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Oh WOW! There are some wonderful bears hiding in there!
Not long to go now ... Good Luck Everyone!
I am over the moon 
... my little Flutter By Bear has finally arrived from Ruth.
Isn't she just a little darling ... the detail on this tiny little bear is simply incredible.
Thank you so much Ruth ... I could never make one this tiny in a million years!
:redface: :redface: I'm just pleased and relieved that you are so taken with Retro Sandi. Thankyou for choosing one of my critters as an addition to your hug. :hug: :dance:
That Wazza bear sure is tiny. :dance:
Wendy
I just might have to have another in the new year Wendy! Maybe a Yoohoo Matildaroo!! :crackup:
BTW The girls in class just adored him.
The wee one is called Chedder an he is 4 inches tall ... reminds me of a little caveman and I just love his toes.
Working okay for me...opened first time...did a refresh and still okay!
Hi Nancy!
Thanks for getting the ball rolling for the girls participating in Ho Ho Oh BearZ...here's my preview:
Hope every one does as well as they did in the BAO show!
They're both great! You're a lucky one you are!!! (P.S. Does Santa come early or something in Australia??? LOL!).
:crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
No Lisa ... Santa has other ideas this year! But I have a terrible habit at shows, it's called...sell one - buy one.
Mind you, I find it's a great way to add to one's collection without hitting on hubby all the time!
Wow, they are cute Sandi, I can see why you had to adopt them. Please don't forget to post a picture of your uk bear when it arrives.
I will definately post this one Jane...she will be just perfect to sit with my Christmas display this year.
The hardest part about adopting from UK is waiting for the postman! :crackup:
Thanks everyone for your comments, I'm sure the respective artists will be happy that you like them too.
Too many of you to post individual congraulations to...don't have time right now.
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
It really is great to see so many Teddy Talkers walking off with nominations!
Well what an exciting few days I have had with the arrival of two new additions to my collection.
On the left we have "Chedder" from South Australian artist, Peta Smart (Wazza Bears) and on the right "The Surly Retro Duck" from West Australian artist, Wendy Ching (Matilda Huggington-Beare).
I am extremely pleased with my adoptions, I absolutely adore them, they are just wonderful ... I could say that about the artists too! :crackup:
I really wasn't biased in my selections from the Bear-Artists-Online show, I did also choose a lovely little mini from a UK artist ... but more about that later, when she arrives!
Well it seems I am a glutton for punishment, no sooner have I recovered from one show, then it's on to the next one.
Look out for my bears at the Ho Ho Oh Bearz Show coming up online at the end of the month.
http://www.northcountryteddybears.com/OBearZ/portal.htm
Super pics Lisa ... looks like a great time was had by all! 
Super pic Lisa...just love your girls to bits!
Thank you Pauline, Christine, Mary, Patsy and Carolyn ... I will pass on your congratulations to the Pam and Vera.
Betty is a member on TT, so she will see your posts herself.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Thank you all for your congratulations, I sure the girls will be very pleased.
Ruth ... I always forget something, this time it was my camera 
Bettt ... Yes, please post the piccies
Karen S ... I did a post on Rudolf Bearantino and yes, it was a super show ... the dinner on Saturday night was great too.
Karen A, Debbie and Shelli ... Yep, it's just like being a proud mum 
and there's nothing that beats that feeling (except maybe watching their faces when they find out they have won 
)
EDIT: Sorry Jane ... we must have been typing together.
Hey, I don't want to steal anyone's thunder.
The students made the bears! And they all did something on their bears that they hadn't done before.
Betty ... needlefelted her bears face and painted eyes
Vera ... did wings on a bear
Pam ... did a wobble neck and pulled toes
I am absolutely over the moon ... three of my students entered the Woodend Show Competition - Open Section but different catagories and all three won ribbons.
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them all publicly
Betty Roberts ... 1st place
Vera Lamb ... 1st place
Pam Hawkins ... 1st place and Best in Section
I am so excited for them and I haven't stopped beaming all day!
Whooo Hoooo I'm off to celebrate!! Catch you all later.
Sounds like fun!
I've had something "in the sweetie bag" for quite some time and it will suit this challenge just perfectly...just have to get it finished!
Count me in Judi!
I'm not out to ruffle any feathers, but I don't think many artists would be interested in having all of their techniques and secrets published in a magazine. It's the extra little techniques that we develop through trial and error over the years, that gives each of us our own style as an artist. It's the individuality that makes the world of artist bears so interesting and appealing. Many artists use the income generated from bearmaking to support families. It's wonderful when an artist decides to share a pattern with a magazine etc. but it would be economic suicide to share all their tips and techniques. It would also result in many artists bears looking the same and that affects everyone.
hugs,
Brenda
I tend to agree with you Brenda. I have from time to time shared a pattern and technique in ABC, but these are ones I also share publicly through my patterns and teaching. I think it's wonderful that so many artists share tips here on TT too, but I think there is a difference between sharing basics and divulging individual finishing techniques that give each artists their own signature look.
I am the first to admit, I do not sell patterns for my one of a kind bears, otherwise they would not be one of a kind bears and it would be unfair, not mention unethical, to my collectors.
And as much as I enjoy teaching and passing on this wonderful craft to another generation of teddy bear makers, I do think we owe it to ourselves, to draw a line somewhere.
If I was asked to name three things needed to become an artist, I would say IMAGINATION, DETERMINATION AND A WILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE AND EXPERIMENT...these are things that come from within.
OMG I'm waffling again! And right of the subject too...I'm going back to my sewing.
Well, while the cats away the mice play....
Well done Laura....thank you so much for sharing your idea, I hope all your hard work pays off!
Bobbie...because we enjoy the magazines so much, we often forget they are a business deduction. I know I had, thanks for bringing it to everyone's attention.
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Thanks for that Laura ... I wasn't sure if it would be okay or not.
They say Great Minds Think Alike!
:crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
Check these culinary delights out ... I first saw them in Teddy Bear Scene (November) and thought the concept was gorgeous!
http://www.teenybears.co.uk/morebears.htm
EDIT: you will need to scroll down the page
You folks could also consider placing a collective ad. For a nominal contribution from each party, many individual bear artists could appear in a single, larger ad, with fees lower than you might expect for such a big appearance due to the sharing of costs across parties. Just a thought. Sometimes really nice people with graphic design skills might even offer their help in getting such an ad developed...
Thanks for this great suggestion Shelli ... this could be an answer for those on tight budgets or those just beginning to build their businesses ... provided it's acceptable by the magazines.
Thanks Sue Ann. I never thought of that, because my name and address isn't on any of my magazines
and I always ask permission before leaving them anywhere...but point taken.
There have been some very positive suggestions and I would like to thank you all for your contributions.
Now, it seems there are a few things we can do to help, whilst helping ourselves at the same time.
1. Subscribe to the magazines...while increasing circulation, we make sure we receive every copy, on time, without the higher prices.
2. Buy a subscription for someone special instead of the normal Birthday or Christmas present ... it's a wonderful gift that lasts all year. (And if you buy it for your mum and your bears are in it ... can you just imagine how many people will get to see that magazine???? My mum can't stop showing everyone she sees ... I think she carries the copies with me in around in her handbag!!! )
3. Use the old magazines we no longer want or require to promote themselves...by leaving them at the doctors, dentists and hairdressers.
4. Agree to take out an ad, it doesn't have to be a huge ad and it doesn't have to be every edition...but if everyone took out just ONE advertisment per year, who knows where it would lead. Look how many people we had in the Face Book for heavens sake! Think of it as a special "thank you to our editors" like Mindy and Kathy for all the support and free exposure they give us.
5. Make sure you ask the managers of your stores/newsagents on a regular basis (like everytime you go to buy mags) to get the bear magazines back on the shelves...they can't sell them if they aren't there.
6. Forward any positive suggestions for stories and improvements to your editors...instead of just saying "I wish....."
For the Aussies amongst us: With the US$ exchange rates at present ... you would be absolutely stupid not to snap a subs to TB&F or take out your ad right now!
Thanks again everyone. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Catherine he looks like a real cuddly bear...one you can really hug.
I'm sure she'll be over the moon!
