Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Oh blast, that was supposed to say cool idea on the title, but my screen reader was being stupid and wouldn't read it for some reason so I could fix it before I posted.

I have a cool idea for this site.  I think it would be nice to have a section for collectors where we can display our bears, whether they are artist bears or manufactured.  What do you guys think of this?

I have a suggestion for all you wonderful bear artists.  For those of you who don't know, I am an almost totally blind bear collector and newby bear artist.  I've noticed that a huge part of this forum is displaying the bears/critters that you have made.  Sometimes I have a hard time reading the forum, though, because when I click the topic all there is is a picture and maybe a few words about the bear.  I was wondering if maybe you could start describing your bears a little more so that I will be able to experience your wonderful creations.  Of course, the best way for a blind person to fully experience a bear is to feel him, which is impossible on the computer, but if you could describe what he looks like and especially what he feels like, I would really appreciate it.  Thanks.

Thanks for your comments, guys.  I've made bears for other people before and never had this problem.  This is really the first time I've ever cried about having to part with a bear I make.  I was hoping I'd get more than one bear out of this fabric.  That probably would have made it easier to part with her.

I just finished making a bear for a friend from church, but unfortunately, when I got her finished, she stole my heart.  I had her just perfect, exactly the way I wanted her.  Her fur is so soft and I can't quit hugging her.  I took her to church with me this evening so I could give her to the girl, but she wasn't there.  Now I'll have to keep this bear with me for four days and probably fall even more in love with her, and then it will kill me to part with her.  What do you experienced bear artists do in this situation?  Am I crazy?  Have any of y'all ever experienced this before?

I probably would have bought him anyway.  I went to the shop I think on Friday and then all I thought about was Retro until Monday or Tuesday when I could go back and get him.  I couldn't get him out of my head.  Hubby and I actually made a trade off.  There was a gospel concert we were going to go to later that week, but we really couldn't afford two tickets, so he told me that if I stayed home from the concert, I could get Retro.  I was bummed about missing the concert, but his experience with the concert lasted a few hours, while I'll be enjoying Retro for years and years.

I don't think I was conned because I don't think the lady knew jack about bears.  She said she thought he came out in the 70s, but she very rarely dealt with bears, so she really didn't know.  I didn't have to pay a lot at all for Retro and I'm not upset about it.  For the past few months I have really wanted at least one old bear, but I guess Retro is not that bear.  I still love him and don't get hung up on a bear's maker or when he was made.  I love Retro and that's really all that matters to me, but he's probably laughing at me for calling him Retro when he came out in 2001, lol.  Oh well, he's still Retro.

Whenever I can get someone to take a picture I'll try to post it or maybe I'll e-mail it to you so you can post it because I always get the pics the wrong size.

I got someone to look at Retro's tag and there is a serial number.  It is either 1634 or 1364 (I can't remember) with CN in parentheses.  Are there any Boyd's collectors out there that could help me?  I'm just really curious about this guy.  Sorry, I know this site is for artist bears, but I thought maybe someone could help me solve this puzzle.

I wish I could see him.  Your bears are so very loving.

I got a Boyd's Bear at an antique shop that I named Retro.  The lady told me he was from the 70s, but then I was told that the tag on his butt has a copyright with a bunch of years on it, and at the end it says 1988 to 2001.  How did that happen?  What year was he really made?  Sorry, but I don't have a picture because I'm not able to take one, but I'll try to give a description.  He's sort of a light brown color, I think.  I can't see colors.  He has joints in his arms, legs, and head.  He has huge feet, but his arms are really skinny and his head is little.  His belly sticks out like he has a beer gut, lol.  I think he's about 11 inches tall.  He doesn't have clothes on.  I don't know if he ever had them or not.  The lady at the antique shop said that he was previously owned by a lady who collected Boyd's Bears, but she passed away, so her daughter sold the bears to this store.  He's still in perfect condition, so I don't think he was held a lot.  I think he spent his life on a shelf *cry*.  Poor Retro.  I'll put a picture here whenever I can get someone with a camera to help me take it, but I'm just really curious when this bear was made.  It would be hillarious if I named a bear that came out in 2001 Retro, lol.  It won't change how I feel about him, but I'm just curious.

All right.  I think I have some and I guess I'll give it a try.  I may be calling you, though.

I have a friend and several family members who are having babies and I want to make bears for them.  Right now I have a bear cut out of a fleece baby blanket that I want to give my neighbors for their new baby, but I'm wondering about the eyes.  I was thinking about making the eyes and nose out of some black cloth pieces and sewing them on since I have no idea how to embroider and sewing on a red velvet smile.  If I sew them on, will the baby be able to pull them off?

Aww, I think my Cassie wants a baby sister or brother.

Hey, can you guys tell me what that is?  Is it a picture or something?  The text isn't telling me a whole lot.

I want to attempt making a bear with multiple pieces.  Up to now I've been doing two and three piece bears where the arms and legs are built in.  Now I want to try a bear where all the pieces are separate, but I don't think I want to mess with joints.  How can I sew the pieces together without using joints?  Thanks.

I have an idea in my head for a pattern.  I can visualize the shapes of the pieces.  I want to do a full bear with a whole bunch of pieces for the first time.  I'm thinking about trying to find someone with vision and getting them to help me cut it, but the ideas for the shapes will be my own.  I'll either trace it with my finger or draw it and get someone with sight to cut them for me.  What do you guys think of this and do you have any advice?  Thanks.

I also use upholstery thread or whatever is really thick.  I ask them at the fabric store to get me the thickest stuff they have so I can feel what I'm doing.

I've made a few bears out of a fleece throw and you can also find these baby blankets at the dollar store that can make cool bears.  Now I mostly use faux fur that I find at fabric stores because I don't like buying fabric or anything except for CD's, really, online.  I don't want fabric unless I've felt it first.

Lots of beary love to all of you.

Unfortunately we didn't get it, but that's okay.  We'll keep trying.

I tried to sign up for it, but my screen reader didn't like the comment area.  Shoot.

You guys are completely awesome.

I'm on there now and I'll keep checking.  The thing is that I'm so new to the bear sceen that I'm not sure who all are bear artists.

I'm thinking about making a separate bear page, but I don't know.  I'm just doing bears mainly as a hobby right now.  I'm trying to sell Bob, but that's all for now, just to see if I can do it.  I'll link to my profile.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000561452124