Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Ouch!     Who moveed the couch! 
:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

That can be the problem with minis, because they are small it can be hard to pin and place things.  I would sew most everything by hand when I made minis.

I always sew with the pad on top that way I can keep a nice shape.  If I remember I sew again with the pad on the bottom that does tend to give the foot a better, more rounded shape.

I have made a few of those kits...
Can you post the directions on here?

Shelli -
My oh my, we do have fun on here don't we?
No need to get on your knees and beg me to believe you.
:hug:
Jared

God Bless You! :pray:   You are a super person for taking on so many kittens.

Yup, mine is held on by velcro.

Yes, I too found that it is best used with smaller objects.  Anything under 12" tall and it works great.  Once you get any bigger than that and you have a problem.

Lennie, Tuck, and Ming-Ming too! We're Wonder Pets and...  Oh I guess I watch too much Noggin' with MaeLynn around...

Shelli -
Please don't swear at me...   
:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

Jodi -
I took out the backdrop that came with it.  I have a roll of white photo background paper already.  I just simply cut a strip wide & long enough to use to take this picture with.  I do have more pictures but they aren't web ready (too big).  Different backdrops can be used, you just need to cut them to size.  The other problem with the pictures I took is that I didn't have the EV set high enough so the background looks grey, instead of white.

Debbie -
See my reply to Jodi.  I could have sent off for the white/black backdrop they have, but I figured if I already have the white background paper why bother?

Brenda -
Degus???

It is one of the less expensive models.  Well if you consider $50 less expensive, which I do after look for them for sometime now.   It is a 3 side "cube"  (16" x 16" x 16") with a two sided backdrop, one side blue and the other grey, 2 portable lamps, a tripod, which I don't need (or atleast I don't think I do), and it all folds back neatly into itself and that forms the carrying case.  There are 3 pockets on the outside, one for the tripod and the other two for the lamps.  I could have sent off for the black and white backdrop, but I figured that I could get by with a strip of my photo background white paper.  It worked fine for me.

It kinda looks like this kit.  I know if you have spent anytime at all on ebay looking for one your know what I am talking about or is that writting about?
http://cgi.ebay.com/PHOTOGRAPHY-PHOTO-S … dZViewItem

No, she doesn't have a web site.  Shoot that would be another one for me to try and keep up with.  I can bearly keep up with mum's, let alone mine.

Trolling around in the old posts and I come up with nose pickers!!!!    :crackup:  :crackup:
I knew I like this place for a reason...  :crackup:  :crackup:

Bobbie -
When I can I get the narrow loop, makes my life easier.  There have been some of the premium with the normal loops that have flown off bunny heads just after I tie the knot.  When I use the narrow loop eyes I don't have that problem.

The better to smell you with...      :crackup:

I feel like that most days... 

Ok so after spending all day working on my latest ad, I spent just a little time using the new light tent I bought at Wally World last night.  I have gotten some good shots and I thought I would share this one.  These are 3 mice that my sister is making and she almost can't keep up with the demand.

Well if your friend doesn't like him send him my way.
I am a huge Star Wars fan.  He is just too cool!
Great job!
:clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Never Break Premium Eyes???   I don't know about you, but I have had several pairs break on me.  But fewer of those eyes break than the less expensive eyes.

Enjoy youre trip!

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup: Exchange Student!!!  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

This is too funny!

WOW!!!     That many kittens, no way would I take on so many.  I might if I have 13 mommies to look after them.

At times I do miss my boys... but with MaeLynn's allergic reaction (very mild) and then when I pick up my paychecks I am remind why they had to go.

Though they were more distructie than any other cats that I have ever known...  and not very smart at times.  They couldn't figure out the door on the litter box, so I had to take it off.

Debbie, thank you.

I will say further that most shoppes expect a ~50% discount.  Most artists that I have talked to about this subject discount anywhere from 10% to 50%.  The closer you can get to the 50% discount the more wholesale work you will get.  Some artist can do this, many are unable, and there are those who are unwilling.  If you decide to do wholesale, then you need to create a line of bears/bunnies/elephants/lions/tigers/cats/dogs that you can make and sell at the wholesale level.  Many shoppes are happy to get any discount at all. 

If you want to go after the wholesale market then you need to adjust your mind set.  You need to start buying materials and supplies with wholesale in mind. 

Get your orders out in a timely fashion.  If your wait time gets close to 6 months then you need to tell your shoppes how long the wait is.  I always ask my shoppes how quickly they want the order, most expect to get items within 4 to 6 weeks.  Some will tell me that they need their order by Sept 1.  And with the rabbits at Toy Fair they want them within a few days.  I do my best to get those orders out quickly.  If they have part of the order that they need quickly I work on that part and get it shipped off right away, then I finish the rest of the order within the normal time frame.

If you should decide to do consignment...
1. make a detailed inventory list, keep a copy for yourself and sent a copy along with your inventory to the shoppe.
2. communicate with the shoppe on a regular basis (remind them that you are out there & expect your payments in a timely fashion)
3. have it spelled out clearly when you expect to recieve payments (once month is normal)
4. If possible visit the shoppe, you can check out the other inventory and see what is selling.  Then you can use this information to your advantage.  Plus, you can see your inventory, the conidtion that it is in, and you will know when something has sold.

I've used them a few times and they really aren't that hard to use.  You just need to make your own loop.  I just prefer to use the eyes with the narrow loop.  The price is good.  Try them and see.

I could've given the big hair lady a run for her money this morning.  Mine was all frizzed out and big!  I didn't even need to style it!

I'll jump in on this one...  Most of the work I do is at the wholesale level.

If it is a new shoppe I would ask for references and then check those references.

We buy materials and supplies with wholesale in mind.  That way we can offer a discount that shoppes like and are still able to cover our expenses.  We know at what price levels we can buy fabrics and then can still offer our wholesale discounts.  There are some fabrics that I will not wholesale, the expense is just to great.  If a shoppe wants that piece I might extend a small discount, but not the normal discount.

I never do consignment, it has never worked out.  Shoppes would tell me that they have sold the bears and want more, but it would be months before I got paid.  That is not the right way to do business.

For the most part I expect payment when I ship.  That payment must clear before shipping.  Many of my shoppes give us a credit card to use.  If you get a check find out from your bank how long it will take to clear.  After the check has cleared then ship the order to the shoppe.

I don't like to give 30 days net, because my budget is tight.  The few times that I have given 30 days it has taken 60 to 180 days to collect the payment.  If you decide to give 30 days net, then I would spell out terms and get the customer to sign the order with the terms spelled out.  And give the customer a copy of that order.  i.e. If invoice is paid in full before 30 days then there is no interest charge, thereafter an interest rate of 18% per year or 1.5% per month coumpounded will be charged on the remaining balance every 30 days.  Simply having that stated on the invoice the shoppe is more likely to pay the bill on time.
For example.
$1000 order
Paid in 30 days will still be $1000.  Balance due $0.00.
After 30 days
$15 in interest plus the orginial $1000.  Balance due $1015.00
After 60 days
$15.23 in current interest fees, $15.00 in past due interest fees, plus the orginial $1000.  Balance due $1030.23.

If they don't pay on time stand firm behind the policy that you have set forth.  Don't back down because they had to have a knee replacement, that is not your fault.  They knew the bill was due and they should have made arrangements to pay the bill on time.  Don't be harsh or curel towards people, but don't be a push over either.  You can always work out payment arrangements, but remind them that the unpaid balance will have a interest fee.  Remember that you have bills to pay too.  You try not paying your rent on time what happens?  Or you forget to pay your credit card bill?  You get charged a late fee or you get a late fee and an interest charge.  It doesn't matter that you had to get your knee replaced, you still have to pay the bills.

And the best advice that I can give you about this is to contact a local small business group/organization that can help you write a billing policy.  Explain to them what it is that you are doing and ask for help on how to set up charge accounts.