Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

He's stunning Lisa, Great work as always. xxx

Top work as always Lisa. x

Thanks for your kind suggestion bearlady, but I do specifically want that bear. x

Hi all,

I'm looking for a Monica Spicer Pattern, "elegant lady" This one -

http://www.monicasattictreasures.com.au … 20kit.html

I know Monica sells it through her Etsy but right now I would dearly love to make it but cannot afford what it costs. I am sure it is worth every penny but with postage and the exchange rate it would cost me around £60 and that's without the registered delivery. On top of that I might be taxed on it as it's over £18 (I haven't checked the specifics mind you and it could be free cos of australia being in the commonwealth) so it may cost £75 ish which is probably about $100 US dollars right now and that's before I buy the materials needed to make it.

Does anyone have a second hand copy that they would be willing to sell me for a cheaper price?

Many Thanks for your time,
Julia.

I've got a Bernina. It might be old but it's still going strong. Mine is an ex-school machine 

Glad you like him Lynn. I was starting to   think he wouldn't arrive in time.

Thank you Therese for my lovely ornament! He has the most stunning eyes and he's my first open mouth bear I ever owned 

Mine has arrived - is anyone going to sort out a tree thread?    I've posted mine also so it's winging it's way across the world as we speak.  :dance:

I have to say, that sounds Cheap to me!  Shipping costs are very high across the world - It would probably cost more than that to send a bear from the UK to the US easily, in fact it did to send my swop bear if i'm remembering right.

She's probably never bought from another country before. If so she might have a shock if she has to pay taxes on them too!

The 3 dimensional nature of a bear will shrink the height when it is made up. I learnt that when designing my own patterns, if you draw say an ankle a certain size, when it is stuffed it is smaller than when drawn because the stuffing pushes out the fur it gets narrower - likewise if you stuff a head it will get less tall because of the fabric being pushed out on the sides too.

Personally I don't worry if the bear isn't the height on the pattern, as each persons way of making will vary and affect the height.

Does that make more sense?

He's lovely!    I have that pattern but haven't been brave enough to tackle it yet. Top job!  :clap:

You need to check whether seam allowance is included in the pattern or not if you are measuring up - if it is, then don't include whatever the amount the seam allowance is on your measurements - that might be making up the difference, as when the bear is sewn up, you will loose some of that height in the seams.

I think! To some extent the height of the finished bear will also be influenced by where it is jointed also.

It's also worth having a look at Lisa Page's website, she specialises in animals. I comissioned a Chinchilla from her and I love it to pieces -

http://lisap46.tripod.com/arcasdesigns/

I suppose it depends what style you want. Lisas designs are really cute 

Glad I could give you all a smile 

Thanks to Halloween, my little baby Chinchilla, Spooky has lots of things with his name on it. 

I found a table decoration in a local bargin shop (and even better it was the day before Halloween so it was reduced to 50p!) and couldn't resist. I had an idea for a photo and I actually managed to take the picture I wanted 

So here's some cute for you -

He's about 6 1/2 months old now.

Thanks Becky. I have that pattern 

Noble bears on ebay do a nice one. I can't copy and paste links on my phone so I can't post a direct link for you. Ebearz U do a Yorkie class as well if you wanted to do a lifesize one.

  What a cutie!

Personally I like to get a certificate, but I suppose it's only useful if there's a way to check it hasn't been faked, or else there's not much point.

I think that it depends on the collector and their reasons for buying. I buy a lot of different things like that, I always buy because I want it and want to own and enjoy it; but there are those out there who buy for investment.

Of course, I don't think an artist bear is usually an investment piece as usually it's a good way to loose a pile of money if buying direct from the artist and selling on - IMO they loose a lot of value on the secondary market.

Having said that, buying on the secondary market is a great way to get a bear that you couldn't have afforded new. I have three of Jenny Loves Benny Bears. Two were purchased direct from Jenny and one is second hand. The second hand one cost me less than half of what the same style of bear cost me new. The hangtag etc matches my bears purchased direct from Jenny - so that bit of paper allowed me to compare and I am 100% certain that my second hand bear is genuine. This is maybe more important in the case of that particular artist as she does sell patterns of the same bear.

As long as you have something, signed and a consistant look to them it will help customers to identify your work as yours. Every artist likes to think their bears have a home for life, but that's not always the case and it will reassure people that should they ever need to sell the bear, they have proof it's 100% original (Good idea to therefore include photos)

A lot of people use a giveaway to build up their mailing list - maybe it's something you could consider? Don't loose heart, your bears are wonderful! I for one would buy if I wasn't so poor these days 

Hi Francy, its where you make a bear Christmas ornament and send it to someone. In return, you will get an ornament in return. Its a great way to get a special ornament :-)

Id love to take part. I couldn't last year, but Im happy to swop with anyone this year :-D

that's Great Karon, love to you and your daughter 

Awww....I want to hug him

Hi Chinchilla lover, Have a word with Lisa and she may be able to do one for you. This one is not for sale, he was made especially for me and I wouldn't part with him for anything.

He's very special to me.