Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I first started making and selling around 14 years ago, can't remember exactly. Then I could very easily sell my 12" mohair bears for £95 ($190). I did find that a lot of collectors started to make bears and things got quieter. I stopped making around 9 years back so can't say what happened in between these times.

Now if I made the same bears could I get the same price or more for them? It would be interesting to see. I'd have to make a large one first!

Good question.

I made one from a fold down mesh laundry bin. I took the mesh off and covered the sides with white translucent fabric. I also have a camera with white balance and macro. The white balance is a major benefit. I'm not as good as the camera would let me be, but I'm lazy at reading instructions. 

I wonder what the W stands for! 

You deserve a rest!  :clap:  :hug: As usual thanks so much Jane, you're a star!

Excellent news. I was thinking of you all. Just shows things are on the up. When you get time share some more of your day.  :hug:

Wow! He looks wise and mystic. Those eyes are brilliant.  :clap:

Weird weather for sure. Two weeks ago it was 16 degrees (62), a couple of days ago -1 (30) Today its around about 13 (55).

Yes I am British, we do talk about these things! 

Do you take paypal? 

Still 4 months to go though! 

Missed this as I was off to a meeting, but hey any news is good on the bear front. I wonder, they had the reborn doll thing on the other week, perhaps this helped. Channel 4 will be doing a 'mad bear collector' programme next! 

Great site Julie, and yes is'nt Redcar something to do with horse racing? I've been teaking my site today, got nothing else done, but it is fun. You have done a fantastic job.  :clap:

Definitely ONE OF THOSE WEEKS!!!!!! Mine has now gone from a bearmaking one to my day job one. Stress yes, time no!!!! I'm sure it will get sorted.  At least it makes me feel better about the bears. 

Great post Jane. Heres me and Panda, I had him for my first Christmas so he will be 40 this year!

Thanks for that Brenda. Can ebay make it any worse? Bet they will give it a try!!!

It just seems sometimes things catch up with us. Hope you feel better soon Michelle, these things take ages to get better. I'm cheating today and ignoring 'the big bear', let it see how I feel when it does'nt behave.  I'm working on the sweet little good bears, the ones that are nice to me! I'll let big bear fester for awhile then tackle it when I'm in a fighting mood.

I'm a head in the sand kind of person. I'd rather be getting on with making bears, but....I do need to sell them. I think ebay are very greedy but in terms of a worldwide audience they get you noticed. I just don't know which way to go so I'm trundling along as usual. Maybe as others have said time to at least give something else a go as well. 

Hi all. I've been a Blog lurker in the last few days, I've got Hugglets envy. Its one way to see whats going on and what you are all taking. I've even been dreaming about the place, very sad.

I have noticed loads of you are having lots of bad luck. Even I must be reacting in sympathy as I'm ditching body parts faster than Sweeney Todd. Although Ellen could give him a run for his money.....

So if you need time to vent or chill and 'calm down', just shout it out here.

Ellen's new business partner is shown above. 

I must have Hugglets envy as I was dreaming about the place! I've being sneaking a look at all the preview bears on the blogs. I wish all the TTers a fab day, you've all worked so hard. I hope it goes well for you all. Hopefull one day I'll get a chance to go and see you there.

I started this last monday then got waylaid with been asked to go into work. Proves Paula's point really to all this. I'll try again next week when I'm hoping to have a clearer run. Very interesting and could help to stop us meandering along. Don't forget the more bears you do, the quicker they are as you get them right first time. I've found that out, the opposite this week as I try do do something new.     

Interesting question. This happenned to me a couple of years back. I hit on a miniature style, as usual by accident, that was quite popular. I went with it but kind of just let it run. It begins to show as you get tired. Looking back I can see the bears getting boring.

I'm at the same place as you now wanting to do different things. I've even got a little ebay experiment on now. (click ebay to see, under my avatar). I made two different type bears and I put them on at the same time to see what the reaction, watchers and sales would be like. At the moment it is'nt working! Ones got 25 watchers, but less hits, the other 23 but more hits. It does tell me whatever you do as long as you are happy with it, things will be fine. Try something similar, its very interesting. As I don't collect bears its sometimes hard to relate to what collectors want as I come from a 'like making things' background.

A great topic. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Ahhh Mr Donna!    Although we never do things like flowers etc its been a kinda lovey dovey day with plenty of laughs. Like he tried to send me an e card but it ended up going to his email.   Then 'I've got you a pressie but its not come yet'. Probably free choccies, never mind, I've given them up for lent. Bless them all, its the laughs that keep us glued together. :hug:  Thanks for sharing. 

Thanks Jane. The only card I'm going to get!  The other half has a birthday tomorrow, good excuse not to bother. Mind you if he did bother I'd start thinking something was up!

By the way Jane, mega congratulations! Spotted him in the photo line up.

Thanks for this Paula. So as far as you know, get the mag tokens, or subscribe (tax deductable me thinks  ) and send a photo in. Even I could do that. It would be a good way for us competition newbies to start off. Do you know if they ever see the bear in the fur? I'd want to keep it anyway if it did get anywhere. Congratulation by the way!

Tell him fantastic. :clap:  Funny enough I've been starting Amy off bearmaking today (shes 12). Amy being Amy will get me do most of it! 

EEK!!!!!!! What a kerfuffle!!!!!

There you go sorted.  :dance:   :hug:  I hope mine will be too. I'm chilled out now, things happen don't they.