Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Penny,
What a great look! You have catured it. Like Dilu said the proportions are right on!:thumbsup:
I don't know... if I saw him at a bear show I might not be able to walk away from him. :love:
Bravo  :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Ok I was reading everything and thought I would chip in.

I use MS Publisher I set up a template and then I added a second page. This is a tag that folds in half. On the first page I put my business name, logo and contact information. On the second page which is the inside I list the bunny's vitals, name, height, and price. I print them on  nice card stock. I don't have any trouble with aglinment issues. My printer's smallest margin was 1/2", so I set up the template to accomidate this, that way when I print the back side everything will line up. I have a printer that will duplex automatically, but I don't use this as it will not line up poperly. The printer does not like to duplex cardstock. Duplex=print on both sides of the paper. So I print the first page, then place the cardstock in the printer again and print just the second page. This works every time.
I then use my paper cutter to trim 1/2" off all the edges. Then I cut down the centre at 5", then I have two columns of 3 tags each. Which I then cut at the 5" mark and then again at the 2.5" mark. I end up with six custom tags. Then I use no heat laminate to protect them. I fold them in 1/2, then punch a hole, and then attach them to my bunnies.
This is a big time saver when I am filling my wholesale orders. I can print as many as I need ahead of time and get them ready.
I will scan a copy of mine & mum's and post later today and if anyone would like I can also post the template that I created.
As for the pictures. I set mom's up so that the picture prints as a watermark. All she needs to do is change the picture that is used as the background in the textbox. If we get pictures of every piece then she can print each bear's face on his tag, otherwise she uses a picture that is close. It still gives a custom made feel that looks professional.
Microsoft Publisher can be purchases at most office supply stores and it usually runs around $150 ~ $200, it has tons of templates, layouts, and premade documents that make it real easy to set up and customize to you needs. It is worth every penny.
My next project is to make a wall calender. HA! That will take some time. I need to get 12 bunnies and bear pictured. maybe next year. I found a place online where I can have them done professionally for $15.00 each. I don't think so. I would like to sell some and give some to my customers.
Well we shall see.
Hugs to all,
Jared :hug:

Daphne,
The information on your web site is great. I have been using set screws since Edinburgh introduced them. I use them for the same reason. I can sew my heads and just have the opening at the neck. Then I can stuff the head and get a nice "round" shape. It saves so much time.
I don't know of any local hardware store that sells set screws. They are used in timing elements for engines I think. And most of the time they are no more that 1/4" to 1/2" long. I went to the local store to get some and the guy just stared at me. "What c'ya need 'em that long for?" so I told him. He looked in his order book to see if they could order them. "Nope, we cain't get 'em." Thanks. But we can get everything else we need there and save on shipping. I use metal fender washers for most of my joints. they are slimmer than the fiberboard and anything else I can find, plus they add more weight to the bear so I use less shot.
The only thing you might want to show like you said is when you insert the joints into the head and limbs and then the body.
I think I am babbling so I will go now.

I go to Wally World and buy cheap broad cloth or muslin and make my designs out of that just to check the proportions. I have always had trouble with that. I will even goes so far as to completing the bunny/bear in that fabric to get an understanding of what my finished piece will look like. But even after that I find that I refine my designs as I use them. The only timeI do that though is when I create a totally new pattern. Most of the time it is simple modifications of my existing patterns.

Matilda,
That is cool fabric. That would make a neat cat.
jared

I am not much of a golly person, but this little gal is sweet. You better get her brother dressed quick!

Dilu - I would send you some Nutella, but we quit don't carry it in our store anymore.

Jared

Thanks Shelli,
I thought that I might need to get one up soon otherwise you all might be beating down my door or flooding my e-mail with requests that I get an avatar. I put this one together quickly, it is not as nice as someothers out there but it does show some of my work.

Matilda,
Could you post a cloe of the bear's face, you can't see the gold threads all that well.
Would love to see it.
Jared

Deb,
Mom and did ABC's show in Woburn, MA a few years back. I think we went the second year that they had the show there and I believe that was the last year that they did the show there. Usually, ABC juries all of its shows. I know that as a repeat exhibitor they don't always require us to send in pictures, but for new people they must. It just makes for a better show for everyone..
Jared

Well I can't imagine stuffing my bears with sand...

Well the best I can do it to declare what materials I use to stuff my bears with. If I know it is going to be a problem for certain collectors or shoppes I can make adjustments and I am willing to do so. I am not a hardliner. :teddybear:

As to the whole excelsior issue. There are various grades/types. I use one that is in the middle of the road. I have used some that is very fine and found that it took too much to stuff a bear and too long to do so. Look at old bears that have worn through patches you will see variety in the excelsior. Remember what you chose to stuff your bears with is up to you.  :thumbsup:
Dale brought several samples of excelsior to Schaumburg once to get opinions on which one or ones that Intercal should carry and the responses he got were as different as everyone at the show. There were about 12 samples and there were fans for each sample, but not one grade/type took the lead in the poll.
My advice is to experiment with different stuffing materials and combinations of stuffing materials until you find the one that will work for you.
Don't take what one person says as gospel in creating your bears. Do what you like and like what you do. You are embarking on a creative endvor be creative. When it comes to making bears there are as many experts as their are bear artists. Again I say experiment with different stuffing materials. I came to use excelsior several years ago. Mom and I had a problem with our faces staying straight while we were putting them on. Often times we would have to do extensive needle scuplting to correct the problems, this took a great deal of time. One day I came across a bag of excelsior that mom had bought to put in a floral arrangement. I thought to myself, early bears were stuffed with excelsior why don't I try this. I did and when I put the face on that rabbit I didn't need to do all of the needle scuplting. I told this to mom and she was excited to try it when she got home from work that evening. We continue to use it to this day.

My mom has a wonderful red bear in her collection that is stuff with spanish moss. The artist thought she had bought excelsior and used it to stuff the bear. After she finished the bear she found out that she had bought the wrong thing. Eventually, she tried the excelsior. But she didn't want to undo all the work she put into this bear. She brought it to the show and mom was admiring him and after she heard the story she had to have him. Who know what he will look like in 10-50 years from now, but as far as I know he is the only bear stuffed with spanish moss.

Well promoting it as a quality show will help people to understand what it is you are trying to do.
I would make expections for those who have done the show for years. But for any new people they must submitt to the jury process.
But if any of the people who have done the show for years quit or don't show up for a year or two, then when they want to come back you can then subject them to the jury process as well. If they object, you can explain that space is limited and those who attend the show every time are given preference over those who don't or are new. This would be a fair way to handle the situtation, after all you are taking over the show.
The better quality you make the show the better it will be for the exhibitors and collectors alike.
The one thing that you must never do is cut back on the advertising of the show. Mailing lists are great, but you still need to run ads in the local newspapers, and if it is a bear show then you need to makesure to run atleast classified ads in both magazines.  Make sure that you get e-mail addresses from you collectors. E-mail is free, you can send out show reminders at the beginning of the year to list the shows that you are holding. Then 4 weeks before the show you can send out an e-mail reminder of the upcomming show, then 2 weeks out, and the week before. Make sure that you always list in the e-mail that they can unsubscribe to the list and keep your e-mail database up to date. A line like:

To unsubscribe from this mailing list simply reply and type "REMOVE" in the subject line.

You may need to include your mailing address for your production company. I am not sure of all of the regulations that are required, but do your best to cover yourself.

Best of Luck to you,
Jared

I think the juring will help you to avoid some of the things that Susan mentioned. I hate going to a craft show and finding that 50% of the things I am seeing are store bought wooden or plaster items that are painted or other craft items. I prefer to go to a show and know that the majority of the items are hand made. I would rather pay $8.00 for  ahand dipped candle rather than $5.00 for a candle that I can buy at Wal-Mart. Just a thought.
Jared

Laura,
They don't have a web site do they. I usually like to check these things out a bit before I talk to someone on the phone.
Thanks,
Jared

Yes Wal-Mart carries it. It is located in the Floral Section of the Craft Department.

Mom has sent a few bears "down under" and we have never had any problems niether have the collectors.

Jared

RIT DYE REMOVER - it is great for removing unwanted colour. You can get it at just about any hobby/craft store. And it isn't that expensive. Try it.

I like the idea of a juried bear show. It lets me know that the show producer cares about the quality of the show. I know that some people out there are making bears for the sake of making bears. But with a juried show I know as a exhibitor that the producer isn't going to olet just everyone in. Plus this can be marketed carefully to the collector to let them know that all of the pieces there are of good quality. It also lets them know that not everyone there is trying to sell someone else's work.
It never hurts to ask for photos.
When mom and I did our Holiday Craft show we asked for photos of current work or a web site with pictures of current work, that was if we did not get to see their items at a craft show. We ran the show out of our home and were very selective as to who we would invite to show. We didn't want crocheted toilet paper covers, kiddie crafts, or the like. Please understand that I know there is a place for those types of items and they are crafts. We chose to focus on high-end hand crafted items. Plus we like to assure our artist that they would be the only one at our show with their type of craft. We only had one basket weaver, one jewerly gal, one spinner/weaver, one candle maker, and so on. We tried as much as possible to avoid duplication. This insured that everyone would sell something. I don't know how well you can apply this to a bear show. We usually had 3 to 4 bear artists, but like we all know everyone makes different types of bears.
I don't think that juring a show is a bad idea.
Good Luck,
Jared

Mom and I discovered after my BIL bought them on clearance, that beard and mustache trimmers work great for clipping the seam allowances. I buy the ones from Wahl Clipper that are battery operated and sell for about $10.00 you can find them in the Heatlh and Beatuy Aids section at Wal-Mart. Then I use them to finish trimming my hares/bears faces.
I am not sure about using electric scissors. I don't think I would care to try it.

Hugs,
Jared

Nope I have NEVER EVER had that problem. I just dye more moahir to match. LOL
Jared

Hey All,
There is a ton of good information in this thread.

Matilda, Number 4 in your picture is excelsior too, it is just a different grade/type.

I use a mix of Polyfill and Excelsior to stuff with. I also use copper and steel BBs for weight.
I stuff my heads firmly with Excelsior. I cut it into smaller chunks about 1/2" to 1/4" in length. I then roll it into a ball in my hand and stuff it into the head and work it around with my forceps and needles. I work on it until I have a smooth surface and it is firmly stuffed with no depressions. It is much easier to place and set my eyes and to put on the noses and mouths.
I also place excelsior in the feet and paws, I have found that this keeps them from turning in the wrong direction. I stuff the remainder of the limbs with a mix of BBs and excelsior.  For the body I place a layer of polyfill all around the body and stuff the middle with excelsior and BBs, this gives a nice soft feel and there is still a firm bear to hold. Some time when I have the time I will draw and post a diagram.
There is no correct way to stuff a bear. Some people like their bears to be hard as rocks others want them to be soft and fluffy. I try to take a middle of the road approach. I don't want them to be so hard that people won't cuddle them and I don't want them to be so soft that they need to be restuffed in 10 years. I use to stuff everything as hard as I could but I found that my collectors didn't like it and it was hard on my hands. They would hurt all of the time. After I quit stuffing so hard my hand quit hurting. So think of your body too when stuffing your bears and hares.
I used kapok and it got into everything including my eyes, nose, and mouth. So I quit using it.
I buy my excelsior from my local Wal-Mart, they love to see us coming, actually I work there and the gals in the craft deparement know mw quite well, it can be easily cut. Mom uses a plant mister to lightly dampen the excelsior before cutting it. I have a hamper lined with a big plastic bag that I keep my excelsior in so when I cut it I just cut it inside the big bag in the hamper.
I discovered that by stuffing my noses firmly with excelsior it was easier to place my noses and not have to needle scuplt as much afterward. I still prefer to stuff my heads completely with excelsior.
Experiment to find what best works for you.
Nancy Tillberg has a good book out there that discusses different stuffing materials. 101 Bears to Make by Nancy Tillberg.
Good Luck!
Hare & Bear Hugs,
Jared

KBonsall,
I don't recommed using bleach unless you are really careful with it. I mean as soon as you apply you need to be rinsing it off. I would recommend Rit Dye remover, again you need to be careful with it. If you let it sit too long it will burn the fabric just like bleach. I work with this all of the time when dyeing fabrics, it is easy to use.
I would start with a small piece just big enough to do one bear and then work up to doing bigger batches until you are familiar with how the mohair will react. If it "burns" the fabric you will be unable to use it at all. Just remember as with dyeing the fabric will shrink so remember to make an allowance for it.
Good Luck,
Jared

Can  you post this information?
Thanks,
Jared

Thanks for the welcome.
Dale told me this weekend that I should hop (he he) on here and talk to everyone.
I might a thing or two... I started helping my mother in 1985 with here bears and started my own company in 1990.
You can view my work on several place on the web.
www.jarehares.com
more recent work at
www.thetoyshoppe.com
and
www.dollmasters.com
I know that my rabbits Zig & Zag are on Intercals website somewhere, but don't ask me where.
I have several pictures that I need to send in but I never remember to do it. I need help.
Jared

Most of our sales this weekend in Schaumburg were cash...
Jared