Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Very happy to have you back. Sorry to hear of your struggles  :hug:   :hug:
Would very much love to see your bear when you are ready to show.I would love to see your zombie bear    Hope you are able to make more bears soon.  :hug:   :hug:

Nanc, I just had a look at your sweet pup. Your creations and dogs are every bit as wonderful as any of the high bid items on ebay. I have no idea why some people get bids and others do not. I am one of the people who does not get a great deal of bids and i don't want to believe that you are right and my work stinks       I know it is not the very best but I don't want to believe it is the worst either and you should defiantly not believe that about your work. Ebay is a "whole different ballgame" I have seen many well deserving artists not reach their goal.
All I can offer you is an ear and a hug!! Hope it helps  :hug:   :hug:   :hug:

Thanks girls for all your supportive messages  :hug: I didn't mean for my post to sound like I was discouraged and whining    I was not trying to be negative but just sharing my new found realization of a situation I have come to accept. Thanks for listening  :hug:   :hug: I truley value your supportive ,loving ,caring and sharing natures!!     
 
Lisa ,you make me smile so much with your "true to life" child raising stories. You might want to consider doing childrens books if you ever get time, your stories are so entertaining and true!!        

I know there is a bit of time mismanagement on my part but I find the rewards from reading all the postings here (even if I don't have time to reply or comment) very much out weigh any lost or "wasted" time.  :lola:

In regards to inspiration, I'm not really missing that , I have tons of ideas  and techniques that I want to try but not enough time to carry them through. I guess that I am just reaching a realization that I cannot teach and make bears in the way I would like to. My body is too exhausted to create all the things in my mind. I am accepting the fact that instead of a bear a week , I will be making a bear a month or even every two months. I just hope that my collectors and faithful followers on ebay will accept that and not desert me. :redface:    I can only do what I can and will not stress myself over the rest.

Oh poo Nancy , your so right, I should get off TT and do something but I don't spend near as much time here as I used to and usually only when I'm too tired to do anything else but read about what you gals are up to.Really though,if it weren't for the inspiration and joy I get from ready the posts here,I really would be retired because I probably would not have any motivation or inspiration at all      If it weren't for you gals and all your amazing talents that make me think that I can one day be as awesome as you girls are ,I wouldn't even bother. I love you all!!       :hug:

Well, It has just occurred to me today as I was on my way from school to school as the traveling French teacher today that I am semi retired from bear making    I realized that I have been working on the same bear for more than a month now. I have only managed to make and sell a couple of 6 inch bears since school started in September. I tried to be ready to enter something in the awards from my previous creations because I could not get anything made in time but missed the deadline due to a series of events( weather,time,picture snafus etc.) Maybe I will enter next year

Anyway,between teaching anywhere between 1-5 days a week ( most often 4-5) at various schools all over the county,managing my own three children and their schoolwork,science fairs etc and many other things, I cannot get any bears made. I'm too exhausted and unmotivated to do anything after lesson plans,meal prep,laundry ,homework etc,etc,.
I am not complaining or looking for sympathy I am just musing that at a time in my life when I had hoped to be an amazing, well known artist that I have not reached that point at all but am instead, semi retired. I guess God has a plan and it is not my plan,I'll just have to wait and see what will become of me.I guess I'm just wondering, can I be a school teacher, a mother , a wife and a bear artist all at the same time?

How do you girls that work and have families manage to get bears done and and keep developing your skills. I wish I could see improvement and growth in my skills but I seem to have come to a stand still.
I guess I'll have to wait and see    Thanks for listening to me ramble and muse.Big hugs, :hug:   :hug:

Jenny, you make the most adorable and appealing bunnies!! Your sweet faces will capture the hearts of all who lay eyes on them!!       Very best of luck!!  :hug:  :hug:

Wonderfully amazing Judi!!       I hope the judges will apreciate the vast amount of creativity, talent and workmanship that went into the creation of this piece!!  :hug:   :hug:

Wonderful creation Shelli !!      A bit different than your usual but still so very true to your unique style and awesome workmanship!! Best of luck!!  :hug:   :hug:

Nancy,I think Mary Mouse is adorable and very unique.I adore her feet!!      You have had such an ordeal with her that surely something wonderful will come out of all your hard work!! Very best of luck!! :hug:   :hug:

Wow the judges are in for some sleepless nights if our TT enteries are anything to go by!! :dance:   :dance: I simply adorethis fine gentleman!!      Very best of luck!!

A beautifully creative piece of workmanship       Who would have thought a pig or a skunk (the underdogs of the animal kingdom in some cases) could be so appealing! Of course the talent of the creator has very much to do with it!! Very best of luck to you and all our wonderful family here tat have entered!!  :hug:

Boo is adorable and stunning,just like all your work. Best of luck!!    :hug:   :hug:   :hug:

Sometimes you can get wallpaper on sale at your local department stores like Walmart and your Home Improvement stores would carry it also.Even if you bought a whole roll that's not on sale it may still be cheaper than the speciality "photographic backgrounds" I'm glad that Bonnie asked this question as I hadn't thought about it before either but it certianly seems to make sense and be worth a try 
Well,off to brush up on my french for school tomorrow,I have a two day assignment doing Grade 4-5 french     

I'm wondering if a nice soft wall paper from the discount bin would work    You could even glue it to poster board or something sturdy to give it more firmness.I know I have seen some beautiful,soft wallpapers that would look lovely and the have a mat finish which wouldn't mess with your lights.Just a thought,I haven't tried it myself yet but I might 

Wonderful!!! You should be so proud but hey,you deserve it!! Y ou should be shouting,and dancing and boasting and much,much more!!  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :hug:

I get them often also and don't even bother forwarding them off to "spoof anymore ,I just delete them.

:hug:  :hug:     Judi,I'm crying so hard for your loss but Pam's keeping a whisker did cheer me up.
My thoughts and heart are with you.We lost our beloved cat two years ago just before Christmas,she was hit by a car and it was a shock.A neighbor called to tell me she was on the side of the road and my kids had just gone to bed and I tore out of the house and drove up and down searching for her.My boys thought I had lost my mind and when I came back in bawling loudly (I'm not a crier), they were sure I had.I think I took it the hardest and felt guilty for letting her outside and for being cross at her the day before.Each of my children took it differently and my middle boy had to see her to prove to himself that she was gone.We had a service and burial on our property and each child wanted to keep something of hers(collar,toy,etc.) My husband choose to get another kitten right after Christmas even though I said never again.We love Cassie but still miss Crispy very much.
Hugs to you and your family,you have lots of awesome advice and time will heal. :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Hi Jane.I will take the medium box if you stil have it. Let me know and I can arrange payment and send you my address.        :hug:

Wow,girls,you did a wonderful job  :clap:   :clap:  :dance:   :dance: Congratulations!!
Well my goal was to do yoga or weights each day and to not eat any food that I am allergic to. That means especially wheat or dairy. Dang it all,almost everything has wheat and /or dairy so I was so hungry that I ended up not caring by the end of the day and I ate. I have failed miserably     :redface:
I promise to try harder and may try to have only one meal that includes the offending foods. It's very expensive to eat according to my limitations    I do feel better though for eliminating some foods so I'll keep at it.  :hug:

Hmmm, I would be willing to swap something for some of those boxes ,  oh wait,that's another thread,sorry,silly me  :redface:   :doh:   

Great site, enjoyed browsing around,well done!!  :hug:   :hug:     

Nope, Lawtons and Shoppers. I'm going to search anyway because they look awesome. I bought some bear themed ones at a dollar store a couple years ago and I bought every box there as they were differnt sizes . Not as nice as yours and they were good for small bears(5-6 inch) but I just had to have them all. I'll be searching now,I have a "bee in my bonnet "     Thanks for your quick reply. Hugs to you Jane!   :hug:

Yes Jane,please tell where you purchased them.I live in Canada also so maybe I can actually find them.  :pray:  Please tell all!!   :dance:      :hug:

Merry Christmas Julia,hope you are having a wonderful and blessed holiday with your family.  :hug:   :hug:   :hug:

Judi, you deserve every penny of the auctions outcome and much more  :hug:   :hug:  I know it is not my place to say this but I have read about your beloved sister on this board and believe that she was smiling on this auction and everything it stands for .Please forgive me if I'm being too personal  :redface:   :hug:   :hug: