Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I just watched them all tonight!
So gorgeous, it's truly amazing how close they can get to the bears :)

Emma
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I've been such a numpty and completely forgot to post the photo - you know what it's like at this time of year, I've been running around like a headless chicken.
But anyway, here it is :)

Emma
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Thank you Debbie of djbbears from Down Under! :)
It's so lovely and I cannot wait to get it up on my tree!
I'll take/post a picture tomorrow.
I also particularly loved the Christmas Koala 

Emma
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Mine's on it's way! Though the snow has probably held it up 
Why does it always snow when you have things to do, then never when you don't?!

Emma
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I got my first Christmas card today, yayy!
Thank you Gail :D
I really need to send mine now!

Emma
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Buy a cheap kiddies telescope from a pound shop or something similar and decorate it to look like a nose?

Emma
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It sounds interesting, I'm making ornaments as gifts this year anyway so I could easily make an extra one.
Are there any guidelines or anything?

Emma
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It's terrible that people do this, especially given the amount of hard work and time that goes into creating a bear.
Have you tried threatening legal action? The threat alone may jivvy her into paying up.

Emma
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I think it's called yeast extract in the US 

Emma
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Hiya, I'm looking to do a bit of research & I was wondering if it would be possible for people to complete a few questions for me?
I think this will be useful for a lot of people, not just me, well, I hope anyway :P
If you'd prefer to remain anonymous & don't want people to see your answers, that's fine, please either email me at emma@emmastephens.net or pm me :)

Teddy Bear Market Profile Survey

Which age range do you fall into?
less than 20
20 - 30
31-50
51+

Gender
male/female

Which country are you from?
eg. scotland, usa, germany etc.

Are you...?
Employed
Self Employed
Unemployed
Other
If Other please specify....

Are you...? (please state all that are relevant)
A collector
An artist
A promoter
A dealer
Just interested in bears

If you're an artist or dealer, how many bears do you usually sell per year & how many have you sold in the last year (roughly speaking)?

If you're a collector, roughly how many bears (and other animals) do you buy each year?

If you collect artist bears, who are your favourite artists?

Has the recession affected the number of bears you've purchased in the last year or so?
yes/no - give details if you would like to

How much would you pay for a well made artist miniature bear? (change to own currency if neccessary eg. less than $30 [US])
less than £30
£30 - £50
£51 - £70
£71 - £90
more than £91

Thank you so much for taking part :)

Emma
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That's so addicitive!
Looks like my degree is taking a backseat this week :P

Emma
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What an appropriate name, it is very peculiar! :P
Where did you get that from?
I've had marmite flavour crisps, but to be honest, they just kind of taste like beef & onion flavour.

Emma
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Thanks Therese :)
I'm about to buy the one on etsy, very cute :)

Emma
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Hiya, does anyone know anywhere online where I can buy a pig pattern? Or a book that has one in?

Emma
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Thank you so much for all your comments!
You all have very valid points :)
They're going to be very useful when I make my next one, thanks guys

Oh and I forgot to say they do have huge feet lolz. But that was on purpose because I'm trying to make them look like the bears I paint, though their ankles are far too thin, so it does look a bit strange

Emma
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Hi there!
I was wondering if people would be willing to give me some constructive criticism on these miniature teddies for my diary of my work?
If people could give me like, 3 points each on what they might improve that'd be such a great help.
I find it difficult to get perspective on my own work - like how it's easy to miss spelling mistakes on a document when you've been staring at it for so long!
I'm not expecting people to reveal trade secrets or anything like that, just sort of basics like ear positioning or eye alignment etc.
Anything you can suggest would be really greatly appreciated! :D

Amelia

Edward
(He does have one leg shorter than the other - I seem to be a bit hit and miss with how well the joints are placed )

Emma
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Yes that's it!
And the categories were outlined like;
"Hi, I'm a small bear and I love acting etc"
Thanks Gail

Emma
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I really wish I'd bookmarked the website now.
I think it might have had British in the title, but I know it wasn't the British Bear Artist Awards because I remember thinking the one I saw the category sounded similar.
Gosh my memory is terrible 

A lot of replies are similar to what I initially thought a character bear was, though it does seems difficult to actually conclusively define
Maybe we should invent a definition that we all agree on to use on here when refering to those types of bears, if one doesn't already exist?

Emma
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I didn't realise I'd stumbled on such an ambiguous topic!
I saw it in the categories of a competition that had a banner on here that I saw last week, though it seems to have disappeared - which is helpful I've a feeling it was something like BBA or something beginning with a B, but I could be completely wrong.
Can competition/award entry criteria for bears often be vague like this?

Emma
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This is probably a really daft question, but I was looking through a competition category and saw one for a character bear.
Is it a bear with a character? - eg. a dressmaking mouse, or is it an actual existing character - eg. winnie the pooh?

Emma
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Thanks everyone for the great answers!
I can't wait to buy some :)

Emma
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Hi all,

I'm trying to make a doll sized barrel that has felt apples "bobbing" in it. I was wondering whether anyone could suggest some sort of glue or liquid that would solidify clear (to look like water) which i could submerge felt apples in partially so it looks like they're bobbing in water, as it were.

Gosh I hope that made sense! 

Emma
xxx

Good luck! I hope you get it! :)

Emma
xxx

I definitely agree, I really should start writing ideas down, I always forget the good ones!   

Emma
xxx

Visiting

TT name: Pumpkin & Pickle Bears
Real name: Gemma
Business: Pumpkin & Pickle Bears
Hall/Stand: Hall 4, stand 129.

TT name: All Bear
Real name: Paula
Business: All Bear by Paula Carter
Hall/Stand: Hall 2, stand 75

TT name: Doodlebears
Real name: Jane (Martin)
Business: Doodlebears, by Jane Lynne Martin
Hall/Stand: Hall 4, stand 119

TT name:Natascha
Real name:Natascha Sabo
Business:LeftyBears by Natascha Sabo
Hall/Stand:Hall1, stand 48

TT name: Pijangibears
Real name: Birgitte
Business: Pijangibears
Hall/Stand: Hall 4, stand 144

TT name:Tina
Real name:Tina Underwood
Business:Remem-bear, incorporating my Bears of Old and pReTTy iN pRiM ranges
Hall/Stand:Hall 3 (in the basement) stand 99a

TT name Cheshire Cat
Real name Louise Peers
Buisness  Louise Peers miniature bears
Hall /Stand Hall 1 stand 50

TT name : peterbear
Real name : Peter Masscharis
(how to recognize me: I'll be wearing a TT badge !)

TT name:  Jac-Q-Lyn
Real name: Jacqui Ellerton
Business:  Jac-Q-Lyn Bears
Hall/Stand :  Hall 3 (Basement) Stand 112

TT name:  Barling Bears
Real name: Marilyn Lambert
Business: Barling Bears
Hall/Stand :  Hall 1  Stand 51

TT name: Lovethosebears
Real Name: Ali Perrin
(Wearing a TT badge too!)

TT name:  Katie Rae Bears
Real name: Katherine Hallam
Business: Katie Rae Bears
Hall/Stand : Hall 3/ Stand 139

TT name: Jack & Lilia
Real name: Lynne Farmer
Business: Jack & Lilia little bears
Hall 4 Stand 141

TT name: Emma Stephens
Real Name: Emma Stephens