Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

"Randy lay there like a slug...it was his only defense"....   I just LOVE that movie!!     Sooooo many memorable scenes, and so many repeated from my own childhood     

I've just looked through the photos from BBC....how awful!  Please do take good care of yourself, and use air filters if you have any.   

What I'm worried about are all the horses/ponies and other livestock.  Police are telling people to stay inside with doors and windows closed, but what about all those poor animals out there breathing this stuff? 

Thankfully, it does look to be just an accident with no "terror" implications.....

  I simply cannot believe ebay is not tracking down this person to throw them in jail!!!      This is fraud and identity theft...not to mention how badly it will upset bear collectors 

Is there anyway to "post a question to seller" at the bottom screaming that they are a fraud?  Or does it only get posted if the seller responds to it? 

I'm thinking I may well steer clear of ebay for a bit....

Awwwwwhhhh...that is SO sweet!!!    I'll bet you can't WAIT til Christmas comes!!!  :dance:

You girls crack me up!!!   

Ooooh, Daphne....I'm SO tempted to swoop on Bluebeary tonight.  I looked at him so many times when he was on ebay....    I didn't even know about the Golden Paws Emporium tonight!  Nancy's done a beautiful job with the site...can't wait to enter and take a looky about.  Ooooh, maybe I shouldn't, though?  I have such a hard time sitting on my hands.    ...sigh ....even louder sigh....maybe Santa will bring him home for me for the holidays since I can't cuddle my pony yet? 

Awwwwhhhh ....so cute to see Riley in the snow...and so heartwarming to see a soft coated Wheaten terrier properly groomed!!!!     I used to be a dog groomer, so I know how much elbow grease goes into keeping him looking that nice 

I love all the snowy pics.  I wonder if its the same storm that passed through here a couple days ago?  We got off light with just an inch or so, but Kansas City got dumped on with 10 inches of the white stuff.

"I Love Teddies" wrote Since you can make bears, can you also make clothes, pillows, etc. and sew other things? 

For me  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ~ NO!  I can handsew my bears, but hubby lives in slim hopes of me being able to sew clothes.  I have managed a couple of pillows...again handsewn, but that was only because I cheated by filling a pillowcase with the stuffing, and sewed it shut. 

As for the different media, I've only made my bears from real fur or a very, very few synthetics. 

Awwwhhhh...I love the waving bear!   

Aaaaghhhhh....Amanda, I DO look for you by your little golden guy!  I must admit, although I like being able to 'reference' people at a glance by the bear, I also enjoy seeing the new bears. 

Daphne's is another one I'm having troubles with.....I really miss seeing her cheerful 'Blueberry'.   

Thank you for the tips!    I have to admit, the idea of steaming and combing the mohair left me a little worried, but then that's because water is an absolute no no around real fur.  I'm sure I've seen the technique in one of Nancy Tillberg's books....

I've got my bear drawn, just have to wrestle with the pattern before tackling the layout.    But its calling to me!    I promise pics when he comes to life!

Whoa! That was one awesome looking mohair!    You'll have a lot of fun with this, I'm SURE of it...and the new owner will be thrilled with her one of a kind bear 

Luckily I don't have the pressure that Estelle's facing at the moment.  I've gotten in my first mohair, but I don't have it as a commission.  (Estelle, I KNOW you'll make a lovely bear! So don't panic, and BREATHE)

My question started when I got the mohair...a loverly piece of lavendar with swirls and curls....I took a stab at the page and clicked and sent my order before I could get cold feet.  Now ....how do I find the lay for the fur?  I mean, with normal real fur, the nap is pretty straighforward.  This one gloriously swirls, curls and has cowlicks.  So do I dodge them?  Or do I try to vary which way my pieces go?  Or do I just try to match swirls?  Or do I bite the bullet, throw caution to the wind, and let the change of direction in the hair land where it does?   

I know many of you have worked with mohair for years, but I'm rather daunted by it.....

I'm with you Judi  :hug:  I'm blonde and thankful I can blame my *moments* jokingly on being blonde 

Nothing I love better than a good blonde joke      Laughter is beautiful!

  Merry Christmas Patsy!!    That was a beautiful website....

Awwwwwhhhhhhhh ...what a CUTE little elefink    I don't think I've ever seen one so young.  And I loved the article on the Scottish Elle Polo team   :clap:  Good for them!!!

:clap: C'est tres bien!!!  :clap:  I like how easy it is to navigate...and the bears are adorable 

Ditto!  I've learned the hard way to ALWAYS check the feedback.   One or two negatives will not stop me out, if there is plenty other positives, or there was a problem buyer.  But it does pay to check.

I hope this will not scare you from buying furs on ebay though.  I've bought many a quality fur on ebay (knock on wood), although I do tend to stick with my tried and true sellers now.

I think your solution is the best, giving the 7 days to respond before donating it to charity.  Be sure you keep ALL email records on her, including the email, dated, indicating that she needs to pay the postage to have it returned.  That way you can cover your bases if things get nasty.  And hopefully it won't....

I can see it, and its lovely!!!    Thanks for the lovely greetings 

I've taken three trips to the UK, visiting my pony friends and breeders.  It really is best to just grab a backpack, pack light and go for it!!!  My first trip over, I spent three weeks and literally travelled ALL over the UK.  Its so much fun going with the natives, because they know all the best places to eat, drink, and see the sights. 

I've looked at doing a teddy tour before, but I'm afraid of coming back with half the Continent's bears  !

  What a sad day for the teddy bear world, and most especially for her family and friends 

Awwwwwhhhhh...I think he's CUTE!!!     I like his legs they way they are, but your new ideas will make him even cuter. 

I really LOVE that bumpy fabric!!!  Its absolutely perfect for his scales texture 

:clap: Well done Judi!!!  :clap:  Your lion and lamb are superb!! 

I have to admit, my jaw hit the floor when you said the lion had been completely airbrushed    I'm in awe!!!!

Well for me, these two remind me of MARCH!!! "In like a Lion, Out like a Lamb", or "In like a Lamb, Out like a Lion"  That pretty well sums up our weather for the month of March 

I can see you'll have to be making more lambs and bunnies    Can't wait to see what you make of the snow leopard!!!

:clap: Congrats on your first commission  :clap:   I think he looks very pretty....really like the nose 

I was thinking the same....10 inches is an inch bigger than my mini furs     

He's absolutely adorable, though    You've done a wonderful job with him 

I've adored horses and ponies since I was born.  Mum swears my third word was "horse".  Throughout childhood, my parents kept hoping/wishing/praying I would outgrow the "phase".  I think they were rather embarrassed by it all.  But once they are in your blood, that's it, you're hooked for life.  I've had a 14 year hiatus, and now I'm thrilled to be getting back into them again 

Nothing more awesome than watching a young 'un being born and taking its first few steps 

I'm another one who believes the style of the bear is a reflection of the artist.  BUT if you are trying for cute, and are having troubles incorporating some of the traits you want, perhaps you can purchase a pattern for a bear you admire, one that has all the CUTE traits you are looking for, and make one or two of them.  Give them as gifts or whatever, but just make them up so you get a 'feel' for what that type of bear's head or body type should look like.  Once you've gotten a feel for it, let 'er rip with your own patterns again, and see what you get.

I also firmly believe that the bear shapes itself.  When I cut into my fur, there are times when they take on a totally different look than what I was thinking.  And I've had gender changers...where I wanted a little girl, and ended up with a macho boy, or vice versa.  I tend to just go with the flow... 

Oh Kelly, she's gorgeous!!!  You can see all the love and hard work that went into making her 

Many thanks for the link  :hug:  It was fun to scroll through and see the donations.  There's a lot of effort going out for this auction.  I just hope being after the Christmas season, that they'll be able to raise the funds they need.