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oohhhh!!! You tease!!!! 
I can't wait to see the full bear!!!!!!! 
Great questions!!!
What influenced me most to make bears? My Mum!!! Before I was old enough to go to school, I used to sit next to my mum with a tray of craft bits and bobs, and whilst she sat there and made her dolls, or the mice she used to make back then, I would sit and 'create' something. Of course, I was only given bits of fabric she didn't need, or a bit of clay she had finished with, but I think those early sessions of 'creating' built something in me for life.
The magazines have also influenced me, as it was through discovering 'Teddy Bear Scene' as a child that I think I came to make bears, rather than dolls the same as my Mum.
How did you get into the business? Again, through my Mum. I used to sell my bears alongside her dolls as dollshouse and miniature fairs from the age of 15.
Post a picure of my first bear? It is so dificult for me to know which is my first bear. I have little tiny felt bears that I made when I was about 10. I was also making soft toys before then. I remember my first jointed bear using a 'grown-up' pattern as I thought back then. It was made from velveteen, which was too thick for a miniature bear, and frayed really badly, but I was so proud of the outcome. However, I had better not put a photo of it on here in case someone of a nervous disposition takes a look!!!!!
How much did your first bear go for? I really can't remember - sorry!
What was my favourite bear character as a child? Winnie the Pooh for sure!!!!
What is my favourite mohair to work with? I don't use mohair very often as I'm not very good at it. My favourite fabric changes with my mood!!! I love trying new fabrics, and seeing the effect. I love all the miniature long-pile fabrics, and faux fur fabrics. I love something which allows a bit of scissor sculpting - my favourite part of making a bear!!
What a kind thing to do!!!
Gosh, if I adopted that theory then the behaviour of my mother-in-law would mean that I would forever be doing 'good turns'!!!!!!! 
I would love to put my name down please!! :hug:
I think the challenge idea is a great one...you could open it up to non-exhibitors too to bring in more money?
Thanks Jenny!
I have considered opening up the challenge to everyone, but I am worried that there is very limited space to display all the entries, so I would hate to have loads and loads of bears, with no where to display them. However, at the same time I would hate for there to only be a few entries, when lots of non-exhibitors would have liked to enter. Its very difficult to gauge interest for the first show. When I begin inviting people to attend, I will try and gauge people's interest in entering, and at that stage I could open it up for everyone, if not many exhibitors are interested.
Thank you everyone for your comments and feedback. Its great to hear others' thoughts, as it gets me thinking in a slightly different direction, which can only be a good thing!! :hug:
At this show will there just be Artist tables or will there be Supply tables also? Like Mohair,eye, joints etc etc.
Hi Richy,
At the moment I am concentrating on it being an artist-only event. However, the venue does have a small foyer area, out of the main hall which could contain 2 or 3 stands. I would never put the artists themselves on these stalls, but I am considering the possibility of a supplies stand out in the foyer. I know that artists themselves often use a show as an opportunity to restock on a few supplies. However, there is no final decision made about this yet, so the short answer is - I'm not sure yet!!!
Thank you ladies for your comments and feedback - they are greatly appreciated!! 
Daphne - thanks for your comments from the perspective of a show organiser!!! :hug:
Hello everyone,
As I discussed some months ago, I am planning an artist-only fair here in the UK.
Well, after months and months of research and planning, things are really beginning to come together. I have strated a website, which I thought some of you may be interested in: www.teddybearartistevent.co.uk
I am not ready to start taking exhibitors yet, but hopefully this will happen soon!!! In the meantime, please feel free to browse the website, to learn more about the event, and what I am trying to achieve.
The event is going to be self-funding, non-profit making and will be raising money for the British Heart Foundation.
There are still lots of things I need to sort out before I can begin publicising, but I thought I would share a sneak-preview with some of you, by letting you know the website address.
Any comments, ideas, fedback, etc is always welcome!!
Thanks for looking. :hug:
Oh I am so so sorry to hear your sad news. I have been thinking about you and your daughter over the last couple of days - I can't believe that you now have more sad news to deal with.
Wishing you all the strength to find peace with your sister-in-law's passing.
We are here for you. :hug:
I can assure you that your bear looks great on the cover!!! 
Congatulations Kerren!!!
I did notice your article when I flicked through my copy when it arrived this morning, but I haven't had chance to read any of it yet. Theres nothing better than the thrill of seeing your bears in a magazine, is there?!
What wonderful news!!! You must be so delighted.
Can't wait to see pics and hear her name when it is chosen.
On a personal note, it's truthful to tell you I feel very hurt and frustrated by this. It has made me question what I do for my living and whether indeed it is worth carrying on. That may seem an extreme reaction to a single bad experience, but earning money from bear making is so very hard and when something like this happens, it's hard to keep faith in what I have chosen to do.
Oh Paula - I can fully understand your feelings, but PLEASE try and remember all of the transactions you have made with those of us who love and admire you bears so so so much!!!! I think everyone will experience the same feelings at some time in their career, whatever their job. After a couple of bad experiences with awkward clients I lost my faith in sign language interpreting, so I took a brief break, and went back to it with new clients. It all worked out ok in the end!
I truly adore Misty Morn and Pepper who I have adopted from you, and they keep telling me that they would like a big brother or sister one day!!!!! So please, when the dust has settled from this upsetting event, get back to making your wonderful creations - the world of bear artistry would suffer if it lost you!! :hug: :hug:
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Too cute!!! 
What a pain! 
I guess the best you can hope for at the moment is that it is a genuine mistake, and that it will all be resolved. I would certainly have trusted someone if they had bought bears from me before. I always seem to give people the benefit of the doubt, which I guess could land me in trouble in the future!
If your money does get taken and you don't hear from the collector, surely there is something you could do, because she has stolen from you. You should get that bear back at least!!
Not much any of us can do to help really except for crossing fingers and toes that it will all work out ok in the end!! :hug:
Great to see some pics!!!! :photo: What a wonderful display - all the bears look wonderful together, and what a fantastic variety of styles!!! Thanks for sharing!!
I have to say that I have always wanted to be a mommy too since I was a little girl. Hopefully I will get my chance one day. I'm still only 23, and my husband and I have no plans to have children just yet, but they are certainly in our 'life plan'.
I have wanted to be various things growing up, including school teacher, librarian, the lead in a musical (but I can't sing!!!!!), fashion designer, doctor (but I pass out at the slightest suggestion of blood!!) and teacher of deaf children. After graduating from uni, I have ended up being a Sign Langauge Interpreter, but I'm still not sure it is what I want to do forever. I would love to be able to make bears full time, but I don't think it will happen any time soon. The advantage of being an interpreter is that I am self-employed, so if in the future my hubby and I are lucky enough to hear the pitter patter of tiny feet, I could still do a day or two a week of interpreting to give me something that is still 'mine'. It also means that currently I can take enough days of interpreting to pay the bills, and still have some days left to make my bears. A perfect arrangment really.
What a great photo!!! :photo:
It certainly made me smile
OK - I have it sorted!!! :dance:
You should all have recieved a PM with your swap partner(s). Please let me know as soon as possible if you had asked to participate but haven't received a PM.
Thanks!!
He he he....you can't help but smile when you see this little bunny!!!!
I think he is great - so original and really creative!!
Oh Jodi 
...there is not a lot I can add to the wise words people have already said, so instead I just want to offer a virtual hug :hug: , and to remind you that you have many true friends here on TT that you know you can call upon at any time. Wishing you the strength and courage to come through this as a happier person on the other side.
What a beautiful face!!! Really superb!!!
Making any soft-sculpture animal which is meant to look like an actual real animal must be near impossible. Teddy bears no longer look like real bears, which gives us free-reign to change their proportions etc at will. You have done an amazing job with this kittie, and I bet your collector will be even more thrilled when she sees her kittie in the fur!!!
Thanks to everyone who wants to take part. I know its now the 3rd June, but it has taken me this long to properly recover from my brother's wedding on Friday, which was wonderful but exhausting!!
Just to let you all know that I will be sorting out the swap later today. If you have suddenly decided you would like to take part, please PM me within the next couple of hours. Thanks! :hug:
My big brother got married yesterday. It was a truly wonderful day and my brother and sister-in-law were happy and relaxed all day, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It brought back many of the feeling and memories of my own wedding day!! After pouring with rain for the last week, yesterday was a glorious sunny day!! Everything was perfect!! I am so pleased for them, as they have worked so hard arranging this wedding, and they really deserved a truly special day!! Having been in the middle of two brothers for so long, I am so pleased to finally have a wonderful sister-in-law!!! I wanted to share a few pics from yesterday with you.
This is me with my two brothers. My brother on the left of me is the one who was getting married.
These are all pictures of the happy couple during their day:
Thank you all for your kind comments. :redface:
Well, the day has nearly arrived. I am off to the rehearsal in an hour or so, as I am doing a reading at their wedding ceremony tomorrow. Its all very exciting, but I do hope this rain stops!!! :pray: :pray: They deserve a lovely, warm, sunny day. Fingers-crossed everyone please!!!!! 
