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Thanks Christine, Marlys and Sue Ann, it's nice to receive a little feed back now and then. 
I received my January copy today and what a beautiful four page spread Kirste has done on TBACA.
Many TT'er are featured in the article...Marlys is in the headline! Laraine and Tracey from New Zealand, Anne-Marie Dodd, Tina Jensen, Millie Potter, Nancy Dontigney, Ruth Bowman and her sister Gail Parsons from the UK, Denise (Tuppies Teddies) Christine (Boot Button Bears) and the list goes on...special thanks also to all the girls who contributed the bears.
Here's the link for those who'd like a peek: http://www.teddybearsandcritters.com/tbcifeature.htm
HI Everyone
As promised I have written the article promoting Bid4bears, BearPatch, Bearpile, Etsy, Artfire and Teddy Bears and Critters Australiasia and pointing out some of the problems artists have had with Ebay........I also put in a plug for a few of the forums such as TT.
I don't think I will be doing much in the following issues to promote the sites as none of them, at this point, have offered to advertise with the mag and I have other editorial obligations to advertisers. So sorry, I'll have to throw the ball back to you guys to make the other sites attractive to collectors.
That was nice of you to put us in the mag Sandra, TBACA is very appreciative...but we did place advertising with you.
Sandi - TBACA Admin
Couldn't miss thi, I had to come back for the party...and what a fabulous time we all had Jane.
I must say I haven't looked this good since I was thirty something...it amazing how trim I look a few stone lighter!!! :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
Thanks Jane for another wonderful TT Christmas party...you have done a fantastic job as always.
till well into the New Year.
I have so much to do, both at home and with the bears, I hardly have time to scratch myself,
so before I am completely swamped, I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you all
Take care everyone, drive safely and enjoy your festivities.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Hi Michael,
I have posted this before on another thread, but I guess some people haven't seen it yet:
"I think both Bid4Bears and Teddy Patch would be great alternatives to eBay, but unless EVERYONE makes the move and STAYS there until the collectors have to come there because there are no bears left on eBay...NOT A DARN THING WILL EVER CHANGE...eBay will continue making more money than ever and the Artists will continue to complain.
As artists we all need a good dose of resolve and perseverance!"
TT and Quy were good enough to put links in your profile page to these sites ... so why don't you give them a go and join the REVOLUTION!!!
I should rephrase that Sandi. I cant find the energy to get my head around it. I feel like I'm running on empty. :(
Just sent you a top up!! :crackup:
Thanks Christine and Carolyn...I think it does me good to do this every now and then.
Linda...the dog is not the problem here, thank heavens, he doesn't shed at all.
His coat is like sheeps wool...just one fluffy ball! 
Congratulations Linda!
I knew you could do it ... it's a breeze once you get your head around it.
Look forward to seeing many of your bears on the internet ... if only we could get a few more of the "oldies" around to our way of thinking. There are so many terrific Aussie artists who never get to show their talents to the world.
Good luck with the site, it looks great. 
I got the lines too Tammy. I thought it was something Sandi added and wondered 'why' :doh:
I like the simplified home page Sandi. I wish I could do that to mine. Cant figure where to start though :doh:
Sounds like you could do with an upgrade too kiddo! 
And you can do that to yours Wendy...simply email me! :thumbsup:
Thanks Ruth, Tammy and Wendy for your comments...it's always good to get a second opinion.
Sandra ... I never dust at all (sneeze constantly) ... Glenn does it!!! 
Spend less time on forums and facebook!!!! :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:
It's the only way to go...I do drop in from time to time, but never waste any more than 30 minutes over a complete day.
The rest of the time is spent designing, sewing, classes, working on all the websites I look after, resourcing and preparing promo material etc. etc. etc.
Of course there is also time for family in there somewhere, which leaves very little time for housework!!
Hi Guys'n'Gals!
Just did a complete makeover of my website this week and would dearly love some feedback if you have time.
http://www.bearlysaneteddies.com
Positive and negatives, all greatfully received.
Ta muchly. :hug:
There's nothing better for a bear artist, than being a "Cover Girl" ('cept maybe a mohair stash!!! )
Love the e-mag, means I get to see it earlynow, instead of waiting for it to arrive in the mail.
Ruth baby, you have already had your share of praise from me!!! :hug:
I received a present to myself for Christmas, this morning ... my wonderul Annie from Marlys (Waggle Bears)!
She's beautifully made and sitting on my studio table ready to welcome my students in the morning. I can tell you now, there will be lots of ooohhhs and aaahhhs going around the table tomorrow! 
Thank you Marlys!!! You made my day!!!
Wendy, might I ask what happens to the bears after someone else fixes them?
Are you going to sell them as your own? Or is the person that fixes the the bear going to keep it?
Perhaps if some artists thought a little more about their customers, rather than themselves, they may find their customer base would increase.
Do you realise how selfish you may sound to the collectors reading these posts!!!
Brenda, my post wasn't directed at anyone in particular...it was a general comment.
This forum is for teddy collectors as well as artists and I think some replies would be better made through a PM. Too often we forget about the people viewing this forum...and make comments from an artist point of view only.
To some collectors, comments made about business matters, may come across as "some artists are only thinking of their own pockets".
I am really sticking my neck on the line here!
Personally I would give your customer base more thought and consideration ... where is your larger customer base?
If you mainly sell to a UK market ... GBP
US market ... US
Aussie market ... AUD
Perhaps if some artists thought a little more about their customers, rather than themselves, they may find their customer base would increase.
Do you realise how selfish you may sound to the collectors reading these posts!!!
This is not said with malice and not directed at any particular person...and definitely not at at Sue who asked a very valid question.
YOU MUST STICK TO IT ... EVEN IF THE "EVIL MONSTER" TEMPTS YOU ... DON'T GIVE IN!
Those who make a living off your bears, continue with eBay if you must...but at least try to put a couple a month on Bid4Bears and let your collectors/customers know they are there AND REMIND THEM OFTEN!!!
My listing is now on Bid 4 Bears. Just click on the link below.
How many more are going to make the move ... and remove that eBay link?
Hey Wendy, there has gotta be more than 22 WEBS users amongst all these bear artists ... where are you all ?????
Maybe we can entice TT to replace it with Bid4Bears and Teddy Patch, or at least add them so we can encourage people to use them.
Can it be done Quy?
What do you say girls?
A co-ordinated listing date for another site, being organised to send a mailshot announcing such, may help
Nancy has done this numerous times on Bid4bears and it doesnt' seem to have had a lasting effect. To me Bid4bears seems quite similar to Teddy Patch so don't see the advantage in it over Bid4bears - although I haven't tried it yet - still trying to find out some info on what sales are like there. Nancy Tillberg created Bid4bears in response to requests by TT'ers for a better place than ebay to sell their bears - but everyone hasn't supported her - or they've tried it and didn't have good results so they drifted back to ebay.
I don't think people are as concerned about whether the site is FREE as what the results will be - it is still a lot of work to take photos, do up the description, and list the item if it isn't going to get any bids!I still think a lot of the problem is that there are too many other options if someone leaves ebay - Bid4bears, Teddy Patch, Etsy, Bear Pile, and who knows what else! - so it is too spread out and diluted and the majority of the collectors and artists are still on ebay so if they don't get sales on these other sites everyone just drifts back to ebay where the majority of the action is.
I would love to see ONE of these newer sites become the major place for artist bear sales instead of ebay but just don't see how it is going to happen!
I think both Bid4Bears and Teddy Patch would be great alternatives to eBay, but unless EVERYONE makes the move and STAYS there until the collectors have to come there because there are no bears left on eBay...NOT A DARN THING WILL EVER CHANGE...eBay will continue making more money than ever and the Artists will continue to complain.
Come on what's with you Aussies out there?
Sandra has put a lot of work into this and if it is to succeed it needs support!
EVERYONE'S SUPPORT! Otherwise there won't be any competitions to enter.
It's time to pull your finger out and put back a little into the industry that we all love so dearly.
Well now I've said what I really feel...yell at me if you wish...but all the mags give us great opportunities and it's time to return the favour!
We have a new featured artist this month all the way from our island state of Tasmania...please stop by an meet Julie!
Thank you all.
Debbie after some discussion last night, we felt it best not to involve our family as some may think I could influence them, so we have asked our independant TACDA judges to help in this matter. Have edited above.
They will email me with their selections.
Thanks again to all the lovely people who voted in the correct manner.
I am sorry to say the voting has been cancelled due to someone placing multiple votes from two seperate computers, one using a Firefox browser the other Internet Explorer - both based in Marys Place, Surrey Hills, Sydney NSW.
THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO ONLY PLACED ONE VOTE IN EACH CATEGORY
MY SINCERE APOLOGIES TO THE ARTISTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CHALLENGE
After careful consideration we have decided to ask the four independent TACDA judges to make the selection of the BEST TRADITIONAL BEAR and the BEST CHRISTMAS SCENE. The winning artist of each section will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
The bears are posted in the order they have been submitted and will all bears will be available for adoption after the judging has been completed by 4 independent judges. Links to the artists concerned will be added after the judging.
Thank You to our collectors for your patience!
