Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Daphne..I was going to say the exact same thing about myself...from front on, I'm kinda scary looking...but from side on, I'm downright frightening!
Krista...from one who knows..give the poor bear a break!

Debbie, How big is Blossom? I'm not familiar with Dales ponies. Is she going to be a riding pony or a pet?
Here in Aus we have miniature ponies....soooo cute! The only grow to about 45 inches in height, about the size of a large dog.
A friends sent me this link the other day about a mini horse that arrived early. She was only as big as their cat!

http://www.treherneminis.com/Doves%20page.htm

Lynette, it sounds like the mines over there are very dangerous. I'm sure they said on the news this morning that in Sth African gold mines, 1 man dies for every tonne of gold they remove from the mine.

What I found the most amazing was that it turns out they couldn't even sit up where they were trapped. They spent the whole 14 days lying down and could only raise their heads 15cm before touching rock. Creeepy! I would have died of panic. What miraculous guys these are! I can't believe they could still walk! :clap:

I just wanted to say congrats to Christine for her win in the Bear Competition which was part of the Melbourne Teddy Show.  :clap: Christine really blitzed it with her adorable little bears and scored the Bear of Show trophy. Well done Christine!
I believe the top bear and the middle bear are Christines and the top bear was her Bear of Show.
You should have come and said hello Christine..I missed seeing you but Patsy said you were there.

Melissa, I'm not familiar with the lights you are talking of...any chance of finding some on the net so I can get a visual? I like the sound of 'inexpensive' and 'clip on'.
Yes..I guess the windows at Sandown could be a problem if your table was against the light...bit hard on the eyes. I guess I was just thinking of the overall light feeling and it was good for photos without having to use the flash.

The show in September is The Australian Bear Convention www.australianbearconvention.com  It is the weekend after Bears in Brisbane and is on the Gold Coast at Broadbeach. The show with take up the entire third floor of the Oasis Shopping Centre and is a two day show which makes it more worthwhile if you are travelling, as I am. There is also a drinkies evening on the Friday night and a seafood banquet get together on the Saturday night. This show is where the awards will be presented for the Australian Bear Awards (judged the week before at Bears in Brisbane) too, so lots to go for. Yes, would be so lovely to catch up with you again, I loved meeting you all last time. We'll miss you this weekend!

Thanks Lisa..yes, that's a point my hubby made last night too. Especially when using 240 volt. I'm hoping to use some 12 volt downlights but am running out of time to fiddle around looking for lights. I will email the promoter and ask.
The Melbourne Teddy Event was always held at a racecourse...huge big windows and the most amazing natural lighting...hard to beat.
Yes...I'm looking forward to September too. At least in a shopping centre there should be no need for extra lighting?

Daphne and Jenny...thanks for your posts...I appreciate your input. Daphne..the only clip on lamps we seem to have here are workshop type ones...and they get very hot.Gotta get back to stitchin'

Patsy..how lovely that you are coming to do the Melbourne Teddy Show! Karen and I have table 38..which table number are you?
Make sure you find us and say hi!

Hi girls...no TT for me this week...getting ready for a show on Sunday.
BUT...I have heard that the lighting in this venue is not up to par and was advised to bring lighting.
Can anyone advise on the best type of lighting to go for? Something that shines on the bears but doesn't blind either the customers or exhibitor?I remember seeing lights on Jenny's show table in one of her pics and also some tables at the Nevada City show.
Anyone have pics they can share? Time's running out!
Help!

Eileen,
Congrats on your beautiful bunny! I LOVEEEEE him!  You deserve a huge pat on the back for sticking with the design...heck nine pieces in the head???
At least you finished your Easter Challenge, better late than never....it was my idea and I didn't even get pen to paper 'cos life got in the way. Oh well, maybe next Easter,

Hi Susan and Sarahjane and welcome to two more Aussies!
My understanding is that if you list on ebay.com.au and tick 'will ship worldwide' then your listing will automatically be shown on ebay.com too. That's what's happened the few times I have listed on ebay.

You may have seen this before. For all of you who love dogs..this story is so heartwarming. Faith only has two legs due to a birth defect, but she is a really special dog.
It takes a little while to download but is so worth it. Some of the surrounding links sound a bit rude..just turn a blind eye.

http://www.break.com/index/2legdog4.html

Luann,
Great ideas! Esp the first bears table...what an inspiration for the newbies and amusement for the seasoned artists!
Good luck!
:dance:

Scott asked this on another thread..but I thought it definitely deserved it's own thread! Fess up everyone!

Ok now lets find out a little something about all our buddys hear online who do shows .
If you got runover by a car today and bearmakers from TT's was asked to cleanout your show kit what STRANGE THING WOULD THEY FIND?
  Would you be so embarrassed beyond the grave that you would want to come back from the grave to explain what it is and why you had it !!!

Ok pony up the truth....tee heee this should be fun......Be honest folks

bearHugs
SCOTT

WOW!! What a wealth of info (and source of humour!) you guys are! I never would have thought to take HALF that stuff but when I think about it now...of course you're gonna need it!
When I think we're all dried up with ideas on what to take....I'll put the entire list into one big list and post it on the Shows and Travel Forum so we can all print it out for the future, and it can be edited if someone wants to add another 'must have'. It will save a huge headache not having to wrack our brains at the last minute wondering if we have everything we need for success. Scott...that story was hilarious! I could picture the whole scenario! But I thought it was going to end that 'Billy' left you unprepared for your show, with no pen, no chocolate and no wipes! Just FYI, our wipes are called 'Wet Ones".

   
And Scott...I love that quote at the end of your post...that's me!
Keep the ideas coming...there must be more...I don't have to take a trailor yet!

I would imagine there's probably two different versions too...the local show list and the air travel list. Can't see some of those big props like bookshelves going on the plane trips!

Shelli...when does one get Teddy Talk flyers? Is there a file that can be printed?
Also, I love the montages you have on your table...especially the one with all the faces...do you have a close up pic?? AND..puff,puff....did you print the montages out at home or are they professionally printed. Very effective!

I have taken all the great suggestions offered and added them all to the one post. So when you have a show coming up, you can print the checklist so you won't get caught at a show without the essentials.

BEARS/CRITTERS. (duh )
Price tags
Table cover
Props
Money/change
Bags to put sold bears in
Tissue paper to wrap bears and their accessories in, before you put them in those bags
Lighting and extra light bulbs
Plenty of extension cords
Pens
Receipt book
"Adopted","Sold" or "Reserved" tags
Business cards/info
Mailing list signup sheet
Photo Album/slideshow of past work
Emergency sewing/bear kit -Scissors
Safety pins
Calculator and extra batteries
Drinks, especially water
Food-HEALTHY food... PROTEIN!! (OK, I little chocolate but it can't be your main staple!)
Camera and spare batteries/memory card
TEDDY TALK flyers!!!
Extra hangtags & extra certificates as you may occasionally have folks who would like the bear renamed.
Photos of awards/winning bears from your past, or the awards/bears themselves
Eftpos machine and/or manual credit card machine
Info on how to process credit cards, if you need it for reference
Copies of articles/published work, in frames or in plastic protectors or just strewn across the table
Vertical signage about payment types you accept:  Visa, MasterCard, Discover, etc.  Don't make them ask!
Possibly a not-for-sale item just for any Best in Show competition you may want to enter.  If someone buys your Best in Show entry and it's a long show, you lost a day or more of potential votes once the item's off your table.
Pretty accents, "just because," to break up the expanse of mohair-covered tabletop visually
Photos of sold bears to put in their empty place. Use those little plastic frames and add a sold sticker.
Candy to keep little hands busy and off your bears (taffy works great:No sticky fingers and it takes a few moments to unwrap.)
Helper, because it's a very, very long day!
Band-aids, arnica gel
Comfortable shoes, rubber pads to stand on
Book/pad for special orders. If you accept them it's handy to have a separate place to write all the specifics down. And I bring my mohair swatch book too when taking special orders.
A bear to work on, it is a great conversation starter, but don't get so involved that you forget the collectors
Pins and tape so that you can adjust your cover cloth and manoeuvre it exactly into the places that you want it - especially good for pinning in the excess at the front edge
DUCT TAPE! ... I use this to secure my table cover so no one can step on the end or pull it off the table.  It is useful in placing all those electrical wires where you want them so they are not dangling off the back of the table.  You know, wires for lights, calculators, computers. Also use it to tape together cardboard boxes which make great risers.  The boxes fold down for shipping and then you can put them together with the duct tape.
You can also tear off a strip and use to take off mohair which always clings to those nice show clothes after you brush a teddy.
Charged cell/mobile phone
Clothes: you never know if it's going to be hot or if your table will be right under the A/C vent. A sweater or jacket is nice. Or layers to take off so you can cool down.
Pack  everything into a suitcase (or 10!!!) on rollers

Of course we don't have to take EVERYTHING on this list...but if we don't and we needed it..there'll be 100 TT'ers saying "I told you so!

CONGRATS SAM!!! Looking forward to the pics!!! :dance:  :clap:

And me Shelli. You are already on my site but I need to add the newer TT'ers.

Thankyou Kerrie..you were a great help! So do you actually stitch the clothes onto your bears then?
I saw those great little irons at the Stitches and Craft show in Melbourne and yes...you gotta get one! :dance:

I agree wholeheartedly with Kim...the price should reflect the fact that they are little pieces of art!
I have no idea how long each one takes to make but I'm betting it wouldn't be under an hour and possibly three times that long for the extra special ones. I'd be starting the basic ones at $10.00 and working up to $25.00 to $30.00 for the purttier ones.
But that's just my opinion...and what do I know.

Shelli and Aleta...I don't suppose we are going to be lucky enough to get a preview of the delights you'll be selling on the weekend??? I so enjoyed Jenny's and Paula's pre-show parade. :clap:

Geez ...I thought he was REAL when I saw him in your avatar Tracy!
Those eyes are great!
Harrison Hare suits him beautifully...he's very regal. :clap:

Lisa..the article is very well written and I'm sure it will prove very helpful to those just starting out. Well done! :clap:

Kerrie...your daughter is beautiful! I have a daughter who is 12 and she really loves the bears too. She has already made a couple and won a prize in The Melbourne Teddy Event junior section a year or so ago. She adores all things craft and travels to every bear and craft show with me...it's really special to be able to share such a passion with your daughter.
Is the Brisbane show you're talking of Bears In Brisbane or the Australian Bear Convention on the Gold Coast the following week?
I am going to the second one...would love to attend both but would have to stay over and it would be too costly.

Shantell I am working on a line of bears dressed in vintage style clothes too (eeeeekkk, hope that doesn't make me a COPYCAT!!! ) I'm leaving them without shoes and call them 'Bear'foot beauties. With mine, I'm not actually using patterns but just draping and pinning the actual fabrics on the bears and then cutting the rough shape. Whether it works or not remains to be seen!
Which leads me to my next question.
When dressing bears....is it necessary for the clothing to be removable or can you stitch the clothes onto the bear?? Call me lazy but this would save having to use closures.
Any rules regarding this that I should know about or can I use artistic licence?
Shantell...there are some wonderful fake vintage laces and silks in some of the shops now...not ultra cheap but so realistic looking. You don't need much just to embellish a dress. I found a shop in Melbourne the other day with some beautiful ones and did some serious damage to the Visa card!

She absolutely GORGEOUS Kirsten! And SO worth it all! You are a radiant looking mummy too! Hang the bears for now!

Shelli..you are so sensible!