Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Very nice Kim   Lovely layout and it all looks great    Did you do the designing yourself?  I've had 4 websites so far lol...all a little better than the last, takes time but it is fun I think  :dance:

Oh geezzz Denise.....what more can I say... :twisted:
Feel better 

Hi Jenn
Sorry you are feeling disappointed...I've learned that no bear works out like I plan lol...And even if it isn't very nice, there is still something special about them that I can love.

My sister once made a bear and it looked like a flat cat lol...no kidding!  We called it our depression bear and brought it out for a laugh when ever we felt gloomy.

With shading, I love to shade with pencils coz then you can work up slowly and stand back and look and go again....
Here this is for you 

Melissa, they are beautiful   No wonder you are :clap: proud

Also, funny about the way we have so many different ways of saying things...In another group where we are mixed lol, we had some fun and wrote a huge list of all the words we aussies use that the rest of the world don't use lol.  It was a laugh!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  I've never had pumpkin pie either...I have many American friends and they have given me lots of great recipies, but I've never made it!!!  Will have to this year  :dance:  I think the idea is so wonderful...wish we had more holidays here in Australia...what do you all think??? 

Well done Dilu  :clap: :dance: :clap:
YAY!!!

Thankyou Denise, Heather and Eileen  :angel:
I'm so tired now and really should go to bed...boy this place is addictive...love it    :love::angel:
goodnight Aussies...rest of the world hope you're having good weekends  :dance:

I know Denise...they must be absoloute zillionaires!  also don't you hate those Pay Pal fees when you accept money..They must be rolling in it too!

Yay yay yay!!!!!  Good on you Heather     :clap: I know it must be soooo hard...not a smoker but know how many times my sister has tried to quit.  Keep strong  :hug:

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou, I wish I could reply to you all and give each of you a huge hug and personal thankyou, each of your comments have made me feel so special...you girls are the greatest and I love being here :D

Well today I got another email from Bear Creations and I am putting a bear project in the next issue.  My Primrose goes in soon I guess when they feature the Adelaide show article.  In a few months they will do a profile...and some guy call Mike is going to ring me lol.  I think they are supposed to be interviewing me for an ebay article, but I'm not sure...I think Danni said she is doing the interview too so maybe they want Aussie ebayer input...

I have never written to these people or anything, so its just so funny that they were hunting me down from my bear in the show...I have a weird sense of humor and can imagine the PI's in trench coats lol  :lol:
I suppose it shows that it pays to put your bears in shows...I remember that was one of the first peiecs of advice I got from a bear artist...get your bears into shows...so do it everyone..it is well worth it.  :P

So I have two bear patterns to come up with and then all the other stuff to come...boy I'm going to be busy...anyone want to help sew with me...bickies and tea will be served lol 

What a brilliant photo...I love Koda...and aren't you pretty 

hehe..youre so cute lol

I just left this logged on while I ansered a heap of emails lol.  I suppose I don't log off either while I'm online, i love reading what you are all talking about...only thing is I'm usually on when you guys are sleeping!  Its midnight here!

Fantastic Fran   I really love dolls houses and was always a dolly girl when I was little...dolls houses everywhere  :doh:   I've said that when I retire I will build one of these lol Love all the little furniture and everything..and the lighthouse...wow!  :love:
Lovely 

Lovely Pipa Cute dress too 

oooooh!!
what a cutie

I didn't say anything yesterday as I wanted to be sure of what was going on....but I have some good news to share...I have been contacted by Bear Creations Magazine here in Australia.  I think it's the biggest Bear mag here so I was in utter shock when they wrote me!!!
I entered one of my Flutter Bears in the Adelaide show in August and won a first in section, rosette and gold star...They want to put a photo of her in their magazine but didn't know who the artist was, and have just discovered it was me by seeing one of my auctions on ebay.  The editor wrote to ask my permission to publish the photo, and read this:

"I also would like to interview you for the above article about ebay and, as I really love your designs, run a profile on you and your creations in a future issue."

How cool is that!!! She wants to interview me about an ebay article and do a profile on me and my bears :dance: I'm thrilled beyond words...2 magazines offers in twelve hours!! and to top it all off a previous ebay customer has ordered 3 bears from my website...I'm really in a state of shock and hope I don't wake up tomorrow and it's all a dream.  I didn't think I would ever get anywhere coz I'm so sick all the time which has been disappointing coz I love being a bear artist so much.

Anyway thank you for letting me share my excitement and hope I don't sound too boastful, I know it's not huge but I'm just soooo excited.    :dance:

Firstly, I want to thank everyone for their support  Its so nice to be able to share and have you all happy for Hayley and me.

And just wanting to respond too...
You all bring up some fab comments and I am still really excited about doing it and not regretting signing up, haven't had the papers yet, but they're on their way.... I agree with what has been said, we all have to start somewhere...How thrilling would it be for someone to say that my first bear was a Sarah Medina lol
I made 30 bears before i moved on to my own designs..and I don't take any of those bears into my own designs, if that makes sense...and yes, it is opening up the bear artist (not nude lol, never forget that lol) world up to crafters everywhere.  People sadly still don't know what I do when I say I make teddy bears...what toys for kids???  This craft mag is a general all over craft that lots of people read...people not interested in bears pass over bear mags and never get tempted...know waht i mean...

Dilu I love your thoughts and loved this 'Not all collectors read craft mags and not all bear makers are collectors BUT many bear makers are collectors and read craft mags.....Hows that for some convoluted logic?  I should run for Congress!"  Lol well done lol ;)

Like Hayley said, we are coming from different scenerios, so I'm not judging what you do Hayley at all, it is your choice and I respect that...It doesn't sound right for you but it really fits for me...Maybe I haven't been in this business to be too careful yet, I don't know...I know that copyiers will be out there, but choose to just ignore it and just keep enjoying myself...I love bears and I want to keep loving them, I'm in it for the love and not really the money, besides enough to make more...It's my hobby and love more than a business for me...I see it as a good thing

I love to design and work on bears, so that really isn't a hassle for me....And I wish my bears would fetch the $250 mark like they are offering to pay!  oh to dream lol.  I make minis, 5 inches, and also bears up to around 18 inches, she wants me to make a 11 incher. They will be sending my bear back so it all sounds really good to me....To tell you the truth, I would have done it without the payment!  But that much money is a heck of a lot for me...think of all the fur!!!

anyway, thanks for all the pros and cons...all worth considering...It will be out in June .....lol....will write back then all excited and you will probably all be thinking...whats she talking about lol...so long to wait!
hugs and love to you all
sarah

Oh well done Lynne.  Enjoy it  :clap: :dance:

I haven't had any hassle sending over seas yet...I've sold to USA, England and Hong Kong.  You need to sign a declaration form saying it isn't anything harmful etc.  The post office here is very good and will give you all the info you need.  Hope this helps..It is easy when you get the hang of it 

Oh boy!!! I don't believe it!  What is their problem, really...do they not know we pay them to use their service!!!
Denise I hope you can get your bear back on and sold for lots more  :rose:
Okay, I have to ask...what was the issue with Thread Teds, or am I being really stupid not to see it!
Feel better all  :hug:

oh thankyou Karen :)
I've written too much I know, but the thoughts kept coming lol
hugs sarah 

Yeh, thats what I was worried about too...the pattern and people copying...so much of that going on!!..It is so annoying to work so hard on a style, pattern, design etc and then have it taken right from under your nose with no work, or brain work on the other persons part!....
I suppose one way to think of it is that if someone wants your design enough they will find a way...or they will just copy the look...it is so hard to really protect your own creativity....
This magazine wants a specific style from my bears and the managing editor gave me very clear outlines of what she wants...it made it easy...I suppose I will just be careful not to design a pattern that would give away all my secrets..Its terrible to have to think like this at all and can't believe people do copy, but thats life I guess.  It doesn't end at school!  I suppose if you are published, you will be 'known' more and if people see that bear again they will know it is yours, not some other persons..
I don't know...just think about it and weigh it all up...you bring up some of the same thoughts i had tho, so you are not alone...

oh...on further reading...yes it is a pattern for their magazine....Made and designed for them...After that you can sell the bear, but it can't feature in any other magazine and I don't think you can sell the pattern.
I design different bears all the time coz I'm more of a traditional OOAK'er, so this isn't a huge deal for me...I have the time, no kids or job coz I'm sick etc....and I love doing it...I thrive on designing and creating
I suppose you would have to weigh all of this up first...How much it will take out of your time and load of work etc....I think tho that any publicity is good publicity, and to be asked to feature in a magazine is a huge compliment.   :rose:
Oh she mentioned that they have one bear artist, one doll and one animal every couple of months i think...And its quite a large craft magazine...lots of people buy it.
Wow!!! 
hugs Hayley and let me know if you need to talk

Oh my god Hayley!!!!!
I received the same email!!!!  I rang her today and she is just lovely....so excited..  I will be in next Junes winter issue...I was so honoured to be chosen...I couldn't believe it...I was expecting to have to go out in search of magazines to print me like someone had told me she does, not have it drop in my lap.
Go for it if you can...Best part is they pay you for it...I will be getting a nice little present from them for my efforts.  I thought something lke $50 but its way more....don't know if I should say how much it is here, but I was shocked! go for it girl...its a huge opportunity.
I didn't even care about the pay...just thought it was terrific...but that is just like WOW!  They are paying me to feature in their magazine...so wonderful to be in a magazine let alone that....
Write me if you need and we can discuss things if you want...
The lady is lovely tho, so give her a ring....very sweet and easy to talk to.  I was nevous lol
as you can tell I'm over the moon   so sorry if I sound too eager or....you know...lol
hugs sarah