Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Jane,

As we'll be neighbors, I'm sure we'll get to say more than hello - at least I hope so!  It will be delightful to meet you in person.  Not sure I'm totally prepared but I am excited about the show.  I hope everyone who ventures out as an artist or a collector or a visitor has a safe trip and a great time.

~ginger

Hi everyone,

Joanne told me I should drop by to read these posts.  Thanks for the tip Joanne and to those who visited and commented above:  Wow!  Thank you so much!  And thanks to all those who participated in my blog party.  I hope those of you who visited the parties had a good time. 

Merry Christmas to all of you!

~ginger

Daphne was very diligent getting photos and quick too!  Great job!  I took a few which can be seen on my blog http://bearbits.blogspot.com/ but Daphne's photos really do a better job of showing the variety of bears and artists there.  It's a fun show to do if you're considering it for next year!

This bear's been so loved!  I'm not certain this will be of any help, but could it possibly be a Gund?  It looks very similar to this bear:

Good luck with your search!

~ginger

I've just send in my forms and deposit so hopefully, I'll see you there.  I've never been before but I sure have heard a lot of great things about it. I guess I'll see for myself if nothing unexpected happens to keep me from going!

Anyone else????

Thank you all so much!

It's been fun reminiscing about the early days with long time collectors and connecting with other artists, too.   

I was going to add this last night but it had gotten so late I decided to wait until the morning -  morning at least for me.  I just wanted to share with you all a little something that I have going on over on my blog.  It’s a celebration of sorts.  I’m having an anniversary giveaway.  It seems like such a special occasion, I decided to do something fun and different (for me anyway).   Because this is my 25th year as a teddy bear artist, I would like to say thank you to all those who have helped me along the way, including many of you.  I decided a fun way to do so would be to have my very first blog giveaway.  I hope you’ll join in.  You can see the details and put your name in the draw by clicking on the link below.  All names will be kept confidential:

http://bearbits.blogspot.com/2009/02/announcement.html

Hi Paula,

I just wanted to say a huge Thank you! for setting up the 100 Best Bear Blogs site!  You really are a star!  I'm not sure how you keep all those balls in the air, but I sure appreciate your efforts and admire your savvy.

~ginger

Hello Everyone,

I’ve come up with another off-the-wall idea that manifested itself as a series of bears called Bloons.  Yes, no misspelling there.  They are just a hair different from what I usually make but still in the same size range, about 6 inches tall.  The first few have already found homes, but you can read their story and see some photos here

http://www.pieceparade.com/bloons.htm

And my blog is up and running too.  If you want to drop by and check it out, you can click on this link

http://www.bearbits.blogspot.com/

I’ve read so many wonderful blogs in the past few months, that they have given me something to reach for in my own.

Now it’s back to the bear in progress.

~ginger

Hey Laura -

You are a star!  What a great idea and generous of you to share it.  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

I hope people will take tremendous advantage of this idea and keep it going.

Bravo!

~ginger

Hello all -

Thanks for adding to this post!  I'm so glad you've shared your shop addresses.  I'm new to the game so I may be bringing up old news, but that's how it goes when I stay buried under fluff and mohair!

Dorothy, Anita, Ellen - lovely to see you've got shops.  As well as Shelli, Chris, and Marion - exciting!  I look forward to seeing your work show up there from time to time.

Bonnie - you asked how it was going.  Being fairly new myself, I do not have enough experience to tell you sales-wise if it is successful.  Although, I do like being part of a place that promotes the handmade work of individuals and the broader audience that Etsy has.  Seems like a good way to promote all kinds of artful teddy bears.

And I do LOVE the company!      

Anyone else with an Etsy shop who wants to share their shop link????

Thanks all!!
~ginger

Hi all -

It's terrific to know I'm in good company over there at that Etsy thang!   

I appreciate your input and am happily hopping from shop to shop when I've got a few moments to browse. 

Hey Laura - I wish I could have gone to Schaumburg, but it just wasn't in the cards this time around.  I would have loved to see you again. :hug:

Hey Lisa - Why am I NOT surprised that you have a qdpatooties shop?!! :crackup:   All the items are just so whimsical - your style is so unique! 

Hey Roxanne - Your bears are stunning!  Congratulations on the TBCI article!

Hey Tina - I'm sure we've probably been browsing Etsy at the same time.  Wonder why I've not run into you in one of the shops?   :crackup:

Hey Shantell - You, me and a few others - that Etsyitis thang!  Happy Grand Opening!!!

Hey Daphne - Your Dad is pretty well darn amazing!  Those felted bags are so colorful and just the thing now.  Hope he continues to have success with it -  and all the animals too!

Hey Brenda -  Etsy seems like a really good place for your style of jewelry.  Decently priced handmade quality pieces.  You've created some cool work!  I'd love to meet you at a show sometime.  Is the Timonium Spring show too far for you?

Hey Nancy -  Now that's a good idea.  Christmas gifts!  H-m-m-m just another good reason to look around.

Hey Michelle - Oh no!  Did I really create a monster?  My apologies but you won't be lonely there!  And if you bring along some of your sweet little creations, I'm sure they won't mind a little field trip.

Hope there's a few more out there that will pop in and add their shop address! 

Thanks you all!

~ginger

Forgive my exaggerated Southern accent, but I was hoping that anyone here (& I know there’s a few of you) who has an Etsy shop could post their link under this topic.  I enjoy browsing there when I have a few moments and really enjoy traipsing around to see the teddy bears.

And even thought I don’t know why Etsy fascinates me, I love to see all the artwork and handmade items people create.  Like many of you, I could conceivably break the bank if I could only indulge all my whims and fancies! 

I will start it off by posting my shop link and I hope anyone else who has one will join in.

Thanks heaps – I look forward to browsing your Etsy shops!

~ginger

www.pieceparade.etsy.com

Hi Lisa,

I checked out your website and I have to say it is YOU!   :clap:   In a very good way, of course.  I think it suits you, your bears and your style perfectly.  Perfectly, that is, until you tire of it and find the next combination that says, "This is me!"  Until then, this one is lively, quirky and cheerful.  Just right for q. D. paToOtieS.  (I had to look to get that right!)

~ginger

What an awesome display, Janet!!!!!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: :clap: 

I think you have done a wonderful job and I am certain that anyone who sees it cannot help but stop and linger a little bit to look at everything.  I know you put a lot of time and effort into this display and it shows!

Thanks so much for putting it together and taking photos for all of us to see!

Merry Christmas!

~ginger

Tami -

This is a lovely piece!  I look forward to seeing it in person.

~ginger

To Amy, Wendy, Mary, Kelly, and Tami:

Your comments about my Halloween box piece really mean a great deal to me.  I am encouraged that some of my crazy off-the-wall ideas have managed to make a few people smile!!  That's just wonderful.     Some of you, I will see in about a week (or less).    (That soon? Must get busy!)  I am looking forward getting together in Schaumburg.  Safe travels!  Do you think a skeleton in my suitcase will be a problem for the inspectors???   

Thanks again y'all!

~ginger

Hi All,

Here's my submission for the challenge.  This one is going to Schaumburg with me just in time to squeeze in a little more fun before Halloween.  My fun, after creating these pieces, is the interactive nature of the piece.  So, if you're game, pretend you have this box in your hand. 

First you read the warning on the front:

Whatever you do, don't open the door!

But, you're curious so you take a peek.  Is what is on the other side of the door going to be really really scary for my little bony friend?

Aw - it's just a trick or treater with his little jack o'lantern bucket hoping for a piece of candy or two!

(I think he prefers chocolate, by the way!)

Happy Halloween!!!

~ginger

Hi Everyone,

These are snippets from my BAO piece.  The theme is a fun one and I really enjoyed working on this idea for the show.  I am looking forward to seeing all the new and unique bears when the show opens! 

It's just a mere three weeks away!

Good luck to you all!

~ginger

Hi Denise,

I guess I could have given how tall they are!!

Thanks for asking!  These little guys measure in at just under 6 inches tall.  Just a little handful and they are on the weighty side, too.  Wouldn't want the wind to carry them away . . .

~ginger

I appreciate all of your comments very much.  The idea for them seemed like a gift!  These are fun little guys to make and have started some very interesting conversations.   It seems like after looking at them awhile, many people tend to choose a favorite.  It was the first question I asked my family (sisters and my mom included!) after I had all the sprites ready and gathered in one place.  My daughter's favorite was Cordy, so naturally he found a new home while at TBAI! 

Now I find myself perusing the most 'interesting' places for supplies as you might imagine . . .

The places these bears will take us!

Thanks so much for looking and giving your input!

~ginger

Here's a few more photos:

This is Florsheim.

This is Snips.

This is Nehi.

Hope you enjoy!

~ginger

Hi everyone!

These little guys made their first appearance at TBAI!  Junkyard Sprites are somewhat shy, but very friendly once they get to know you.  Here's a bit of backround:

They are not found in the forests or meadows where other fairies usually live.  Instead, these rare creatures are found in junkyards and other similar places where they can blend into their surroundings.  This type of environment also provides them with materials from which they create their attire.  These resourceful sprites use many different found objects to fashion their wings, hats, and any other accoutrements they desire.  Afterwards, they give each other nicknames based on some aspect of their adornments.

This one's name is Foster Grant.  She's got a few friends too.  I'll try to follow with more photos.

~ginger

This is Cordy:

This is Buttermilk:

Hi Jane,  Thank you so much for the lovely photos.  I know that may sound a bit odd, seeing as how some of them are a bit out of focus, but I still think they are great.  And this is because I was able to get a real feel for the show.  Especially enjoyed the one where you can see a bit of the show layout in the background.  I like seeing the individual tables!  Look at all those Shoebutton Bears!  And then all those other bears, too!  It would be great to be able to wander around looking at them all in person.  Since it's a bit of a 'drive' from here  :crackup: this is the next best thing.  Thanks for taking the time at the show to take the photos and then share them all with TT!  ~ ginger

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your enthusiasm for the reports from TBAI.  You all made it that much more fun to do because of your interest!  It was certainly a pleasure and I was happy to do it.  After all, if we can't be at each and every show, a 'virtual' show is a pretty good second place.  Thanks to all of you for making Teddy-Talk such a fun and inspiring place to hang out!

all the best,
ginger