Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Gidday to all TTers
Thank you Shelli for posting the details of  the Golden Teddy Award Winners.
Congratulations to all who recieved a Nomination and a Happy Dance has happened here  for my Nomination of Eliza. YEEEEEEEEHOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Thanks to all the people involved with the GTA's the effort it takes to organise a competition of this magnitude is huge; to the Judges and organisers thankyou.
Entering in these awards are a huge challenge to all artists; the fact that people enter as far as I am concerned makes you a winner; you took the leap of courage to have a go. So well done to all of you clever teddy bear artists.
Happy creating to all.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie :hug:    :clap:

aaaaaaahhhhh just when you all thought I hud snuck away back to the fury mound that is consuming my studio...
I so rudely forgot to mention the much needed thank you to all involved with the TOBY Awards. The organisers and judges. Thank you all for nominating Liberty I am so so honoured to have been selected from the hundreds of amazing entries that were recieved.
So thank you to all.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie
sneaking back to the fur mound now.

Hello to all on Teddy Talk.
I wish to congratulate everyone who entered and won a TOBY Award.
I am extremely honoured and so very happy to have recieved a TOBY Award for Liberty.
Thank you to all who have sent emails to me and for thinking of me here on Teddy Talk. I am so very greatful for your kind thoughts.
I quite often have a peak at Teddy Talk but as everyone knows...it is a very addictive site, and I had to slow my addiction as my fury creations were not getting the attention they deserved.
There is such a wealth of talent on here and knowledge that YIKES!!!!It will take me forever to keep up.
I wish all teddy talkers much success  and enjoyment with one of the most wonderful crafts I have ever come across....the art of creating Teddy Bears.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie :hug:  :clap: 

Here is a pic of what I was originally creating that lead to me making bears.

This is such a huge subject and it is difficult to assess who is a copycat or plagerist. I studied these two subjects at Uni and there was a very strong code of ethics regarding plagerism you just dont do it.!!

Two and a bit years ago I never even new there was a bear world that exsisted.
I was creating gift ware for a shop and the shop owner asked if I could make teddy bears. He was after getting large bears that were costumed in old fashioned clothing. So I sayed I would give it a try. (yikes maybe i stole his idea and he just couldnt create it himself) :doh:
Now I had been making calico dolls and had created dolls that were quite unusual.. so he was wanting me to adapt this style into bears.
I had a book with a bear pattern which was something I had in my possession for years. It had patterns for quilts, folk art etc. etc. There was a bear pattern in this book so I studied the bear pattern  and created a bear pattern of my own.  I costumed the bears;  my own designer garments; and they sold within one hour of being in the store woooohoooo for me that was so exciting.
Now with this information I thought i had better find out how to make bears properly so I bought Bear Creations an Aussie magazine.This magazine  has profiles on artists and has detailed bear basics and other artist works and patterns.
This magazine has been an incredible resourse for myself looking at techniques and how artists have drafted their patterns. etc. I think what I am trying to say  is;  it is a very fine line when it comes to copying and plagerism and some people dont understand that using someone elses patterns and ideas are not their  own. These patterns and ideas are offered to aid them to learning how to make creations. But at the end of the day they should at some point learn to make there own... DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE!!!! I hope it is making some sense
Anyway, I never new there was this bear world; let alone costumed bears and I only recently learnt of a lovely lady by the name of Monica Spicer who makes costumed lady bears she calls them her elegant ladies. Now i make costumed lady bears and I make gentlemen bears and basically costumed bears of all kinds and this is a theme I have run with since I was asked to create those three bears two and a bit years ago.
I think what i am trying to say is not everyone is aware of what is out in the universe, some people do innocently create things and find out later that it has been done before. I think maybe the difference is... if the creation, be it a bear, a style, a look is almost a replica of some one elses work, that is when someone has stepped over the line.

I hope i have maybe made a little bit of sense... i am not a fancy writer I just try and write what makes sense to me....i think this makes sense to me... yikes i think i have confused myself and oh gosh my punctuation is really bad and that will make this not make sense........
WOt!!!!hehehe now that i have aDRESSED this subject i should go and dress some bears. heheheh      
bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie

Hi Shantell and Hayley,
I have just been reading some of the information here on creating bear costumes. I think doll patterns would probably be a great idea... even premature baby outfits which you can pull apart and look at would be good.
Clothing is basically just a standard shape. Generally rectangular shape.
It is really hard to explain and I create costumes as I go. I dont have set patterns for the costumes I make a new one each time I make an outfit and I cut straight onto the fabric.... but I have been making clothing for a lot of years.
I dont make my clothing removeable. I treat the clothing just like human clothing...its just smaller.  I do make fake fly fronts in the gentlemens trousers and when I make the ladies garments i make fake closures on there skirts also. I think it comes down to artist licence. Even though my clothes cannot be removed I treat the finish on the inside the same as the outside.
I have a full fur bear also underneath all the clothing I find it helps make the clothing sit nicer.
I line all my jackets and one tip when you are putting clothing together is always press your seams. I am a pressing freak!! It  makes so much of a difference to how the seams look and also the finish of the garment. My iron is on full time!!! Dont be shy to trim back seams... this makes a huge difference as well.
I believe you can buy these new little irons which i am going to investigate cos i think they would be great for getting into the fiddly collar bits etc.
I dont know if this has been of any help. please email me directly or give me a call cos maybe i can explain it better hopefully.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie

Hi Kim,
Here is a pic of Ashlee and I at last years Gold Coast International Teddy Bear Fair. This event was held at the Jupitors Casino in Sunny Queensland, Australia in June 2005. It is being held again this year in June 2006. It is an awesome show.
My Mum, Ash and I fly up  from Melbourne for the show and we extend on for a couple of days holiday. It is an amazing show.
You should come over and do one of the Aussie shows. There is another show on in Brisbane, Queensland in September.(I will try and post the info..... this is also an open invitation for all you folks who would like to visit Australia.... WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU AND YOUR CREATIONS IN PERSON   hint hint wink wink nudge nudge
Bear hugs and smiles :hug: 
Kerrie

Oh Zoe is a crack up.... she actually looks like she is thinking.. yeah I know its the washing but I,m comfortable okay!!
Soooo cute.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie :hug:  :hug:

Hi Kirsten,
I am new to TT too. This little bear artist from Australia wishes you the biggest
CONGRATULTIONS  on the safe arrival of you beautiful baby Madison.
What a beautiful treasure! I wish you, your husband and baby Madison a very happy, healthy journey together through life.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie :hug: 

Oh Thank you Karen
Do you live in Ballarat???

Oh he has us wrapped around his little paw. He just has such a happy smiling face....yeah I know a smiling dog??? BUT HE DOES!!!!

Thanks Lisa and Karen
Ash is a bright kid and and she is very thoughtful of others. We have never treated her like an only child. There is a revolving door of kids coming and going from our home and  she is angel but every now and again her halo slips and that is so normal and she gets into the same amount of trouble as any other kid does.
I try and include her in as much as I can with the creating of the bears. I ask her opinion and she is definately creative. Ash co-ordinates colours amazingly well.... she shocks me sometimes... she  also lives in a home that resemble Spotlight (Fabric and Craft Store in Australia) Ash knows that if she wants to do arty farty stuff, it is always here in the house. Other kids think our home is a giant art room.
hehehe.
We are truely blessed and we have a very happy life.

Here is Tiler now. He is a gorgeous little dog he is Pomeranian crossed with a Cairn Terrier , he is very smart already sitting, staying, fetching and only four months old Ashlee is wrapped with her new best friend.

Ashlee bought herself a puppy in January with her jewellery money savings. We were out shopping together looking for tiles..we (David husband, Ash and  I) were creating a family mosaic, something we have all contributed to and something that we can keep  forever as a family heirloom. Whilst we were out we went past a pet shop and there was a puppy. Ash sayed  I would love to buy that puppy!! So I sayed to her if you have enough money you can buy the pup; but you have to look after it; he will be your responsibility.
WELLL she had enough money and the puppycame home with us.  He was named after our adventure and his name is Tiler. He is a beautiful little pup who has fitted in here perfectly. ohhhh and Ash has continued to look after him... she didnt enjoy the pooper scooper bit though... hehehe but as we discussed he is her responsibity.

ahhh that would be the schitsophrinic and so am I.... coming out in you  (please no-one take offense just teasing Lisa) it is very normal to have the others helping you ...     : hehehe(                                     

Here is a more recent pic of Ash. The shot in the profile was taken a little while ago.. Ashlee is 11 and she is very creative also. Ash creates adult costume jewellery and she sells to three shop here in Melbourne.    I am so very proud of her. If it wasnt for Ashlee pushing me I wouldnt be making bears she named the business Best Dressed Bears.  Ashlee is extremely bright and is so very creative.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie :hug: 

Oh Lisa thanks

...YEP

shocked to say the least.... but very funny toooo.           :dance:  :clap:  :redface:

Ashlee was in bed when I saw this, so I have just ran down the hallway going ..."ASH YOU AWAKE"... like me she is shocking with going to sleep so she has just seen the post and was gobbed smacked her jaw was sitting on the floor. WOT A CRACK UP... she is sitting with me now and is giggling.. hehehe

NOW this is what happens when you are sneakily peaking at teddy talk when you should be working. The rest of the world sees you.
That absolutely spun me out. I had just hopped on the computer to have a peak at the resent topics. I am currently working on a costume for a girl bear and thought... might have a break and catch up on the lastest topics and theres  'The Mouats' and  ' Best Dressed Bears".     :redface:   
This technology stuff is way to clever...
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie :hug: 

Lisa on the other  hand darlin, and this comes from my heart ... you have been given a gift and it is wonderful that you are sharing your knowledge  by writing for bear creations. A lot of the world outside Australia do not get the publication.
You write beautifully, your art work is beautiful and most of all you are beautiful SO BE PROUD BABE!! OF YOU!!!   
Bear hugs and smiles :hug: 
Kerrie

I am hearing you Lisa !! I can totally understand where you are coming from as I have just been so shocked to see us appear here.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie

Oh MY!!! I was just browsing the topics and YIKES THERES MY HEAD AND MY DAUGHTERS HEAD!!! AND MY BEARS HEADS!!!!
I am lol now and very  :redface: 
Thankyou. Jane.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie

Hi Bonnie,
Thanks for your post. I will take some pics definately. I am so very excited. I have been overseas before; but have never ventured to the U.S. so woooohoooo
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie  :hug: 

G,day Kassie,
Yeah!!! Great to hear you are attending the show. I am aslo work, work working. I am attending two shows here in Australia before I come over to the U.S. This website is very addictive so I have to behave and try and get my work done. hehehehe.    
But its all fun.
Thank you for letting me know and I look forward to meeting you tooo.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie :hug: 

Hi Lisa thanks for your reply wooohooo I look forward to meeting you at the Doll and Teddy Expo in Washington DC. Thank you also for the info you are a gem.
Bear hugs and smiles
Kerrie :hug: 

buy the time I am through I will have you all so confused you wont have a clue wots going on. I will just keep asking questions and pushing buttons in the hope of working stuff out...mind you I should be working on bears      :hug: