Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Carolyn ~

Was that an Ebay sale?  What protection, if any, is there through Paypal?  Could you accept money orders, bank checks and Paypal debit (from checking accounts) only ~ instead of accepting credit cards?  I'm going to double check, but I think those are choices on the Ebay auction.  Well ... I'm pretty sure at least I've read auction descriptions where they say they don't accept credit card payments.

Checking.

Deb

Shantell ~

Apple Lane, Apple Road, Apple Orchard Bears maybe?  Design website with a tree or street with trees with pictures of bears for "picking".  ???

Though you have a great mental picture of "bottom", the same word may or may not conjure up a mental image of a not so nice looking rump, or a "bottom of the barrel" kind of thing. 

Just my two cents; I'm sure no expert ... but whatever you choose, you have to be comfortable in it.  I had to choose in a hurry to participate in a craft fair, and chose Making It Bearable (rather than Bearly Making It), but I'm not sure it fits me.  Maybe if I used it more ...

Deb

Hi Julia!

Welcome!  Your bears are very sweet! 

Warm regards,

Deb

In the past six months I've had three incidents that appeared to be Ebay related (they had the logo, etc.), but when I followed up w/ Ebay to say hey, what's going on ... they responded that they had NOT contact me.

One time it appeared they were saying something was the matter with my account and asked me to please resubmit all personal information.  Another was the cancellation of a bid (which I hadn't placed) and a request to resubmit the bit and a link to the item.  The third ... a nice guy that was bidding on the motorcycle we were selling emailed to say he had received a notice from Ebay that the bike could be bought for $X, and to contact them.  All hoaxes, not from Ebay, but from ... someone somewhere.

Watch out.  I bring suspicious stuff to Ebay's attention.

Deb

Daphne ~ Try Ben & Jerry's Oatmeal Cookie Chunk.  It's easy to follow the directions.  Open pint, enjoy!

Dilu ~ Thought of my dad's favorite saying with regard to following instruction/directions.  Not sure of it's origin.  I've heard it from several sources over the years.

I know that's frequently the approach I (have to) take at work to get many things done!

Deb

Got hit HARD with the ugly stick!  Wow!

Deb

Daphne~

Go to CR's and search on PINK.  Also, www.chatsco.com (is post and shank style the same as safety?)

Deb

Yup yup ... everyone has different circumstances.  And if a customer truly touches your heart and you need to sell your $110 bear for $50, so be it.  Perhaps this person was an "angel among us."  Who knows!  That having been said ... as a new bear maker, I know I have to be careful to minimally get my costs back, and that should sound like the obvious ... but it can be tricky.  BTW, new bear in a day or two.  I WILL find a way to get you a pic, I promise.

Deb

I bought a really inexpensive piece of mohair early on in my bear-making that had a very loose weave.  I used it, but thought after the fact that maybe i should have tried cutting the pattern again of fusible interfacing and adding that to the back to stabilize the fabric just a little.  OR ... could have used a lightweight fabric and applied with spray adhesive or good ol' Stich Witchery.

I'm pretty sure I've seen fusible interfacing at JoAnn's or Hancock Fabric in black too.  Maybe a stabilizer would also help a little with the shedding mohair too ... but I'm sure it would help with issues resulting from the loose weave.

Sounded easier than shrinking to me.  Thoughts?  I've never tried it.

Deb

I'd have to say I was generally well behaved and followed directions as a child/teen/young adult ... umm ... with a few exceptions, which of course is normal.  Right?  Anyway, these days I'm a little more curious, usually looking for a better, faster, smarter way to get stuff done.  Sometimes I'm wrong, sometimes right.  I like it that way.

Speaking of following directions ... I looked in my Profile Menu, under Personality, and it says Img tag: off.  Wonder if that's why I can't post a picture.  Guess some directions just aren't really begging to be followed.

Deb

Hope no one misunderstood me ... my kids are GREAT kids.  I really think I just wasn't prepared for how difficult this particular stage of <their> growing up would be for me.  All those years of ... helping, instructing, coaching, etc.  Then you have to turn them loose and just be supportive and silent and let them make their way.

You know in the end the movie will have a happy ending, but it's a difficult one to watch just the same.

It's all good.

Deb

Shelli ~

Whew, I'm relieved.  I wouldn't even know where to start looking for the Schultz mohair.  (My Google search got me nowhere.)  My favorite stuffing tool is an old fondu fork.  What is this "ultimate" stuffing tool tho? 

Thanks!

Deb

I don't have a pom ... but I do have a funny story about them.  My sister works at a pet store ... a VERY responsible, wonderful one.  (It's not one of those yucky one that buys from puppy mills.  They buy only dogs from local breeders.)  ANYWAY ... they had some pom pups in the window a few months ago, and a lady came in and asked how much the miniature chows were.  Haha.

Oh well, I thought it was hysterical.

I have a chihuahua/pug mix, a chihuahua, and a dachshund mix. 

Later,

Deb

Dilu ~

LOL ... I was kinda teasing about the Celexa (well, about the extra one anyway).  It's so funny you said "remember love" as I've had so many conversations with my 22 year old over the past year about love.  She says "I don't FEEEEEEL love."  And I say "Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?  Love is not at FEEEEEELing, it's a choice, a decision, a commitment".  I don't get how she's lived with us for all this time and is struggling so with such a basic concept.    What's up with that anyway?

Dilu ... is that like short for Diane Lucinda or something, or is that your given name.  It's different, interesting.  It was my intention to use DebbieLu as a username.  It's just what a waiter at a deli here in the thriving metropolis of Corning calls me, and it's fun.  I had several screens open, was grossly over-multitasking, and typed a portion of a password in the username field.  Tried to correct it later on, but the system wouldn't allow another username for my email address.  Sooooo .... JJ it is.  GAK.

Heather ~

Me too ... I've tried all different price setting strategies.  Started at $2.00, being an unknown, got about $2.00.  I've got a bear going on <Ebay> soon and I'm thinking I have no problem starting with what materials were (or close to it at least).  If she doesn't sell, so be it.  I'll have <another> great gift for a sister or niece or nephew.

Happy afternoon!

Deb

Well great ... now I have to take another Celexa (my anti-depressant of choice).  Thankfully, it's available in generic form which is much more affordable.

I definitely agree regarding credit cards ... ugh.  It's no fun digging out ... but feels great when you become free!  A $40KA car would be great if each Golly sells for $15K!

Regarding your #1 ... that is so true (IMO).  Kind of like beauty being in the eye of the beholder ... value and/or worth is in the eye of the consumer.  My husband had a Harley Davidson Sportster.  Lovely bike.  Can't ride anymore.  He'd accessorised quite a bit and figured the bike to be "worth" about $1,000 more than any buyer was willing to pay.  Perception, indeed, is reality.

Okay ... off to the drinking fountain ...

Deb

She's lovely!  My 22 year old broke off her engagement to a boy she's known and been best friends with since 5th grade.  Not sure who has had more difficulty recovering, him or us (my hubby and I).    Now she's dating this ... <biting tongue hard> ...

Somehow, when they get to college all bets are off ... <sighing>.

Deb

I like her! and agree with the sentiments already expressed by others.

I just (last night) tried doing a tiny bit of needle scultping too.  WHOA baby!  Not an easy job at all.  I have several thimbles and other finger protectors, but don't like any of them ... so today I am working with very sore fingers and it feels like a long week today!

I am currently working on a bear that I had considered a disaster.  About six months ago I tossed the head away, and bagged up the rest in a zip-lock.  Looked again after five months and thought I'd give it another try.  An extra 12" x 12" piece for a new head and a little rework and she's coming along nicely.

Kind of the same philosophy as someone gave me once for living through the teen years with your kids ... bury them in the back yard when they're 13 and dig 'em up when their 25.  You'll have a whole new perspective!

Deb

Chris,

He's amazing!  I've been contemplating a polar bear.  In fact, fur just came in the mail last week!  Have only to finish pattern.  Am thinking of double jointed wrists and feet.  Anyway ... lovely!

Deb