Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

They were just born when I first posted and we are waiting on Dad to give the OK, he is soooooo not into owning a rat.    I keep telling him what you guys have said about them, but he grew up with no pets, his father and mom both hated having pets , which I think is sooooo sad.  A rat has been such a hard sell. I think they should change their names, the moment you say "rat" people freak out.  Even my dad , who loves animals said in front of my husband "Rats and snakes are the only 2 pets we would never let Jodi have"  I even had an alligator growing up , yesh!!!! I had no idea he and my mom had that rule. 

Jared  that is a GREAT picture , very good looking!!!!! ....................and you're pretty cute too! :crackup:  OK I couldn't resist. But come on, your rabbits completely rock. 

It's funny I get goosebumps when I hear good music, see an amazing painting,  listen to an inspiring speaker and see a good movie, this movie made me get goosebumps over and over.  I have this thing for english movies, Pride & Prejudice(BBC version) , Sense and Sensibility , Emma (BBC version)and Love Actually. Love them all .

I wish they made more movies like Miss Potter , I get so tired of the same old sex and violence type movies.  This is a feel good movie for sure!!!!

Without ruining the movie, I first fell in love, then was very upset, then back in love, it was a delightful roller coaster. It reminded me of the movie "Finding Neverland". Which is another movie I love!!!!
It's funny I bought all the books about a year ago and re read them, and loved them again, now that I know the background of the author it makes me love them even more.  It is so nice to find a wonderful movie., makes me want to  :dance:

I just finished watching the new movie called "Miss Potter" it is about Beatrix Potter, LOVED  IT!!!!!!! I give it 5 thumbs up        
Thats out of a 5 thumb rating system

:dance:  :dance:  :dance:  Oh that's soooooo exciting!!!!!!!!
:hug:
Jodi

Man thats scary, but I am glad you are OK, you just never know whats going to happen.
:hug:  and an extra  :hug:

The kittens are beautiful, but I have to say that picture of the cow is soooooo cool!!!!!
You are are too cool too for having that back rubber thing, my husband quit giving me back rubs, I think I am going to get me one of those :crackup:  Men really could be replaced
:hug:

And the winner is....................Gijzette Strickland - Elfin Bears ,  if you PM me your address I will get it right in the mail.

Congratulations :clap:

I'll will do another draw next month so stay tuned!!!!!!!!
Hugs :hug:
Jodi

Wow what great stories behind all of this wonderful talent!!!
OK what has influenced you most to make bears?        Star Wars / Ewoks My son was and is a big, I mean BIG Star War fan and when he was about 9 I showed him the movies, he loved them and we began collecting the old action figures, as we looked for them I saw some homemade action figures, thought I could do better and for less, started making custom made action figures, made a lifesize ewok, people kept wanting me to make one for them, I sold a couple to make money for my sons star war addiction, got pretty well known as the ewok lady , felt bad I wasn't doing my own work and just happened across ebays artists offering pages. From that moment I was hooked!!!

How did you get in the business? answered in the question before

Want to post your very first bear? No it is hideous but I will post one of my ewoks, this is the first one I did

How much did your first bear go for? 24 dollars, Man I was so excited I almost pee'd my pants
What was your favorite bear character as a child?    Little Bear, I love those books, I used to tell my oldest when he was about to go to sleep and I was turning off the lights : "Goodnight Little Bear , I love you" he would answer "I love you too Momma bear". That book series is sooooo good for little ones.
What is your favorite mohair to work with and why? Curly mohair I agree it does hide the seams really well.

I had one more question
If you could make one thing that seems to be hard and can't do, what is it?     Traditional bears

OK on those of you that posted that you haven't sold any yet, why not your bears are wonderful!!!!!!

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

Mindy writes:

Warning: The following is a strongly worded pep talk. I'm writing it in exasperation regarding the Vegas show, but it applies to just about every show (and bear "infrastructure" business) out there right now. If you're easily offended or committed to staying home, please skip it.

I've gotta tell you, the Vegas event registration lists are making the bear people look fairly apathetic. Several of the doll events are already sold out, and the bear events ... not so much. Well, not at all. Are we going to let the doll people get a reputation for being more enthusiastic, involved, and committed than the bear people? Are we going to let hard porcelain beat out cuddly fur? Are we going to disappoint the members of our community who have stepped up to lead workshops? Are we going to dissolve into indifference? There are more than 1,000 members here! If only 10% showed up, we'd have a rocking party. Don't you want to network with people in person? Share a hug and a laugh? And there are so many opportunities other than the TT event: At the show, you have the chance to meet at least 100 retail buyers. Learn new skills at workshops. Hand a bear to me and show it off in person. "The difference between 'try' and 'triumph' is just a little 'umph.'" Where's our teddy bear "umph"??

I think a rumble is due , I bet I can take a couple doll people!!!!!!!  JUST KIDDING!!!!!!

I love my cabbage patch dolls

I do wish I could be there but as they say if wishes were rainbows, hmmmm what do they say about wishes 
I really look forward to the show in October, it will be so nice getting to talk to everyone face to face.
:hug:
Jodi

I would be willing to table sit for anyone wanting to walk around , just look for me, I am the one drooling over everyones stuff
Shane I am so glad you are well I am so sorry to hear Steve has been injured,    I'm blonde I understand light headed :crackup:
Oh I love blonde jokes, I couldn't resist.
Oh yes a TT hotel room party sounds like fun, I'll wear my party hat :bday: wooo hoooo Par teeeeee!!!!!! I am such a dork
Hugs
Jodi

Sue Ann, what a cool thing I remember you telling us about you winning that contest, but how cool to see your design idea made into a Steiff. I know I said this before, but it bears repeating Bravo to you!!!!! :clap:

That was such a great story, this is honestly what teddy bears are all about.  What a cool surprise for her, what a great mom!!!
Isn't that the coolest thing, that maybe we can bring that kind of joy to others when we make our bears.  Whats your daughters name? She looks so content.  It reminds me of a quote from Winnie the pooh:
“If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever”
I believe this bear will stay in her heart forever.
:hug:
Jodi

I am sure this topic has been covered but some are new on here or missed it, so I thought I would throw it out there again.
OK what has influenced you most to make bears?
How did you get in the business?
Want to post your very first bear.......nah I won't ask anyone to do that, I am not  that brave, mine looks like a toad   Ohhhhh and I thought it was sooooo good   :crackup:
How much did your first bear go for?
What was your favorite bear character as a child?   
What is your favorite mohair to work with and why?

Nancys book is wonderful for this, I tried doing it on my own and it took forever to figure it out, I wish I would have had Nancys book a long time ago.
Hugs
Jodi

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Daphne here's the new badge

That picture is amazing, I agree I would get it framed, her face says it all!!!!
It sure made me smile, what a beautiful child at a beautiful moment!

But Daphne they need to put I like to feel mohair :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  is it totally weird I do???????????

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:

I think it would be fun to meet face to face, I am excited, I thought about taking Michelle's class too, she is soooo sweet and she is a bear making genius. I would love to just watch her work. OK that sounded kind of creepy stalkerish   But I bet a person  could learn so many great tips from her .

I think we should wear name tags that say our names and TT on them so we can be on the watchout for everyone or as it gets closer we should set a time and place to meet. I would imagine Intercal will be there , I love being able to actually see and touch the mohair, I am planning on doing some major shopping. I hope they bring glass eyes too. :dance:

:hug:

I am thinking about going not as a seller,  but as a buyer, is anyone else going?
:hug:
Jodi
Hey I haven't read any posts from the Bearguys in a while , I hope everything is OK with them

Whoa daphne lets not go crazy here, whew !!!!! I glad he wasn't sitting here reading these, or he would be out the door and racing back home with 2 babies :crackup:

Although after reading all these posts, 2 may not be a bad idea, I know these rats will become mine and I am a person that likes to read everything about something before I try them, I used to be an impluse buyer but in my old age I am getting more careful.

Cat I went to your website and your stuff is great!!!!!! I LOVE the rat backpack http://www.raggyrat.co.uk/ratbag/rucksack.htm
I would love to get one of your raggity rats , I love the one on your website called sugar, what is the US dollar amount for one like that?

my oldest son went to see  RATATOUILLE with his girlfriend this weekend and LOVED it, said it was better then Cars. I just know when we see it we will be rat owners

Thanks all for your input you have calmed some of my worries, the babies were just born so I have some time to read up.
:hug:
Jodi

Hey Jodi How are you????? I think of you a lot lately, I wish I could make things easier for you, we miss your cheerful posts and wonderful spirit on here.  It's funny, I swore I was going to do the kohler show and come back with money and pay for the little family trip, welllllll you should never do a bear show if you started out as a collector before making bears   on the slow moments you start wandering and buying I met some really wonderful people too, so maybe I left poorer in pocket but richer in spirit :)
:hug:
Jodi