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I wish I had more time to be on here too. SueAnn, thanks for sticking with this. I have to try to check in here more often. BY the way, I certainly see why you had to strengthen the posting rules. I remember some crazy things going on. I've seen that on facebook too, and it's not the right thing to do. Things are said online that most would never say to someones face.... Sad. That is not what TT is all about and I'm glad to be a part of the TT community! 
Wow. This post started ages ago! I'll add in my info... I've been making toys since I was small, as gifts for grandparents, and my little sister. But in the current bear world I started early 90's. Craft shows, and small bear shows locally at first. What fun it has been and I still love it. I can't make as many as I used to but I still enjoy the process and love meeting all my friends at the shows!
My husband is an electrician and when the contractors are wiring a house there are always bits left over that are cut off....you may find a guy who wil save the leftover pieces for you! The wire that has three in it is called romex by the way. I've wired lots of homes over the years!!
Shadows Fund Sheltering Oaks Sanctuary is now in danger of closing. Donations have been slow for me selling tickets so people can try to win this bear. I'm beginning to think maybe this Angel isn't of interest to many people. I was using this bear as it is made from Tissavel faux fur since it is being used to make money for a pet charity and I thought real fur may be the wrong pick.... If you are interested in donating to try and win this bear, send a check made out to Shadows Fund to me or let me know that you have done this. I will make the tickets out for you....or pay by credit card or paypal directly to Shadows fund. Contact me for more info. Help please!!
I'm going to mention my raffle once again. Donations are terribly slow and I'm wondering if it's just that people aren't interested in the bear or maybe everyone is busy or there isn't any extra money for things like this. I will keep mentioning this raffle because it is for such a good cause. If I could get comments or suggestions, it's sure to help me. If you'd rather mail a check made out to Shadow's Fund that's good too, just either mail it to me or let me know how much you sent to them so I can verify and make out the tickets. I just want to be sure this stays near the top of the que so people read about it. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!
Peter, thank you so much for the support! The doggies will appreciate it. I have also been told they have a couple of potbelly pigs that they've rescued as well! So your donation will be well received... Bear Hugs, Susie
I'm raffling off this French Tissavel Faux Fur Angel bear to raise funds for Shadow's Fund. For every dollar you donate to their cause you get a chance to win this bear. 7" tall with removable halo and wings, Angel is very soft and made from two colors of red tissavel. Just donate, and email the proof of donation to me at susiesbears@gmail.com. I will fill out the tickets for you, the raffle will be done at the beginning of February. Thank you so much for taking the time to read about this!
Thanks Joanne! I had gotten no feedback until today and lots of people had read it. I don't officially take layaway either. She is having her website updated, I suggested the same thing. I appreciate your input!
Is this subject taboo? You can message me if you'd rather give me info that way. Thanks, Susie
WHAT an adorable BEAR!! :clap:
I have a friend who is asking a question that I find interesting. Do you have set layaway rules? She has a customer that has paid half of a layaway. The bear has been on layaway for four months. She sends a paypal invoice each month. This month the collector asked for her money back. She wants ALL her money because she says she is having a money issue. So....do most of you give a credit, send the money back less the paypal fees, or what? I've never had this problem but now I'm interested in what everyone else does! She does not have a policy on returns on her website...
I'm still getting Teddy Bear Times and it's a great magazine. I advertised in Teddy Bear Review several times this year and I have advertised in Teddy Bear and Friends in the past. I only do this part time so I can't afford to do it much more than that or all the money I make in bears goes out to advertising. But I do what I can! I love getting every issue.
Hey, I put the legs on backwards once....seriously, or the arms. I forget which. I was watching a really good movie and, uh, well...you get the idea. So, believe it when I say, we all make mistakes!
Janice Marie I'd love to see your things. I have a Susie's Bears page on facebook.... I'd love to know what your page is so we can get a peek at your creations!
I signed up for the Teddy Bear Times magazine right after this post started. Yep, it cost me a bundle. Then I signed up again this year but got it for less money by going directly to the publisher this time. Last time was through Amazon.com and it was ridiculously expensive. Anyway, I need to try emags but I just dont have time to sit in front of the computer. I did start doing a bit of advertising too. I rarely have bears enough to do that with and not because I sell so many, but because I make so few. I need them for the shows I attend. I hope this thread starts up again because I'd like to think more people will support the magazines. They are having a difficult time with the economy the way it is, just like everyone else.
I think part of it is the economy. Sales are slow everywhere. Does anyone else have any help here? This is an old post but it's a good one!!
As for making your bears look professional...well, it takes time. Years ago, we didn't have all the wonderful fabrics, eyes, and other things that are now available. I now work mainly in fur and even after many years, I never think they are perfect. My husband often takes them out of my hand and says "enough already!" because I just keep trimming and tweaking. The bear I think is the one that won't sell is sometimes first off the table. I have old bears that I've made almost 20 years ago to keep me humble! Trust me, I'm shocked that anyone ever bought those earlier bears. I only do this part time so it's taking me longer to do good work.
Classes are great becauses you learn fabulous techniques that the artist teaching them can show you. You aren't there to make YOUR own bear, you are there to learn something new like Daphne said. I've only taken a few classes but they were fun. Keep plugging away. Never be satisfied and you will keep learning. Look at them in the mirror, you see the things you need to fix much better that way. But, make it fun most of all.
I have to add something. I remember the first time I saw Armella Dana at a show, and it was her very first bear show. She used to work in porcelain and make dolls. Her workmanship was and still is wonderful. To this day I have never seen a person do that type of work that well first time out. I've been going to bear shows for almost 30 years as a collector and that still sticks in my mind. Styles change with artists but the basic workmanship is what fascinates me. That being said, I've seen artists work who have been in the business longer than me and I don't like the finished product. Sloppy seams, crooked eyes, etc. Years in the business don't always mean great workmanship. I still have a long way to go before I make the perfect bear but I'm still trying!
I hope that works....worry, but I missed your deadline, I was at a bear show! I have had no luck getting Walmart to give a crap about craft supplies. I've called, emailed and written letters. They are polite but do not change their policies or they haven't at least. That's not how it was years ago though...I guess when Sam Walton died, so did customer service...
Karen, We've got two of your kittens....for fun we put them down on the floor around the corner from our cats. We called our kitties and they stopped dead in their tracks!!! One hunched up her back trying to corner the "kitty"....it was hysterical! But we have to put them away immediately....terrible things could happen to them if I left them out!
Thanks for doing that!!! What a cool thing.....I love it, I always carve pumpkins for Halloween and now I have a really unique one thanks to you...Welcome to Teddy Talk!
That's the most heartwarming story ever!! God Bless you for taking in that pup...she needed some love and you're giving it to her... 
Ask John Paul Port, he may know.
Beautiful. You've captured the beauty of their body feathers...with FUR!! Amazing. Love them! Makes me want to go out and get some chickens!!
The TOBY awards cost $75.00 to enter the first piece. So, basically, the Golden Teddy is already much less expensive to try for. I believe the second item entered is $35.00 as well... I'd have to check. All in all though, if it were less expensive to enter, even by a bit then maybe more people would enter, making it worthwhile to have other categories. Just a thought.
