Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Oh, Daphne! Your post made me cry! 
So sorry to hear that.

Actually, my husband and I are planning on adopting children from Russia within a couple years. We've been planning it for the last few years and are so looking forward to it. We've already had people (some family and friends) say not-so-nice things about that so we know we will have problems with certain people not accepting our young ones. That's sad but it's really their problem, not mine. I actually feel sorry for them, not being able to understand the love for a child...any child. My husband and I won't be swayed by their ignorant opinions.

Lots of love to you Daphne.  :hug:

-Eliza

Hey guys I need your help/advice.

I listed a cute little elephant quite a long time ago. I had a few people fighting over it and it went for $81.00, which I could really use right now to help toward moving expenses. But I haven't been paid yet!

The collector is one of my best collectors too. She has many of my bears and I've never really had any problem with her. A lot of times it takes her a week to pay. So I waited a week after the elephant auction. Then I reminded her I needed payment. Got no response. A few days later I told her I needed payment or she needed to tell me if she can't pay so I can relist the elephant. No response again. My auction ended on the 19th of May. It's been two weeks and two days. What do I do? What is the standard amount of time allowed for someone to pay? This has never happened to me before.

Should I email her once again and tell her I'll give her 48 hours and then relist it if I have heard nothing back from her?

Also, one of my loyal collectors emailed me about that elephant cause she had been fighting for it. I happened to mention to her days ago that it still hadn't been paid for. She emailed me back and said if they don't pay can she have it for the high bid of $81.00?  I don't even know if that's allowed. Wouldn't I have to relist it? And here's my dilemma...if I let this other lady buy it then suddenly hear back from the winner...could I get in trouble for selling it out from under her? Could I end up with bad feedback?

Gosh, I don't know what to do here. The winning bidder has always been a good paying customer and faithful collector. I certainly don't want to lose her business. I don't know why she hasn't responded to me in all this time. It's not like her to do that.

Please someone give me some good advice here. Don't know what to do and I really need that money as we're moving in 2 weeks and can use all the help we can get.

-Eliza

Yes it so true that a majority of us wanted to do something with animals...and here we are making soft sculpture animals! Gosh, I never have had much in common with people until I found this forum. We all seem to have a great deal in common.

First and foremost my dream since 6 years old (and still is) to be a children's book author and illustrator.........and I've been trying for many years....very tough to break through today...just way too much competition, especially due to the popularity of Harry Potter.

Also since I was little I've wanted to work with animals....either be a vet or a circus trainer or work in a zoo or go study animals in the wild.

And since I was a tiny tot I've wanted to make stuffed animals but didn't know that people did that by hand! I was told that they were all factory made by machines. Well, now I know that it is a possibility and so here I am with a happy artist and animal related job!

I'm also interested in photography. Someday hope to have a great camera and get good shots of outdoor life. Also I like people in photographs too but mainly just black-and-white photos. People seem more real in black and white!

-Eliza

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh! Omigosh!!!!!!! I LOVE HIM!!!!   
Denise, I LOVE this bear!!! I've got it bad for Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow, and I can't wait to see the 3rd installment tomorrow at the theatre!!! :dance:
This bear is just too awesome!!!!  Thanks for sharing this photo! I really love that it's a black bear too! He's wonderful!

Yeah, I didn't know you did commissions. Here's a silly question...do they cost about the same as they go for on ebay? Hope you don't think I'm rude for asking....but I really want to own one of your bears someday.

Oh, and what you posted on your other bear thread about how you love to find out that you have inspired someone with bearmaking...well, I just have to say you were definitely my inspiration for making bears...when I saw your gorgeous cubs on ebay a couple years ago I knew that bearmaking was what I'd like to do. You really go that extra mile with your creations...and each one inspires me to do better at my own little miniatures. Thank you for being such an inspiration! 

-Eliza

Shantell,

Omigosh! They are soooo cute! Look at those little faces!  

Is Aleta going to be adopting one? Y'all are both in beautiful Oregon! Lucky ducks!

-Eliza

Yay! I really missed seeing the cute animal pics!!!
Glad you're back!

-Eliza

Oh my God! That was so funny, Roxanne! Made me laugh out loud!
:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

-Eliza

Oh! I too have gotten so angry when the back of the eye breaks off. It's happened a few times....hey, I have kept them too! Haha! That's weird!

-Eliza

I did it!!!!!!!!

Yay!!! Now I can do the cool brown box dance!!!!!!  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Thanks Daphne!!!  :hug:
You explained it very well!!

-Eliza

Did it work?

:redface: Okay, I'm embarrassed about asking this...but ever since I've been on TT the last few months I've been wanting to know something....

you know when you want to comment on something someone has said...but you want everyone to be reminded what that other TTer said and so you copy and paste their words to your message.....um, my question is how do you get that cool brown box around their words? Y'all know what I'm talking about, right? How come when I copy and paste there is no cool brown box?

I know...I know...this has got to be the dumbest question ever asked! 

-Eliza

Sanjaya all the way!!

No, I'm just kidding!  :crackup: Poor guy couldn't sing, and I never understood what the hype was about him.

I had been rooting for Blake...but as I've missed the last few episodes...I don't know what all has happened and if Blake really deserves to win or not.

-Eliza

Beautiful photos!
You're like me in that you love nature and being out in it taking pictures...
the bird definitely looks like a barnyard swallow to me. We have a bunch right by our creek here. They are super fast birds that dive and do stunts in the air...they love to gather near water sources. They are gorgeous birds and their wing-shape and tail-shape are so unusual. They are a bright shiny blue with a peachy colored chest.

Love the turtles...I've been picking up baby turtles here lately...we've got a lot of great big turtles living in our creek...and also we have been seeing baby goslings at our park...6 new babies swimming with their parents. 

A few days ago we watched a robin attack an owl at our local park to get it to fly away from its nest. It was really cool. I never knew little robins could be so brave against a great big owl!

We also have a lot of rabbits hopping around our yard lately. New babies have been born.

I'm really hands-on with nature cause I grew up in the country in Tennessee. Now we're in Kansas (but just for a few more weeks and then we're moving to Massachusetts). There's a whole lot of wildlife here in Kansas. I'm always picking up frogs and turtles and watching snakes...and identifying owl species. And recently I rescued 2 baby squirrels whom I named Twitch and Snitch.

I just love the natural world! And I've been dying to watch the Planet Earth series.

Have fun outdoors!

-Eliza

Geez, Daphne! Are you sure no one's put a curse on you lately?
You didn't break a mirror recently, did you?
Just kidding! But you sure have had some bad luck lately. I've been
keeping you in my prayers.
So glad you can have a sense of humor still. You will get through
all this...just hang in there! 

-Eliza

Hey Bumblebearies!!
Yeah, that's hilarious! Let's all make a cat this week and list around the same time and dedicate them all to her! Hahaha!  :crackup:

Krista,

I have a couple more things to add.
Why don't you send an email where you offer this person your most recent creation...a donkey with a sign around its neck which reads "Jackass".

Or perhaps you should offer her one of those dogs of yours that she actually seems to appreciate and tell her that you have a soft sculpture female dog (Bitch) that reminds you of her.

Haha! I know, I know...I'm bad!! Tee-hee!

-Eliza  :crackup:

Krista,

I can't believe someone would have the nerve to send that message to you...and now to Kathy of MinkBears!

I never make an animal just because I see those animals listed on ebay...I make an animal cause that's what I want to make at that time...like the mini elephant I made weeks ago. Omigosh....I've been thinking that I'd like to make a mini cat real soon...but it certainly isn't cause I've seen lots of cats on ebay. In fact, I thought there were the same amount of cats listed as always. I've been looking everyday on ebay for the past two years now...and I don't really notice an increase....?

What does it matter what animal we make? As long as it's our own style it shouldn't matter in the least! What are we just supposed to make bears and that's it!!? That would get boring if we didn't try new things and new animals. WE ARE ARTISTS!

And just so you know your cat is gorgeous and definitely your own unique style. Please don't stop making cats just due to this one person with a bad attitude.

-Eliza

Matilda!  :crackup:  Hahaha! You made me laugh! That's so funny you had to go back and edit your post to me!
Yeah, I don't really want to think about dead squirrels right now...as I am hoping my baby squirrels have survived at the wildlife rehab. center. You can read about my squirrel babies on page 2 of the General topics.

I do remember that dead squirrel in a wedding dress on ebay! My first reaction to it was laughter cause I thought it was someone's soft sculpture...then on closer examination realizing it was a dead squirrel kinda creeped me out.

-Eliza

P.S. Thanks everyone for giving me honest opinions about Jinx! He still doesn't have a bid...so if any here want to adopt him please do! 

Yay!!!!!!!! :dance:
Glad you're okay!!

Eliza

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:
Absolutely hilarious!
Thanks for posting these! They made me laugh out loud....literally...not like when you type the generic "lol" everyday in your emails but you're really not laughing, just smirking slightly, but you want the other person to think that they are so funny that they actually cause a chuckling sound to emit from your throat. I mean I really did "laugh out loud"!!!

-Eliza  :crackup:

Hey Shantell!  :crackup: That word is up for grabs!  :crackup:

I Love the kittens!!!!!! I'm a sucker for baby animals! 

-Eliza

Jeannie

So glad he made you laugh!

I would love to take wildlife rehab. classes! Maybe at some point I can get involved in something like that! I've always had close relationships with animals my whole life...some domestic...some wild. Animals are so special to me. And the zoo is my favorite place to go.

Sounds like you've had you're own dealings with baby squirrels! How funny!  :crackup:

-Eliza

Alright!

So glad y'all seem to share my same demented sense of humor! 
So far everyone thinks I should list him...so I guess I'm off to list him!

Thank you everyone for sharing your opinions.

-Eliza

How wonderful is that!
I love to hear this! Congratulations!  :dance:

My husband and I are planning on adopting within the next couple years.

-Eliza

Hello friends.

I finished my latest bear...and boy does it reflect my mood today! Bad day...cause I've been missing my baby squirrels (you can find that story posted in general topics as well).

This little fellow is named Jinx...and he feels like a Jinx, having a thoroughly all-around bad day. You can see he is holding up a sign which reflects his mood. I think it's cute...but then again I have a demented sense of humor at times. To me the D-word is pretty tame...but I don't know how others feel about it.

I wanted to go straight to the artists about this one before listing him on ebay. Do you think this would offend collectors on ebay? I certainly don't want to upset anyone.

Am I the only one who finds the humor and charm in this bear and his sign? I need a majority vote. Should I list this bear in auction...or should I keep this bear to myself?

-Eliza

I love them!!
They are really getting bigger and looking more like Yorkies!
I've wanted a Yorkie pup for a long time. Someday.....

-Eliza