Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Jane - you are a star!!!  Thank you so much for taking all these pictures and sharing them here for all to see!!!!   :hug:

Thank you so much to everyone!!!!  I am so pleased with how everything went yesterday (apart from the weather, but I couldn't arrange that unfortunately    )  I have to agree that I am very lucky to have such an enthusiastic and willing family!!!  A massive thank you to everyone involved - both and artists and visitors.  There were some really amazing bears at the fair yesterday.  I'll be adding pictures and competition winners to the event website later in the week, and will be getting on with 2010 arrangments very soon - the next event will be on Sunday 10th June 2010 - put the date in your diary!!!
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to receiving the bear I chose at the fair, from my parents, for my birthday tomorrow - a gorgeous red by by 'A Bear by Kim'

Congratulations everyone, and to everyone who was brave enough to enter!!!!  I am completely thrilled to be included on the list  :dance: Shelly and Ruth - your entries look fabulous!! 

These are my two nominations:

Grace

Zachary

Yep - I've read them all - I LOVE them!!  I think each one gets better, and my favourite is the latest one.  I've also been lucky enough to meet him when I was in the States - him and his wife are so lovely!!

:clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:
Thanks Jane for taking all those pics to share!!  Even though I was at the show, there wasn't time to see everything, so it is great to have chance to see all these pictures!!
Your story about the man buying one of your bears is lovely!!

Here are a few of the bears I will be bringing to Hugglets next week.  I feel really behind with preparation this time, and still have so much to do before Hugglets.  I hope to see some of you there!!!  :lol:

By being awarded a TOBY Industry's Choice Award, it means that you are also nominated for the TOBY Public Choice Award, where one is chosen in each category as the overall winner (this is voted on by the public, hence the name 'Public Choice' Award).  This is probably where the confusion comes from!! 

I'll be there!!    Stand 90A - my usual place.  I feel a bit behind with preparations this time, but I'm sure I'll have enough bears done by Hugglets.  I've added a small preview to my website aswell. 
I agree - Hugglets is such a fab show!!  I always want to abandon my stall and look around at all the wonderful bears!!  Fingers-crossed that this snow has gone by then to make travelling easier for everyone.

Primrose is gorgeous Paula!!!  She is one of my all-time favourites of your creations!!!   

Thank you so much for typing out the list for us.  What a wonderful surprise to wake up to!!!!  Congratulations to all those nominated, and to all those brave enough to enter!!!  :clap:
I am so excited to see my name twice on the list!!!  I will walk around with a big grin on my face today!!

Here are my two nominees:

Zachary

Grace

I've voted every day.  I wish Kellisa the best of luck!!  Let us know when you hear the results!!!!!  I'll keep my fingers-crossed for her!!!

What wonderful news!!!!!  Congratulations Aleta!!!!!

I've been voting each day.  I really hope your daughter wins the scholarship.  Keep reminding us to vote please!!!

I got 25, and I am 25, so that seems like a fair result!!!!

wow - thanks for sharing!!
Its very surreal to see my name alongside so many amazing artists and companies.  What a privilege!!!

I have just received a phone call from the lovely Mindy Kinsey, telling me I have won three TOBYs!!!!    I had already heard from a couple of people who were at the TOBY awards, but didn't want to say anything until I had heard 'officially'.  I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to have won all three categories I was nominated in!!  I'm sure you can imagine there was a lot of screaming and jumping around when I first found out!!! LOL

Congratulations to all the other winners, and to everyone who was nominated!! :hug:

Here are the picture of my three winners:

'Laura-Kate', in the Undressed Miniature Bear category

'John' (named after my Dad, who loves gardening!!), in the Dressed Miniature Bear category

'Sleigh Ride', in the Artist Vignette category

Berta - congratulations!!!!!!!  :clap:  You absolutely deserve both of those awards!!! I adore your bears so much!!!!!  Rose's dress is outstanding!!!!

I've just noticed that the GTA Winners have been highlighted on the TBR website.  There are a few TTers amongst the winners.  Have a look here: http://www.jonespublishing.com/jphome/j … nteddy.asp

Congrats to all the winners, as well as all the nominees!!!!

EDIT: sorry, just noticed that Jared has already announced the winners in the Show section!! oops

I'm a Mandarin!! (although only a few percent in it really - 62% and 59%.  It definitely looks like I'm not a Lifer - only 18%)

You're an intellectual, and you've worked hard to get where you are now. You're a strong believer in education, and you think many of the world's problems could be solved if people were more informed and more rational. You have no tolerance for sloppy or lazy thinking. It frustrates you when people who are ignorant or dishonest rise to positions of power. You believe that people can make a difference in the world, and you're determined to try.

Your scores:

Talent: 59%
Lifer: 18%
Mandarin: 62%

Personally, when I order fabrics etc from outside the EU, I never go over about $34, so that it doesn't go over £18.  If you remember this then you shouldn't go wrong.
If you do go over this amount, you will be charged VAT at 17.5% on the full amount, not just the amount over the limit.  Royal Mail charges an £8 fee, and I think Parcel Force charges a £12 fee to collect this tax.
There is also an Import Duty which is charged when the item is worth over about £100.  I can't remember the exact details on this one, as it is a bit more comlplicated.

When sending bears to the USA, they shouldn't have to pay to receive the bear, as teddy bears are in their 0% import tax category.  Just make sure you clearly state on the Customs Label thatit is a teddy bear, and there shouldn't be a problem.

As long as you know these facts, you shouldn't be surprised if you get charged to receive your parcel.  We pay VAT on everything we buy within this country, so you just need to see prices abroad as not yet having VAT applied to them.  I will agree that the £8 or £12 fee is a real stinker, and is surely higher than it needs to be, but just accept that as being part of the cost for the item.

There are always those lucky people whose parcel slips through customs unnoticed, but I haven't been one of those people yet!!

Hope this helps!!!

My copy still not arrived.....

Christine - my rossettes arrived Feb/March.  You should have received yours by now!!  I would contact them to say you haven't received anything.

Oh no!!  I've not received my subsription copy yet!!  I always like to vote.  Fingers-crossed that it arrives tomorrow!!

Congratulations Kim!!!!!  I was wondering how you were doing!!!
Little Phoebe Mae is gorgeous, as are her two big sisters who are both loooking very proud!!!

awww.....you've got a great collection started there!!!    Its addictive isn't it!!!

wow - that's fantastic!!    Well done Sophie, and all your students.  What a lovely thing to read about!!