can't cut an exact circle no matter what!

There, I think that answers all the questions.

Jane P.