Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thanks for sharing...they are amazing!!!   
  ~ Kathy

Oh, Marion, he is just too too wonderful.   :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

At first I was not sure if I liked his arms so stiff looking but the more I looked at him...he looks like he his playing "airplane" and that makes him seem so playful. I like his arms when I think of it that way. He is so cute.

~Kathy

Thanks for the laugh! I wish I were your secret pal. What a great rat.
~Kathy

Okay, I had to give it a try. Anime is so confusing to me. I proudly admit to being an old-timer and very traditional. But I had fun trying to figure out anime. I ripped out the eyes and ears more than once to position them lower.

Believe it or not, these are both from the same pattern. The mohair bear pattern is just reduced in size by 25% from the mink pattern.

I was so delighted with the results of the mink bear that she is going to be my ebay auction this week. She is very different from what I usually offer so we'll see what happens.

Thanks! Kathy

Here is my little mouse...of course, it is a mink mouse. It is a pale grey mink that I sheared down. She is stuffed with mini glass pellets, sand, and BB's for weight.

I could not follow the directions exactly. It was just too big for me so I reduced the pattern to 58% and the only other thing that I changed was to give her a straight tail.

In this size it is about the size of a real mouse. I was very pleased with the results and I had a lot of fun making her.

Right after I took her photo I was shipping a bear to one of my collectors so I added this little mouse as a special gift to her. Needless to say, my collector was delighted.

~Kathy Myers

Kimberly~ I agree with everyone else...your first needle-felted bear is amazing. Can't wait to see you second.
~Kathy

Thanks for the laugh      I really enjoyed the fashion show!
~Kathy

Thanks for sharing...very cute and unusual.
~Kathy

Judi~ How wonderful that you will be in CA! I did the San Diego show for so many years that I've lost count. I did it when it was Linda Mullins show. ABC just took it over a couple of years ago. The last few years that I did the show I also only used half a table. If you will only have a small inventory that should be enough space but 4 feet is not much room so you have to be creative with your displays. You may want to practice setting up your display at home because they have Early Bird buyers and you really don't have much time to set up before collectors start coming in. I used to sell out to the Early Birds so by the time the show opened to the general public I was mentally ready to go home.

Definitely make little display posters that announce your awards and accomplishments...that's a good thing. I did their Jan show this year and all the artists were in one main room (as opposed to when it was Linda's show and she pulled in enough artists to fill 5 rooms).

San Diego is a fun place to be in the summer. I'm not doing the show anymore but I will have to attend it if you are doing it because I would love to see your creations in person.

~Kathy Myers

Hi Tami~

I've been doing TB shows for the past 18 years. When I first started there were so many shows that I could easily do 2 shows every month (all local). Those were the days! Anyway, in 18 years  of shows I never took credit cards and I never lost a sale because of it. But Lisa is right, the promoters of majors shows today will probably take the credit card sales for you. Usually I only had time make 15 bears for each show. Since I almost always sold out I always wished that I had more.

I bought a professional black table cover when I first started doing shows because the covers are suppose to be fire retardant...but I have seen artists using sheets for covers. I always used a banner above my table so I could be easily located by my collectors who were looking for me.

My bears are small so I would pack my bears and supplies in decorative hat boxes to transport them and then use the boxes in my displays. Your space is very limited at the shows.

After 18 years I decided to stop doing shows but good luck with yours. Shows can be a lot of fun!

~Kathy Myers

Awesome!  :dance: Beautiful! :dance:  Amazing! :dance:  Stunning!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:
~Kathy

Clare, I totally agree that props and stories are wonderful additions to a bear. Lately I have found that finding a good prop or thinking of a little story is the very thing that inspires a new Teddy Bear design. I've been adding props to most of my ebay auction bears...and all of them have found wonderful new homes.
~Kathy Myers

I have been making and selling bears for 18 years but it seems like I just started yesterday. Every bear that I make is a new adventure...and not one of my bears has ever been perfect. I see every imperfection which inspires me to make the next bear and then the next. And with every bear I make I am still learning something new. It's endless (thank, God!) because I love what I do. What is that saying?...Do what you love, and success will follow. It worked for me. Of course, the other thing I say (almost daily) is "I'm poor but happy" because it's hard to make a living as a Teddy Bear artist.
~Kathy

Very Funny      made me look!

I forgot it was April Fools day.
~Kathy

Thanks, Aleta!

Since I've been depending on my bear sales for income for the past 18 years, I totally agree with your up and down months. After all these years, the ups and downs still make me "sea-sick".

Bear Hugs~ Kathy

Kim~ Thank you so much for posting Duirwaigh Gallery's website. It was always one of my favorites and I lost contact when I changed internet providers. I am once again on their mailing list. Too cool!

To everyone else~
I have a website that I enjoy as much as the children that it was intended for:

http://www.janbrett.com/

I don't know about the artistic value of the site's design but the artistic content for children (and adults who like to play) is just overwhelming!
Enjoy~ Kathy

Judi,
That was a great visit! I enjoyed every photo and description. Thank you for such an entertaining  peek into your wonderful life.
~Kathy

Judi, I'm a native Southern California girl. I'm used to beaches, postage stamp sized lawns, small spaces, and smog. What a treat to be invited into your wonderful life and your beautiful farm. I'm looking forward to the rest of your report.

Bear Hugs~ Kathy

Jenny, I'm so glad that you asked your question. (By the way, I just adore your work!)

I just started doing ebay as a last resort to see if I could revive my bear business. My thoughts were that even if my bears did not sell, putting them on ebay would give me more exposure. For me it has worked because after 18 years in the business, my work has been in books and magazines many times, but due to my ebay exposure I am being discovered for the first time by many collectors.

I also wondered how I could sell on my website and on ebay at the same time because why would someone bid high for a bear if a similar one was also available on my website. Well, the ebay collectors solved that one for me. My highest bids were not for my mini bears but for my larger OOAK bears and pandas. So my problem was solved. I make my larger OOAK bears just for ebay auctions and I make my smaller bears for my website. No conflict.

I know that wouldn't work for most artists but, so far, that's the solution that's getting my bills paid.
I totally agree with Judi: exposure~ get it where ever you can.

Bear Hugs~Kathy

Wow, Eileen, using the cut real fur for needle felting...I'd love to see that!

~Kathy

I really like Dixie Art Supplies for airbrushing supplies. They have a great selection, fair prices and best of all Free shipping (over $45)! And you can actually call and talk to one someone there if you need advise before you order. They are located in New Orleans and I just checked their website and they are still there:

http://www.dixieart.com/index.htm

~Kathy

Boo~
I totally agree with Debbie, a little larger real fur bear might be less frustrating if you are just getting back into bear making. I personally prefer to use cotter pin joints...my joints are not super tight because vintage minks can be fragile. Crown joints will be tighter than butterfly joints. I order my supplies from Intercal and Edinburgh. I also prefer using the T-cotter pins.

I look forward to seeing your creations.

~Kathy

Brilliant! is the only word I can think of. If I saw these at a show I would HAVE to buy one. I'm sure you will sell out. Just too too clever!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:
~Kathy

Update on "Bear Hugs NFS":

I surprised my sister-in-law with this bear. She has promised to give her lots of TLC and take good care of her. She is starting a wonderful new life with her by being toted all around Portland OR to be shown off to all her friends. I'm sure she is enjoying the attention.

Thanks to all for your suggestions...from now on I will give the mink pelts a firmer pull and tug. This pelt just has some good areas and some bad areas. The important thing is that this little sweetie has found a loving home.

Bear Hugs ~ Kathy

Here's the last bunny that I made. It was a recent ebay auction piece that I had fun designing because it was a 9-jointed bunny. I double-jointed his arms so that he could hold up his puppet.

I'm looking forward to seeing more bunnies. With Easter just around the corner...I need inspiration!

~Kathy Myers