Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Beautifully written Dilu  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Julia, I'm not sure you could really say teddy bear making is a 'white' art, but to be fair, I have yet to  see a coloured person making teddy bears.  That's not to say they're not out there, and I know they'd be FULLY welcomed into the bear community....I just haven't seen one either.

Well, if the seller will honor it.  My hubby won a very rare comic book plate on ebay, and he paid the seller's reserve price.  Even though he promptly paid via Paypal, we didn't hear from the seller for days.  When they finally contacted him, they said that the plate had become "damaged", and they refunded his money.    Eldon was so distraught over it, as we think the seller was mad it didn't go for more.  Still, there's nothing to be done about it....

IF this is genuine, the buyer got one heck of a deal!!!

Oh well done you!!!  :clap: :clap:  He's absolutely ADORABLE!!!  And a wonderful testament to Judi's teaching technicques.  You look a pro on your first time out.  : :clap: Yeahhhhhh....

Awwwhhhh...what a heartstealer!!! 

I agree with Shelli...I'm not a mini maker, nor am I even used to working with anything other than real fur...but the colours you've created with this frosty look (especially all those pastel colours!) are practically SCREAMING  at me to make a bear with it!!!!  Do let us know when its for sale 

I got the giggles over the judge saying you could do your happy dance now  :dance: I was like that when Little Miss Muffet won the ACE award....couldn't stop grinning, laughing aloud...even days later, I'd get excited just thinking about it....but

To have swooped EVERYTHING at the show....WOW!!! Congratulations to you and little Mattie!!  I think he's adorable, and I can certainly see why he'll be a keeper.  Way to go  :hug:

Awwwwhhhhh...Mistle and Cadeaux are sooooo cute     I love the new look of your website...very festive  :bday:

Me too, I LOVE old photos!  There's so much history, and I'm always wondering what the people were thinking when they got their photos taken.....

Copywrite is indeed a very tricky subject.  My hubby didn't understand at first why I couldn't sell the bears I first made from some of Nancy's patterns.  "But you made it!" he said.  Yes, but its a bit like playing a piece of music.  I can play a concert piece from Mozart, but that doesn't mean I WROTE that concert piece.  Yes, playing it I make it mine by my style and interpretation, but the point is....I still did not write the piece, so its not mine.  THAT he understood. 

I've got to admit pattern making was not one of my favorite things when I first started.  I've never been taught properly, so its been a learning process via books.  But, I have to say that its getting easier, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing how the different changes in the patterns reflect in the differences in the bears.  I do think as an artist, its very important to use your own designs.....even if no one else ever realizes the difference. 

BYW, I think that mongoose is adorable! And your two nephews should be over the moon with their Christmas presents!!!  I think its very thoughtful of you  :hug:

Marie, I'm the same way!    Who could eat such a cute little chocolate bear??    You'll have to find a different shape for your chocolates this year. 

And if it is counted as a vegetable...then there should be NO calories, right?  Okay, maybe just a few 

:dance: Congratulations on your test results!!  :dance:  I hope you can find a job that you like....aside from making teddy bears of course 

Awwwhhhh...that is sad    I know the Chinese Cresteds look odd, but they are truly such neat little dogs.  They're very, very sweet and loving.

We need a teddy emoticon with earmuffs!    No snow here, just bright sunny skies, but it is getting slowly colder.  This morning its 25*, nothing compared with 15*, but a lot colder than the 60* weather we were having just a few days ago.

:dance:  :clap: Congratulations!!!!!   :clap:  :dance: 

After all these years, I can still remember selling my first bear....its such a wonderful feeling    I'm sure this will be only the start of many, many more bears selling 

I'm afraid I'm not much help either, as I'm new to this website business myself.  But, I'm VERY curious what the others will have to say.   

I feel the same way.....I wanna SEEEEEEE!!!!   

:clap: :clap: :clap: Whooooohhoooooo!!!! Way to go Shelli!!!!   :clap: :clap: :clap:  You should be very proud, all your hardwork, and enthusiasm for your cubs is finally gaining recognition.  Way to go!!!!   

  Happy Thanksgiving!!!       Have a yummy time ...hubby and I will be going non traditional this year, ditching the turkey for lobstertails....my FAV!!!!  YUM!!!  But I can't wait to get to the pumpkin pie....ooooh, just have to wait til tomorrow...

Ohhhh, WELL DONE ladies!!! 

  Too funny!!     It looks like he's hit the holiday candies all ready...those eyes practically glow with a sugar buzz.  I still think he's cute 

Ohhhhh!  Thanks for the enlightenment Susan    I guess if it was a virus thingy that was dormant here, it could be roused in your tropical climates. 

See?  I'm learning so much from this site all ready 

No way is that how things are done in the US  That's FRAUD, and its highly illegal!     I too hope this person was reported to ebay, as I don't feel the artist has to sell to them to fulfil their obilgation. 

As Kelly's said, dropshippers sign legally binding CONTRACTS with their suppliers....Thanks for the heads up!

Ummmm....excuse my ignorance, but why would WOOD shavings (excelsior) endanger Australian farmers??  I'm just not making the connection here.... :/

I haven't used any of the excelsior combinations, just polyfil from different companies, and the polypellets, glass beads from CR Crafts  great stuffs!, and my new favorite, copper coated steel bbs from Wal Mart.

I know exactly how you feel, having been beat up by Ebay before.  And it IS discouraging when people won't even look at your bear, let alone bid.   

Its been said before, but right now the artist bear market is saturated on Ebay.  Having your bear's pic as a thumbnail on the listing is a must, but more and more I've also noted if the listing isn't highlighted, or in the featured section, it often doesn't have bids.

As for that odd first bid phenomenon, a former coworker told hubby and I that he wouldn't' even LOOK at something on Ebay unless it had a bid all ready.  According to Chester, it wasn't worth looking at unless someone else wanted it, and bid on it.    I've NO idea where the logic came on that, but it was very enlightening to know there are people out there that refuse to even look at a listing unless there's a bid.  Silly, silly people.....

I do think its a good idea to create a website, though.  I took the plunge after being urged, urged, and urged somemore by a bear artist in Oregon at a show.  I know practically nothing about computers, so it was a relief when a friend recommended freewebs for me, here's the link http://members.freewebs.com/  You can get a free website, and you build it yourself.  They have tutorials that walk you completely through the process, one step at a time.  I confess, I had brain melt the first two days, but its gotten much easier. 

Above all, your bears are WONDERFUL     so don't think for one second they aren't beautiful and worth every penny!  :hug:

:pray: :clap: Oh goodie!!!!  :clap: :pray: Thank you, thank you, thank you so MUCH for posting this!!! 

I'm another one who ties bows just like I do my shoe laces, and for the life of me, couldn't figure out a better way.  Well, I did try making two loops and knotting those.  The end result was eventually very nice, but I felt like I needed 4 more hands to master the technique!   :whistle:

This looks so much simpler, and the results are fantastic.  Such a cute ted, and ever so patient for modelling...

Also thought it was fascinating to peek into Shelli's photo closet, and snoop around some of the bear making offices ...wow!!! I'm inspired!    I'll have to go relook over my room and see if I can become a bit more organized.  Shameless really, but ever since we moved and I lost my favorite desk, I've been so higgledy piggledy.

Thank you so much for your help, and tips!  I'm amazed at the rainbow of choices available, so I can see those little sample cards being a good investment.

Thanks for the welcome as well