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Could you please tell me...
What type of computer screens you're all using?
A. the older
screen
OR
B. the new
screen
I'm looking to buy my new computer, but not sure about upgrading my screen.
I'd really appreciate some answers. :pray: :pray: :pray:
HI MINDY!
Not been here much lately and only just read your post...
It's just gotta be sour grapes!
I think by the size of this thread Mindy you know in your heart, there are many, many artists who believe in you and would never think for an instant that the Toby's were rigged.
The reply you wrote was very tactfull ... if were me that was attacked in that manner, I don't think I would have been so gracious.
Being an Aussie through and through, I probably would have told them to Get St....d!
I hope you enjoy it...Glenn's reading it at the moment and all I hear is chuckle, chuckle, chuckle then :crackup:
Take a look at these....
....these are pulled toes. Hope this helps! 
If you want to see a larger picture go to my website.
Can recommend a good book about Australia written by an American from Iowa, living in North Yorkshire, England...
"Down Under" by Bill Bryson...published by Doubleday in 2000, ISBN 0385 40817X
Try it if you like a good laugh and want to understand the Aussies a little better!
nominees to congratulate individually...so...
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Like I said in my other post on the other thread about all of this positive thinking out loud.... I personally don't want a storm like that of the 1980s or 90s. Storms are what happen to beanie babies, tickle me elmos and playstations; they come and go with the wind. I want constant consistent longevity doing something positive that makes me personally happy.
Chrissi, this would be a bear artists heaven if we could have consistancy.
Now I have had brunch and some more time to think about things. This is something that I have posted a couple of times previously on diffferent threads, but I wondered how many of you had actually done anything about it?
If we all wrote a story about artist bears and/or collecting and submitted it to our local papers (most Australian locals have "what's new" or "crafty" type columns, so I presume you all do too) and women's magazines or you could write something regarding "hobby to business" and submit it to business magazines. This is good exposure for you as individuals (advertising at no cost) as well as a boost to the "industry" in general.
I have done this myself and they sent a photographer to my home for a photo...it's worth a try...no one's going to turn you into a green tree frog for trying!
I didn't say I was adverse to your ideas of promotion...because I've always promoted my art in ways that you have suggested.
However, I have always spoken positively about bear artistry and I will continue to do so and I refuse to tell anyone it's on the decline whether it is or not...because if you say it's on decline often enough, people will begin to believe it!
It's not in denial nor am I bury my head in the sand...nor am I waiting for anyone else to do my work for me...read what I wrote above!
After reading Jennie's post about not selling, I thought I would share something that recently happened to me. I was going back and forth about putting an ad in the Teddybear Face book, couldn't decide..... Told my husband, what if no one contacts me, what if I don't sell anything from the ad, ( the usually self doubt, worry etc.) My mom called while I was stewing this over.. started to tell her about the ad, before I could mention my fear of failure she said , "what are you going to do if 75 people call you and you don't have enough bears!!!" Spoken as only your own mother would. lol. Needless to say, I placed the ad.
Kathleen
I love your Mum Kathleen ... we need more people in the world just like her.
There's nothing better, than good positve re-inforcement! Give her a :hug: from me.
:crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
Deborah & Sandi: Jeesh you two, WHERE did I say the love for teddy bears was dying? Interest in ARTIST teddy bears is what I'm talking about here. Calm before the storm? The storm already came and went hon, about 10 years ago! We'll have another 'storm' one day but WE HAVE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN! Right now shows are not well attended any more, many have ceased, sales as a whole are not as good as they were, many suppliers have closed or down-sized considerably. RIGHT NOW, if you take a look around you, things aren't booming like they were. That, in my interpretation would mean that things are not as good as they were. Save from quoting you the dictionary's definition of the word, I'd say that DECLINE is appropriate.
Dear Daphne,
All I said was I hated that sentence...
(Daphne wrote:
Those who have been involved in it long enough know that it’s on the decline.)
...everything else was positive.
I didn't say I was adverse to your ideas of promotion...because I've always promoted my art in ways that you have suggested.
I know we had a "storm" ten years ago (I was there too...just not in the USA) and what I meant by my comment, is storms come and go and I know there will be another on the horizon.
However, I have always spoken positively about bear artistry and I will continue to do so and I refuse to tell anyone it's on the decline whether it is or not...because if you say it's on decline often enough, people will begin to believe it!
I appologise if I offended you in anyway.
Those who have been involved in it long enough know that it’s on the decline.
Daphne I love what you're doing ... issuing the challenge. But I hate this particular sentence ... because that's what it sounds like ... a sentence.
I would rather look at is as the calm before the storm. Teddies have been round for over 100 years and I don't think the love of bears will ever decline.
It's just possible that the market has been saturated with bears, as every Tom, Dick and Harry has jumped on a successful bandwagon. But you just have to look around at the trends many of them are now moving to scrap booking and beads.
Those that hang in there and do the networking and the shows like they have always done will survive and the days of good teddy sales will come again.
By the way I just received a request from a new collector tonight...he fell in love with the teddy I made for his Mum and pleaded with me to make one wearing a shirt made with the colours of the Italian flag. I don't usually do commissions, but I couldn't resist this one...he's only six years old!
Do you think there maybe a new generation of collectors bruin?
The bad thing with living in country where teddybear making is unknown is that there are no teddybear shops and no shows. So getting out there is not easy! Well, there is ONE show but it's mostly a show for kids.
Jennie, have you ever heard the story of the two shoe salesman?
Both were sent overseas to an island to do some research about opening a shoe store there.
One came back and said "No point in opening a shop there no one wears shoes!"
The other came back and said "Wow what a great opportunity for sales, no one wears shoes!"
Which sales person do you want to be?
I think you have the perfect opportunity to get in on the ground floor and introduce your public to teddy bear collecting. Why not start by submitting some stories about how you started as a bear artist to your "Women's Magazines"?
And as far as the ONE show being for kids...who takes them to the show? What more could you wish for...a room full of unsuspecting women having their heartstrings pulled by your wonderful bears!
There's no such thing as good luck...you make your own!
Hi Shelli,
I have only ever done one swap on another forum and found it a great fun!
1. YES or NO: Have you ever participated in a random teddy bear swap? By random teddy bear swap, I mean a swap where your name is placed among a pool of names of participating artists, and then you are paired up with another bear artist randomly by the swap coordinator.
Yes, by the swap coordinator.
2. AGREE or DISAGREE: All participants in random swaps must agree that they will accept, without public or private complaint, any bear that comes their way, as a condition of participation.
Agree, that's half the fun of doing a swap, not knowing what you're getting.
3. YES or NO: Do you think swaps should be sub-organized into categories?
No...this can be discussed with the artist/bearmaker you're paired with. Just like to add a personal note: When I did my swap I didn't consider the level of skill at all. We both agreed on a size, then I just made my bear to the best of my ability and I expected my partner did the same...what more can one ask for?
4. & 5. N/A
6. How long should swap participants be given to complete and ship their swap bear?
I think six weeks is long enough. One shouldn't commit to the swap unless one can complete it on time.
7. What, if any, should the consequences be for those who commit to a swap, but never send a bear to their partner, even after receiving one themselves?
I think the coordinator should keep a list of the pairs and pictures of the two swap bears from each pair should emailed to the coordinator, so she can post them together on a specified thread. This should be told to the participants prior to enlisting in the swap.
8. AGREE or DISAGREE: The swap coordinater should not have to police swap participants. Any problems which arise are the responsibility of each swap pairing to resolve.
I think if someone is going to offer to coordinate a swap that is exactly what they should do coordinate. If participants agree to the all terms set out prior to participation, there should be no need for policing.
Well that's my ten cents for what it's worth. Well not quite...if I received a bear from an inexperienced bearmaker, I would treasure it all the same...who's to say, they could be famous one day and my little swap bear might be worth a lot more than I ever expected!!! 
Hi Laurie,
My suggestion would be... OOAK in a series of two... OR... OOAK in an open series, if you plan to do more from this pattern
I've just gotta say I'm really lazy when it comes to building a website and the easier it is the better...I'm a http://www.freewebs.com fan through and through. Blow all this html and file transfer protocol. I like being able to edit directly on screen at any given moment of the day.
As far as learning new stuff...let's face it, you can't teach an old dog new tricks! 
Well not this one!! :crackup:
Besides, I've got enough to keep me busy with the bears without taking on another project like learning technical computer jargon...I'll leave it to you youngsters!
Good Luck with your hunt for a new computer programme Bev!
Yes Jodi, I have upgraded to premium...have been for quite a while now.
Mine is simple ... but at least I can control it if I want to change it .
Jodi that's the thing I love best about freewebs.
Thanks Lyn it's good to get the feedback.
Thanks Sarah-Jane and Jodi.
You know what it's like sometimes...you start by changing one thing and that leads to another...then another and before you know it you're up to your neck... wondering if you ever should have started in the first place! :crackup:
Brenda the pics are great...so are both the bears!
You're a girl after my own heart...the day I grow up will be the day I have one foot in the grave! :crackup:
Straight to the top of the class :clap: :clap: :clap:
Thanks Aussies ... it's good to get the feed back!
Karen and Patty: If only I had the time ... :crackup:
Good one Jodi
Yep ... the website's had a revamp. But I don't know whether it's better or worse. And I'm too tired to care right now ... 
Just wanted to say thank you for all your good wishes and let you know I'm still around and thinking of you and I will get back into the swing of things when there's a little less on my plate.
Luv you all. :hug: :hug: :hug:
