Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I think I will have to come back in a couple of years by then hopefully I will have an answer

:crackup:

I think in your heart you know what you want to do.

You are obviously tempted by trying new things. I would follow that desire and if you like the results then maybe you could find a way of putting the 'new design' under a different umbrella. Keep 'your' name but maybe have the new designs  under a different 'collection' name . That way you can still continue to make the traditional Three O'clock bears.

I agree at the moment it would be madness to change something that is working so well for you , but in the fashion world designers have different collections, and ranges and it works for them.

( I was looking through the library yesterday and saw a post from you saying you wanted to do an open mouth bear. I don't know if you ever did but that post was Oct 2005......maybe that's a sign) LOL

I really enjoy the pattern side of making rabbits.

When I first started it was just trial and error but when you get something near to what you want it gets easier. I have altered my pattern from when I first started and it has changed quite a bit. I am now re doing it and using various methods. I soft sculpt parts and I also use the laying over method.

It's very challenging but thats the fun part.

I have tried make up when I have been experimenting and I like it because of the lovely soft effect you get and lets face it, it's a medium that we are all used too. There are so many colours available and it's quite easy to use.
Although we remove make up from our skins with suitable removers cream etc., if you get make up on your clothes you do have to wash it, it doesn't just brush of  and sometimes does stain. Therefore it could last on mohair ?

The reason I haven't used it on my rabbits is really because I don't know how long it would last. Believe me if I knew it had longevity I would use it as I think it is one of the easiest things to apply and blend and it has a vast colour range, no messing around mixing paints.

Maybe I will use it on a rabbit and keep it for a few years and report back.

Yes it was a great place to have a show . I love Stratford and the surrounding villages and there were plenty of things to occupy my boys on Sunday when they weren't helping me !

Oh Jane what you did was just great, it enables everyone to get a view of how well attended the show was and wonderful all the stands were.

Thanks to you and for everyones great comments !

Hi
Here are some photos of my stand at the Teddy Bear Artist Event. Unfortunately I didn't get time to take any of the others.

Yes I am here to agree with everything that has been said it was a truly fantastic event and the organisation was unbeatable !!!

It was obvious to see that so many people had supported Samantha, a truly family event and not forgetting that Samantha was running this as a charitable event !! She had thought of everything.  I am looking forward to next year.

It was lovely to meet and chat to lots of TT'ers  Jenny, Lynne, Ruth Marilyn and I had the pleasure of chatting away to Yvonne all day... thats when she wasn't selling her lovely bears !!!!

I am glad to say I had a very successful day with my rabbits and sold out bar one. Which I am still amazed at (selling so many I mean) . Lots of people were very complimentary to me and I really do appreciate all you had to say.

Roll on next years event !!!

Oh what a cute bunny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gosh Marilyn you like cutting it fine ! I'm sure you'll have them ready. Looking great though.. good luck and see you Sunday.

GOSH  Ruth so tiny . I love the colour of that orange or peach  but they are all divine!

See you Sunday.
Shelly

Here are some of the rabbits coming to Stratford !!
These rabbits are smaller than I have made in the past and are a new shape with new eye and foot detail.I'm looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Gorgeous Yvonne !! I can't wait to see them in the flesh. I have just finished tonight too yippee!!!

If you visit the website again go to 'news' and it tells you Beatrix is currently on holiday.

My goodness Kim ... you will just have to keep your legs crossed till after the event :dance:

Congratulations to you all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:clap:  :clap:                :photo:

I have always had a machine since I was young so I'm very used to it. I sew most of my rabbits by machine but I do the heads by hand as they are quite small to get in with the machine foot.

Machining is a skill like anything so takes practice. I don't think there is any more skill in hand sewing than machining in some cases there is more skill in machining especially using the type of fabrics that we do.

If I was you I would see if maybe you could rent or borrow a  machine before you buy as you might just not enjoy using it.

Machines these days are so advanced but you can get by with a fairly basic model. I mainly use a machine because it is faster on the long boring bits, you can adjust the pressure on the foot which helps create a firm seam, and my machine has a sort of double stitch which means the seams are really strong, but a nightmare to unpick if you make a mistake.  I would be lost without my machines. I also have an overlocker, one of my prized possesions, I know very sad !!

It's something you will have to just try yourself....good luck.

Well Samantha
I'm going to be there with my rabbits and husband and two boys.   I'm sure it will be a great show. I still haven't finished any completely yet arrrgggghhhhh .... and breathe........

You may have the worry of no one turning up but I have the worry of no one buying !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   But hey it wouldn't be the end of the world would it ??

Any news about the mag?

I have mine sat around my work room till they find homes ...... I love being surrounded by bunnies and it keeps the enthusiasm up. When they travel they are wrapped in tissue paper so they don't get hurt.

Not having been in the business very long and this being my second 'live' show.
I just prepare as much as I can.
I hate rushing and getting stressed so I probably over plan. Like Melanie I like to have a lot on the go at once, that way I can pick and choose what I want to do at what time.
For instance the weathers great at the moment so I'm not staying inside, so I'm outside trimming, cutting out, stuffing, anything that avoids being inside. That means working on about four rabbits. In the evenings I just want to sit on a comfy seat , so that's when I tend to stuff. I took my sons to drama rehearsal last night so I took something I could do in the car while I waited for them. So working on more than one rabbit enables me to flit from one thing to another.  I generally finish all the clothes and accessories at the end. I can honestly say that I don't think I have worked through on one rabbit from start to finish. I get bored easily Ha Ha.

I'm sure as time goes on I will change but I will hit that problem when I come to it !!

Really looking forward to the show though !

Meticulously finished Lisa, you should be very proud of yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks everyone for your answers.

I wonder what will happen in the future when cheques disappear altogether ?

I guess it's always important to make sure you get a cheque guarantee card to cover the amount of the bear  and if necessary get the customer to write more than one cheque.

Shelly

I haven't received mine either

I was sorry to hear about Janices experience in a previous topic, it's unfortunate that people have been like that.

I have a question for people though,

'Has anyone been ripped of at a show when they have been paid by cheque and then the cheque has bounced? I often wonder about people who don't accept cards or people who want to pay by cheque and only have a cheque guarantee card for lees than the price of the bear?

Please let me know your experiences.

intrigued
Shelly