Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Jane, that is a face to die for...and that 'gripper tooth' on the bottom that seems to have a death grip on the sand paper, plus the look in her eyes...don't mess with me!!! Just too funny, I am so glad you shared this with us...gave me a good morning laugh to start the day with.
Nancy

I notice we have a lot of Aussie's in our group and how wonderful to be able to even know you...thanks to Intercal and the computer age.

I see lots of things about Australia on the travel channel and it looks like a beautiful place...what is your weather like there?
I know there are lots of tourist areas...and lots of bear shops (really jealous here).

What is your favorite thing to do or where to go and what do you love about being there.
I will probably never be able to visit there, so give me a little vision thru your eyes.

Are you native or did you move there from somewhere else?
I know a little history about it, but have not studied that much...anything exciting you would like to share?

Nancy

Halloween lasted 3 nights and the kids were out in the dark alone and nothing happened to them...and you could eat the candy.

Slumber parties...Friday nite dances at different friends house.

Buzzin the drive in.

"He lit a match to check his tank,
That's why they call him skinless Frank"
Burma shave.

Thank you Sue Ann...I adored Campbell.  I love that ratty wild look and wanted to try it.  I will now, that you say the backing is 'normal'
Nanc.....

I am interested in trying some string mohair but I wondered what the backing is like.
Has anyone used it?  I don't want that knit back like Ratinee (spelled wrong I am sure) has.
Thanks girls, appreciate any in-put on this subject.
Nancy

Bronwen....I don't know if this will help you or not...but I just made an embroidered nose with nostrils and here is how I did it.

Start in the middle and make it the length you want the nose to be.  Then as you go to each side (and I work both sides together, taking my needle under the center , to the other side). 
As you get to the area where you want the nostril to show up, start to make your stitches shorter...sort of arch it a bit...and then longer as you get to the outer side of the nose.
Finally when you are at the far outside of the nose...make long stitches again and pull them into the bottom of the original center stitches.
You can use paint or pens to fill the now existing nostril, with the color that you want.
I hope this helps you and that I have made it clear enough to understand.
nanc.......

Gail, I have to tell you, that avatar makes me laugh everytime I see that little snowman.  Just too cute! and Judi, your new one is so gorgeous!

Kelly, thank you for taking the time to send your thoughts.  It is frustrating for sure. Since there are very few shows around here and traveling to other states is not in the stars right now....I will just keep plugging along.

It is so nice to have a chat group where you can occassionally talk about a frustration and have people who actually understand, respond.  Shari, I will take your ear and a hug anyday!! Such a sweetheart, you are.

I have many wonderful friends whom I love like family...but they have no idea what I am talking about when I run around the house gritting my teeth and pulling my hair out . :doh:   

I agree Roxanne!  We have such an abundance of talent in this group.  Do you think the collectors sometimes are collecting an artist, rather than actual work?  It would be fun (just as human nature study) to take a creation from one artist  (comparable work of course)and have someone who is getting thousands for their work, list it as something they created (as a new design for me) and see what happens.
This is purely a cosmic thought, one that will never have actual supporting evidence.

Tami, I remember a fairy artist who used to sell her fairies in the thousands...I loved to watch her work...then they started to decline and didn't meet her reserves, even tho another artist continued to maintain her high bids...and I wondered at the time, WHY?  Her work hadn't changed, she still made these beautiful fairies.  Finally she quit putting reserves on and was selling them for less than the amount she had still in her listing, for a downpayment on a lay-a-way.

I guess the answer is to detach, just put your work out there as if it were any other commodity and let it go.  Perhaps it will all work out in the end. This thought is strickly exigous...(that's my Shelli disclaimer, hahaha)

Thank each and everyone of you who have giving me different thoughts to ponder...it was a tremendous help.
Hugs to you gals  :hug:
nancy

Thanks Jenn....they will be added to my prayer list.  What sweet names!
Nancy

I can't thank you all enough...what great friends to be so encouraging. :hug:
Nancy

Jenn, can you post their names for me?  I like to have a name to include in my prayers.  :pray:
Nancy

First thing in the morning, I push the power button on CPU, then head for the kitchen, make the morning coffee and come back.  By then the desk top has appeared...(dial-up you know)

I head for general discussion to see all the chatter that has gone on all night, say a few words and then log off.
I probably come back3 or 4 times a day but generally come back during the late hours of the night.

Sometimes I will be log on more often, it is so nice to have friends all over the world  and be able to chat with you all ! 

I don't look to see who is on and I used to look at the sales all the time but don't do that as much...I don't know why.

I have one other chat group but I only go to that about twice a week...yep, this is my fav!
Nancy

Kimmy....WOW, what a darling, beautiful girl you are.
I have to say, I like the second from the bottom....the first two look like chicken pox, and the next one looks so artsy, almost like it is on watercolor paper.
the bottom one is beautiful too...but my fav is the 3rd one down.
hugs,
nancy

Hi girls...I just got on...I have been off for a day, trying to get these miniature  dolls ready for the show.  I think I am getting cross eyed so decided to come to TT.

As I sit here and read your notes, I keep going back and re-reading and re-reading.  What a wonderful group of gals are here on TT.

When I wrote that, I wasn't really reaching out, I was 'venting', as we all do from time to time....but I have to tell you that your answers to me really touched my heart and were very insightful.

You made a lot of sense to me and I know you understand what I am feeling because, like me...a few of you say you are experiencing the same thing or have been feeling the same way.
I really need to go look at other artists auctions more often...I just never seem to have the time to sit down and search to see how others are doing.  I seem to stay in my own little bubble.

I propose one more question:  I never used to set a reserve on anything I made because I really  don't like them and didn't have to...but now I feel that it is a good idea.  So here is the catch. 

You set a reserve and it doesn't meet that amount, what happens....do you then become a collector of your own bears?  and if you sell your work too cheaply (and I remember a discussion about artists doing that) what does that, then do to the reputation of your work?  What is the answer...keep making and listing, holding your reserves and becoming a collector of your own work?

I don't know....I am not in this for a hobby, those of you who have known me for a while, know what my monies are ear-marked for and that has really been going down hill.

Like you girls, I put days into my work and it is very depressing.
I don't know what the answer is.

Thank you so much for sharing your points of view and I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have friends who understand!
Blessings to you all,
Nancy

Just look at how many people have viewed this post...it is nearing 300, that means there are a lot of Lurkers who have read this and decided not to 'come in'...I wonder why?

Kitten...Do you know where Bear Lake is?  It is just about 50 miles south of Traverse City.  My parents had a summer place on Bear Lake and we would spend the whole summer there...that is where I met my hubby.

His parents owned the Marina there...and we were having guests come for the week...mother went to town to buy all the groceries prior to their arrival. 

She bought the groceries all right, but came home with a sail boat to be delivered the next day.  Well, David delivered the boat and had to show me how to sail it...and the rest is history!  So we lived quite a while in Michigan, in fact our daughter was born in Manistee.

Small world.  I don't know too much about Big Rapids...except Ferris Institute and I think you have a Casino now too...right?
I love Michigan, it holds memories for me that I will cherish all my life.
Again, welcome to TT.
Hugs,
nancy

Thank you girls and thank you Tami for bidding!

  I didn't list her  here because Ebay is making me feel ...hummmm, what's a good word.  I don't know, I guess I am loosing my confidence.  Can't explain it.
I have lost my desire to create something, only to put hours and hours of work in it , think it looks great and then get very low bids, which we all know is a direct indicator as to how good your work is...at least that is how I see it.  So what I think looks good actually must not be.

Anyway, I haven't listed anything for quite a while on ebay because of it...but I did need to make up the 70.00 sent to the Toby application, so I made a Westie puppy.

:hug:  You two are sweeties for sure!
Nanc.......

What a great point to bring up Dilu...you are absolutely correct!
Nancy

Patsy, that is one gorgeous bear !  That happens to be one of my favorite colors.  I love yellow!  I don't think I have seen a yellow bear in a long long time.
You did an excellent job on the muzzle too!  Just an all around beauty!
Hugs,
nancy

Kelly, she is absolutely gorgeous...I am just amazed at the creativity you possess in designing and creating such a beauty.
Just wonderful and I am so glad you decided to enter her...opps, I just saw Mary jump back in her drawer!! Poor baby!
Hugs,
Nancy

Kimmy...get yourself some leather gloves at the thrift/antique shops and cut the fingers off...then put one finger inside of another and then stick YOUR finger inside the double thick 'finger glove'.  Use the 'gloved finger' to support your work and take the brunt of the needle...not your bare finger  :doh:

You need to arm youself against those nasty needles and remember to take really good care of the wound...that is a PUNCTURE wound and nothing to fool around with!  Opps, sorry, just ended my sentence in a preposition...bad girl, bad girl!

Nancy

Is the GANG ALL HERE?  or are there more.  :dance:  :dance:

I feel sorry for the entrants who don't belone to TT....see what they are missing out on.  Shelli's own version of the  "TT Barnyard"   

You do great work Shel!

Hugs to you honey,
Nancy

Yeh, Kitten  :dance:  :dance:
I am so glad to see some lurkers joining us.
I don't have time right now to chat much, but I do have some ideas for you.
Also, your questions (any questions) are greatfully accepted by everyone, because that is how we all learn.
You may think of something that no one else has thought about AND there are always the ...Lurkers out there who may be beginners as well and look forward to questions and answers.
Until I can get back....I am listing a Westie tonight...
I am so glad you joined us and we look forward to having you in the group.
Blessings to you Kitten,
Nancy

Lynette, she is just adorable and I am so glad you entered her in the tobys....under BEARS!!!    I wish you the best in getting a nomination and even going further.

I have to tell you that your daughters name has a special meaning to me.  My cousin and his wife had 3 wonderful boys and Bonnie always wanted to have a girl...but after the 3rd boy, she was unable to have anymore children and she told me that she even had 'her little girl that would never be'...named ,and it would have been Lauren.  So (back when I was sculpting original dolls) I made a tiny Lauren and she was extremely popular with the collectors.  I will see if I can get a pic and post it for you to see.

Nancy

You all have Mary's head a spinnin!!!
I can safely say, she has come out of the closet (in her case the drawer) and is sitting here on the computer looking at me.  I think I can almost see a teeny little smile. 
Mary and I are having fun no matter what happens, and we thank you all for such up-lifting thoughts and certainly taking the time to post in this thread. You're the BEST!!

Bonnie, she is tiny compared to the other entries...she is 4 1/2 inches tall standing.  So she should be afraid of Judi's tigger 

Nanc....

Gosh Estelle, I can't think of one reason why that would be in bad taste...I think it is a wonderful idea.  A beautiful bear that comes with a membership?  How could you go wrong?
GREAT IDEA...says, Nanc!

Gail, I wanted to, but they are all living in other dog houses now and I used my Sony camera which didn't have the correct resolution for magazine...doggone it...opps, pardon the pun!
Hopefully next year!  Thank you for the thought.
You know, it is too bad we all can't get together somewhere.  TTers really are wonderful friends.  :hug:  But at 13 miles per gallon, I won't be going too far.
Sometimes it is frustrating to just be cyber friends...wouldn't it be fun to get together and make bears all day, kind of like a quilting bee...but it would be  a 'Bear Bee' ?  ...We'd have fur up everybodys nose!
Nanc.....