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Julia, what a darling wee bear with such a sweet face! You did a marvelous job!
Amelia
...Fimo isn't brittle, if you bake it properly. Kato is amazing, I recommend that---Fimo and Kato are the two strongest clays on the market, along with Cernit. This is ONLY if you bake for the recommended length of time and temperature as recommended by the manufacturer---and that means getting an oven thermometer and watching to see how your oven bakes, if there're temperature spikes or dips, etc.
I would say that the Fimo claws would hold up FAR better than the quill idea---the quills will become more brittle with age, whereas the Fimo is plastic and will remain the same, assuming it is not left out in the sun, etc., mistreated.
Check out Mark's results when he tested clay:
http://marksstudio.com/clay_finger_break_test.htm
---I didn't realize Cernit was the strongest, that's pretty amazing...
Amelia
I'd love to hear from both the artist side and the collector side---I've been experimenting with a few different looks lately, and it got me thinking..
I love the look of a well-embroidered nose, and I would say that the majority of my collection has those, but the ones that steal my heart have polymer clay noses---and I think polymer clay noses are so much easier to put onto a bear than an embroidered nose.
What does everyone like---for the construction of their bears AND for their own private collections?
Amelia
..I run a law firm at my other job, but we do criminal matters only, so I can't help out here. However, if you have your name/business name trademarked, the person cannot reference that in their auctions---look at FITA's work.
As for the collaboration effort, I have just purchased several ragdolls to go along with some fribbles bears---I picked them up specifically FOR a collaboration, I intend upon giving full credit to the artist I bought the ragdollies from---it's just that I really love the look of hers and I wanted the dolls for the idea that I had in my mind, and didn't want to go through the trial and error process...plus, am not sure I even want to make ragdolls.
In my collaborations with other artists [and there have been a few], we usually make things separate and then put them together later. When I have the other item with me, that frees up my creativity to brainstorm what I think would be best with the other item, rather than just putting different pieces together. They seem more...seamless.
Looking at it from my own viewpoint, I would be thrilled if another artist decided to purchase my work to feature in their creation...as long as I liked their work and they gave me credit for my ted.
Amelia
..this is a similar idea for secrets, only done by graphic artists..
http://deviantartsecret.deviantart.com/
Reading other people's deepest darkest secrets is addicting. It's sharing without the fear of judgement or possible rejection---
Am off to check out those other ones!
Amelia
Amelia
Lisa, she is DARLING!! Absolutely adore this new look, I second Shelli! Amazingly cute!
Amelia
Be glad of what your life is, instead of being unhappy with what it isn't.
Always say what you mean and mean what you say, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss
Don't wish, TRY. Don't make an effort, just DO. Don't just exist, LIVE.
Amelia
Jennifer, you cannot insure the bear for double, it's fraud. Just like insurance is never supposed to have the shipping calculated into the value of the article, that's fraud too.
Basically, you're just out the loss of the labor and supplies. 
So far as I know.
I am so sorry. I hope they find the box! It might've just been shunted off into a corner somewheres!
Amelia
Yay for Kimberly and Bear Bottom Originals!! I think you'll find lots of people will find your site, and you'll get more business from it! Congratulations, a website is a big thing to conceive and build!
Amelia
Shel, I think lampworkers like 'em 'cause they are vivid and have awesome color combinations...I personally love 'em. If it was easy to change out color schemes on websites, I would be changing mine every week! I love those, and also these ones---
http://www.57boutiquestreet.com/
Amelia
Clare, I have always admired these sites---don't know if it's your style or not---
http://www.mamasdesignspot.com/
And, once you get a template in place, it's fairly easy to get the site all finished. I will PM you, might be able to get more resources for you.
Amelia
This isn't really bear-related, but I did want to share the website I did for a friend. Her name is Terry Thomas, and she is an EXCEPTIONAL faerie artist, I am lucky enough to have five of her creations in my home, and they just blow me away every time I look at the incredible detailing!
Here's an example of one of her pieces:
Anyways, she picked the color scheme out and specified the fonts and all that, and then just let me loose! I am very proud of the site, it navigates easily and is fairly streamlined, and, while I don't know all the super cool effects [hope to take a web design class in the future sometime], she is very pleased with it and the best part---it's simple enough so that she can update it herself!!
So, without further ado, here's a link!
She's making me a thank-you sculpt of several faeries in a tree, which I am completely over the moon about! Just wanted to share my excitement with you all!
Amelia
Awwww, lookit those poses! So cute! He is adorable, love the bandanna!! Bet she was thrilled to get him! How big did he wind up being?
Amelia
Louise, if you have Statcounter already, simply click on "My Projects", pick "Add New Project", fill out the questionaire accordingly [if you are using the free one, it'll choose fields for you, name your page Blog, give the web address location, pick a category & time, hit the Next button...eventually you will get to a screen that asks you if your website uses frames, say yes...it'll ask if you use blogging software, pick Blogger...and then take the code, do a new page element with HTML/Java, and put the code Statcounter gave you in it, and BAZAM! You'll be all set!
With Wordpress, it's built in. I am still toying with both, figuring out which I like better.
Amelia *blogging happily*
..oh, duh..yes, anyone if they like can use my website banner or link to my blog/site, whatever...whenever!
Amelia
HURRAH for Firefox, pbbbbbbbbbbft on Microsoft...
And yay for Macs. Gotta love 'em.
Amelia
..eh, I just added 'em..I figure cross-publicity is always good! I never stopped to wonder if the artist would prefer to be contacted---I suppose it would be courteous!!
[on that note, everyone on TT please let me brag about your incredible bears and post links to your site from my blog!! I know it's gonna happen eventually, just wanna cover my bases!]
On a related note, I finally went and installed Statcounter on my site---it's AMAZING how many cross-linkings I get from other artists sites!! Hurrah for marketing!!!
Amelia
Oh, how cute! Love the fishes! And, I don't quite know what you are asking about---suggestions for what?
Amelia
...hrm. Well, I usually attach the head to the body and then sew the body up, that way whatever happens to the head I HAVE to make it work!!! So I usually only do one head...now, redoing and ripping out the ears---THAT I can do over and over and over all day long!!
Amelia
Gemma, what a gorgeous girl!! Best of luck to you in the competitions! Those eyes sparkle!
Amelia
Kimberly, I kid you not, I have the miniature version of this little guy at home!! They could be brothers! He is simply smashing, absolutely adorable and I bet your client will be thrilled!! Wonderful bear!
Amelia
Oh my, what a face and such expressive eyes! Pippa just pulls at one's heartstrings, absolutely love her! Vicki, you lucky girl, how wonderful!! And Tracy, such a marvelous magical bear you made---enchanting!
Amelia
