Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Is it too late? I just bought my domain...

Jennifer Stanfield
nimbleknot handmade bears
www.nimbleknot.com

I will add you right now to my favorite websites on my blog.

I try to read ONE book at a time, its tough. But right now...

Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

Cool idea...like Flat Stanley!

I feel your pain, literally.

I broke my hand in two places last summer and exploded one of my knuckle joints. It was (is) a mess. I've had surgery on both sides of my hand. I am having more surgery in April. I have been in therapy since last July. I have terrible pain and it makes tying knots awful. I can't open or close my hand all the way. Some days I want to cry with my pain especially when its cold outside.

For me I have to take 800 mg of ibuprofen sometimes. I know that sounds like a lot but my hand throbs. Occasionally I will actually take Darvocet when ibuprofen won't cut the pain. The pain just gets to be too much which is why I type without capitals sometims - I can't reach the shift key!

Aleve aggravates my stomach but I know lots of folks take it and love the results. Another thing for aching back is a heating pad.

Hey Missy...I graduated from Sac State!!! I am from California...Chico is my hometown (same as Potbelly Bears!)

And you are right, those blogs are GORGEOUS. I do have an etsy shop already actually. I could also link my blog to ebay too. UGH!!!! Decisions decisions. Good point about registering the domain name. Geez, so much I don't know. I need to make a list.

Your bears are absolutely gorgeous. Cutest things I have ever seen. Thank you for the compliments on my bears.

Well, I know what you mean. I hear about something interesting and the first thing I do is try to look them up. If I can't find them...I usually forget them. Sad but true. But hey...thanks for trying to look me up!

And for those of you using free webs I think that will suit me just fabulous! Everybody's looks very nice. Patsy, yours is exactly what I am looking for with all the buttons and features. I think I have myself a new project this week! I think a blog is just one more thing to keep me away from cleaning my house!

Just today I had to finally vaccum up the chew toys my poodle has devoured. It looks like he tore up a mattress all over the house. I can't keep up with him. At least he is destroying his own toys.

So true! I have had several friends make remarks about my creations from my cycling board. I've been a member there for over 5 years. I just include the link in my sig line.

What about a blog with links to ebay and/or bearpile?

I see most of y'all have a website. How important is that to establishing yourself as an artist? I see some also have blogs. Do you think its absolutely imperative to have a website in order to sell bears and network into the bear world. I do admit when I see somebody has a website it leads me to believe  the person is serious about their craft and a dedicated artist. Even though somebody without a website could be just as dedicated and talented. Its just one of those human nature reactions. Sort of like seeing a red price tag...you automatically think its on sale.

What about a blog? People ask me if I have a website and I say no, but I have some photos on flickr. However its prohibited to sell from flickr. Most people like to make one click and not have to search for anything. Which leads me to think I should get a website.

And what am I looking at ($$) in order to have a simple (static), clean website created (no free hosting) with one click ordering? I don't think blogs have that option to sell. My husband also said, "Is a blog going to eat up more time since you'll be blogging all day?" (haha, but I do see his point).

I really love it! The colors are fabulous. And your elephants are SOOOOOOOO cute!

I need a website.

Do y'all hand-stitch the body or machine?

Is there a certain size bear that you stop all machine stitching and do all hand?

I am doing about a 3 inch bear and its hard work doing those thousands of back stitches.

I want to go bigger, like 5 inches and wondered if that was still considered an "entirely hand-stitched" bear or would you actually do the bigger parts on the machine?

(can you tell I am new at this?)

If you are like me, the more light the better. I tend to drag my bear mess to the kitchen because it has the best lighting. I got an Ott-Lite for Christmas which I love. But my overhead lighting stunk. My husband was even considering re-vamping the fixtures for me in the den, which is where I work. Today I invested in Globe Ener-Saver bulbs (60 watt bulbs that use 13 watts energy), which act like fluorescent lighting but warm light. I put four 60 watt bulbs in my overhead light. Holy cow! I could not believe how bright it was. It was a very good $10 investment. They also guarantee them to stay lit for five years.

Hey Gaby!!! LOL. I love orange poppies. They are the state flower of California which is where I am from. But now I have been a Texan for 14 years and bluebonnets are our state flower. I remember picking bluebonnets as a kid in California (because they weren't a protected species) and they hold a special place in my heart. But I have always called them Lupins. In Texas they call them bluebonnets. In the spring, MILLIONS of them bloom and it is something every Texan does every spring...have their photos taken in a field of bluebonnets. The imagery of masses of bluebonnets is quite amazing.

I have my bear idea...will start this week. Honest!

I have to think and ponder about the digital portion. I DO have some ideas though.

Yes, they withstand the test of time. I use them to sign quilts as well.

Come to think of it, I have sketches from college (graphic design) done with these pens, mid 80's, and the artwork still look clean.

P.S. Kim, your latest bear is stunning. Really a gorgeous piece. I can't stop looking at it. 

gorgeous boy!

what's an orange poopie? 

Thanks Kim, that is exactly the pen I used.

Thanks Heather! I scissored the face and that added a lot more than I thought it would. Even for a head that's less than an inch wide. I did make one tiny dot where the eyes are placed and it added a smidge of depth.

Doing my first mini and had a heck of a time stitching the nose. Since its the intersection for all three pieces of fabric there's thickness at the nose, even though the seam allowance is about 1/32. I used (I think) size 6 needle, very thin. I also used embroidery floss which isn't my favorite because its hairy. Is there any tricks to getting the nose right? Or is it just practice? I can see I will need to make many many bears before I get close to good at this. My bear head is no bigger than a quarter.

What do y'all use to shade the face of your mini? The area is so dang small on mine but I want to add character. I am using a synthetic cashmere from Sassy. This isn't for one of my felties, I am doing a traditional bear.

Wow. I am totally impressed. I have been collecting horses for 35 years and I am super critical since I was raised around real horses and showed them. Some artistic horses can come off being really hoaky. That one is absolutely beautiful.

Holy COW, that is soooo cute!!!! SOOOOOOOOO darling. (I really did gasp when I saw the cuteness).

I was a graphic designer for 17 years and when I went freelance it was a nightmare. I had to chase people down for money and practically threaten them. I hated it. I even had a lady steal from me and use my logos for her business, signs and all without one red cent of payment. I could NOT believe it. Now I only do graphics for charity or trade. People appreciate it and I enjoy the swag.

As for commissions...I did one recently and although it turned out nicely and the customer loved it, I didn't enjoy making it...at all. And that is why I create things, to enjoy them. Enjoyment makes me more creative. I'd rather give it away than do commissions. IMHO.......Happy=Creative.

My husband has a photography business as a additional business. Talk about pressure...weddings. And you should see his paperwork to go along with them. Getting things in writing is a must. Fortuantely we had everything covered when he broke his hand this summer and had to cancel a wedding 4 weeks prior. He can't shoot with one hand. Luckily we have a great contract and it covered "acts of God," which included him breaking his hand. That's too much pressure for me. I will process photos, do his advertising, billing and make his contracts. I could never photograph a wedding.

I would cut your losses and put the pooch up for sale. That is one of the cutest doggies I have ever seen. Honestly. Somebody will snatch him up in a minute unless they haven't already. I'd buy him except I think he's probably a lot more money than I can afford.

i love it!!!

Can I ask real quick...what do you use to shade? I am in the middle of my first jointed mini but want to add more character. I am using a synthetic cashmere.

Thank you! I buy all my wool from a lady just up the road (like 15 minutes away) from me...

http://www.outbackfibers.com/

I have also taken a class from her on wet felting. She is from Australia and actually goes over there to buy her wools and has them shipped back here.