Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thank you Julia~ (Bear Me Shootka) for my wonderful card, even though I was not in the card exchange.  It was fantastic receiving such a lovely card today especially since it was also my birthday today!!!  It was so fun seeing the return address of Russia on there.  My husband was also excited for me~ You are soooooooo sweet~ Fondly, Debbie

Hi Glady's,  When I use any kind of stones I use Vaseline to protect them and then just wipe them clean with tissue. You can then use the spray on method of stiffner.  DebbieD, good idea about the rubber cement, but I have no patience when it comes picking it off.  Hope this helps! Deb

Tami E,
  Bless you for sharing this with us all and may, "God Bless" all the brave people that  fight & die for us~so that we may continue to do the things in life that we all take for granted each and every day!  Shall we all take a moment out of our busy lives to say a special prayer for all our troops watching over us each day!  Debbie

Dear Louise & Garnet,  Heart felt saddness here for you and your other loved ones.  Prayers being sent your way that help ease the pain of your loss~

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog,"
and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably not understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,
and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away
from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog",
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man or woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog"
just smile...
because they "just don't understand."

Written by an unknown Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
From the Therapy Dog Inc. News Magazine 

God bless~
Fondly, Debbie

There was once a blind girl who hated herself for no
other reason except that she was blind. She hated
everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He
was always there for her. She said that if she could
only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and
then she could see everything, including her
boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, "Now that you can
see the world, will you marry me?"

The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend
was blind. Not wanting to be burdened by a 'blind'
person, she refused to marry him.

Her loving, devoted and understanding boyfriend walked
away in tears. His heart obviously broken.

The girl who had been so fortunate to have the world
opened up to her, continued enjoying it; day in and
day out....trying to never miss a single pleasure life
had to offer.

One day she received a letter from her ex-boy friend
which stated simply.......

"I sincerely hope you enjoy your life. Your happiness
was all that ever mattered to me. I am so happy that
you are enjoying life as I always hoped you could. I
would like to ask one parting favor of you my dear ...

JUST TAKE CARE OF MY EYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Life Is A Gift

Today before you think of saying an unkind word Think
of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food Think
of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think
of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of
someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children - Think of
someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house, someone
didn't clean or sweep-- Think of the people who are
living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of
someone who walks the same distance.

And when you are tired and complain about your job -
Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who
wished they had your job.

BUT BEFORE YOU THINK OF POINTING THE FINGER OR..
CONDEMING ANOTHER-
REMEMBER THAT NOT ONE OF US ARE
WITHOUT SIN AND WE ALL ANSWER TO ONE MAKER..
PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE AND THANK GOD YOU'RE ALIVE
AND STILL AROUND............
LIFE IS A GIFT......... THANK GOD FOR IT.........................

LIVE IT..............
ENJOY IT.............
CELEBRATE IT...........
& APPRECIATE IT...............
IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY.....AMEN..............

I got the newsletter  from Barbara at Joggles today and I must say your work is just Amazing!!!  I love Serenity and her lovely friend.  They are Fantastic together!  Debbie

Hey Bobbie,
  Wow!!  Would you come live at my house for a while and teach me all the stuff that is imprinted in your head!!!!  LOL:)  Your like my husband, the Encyclopedia of Britannica!!!!!  Fondly, Debbie

Hi,
  Your quote; "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."  is the truest thing I've ever read!!!   Bravo to you~  Such a wonderful story~ Why can't we humans love & care sooooooo unconditionally?   Fondly, Debbie

Your work is wonderful!!!!  Are you selling any of them????? I love polar bears~ Debbie

I love the one that's skinny with the points!!  True to life as they say~Great bear and I will buy the one she leaves behind!!!

Hi Bobbie,
  From a collector to an artist,  I only look at feedback when I see 85%. And I still take a lot of the feedback with a grain of salt!!!!  Our times have changed from just 2 years ago and there are a lot of people out there that are just plain unhappy with life and feel they need to take it out on someone other than themselves.  We collectors are smart enough to know when the feedback doesn't match the artist or the item being sold.  We too are out there for the one's that are just vendictive for some reason.  I will still continue to buy from you as I know your work and I am sure other collector's feel the same.  I'll hold your hand any time and defend you too!!!!  Fondly, Debbie

Hi Shelli,
  From a collectors view and from seeing your work, I would say price it at around 62.50.  They are cute as can be.  And just from this computer, they are very detailed and I would love to buy the one on the left, but know they will all be gone by the time you return from the show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Shelli,
  Okay!  Now I understand why I got your e-mail!  I was so excited to see your name in my, "You've got mail", as I thought you had a new creation for sale and I was going to scoop it up!  Ha! Ha!  How sad   ~ I was just one of the TT'ers you sent it to!  Oh! well~maybe next time!!!!

Ellen,
  You do not come across as a matron~ EVER.  Your posts are to the point and helpful~  For the artist and all we collectors!   About the excitement for you when selling on e-bay~It's that way for us collectors too.  When we want something, we get it.  Just like you artists, when you want that special mohair for that special bear that has been lurking in the back of your minds for months.  You'll do whatever it takes to get it and make it!   The bidding part makes it even more exciting for us, especially when it's an artist's creation that is to die for and there are 2 or 3 other bidders wanting the same creation!!! And sometimes we can tell when you really put your soul into your creation!!  Ellen, out of all the posts and answers I have come across, yours are the most realistic.  I enjoy reading any thing you post and listen to what you have to say and learn at the same time.  Fondly, Debbie

Hey Kim,
  Gee!  Guess it's not too bad then that somebody is selling Pookie, since you might get more sales in the end.  Wow, your post is quit different from the beginning.  I kinda felt bad for you, but now you seem okay since the end result might bring more money for you!  Did I miss something here?   Debbie

Hi Kim,
From one collector to a seller~ Maybe the seller of Pookie lost her husband or something even worse!  If you feel sad, why not buy Pookie back?  There is no reserve on her.  The person reselling her was honest enough to let all know who created her!!!  What an honor in this world as it is!!!!  Fondly, Debbie

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen too,
  I have been reading these posts for many months and now feel I must respond. There are times as a collector that I want to buy and times I must slow down for a month or two. This time of year for me is it. Taxes, grand children, spring break=our kids, etc. etc. and etc. I am a collector of bears. Many bears from artists that are members here on TT. I think many of the posts are very helpful and that many of you are so very supportive of your fellow artists! How grand~ However, there are a few of you that are just down right mean and vindictive in a sneaky way! Have you ever looked to see how many people are logged on as guests? More than 95 percent of the time, guests are logged on! Many of these guests are collectors reading your posts. The collectors that buy your bears! Many of us have found you thru TT. I have bid on and won 5 bears from TT artists in the past 5 months. In fact, I was one of the collectors that spent the most on a bear from you ever~ Made me feel like a Queen! Have become e-mail buddies with 3 of you. Does that put you in a shill bidding category????? Do you think as a collector I would have bought your bear if it looked like Joe's down the street. They are all in a league of their own! I do not want to spend 5,000.00 dollars on 3 bears to have them all look like the bear next door. They are all different! Beware! The insecure, mean and vindictive person you feel is your friend may turn around and put you in the shill bidding category!!!! And consider you a copy-cat~ How sad, that it has all come to this! Shill bidding???? Did the person that keeps using the word; "shill bidding", really look into the bidding??? Many bids have been made with many other artists here on TT. And those bids were won!!!!! I for one am going to consider where I spend my money from now on~ I think it might be helpful if you all leave your dirty laundry at home in the washing machine where it belongs and keep this post to helping each other! UNLESS OF COURSE YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BACK UP WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO SAY~IN THAT CASE, PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH IT AND BRING ALL THIS TO A CLOSE!!!!! Sincerely, Debbie~A BEAR LOVER
Online

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen too,
   I have been reading these posts for many months and now feel I must respond. There are times as a collector that I want to buy and times I must slow down for a month or two. This time of year for me is it. Taxes, grand children, spring break=our kids, etc. etc. and etc. I am a collector of bears. Many bears from artists that are members here on TT. I think many of the posts are very helpful and that many of you are so very supportive of your fellow artists! How grand~ However, there are a few of you that are just down right mean and vindictive in a sneaky way! Have you ever looked to see how many people are logged on as guests? More than 95 percent of the time, guests are logged on! Many of these guests are collectors reading your posts. The collectors that buy your bears! Many of us have found you thru TT. I have bid on and won 5 bears from TT artists in the past 5 months. In fact, I was one of the collectors that spent the most on a bear from you ever~ Made me feel like a Queen! Have become e-mail buddies with 3 of you. Does that put you in a shill bidding category????? Do you think as a collector I would have bought your bear if it looked like Joe's down the street. They are all in a league of their own! I do not want to spend 5,000.00 dollars on 3 bears to have them all look like the bear next door. They are all different! Beware! The insecure, mean and vindictive person you feel is your friend may turn around and put you in the shill bidding category!!!! And consider you a copy-cat~ How sad, that it has all come to this! Shill bidding???? Did the person that keeps using the word; "shill bidding", really look into the bidding??? Many bids have been made with many other artists here on TT. And those bids were won!!!!! I for one am going to consider where I spend my money from now on~ I think it might be helpful if you all leave your dirty laundry at home in the washing machine where it belongs and keep this post to helping each other! UNLESS OF COURSE YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BACK UP WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO SAY~IN THAT CASE, PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH IT AND BRING ALL THIS TO A CLOSE!!!!! Sincerely, Debbie~A BEAR LOVER
Online

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen too,
   I have been reading these posts for many months and now feel I must respond. There are times as a collector that I want to buy and times I must slow down for a month or two. This time of year for me is it. Taxes, grand children, spring break=our kids, etc. etc. and etc. I am a collector of bears. Many bears from artists that are members here on TT. I think many of the posts are very helpful and that many of you are so very supportive of your fellow artists! How grand~ However, there are a few of you that are just down right mean and vindictive in a sneaky way! Have you ever looked to see how many people are logged on as guests? More than 95 percent of the time, guests are logged on! Many of these guests are collectors reading your posts. The collectors that buy your bears! Many of us have found you thru TT. I have bid on and won 5 bears from TT artists in the past 5 months. In fact, I was one of the collectors that spent the most on a bear from you ever~ Made me feel like a Queen! Have become e-mail buddies with 3 of you. Does that put you in a shill bidding category????? Do you think as a collector I would have bought your bear if it looked like Joe's down the street. They are all in a league of their own! I do not want to spend 5,000.00 dollars on 3 bears to have them all look like the bear next door. They are all different! Beware! The insecure, mean and vindictive person you feel is your friend may turn around and put you in the shill bidding category!!!! And consider you a copy-cat~ How sad, that it has all come to this! Shill bidding???? Did the person that keeps using the word; "shill bidding", really look into the bidding??? Many bids have been made with many other artists here on TT. And those bids were won!!!!! I for one am going to consider where I spend my money from now on~ I think it might be helpful if you all leave your dirty laundry at home in the washing machine where it belongs and keep this post to helping each other! UNLESS OF COURSE YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO BACK UP WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO SAY~IN THAT CASE, PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH IT AND BRING ALL THIS TO A CLOSE!!!!! Sincerely, Debbie~A BEAR LOVER
Online