Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Another thought re the tableau. Right now the tableau entries can be quite elaborate - like a whole scene with many props, accessories and mulitple bears/critters, or simply a pair of bears - that must be hard to judge, or the pair don't stand a chance!  What about keeping the tableau, but also adding a "pairs" category - that could be two bears or a bear and another animal with either accessories, dressed,  or undressed but without the elaborate props that might be in a tableau.

Regarding cost of entry fees - I would doubt that the magazine can reduce the fees, but I wonder if they could possibly print photos of some of the other entries rather than just the nominees - even if they were thumbnail pics - that might make people feel like they were at least getting a bit of exposure and appreciation for their entry, and I think the public would really enjoy seeing the other entrants as I am SURE there are a LOT of fabulous entries that just miss out in the judging and someone has put a lot of time and effort into creating them -might help with people feeling disheartened at not winning!

Maybe you've been laughing too loudly at some of the stuff on here! 
and disturbing the QUIET of the library!       :crackup:

I do like the idea of revamping the categories and a lot of good suggestions here - but I'd just like to give a word of caution! 
Not sure about some of the divisions of bear categories being mentioned - I think you would have to be careful to make sure people know which category their bear would fit into - classic, contemporary, realistic, vintage - sounds like it would be very confusing to me and a lot of possibilites of overlap- which would just become frustrating. Even in the categories now it is sometimes hard to distinguish between the dressed/accessorized and the undressed - size of course is VERY easy! For instance in the 2009 GT's a bear with a ruffle collar and a bell won in "undressed" and a bear with a necklace and flowers on her head won in dressed/accessorized! (both gorgeous bears! - but were they in the "right" categories????)

I do think we need more categories for animals - but doubt if it would be feasible to have a separate category for elephants, cats, dogs, monkeys, rabbits, et., etc.  I have never entered the animal categories as I do not make realistic animals - more of an anime style and I just don't think they can be judged against a realistic animal - whichever animal it is! Also how can a miniature animal be judged against a 20" one any more than a miniature bear against a big bear? Size makes such a difference in the detail you can acheive and when they are being judged from photos I feel the miniatures would be at a disadvantage against the larger critters. Right now there is really no category for any type of anime - whether it is an animal or a bear, so that is something I would like to see.  Or perhaps to divide the animals into "realistic" and "non-realistic" along with size breakdowns.

As far as a "Masters Division" - it would have to be very clear. Would someone who had never entered an animal or a large teddy but won in the miniature classification be considered a "Master" for all categories or would they be allowed to enter the regular division in categories they had never won - and would winning include nominations? or just the final winning in Publics Choice? What if they hadn't won in over 5 years? or over 10 years? (a long time with the way things have been changing in bear artistry!)

Doesn't sound like your job is going to be an easy one, Jessica! but everyone is certainly giving you lots to think about!

She's lovely! Good luck on ebay!

So sweet!

What a cutie!

So adorable! 

Jessica, I think it might be a good idea if you started a new thread for this topic titled something like "suggestions wanted for changes to Golden Teddy categories" - I think a lot of people will not see your request when it is under "Have you submitted your Golden Teddy Award entries" and we all know that is past. Not sure what made me click on the topic actually -   
I'll think about suggestions and see what I come with.

Thanks so much! I am so pleased with the positive response - including a fast first bid on ebay! (Although I almost wouldn't have minded keeping this little guy!)

this little guy is about 6 1/4" tall, made of sparse mohair and  fully jointed with face shading and leather cord eyelids. He wears a hand knit vintage look vest.

how darling!

He's adorable, Terrie!

Thanks for all the lovely comments!

He is adorable, Sarah!
I don't know why his photo isn't showing up in the thumbnails - it should go there automatically when you post it. Maybe you could go into "edit" and try adding another photo and see what happens???

She is just adorable!

Great bear - and what an adorable grouping!

So cute!

He is wonderful! And what a cute set - I have that same little metal carriage in my doll collection!

He is fabulous - I love the colours!

Love her! She is just such a cutie!

They are all wonderful - but I have to say the first one, "Edie" is my favourite too! (wonder why  )
Good luck in your new life ventures!

I have just listed another little miniature bear on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi … 0366266384

Ansel is just under 3 1/2" tall, made of very soft off white pile fabric.

they are both so adorable!

Soooo cute! 

Thanks Lenora, Cheryl, Raewyn, and Kim! I love making these little ones - I find them a LOT easier than the BIG guys!