Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Jane you did it again :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  It was like being there. Thank you for all your time and effort. And wasn't that sweet of the lady that helped you, restores your faith in human nature. Well done everyone on your bears and critters. There are loads of amazing creations.  :clap:  :clap:

Hi Jane, I never met you, I arrived here while you were gone. Your bead work is stunning. Absolutely amazing. I would love to see a website or blog of your work.

Becky and Joanne, Thank you. And Clare I do know what you mean and there is nothing wrong with quirks at all. I just had a moment of seriously doubting myself. (And I think that you can be an artist of any sort without the quirk.) But I am (I think) on the verge of trying to sell my bears and now taking a super-hyper critical look at my bears and I honestly thought I was doing something wrong.

Well done Sandi for a sunning show. I have enjoyed it tremendously. To Katrina, Kim, Linda(for both) and Laraine very well done on your achievements. And to everyone else who had a bear on the show  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: They were all amazing.

Hi

Please can someone put me out of my misery. I have been looking at some stunning bears made by some talented artists and have got myself confused. I see that in most cases when people use a "jelly bean" shaped paw pad they put the "instep" (concave) piece on the outside of the foot. I have been putting it in the inside???? Had a look at proper bear feet, steiff feet and am now more confused than ever.

Wendy that was my theory too. :crackup:  :crackup: Started by packing the bear stuff, and any space left I used for clothes.

Funny Peter, there is a good opening line..... "Did you ever appear in a video as a baby????"  :crackup:  :crackup:

with all of you on that. Really thought it was felted.

Us Bears thanks for posting that. There are some amazing photos.

Hi Kerrylin, We moved here for a year, which has turned into 2 and now who knows. There are no bear supply shops here. I also make minis. We also moved with a suitcase each. So was a small challenge. I brought some bear fabrics, cotton for noses, cotter pins. But things like that you can get in the UK anyhow. I did bring my favorite scissors, hemostat, pliers and things like that. There are loads of things I regret not bringing, but you can buy in the UK so you shouldn't have a problem. But I do wish I had brought more "findings", Bits of lace, ribbon, small pieces of fabric for dressing up. If you need a 3inch bit to make a skirt you have to buy a quarter of a meter. And I had a good stash at home. Also needles. I wish I had brought more of my favorite ones. Is sometimes a battle to find ones you like. Also being in a more accessible part of the world you will be able to order online.

I also miss all the sewing and embroidery cottons I had, I wish I had brought more of a selection of colors. Once again, you have to buy a whole skein for a few stitches.

But honestly the bits of stuff. I have often been tempted to ask a bunch of girls on TT to send me scraps of lace, organza etc just to start a new stash, but then I will move again...... I have actually started buying hair scrunchies to get small pieces of fabric, lace and ribbon.

Good luck with your move

What fun. I have some of the cameras. Love collecting stuff like that. (And opera glasses, seriously love them). I do however have my own theory on the housewives of the day. How many of you remember the cleaning products? Ok was born in 1966 but still. A whiff of some of the stuff they used in the '40's and upwards was enough to make you high for a week. No wonder they all smiled all the time.  :crackup:  :crackup:

I had a staffie that used to run through doors to get away from thunder. Closed ones. I used "rescue remedy" don't know if you get it under the same name there, but is a homeopathic tranc. It worked so well that within a short time we weaned him off of it and he was fine. My Dad used it on his staffie too, she also hated the car so going to the vet was difficult, but some rescue sorted that out too. Just watch the dosage though because Tiff is so little. http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm. Just had a look at the site now and they are making a alcohol free remedy for animals. Ok, my dog and I shared one bottle  :crackup:  :crackup: Good luck. It is horrible when they are scared.

oh Jane he is beautiful. You must be a proud Gran. He looks like he is going to be loads of fun and the abuse hasn't dampened his spirit judging by the look on his face. I had a long haired Jack Russel (his mother was a Maltese poodle but we don't mention that too loudly, he used to get embarrassed  :crackup:  :crackup: ) He was such a character, his death was THE most traumatic thing ever to happen to me. And I mean that very honestly. I am sure Eve is going to have loads of fun with Busta. :hug:  :hug:

Daphne that is too sweet. Love the comment when you were buying fabric. 

Yip, that grass is WAYYYYY long, or the little legs are very tiny.

You are too cute. Love them, love your website. Keep up the good work. I really enjoy it when young people are involved in craft instead of sitting in front of the telly. I love watching movies, and playing games, but gosh like to achieve something too. You go girl :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Wow Sue anne. I never would have put you close to your age    Nancy, I think you had a mother like mine.... 

This is fun. Gosh I dont even have a current photo up, let alone an old one :redface:

Your poor garden. Poor you :hug:  :hug: We get big hailstorms in South Africa too. Very frightening. Always so much damage to cars and homes. Pleased your cats were ok though. Will hold thumbs it doesn't come back.

He looked like he took it all in his stride. What a cutie. Looked a bit confused when one of the girls was in the dog bed though :crackup: I personally prefer little dogs they have such BIG personalities.  :hug:  :hug:

Looks like a great time was had by all. You are a lucky Granma.  :hug:

Such fun. I am 43 so about the only bad thing I went though was the  '80's. And my photos are in storage in South Africa. So you cant laugh at my big hair and shoulder pads. Pity, I know there are some lulu's in there :crackup:  :crackup:

Us bears. As usual you make good points. Thank you

Cyndee you broke through my "down". Now I get it. The handbag thing.... I see no point in expensive bags. I use a back pack most of the time. All my other girlfriends swoon over a bag....

No more giving bears to people who don't appreciate it, and perhaps they will stop giving me bags :crackup:  :crackup:

Denise, I had been feeling the same. I also love getting home made gifts. To me it means so much more than someone nipping out to buy something. But when what you have created can be compared to a key chain????? I thought I was doing something really special, and now just feel flat.

Thank you Joanne. I have been thinking about this so much. Perhaps I should stop the giving away thing too... perhaps that is (to me) what is undervaluing my bears.

I do understand what you are saying about paying for craftsmanship, and I would certainly never argue that everyone deserves to be paid for their talent. Perhaps my problem is trying to get appreciation out of someone who just does not understand.

A funny thing happened yesterday and I was wondering if it ever occurred..... And I am not getting at anyone, just ME.

I have been making a little bear for a friend. She is not a collector or anything and I think that is where my problem comes in. This has happened before and I dismissed it. Now it is worrying me.

Ok, so back to the bear. He is about 2 inches tall and is turning out very well (I thought). Redesigned his face and was happy.

THEN... My hubby and I got identical netbook bags so I thought I would hang a teddy on mine, I don't want to use one I have spent hours making. I found a whole bunch of mass produced key chain bears for $0.70. Ok they are thread jointed and stitching not that wonderful. But now I am wondering why I go to all the trouble.....

Also want to start selling and how do I justify the amount I want to charge, which will be over $0.70.

I suppose one answer would be not to give a hand made bear to someone who possibly wont appreciate it.... but now I am really feeling down.

I had such fun at your show.  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: