Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Marianne,
That will teach me to post late at night, hehe!  Yes, you are right - his name is "Malone" - Monroe doesn't exist... at least, not yet, but you have given me a great idea!
Hugs,
Christine x

Funnily enough, I was just going through a stack of my old magazines and re-reading some of the articles I wrote (some of you may remember that I used to write a column for TBR called "Bear Essentials" and I also wrote features for TB&F and some of the UK mags too).  I haven't written a word about teddy bears for more than five years however, which is sad.  From my point of view, the mags stopped being interested in features with 'meat' in them a long time ago - my husband jokes that features are only there to fill in the spaces between adverts.  I really tried, but no one cared that much about the content, just the advertising bottom line - even though I argued until I was blue in the face that, without great content the readership would fall off and thus the advertisers would be reaching fewer and fewer people... it seems I was right, although it gives me no pleasure to be so.  As for not publishing contact details unless you take out an ad - this has been standard practice (at least, in the UK), for many years.  I think it amounts to blackmail, but that's just my personal opinion.  Here's my tip - if you are thinking about taking out an ad, ask for the circulation figures - and then divide them by at least three because mags like to assume that for every magazine bought, at least three people will read the same copy.

Regards,
Christine

Hehe, me too - I want that!
Thanks guys - the bears go up at midnight (BST) on Thursday, June 30th, and then on general view on Sunday July 3rd.

Bear hugs,
Christine x

Hello everyone,
It's been such a long time since I posted anything here!!  However, I have not been lazing - just working hard on some new designs to share:  Meet Monroe - he will be joining a few friends for a Summer Celebration show on my website at the end of June.  If you would like to see the bears before they go on public view, sign up to my mailing list here: http://www.christinepike.com/welcome.htm

It is pretty exciting!  Especially when you see how high the quality is - on one of the bears I actually had to get William to point out which was my original and which was their prototype!

Christinex

Hi guys,
Charlie Bears Ltd is a UK registered company, based in Cornwall, and is run by Charlotte Morris and her husband, William. The bears are designed by several international artists - including me!   In fact, more than one TT member has been honoured to design for Charlie Bears.  They are manufactured in Thailand as, sadly, there are no factories in the UK any more which would have the capabilities to manufacture bears to such a high and consistent standard for a reasonable cost.  I am delighted to have had four designs in the previous winter catalogue and I have two new bears scheduled for spring.  My littlest guy, 'Noah', was showcased on QVC UK just before Christmas.
Huggies,
Christine

Oh yes!!!  You have captured the Siamese personality all right, hehe! :clap:  I am currently 'owned' by a very bossy and demanding little caramel tabby point, so I know whereof I speak... I LOVE the name too - perfect!
Hugs,
Christine

Yaaay!!!  I had an e-mail from House of Bears to say that Brodie was added to the shop window display on Friday and had found a new home by Saturday! :dance:
Hugs,
Christine

Hehe! - I've been in lurk mode for a while.  Just busy with orders... and some non-beary projects too.
Hugs,
Christine

Great work, Kelly!
Birds are definitely your thing!
Hugs,
Christine

Thanks guys - I really appreciate your comments!
Pat - I feel your pain with regards to making the big boys!!    After fifteen years I think I am finally getting to grips with the whole double neck joint thing - this pattern just makes up like a dream... not sure what I did right, but I will have to try and repeat it in other (smaller!) sizes.
Bear hugs,
Christine

Ohhhh, he is scrumptious!!
Hugs,
Christine

I have just finished 'Brodie' and he is on his way to House of Bears, in Bath, UK.
He is made from Tissavel faux fur and stands at 20"

There are some more images of him on my website

Bear hugs,
Christinex

Hi Guys,
I made him from Alpaca, which is great for making realistic bears.
To demonstrate how dramatically you can change the look of a bear by using the same pattern in a different way, here is a picture of 'Brodie'.  I made him from Tissavel faux fur and he is made from the same pattern as Luna.
Hugs,
Christinex

This is 'Luna'; he was a special commission for a Pearl Wedding Anniversary.  He is a bit of a departure from my other sculpted face bears in that I went for a lot more realism - and he is BIG, for me, anyway, as he stands at 20".

I am happy to say that his new mum is very pleased with him!

Oh yeah!!! :clap:
Those hind legs are quite hare-like, especially in that sparse fur.  Have you thought about maybe making the ears longer and branching out into hares as well? 
The outfit is superb - great workmanship all round!!
Christinex

Don't be scared, Tracey - you will be fine!
If you are able to set up early, you might have time to have a quick wander around the show before the doors open - and there will be complimentary tea and coffee to soothe your nerves before the doors open.

Peter - I am sure you will have a wonderful time, and I can see that your 'treasurer' is going to be very strict with you so I am sure you will go home with the perfect bear.  If you do miss out on your heart's desire, however, it is always worth asking if an artist will take commissions - many do.  There are always solutions to acquiring just the right bear! 

Bear hugs,
Christine

Gorgeous!!  I could tell this was your bear even from the tiny thumbnail on the front page
Christinex

Actually... that IS one of the things I plan to do - in fact, I have a dozen white bowls sitting waiting to be decorated... AND some egg cups!!    Well, I feel very encouraged that I am on the right lines with this idea - thanks so much for your suggestions, guys!!

And Carolyn - think I know the style you mean and possibly had one of those bowls myself when I was a kid.    I love Villeroy and Bock!!

If you want to see what I have made so far, here is a link to my Etsy site - any suggestions for improvements/changes/additions positively encouraged!
www.englisheccentric.etsy.com

Hugs,
Christinex

Wow, thanks you guys!!!  I really hope they sell because it has been a long-cherished ambition of mine to put some of my designs onto mugs and things (and maybe a dinner service - one day!!).  I will probably have some for sale at the next Hugglets show in September so I want to work on some more designs between now and then...
Hugs,
Christinex

Thanks Guys,
There were a few rejects along the way, but I think I have the process sussed now.  My hubby thinks I should try designing a whole dinner service!!
Hugs,
Christine

Hurrah!  I have wanted to design some mugs for ages now and, after a bit of trial and error, I have finally succeeded - I am sooo excited!!  Of course, deciding to fire up the kiln in the middle of a heatwave wasn't my brightest idea, but the results are worth it!

I have put more information in the 'Other Teddy Bear Arts' section, with a link to my Etsy shop - but I just wanted to share them with you here.
Hugs,
Christine

It sounds like Ebay has really lost the plot!  I am tempted to agree with those who think that Ebay just doesn't want the business of small-time artists.. a bit like the banks, really!  Ebay seems to be going in a whole 'nuther direction from when it started and maybe it really is time to wean ourselves off of it...

Karen - do you do web updates for the collectors on your mailing list?  I find this is a very good way to sell (and also makes for that special, personal invitational touch which I think people appreciate).  I like it because I can control the whole experience, from the way the page looks to how I choose to describe a bear, without worrying that the Ebay police will pull my auction for some obscure 'policy violation'. 

It may also be worth looking at sites such as Etsy.  Probably not for selling your lovely cats as I don't think the community has evolved to the extent that it understands high end artist plush, but, if you have other, cat related items of lesser value, you could use Etsy as a shop window from which you could guide people to your website.

I really hope you manage to find a solution!!
Hugs,
Christine

Brilliant job, Lisa!  Your son should be thrilled!! :clap:
Hugs,
Christine

Yes, it was a great show, with a lovely atmosphere.  It was wonderful to be able to catch up with so many friends, eat chocolate cake, etc ... it was that kind of show!    I only came home with one bear and I am particularly chuffed that all my decorated bone china mugs flew off my table in the first hour!

Hugs,
Christine