Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Nance,
String mohair has become one of my favourites and I have another two cut out from varying lengths. The backing is the same as any other mohair...excellent. Jennifer in my avatar is made from long string mohair...she's one of my favourites. Make sure you share your finished product!

Australia is so diverse that it is said if you travel the country you can see more beauty and diversity than you would if you visted ten other countries. Most of the population lives around the coast as it's so hot and dry in the 'red centre'. Inland from the coast and we have HUGE cattle and sheep stations...some are thousands of acres and the farmers sometimes use helicopters to drove the animals, but more often horses.
The temperatures inland vary hugely and they can have early morning frosts even when they are heading for a 30 degree celcius day temp.
In Darwin at the top of Australia, the temperature is tropical all year 'round and it gets cooler as you head south. I live at the very bottom of the Victorian coast. In summer, our temps range fro 20 to 42 degrees celcius and in winter it hovers around 10 to 16 degrees (down to about 5 overnight). We do get biting winds in winter, but we live on the coast. I swear sometimes the wind comes straight off the Antarctic! Still...we don't really KNOW cold compared to countries where it snows and you get minus temps for months on end. In Australia, it only snows in the mountains in winter.
We have beautiful golden beaches, spectacular mountains and clean air.
Nance, I'm glad you asked that question....I have been told that many Americans are in the dark about Australia and see us as being way behind America in many areas. We are highly civilised, and contrary to what some people may think....we don't see kangaroos hopping around in our towns....only in the country areas! We have milk in cartons, and our fruit and veg in the supermarkets  is loose and fresh so we can choose our own...very little pre packaged stuff. In general, most households prepare fresh food for every meal, although there are those who eat prepackaged foods too often(generally the tubby ones )! We hang our clothes on the line outside to dry..and run them through the dryer if it's too wet. Our children start schooling at age 4 years with one year spent at pre-school. They then go to Primary school for 6 years followed by Secondary school for 6 years. They can then head off to University for further education if they choose, but it is not expected. Our kids can get their learners driving permit at age 16 but can't get their full licence until 18. They then spend 3 years on "Probationary" or "P" plates before obtaining their full licence.
I will dig out some pics taken here and there to share when I have a minute.

When it comes to the internet...I am very sceptical. I can't believe this can be the real deal. I have actually heard the last one told as a blonde joke too, so who knows. Amusing but!

What beautiful work Nance! I'm so glad you shared....imagine all the fun we would miss out on if everyone was too bashful to share their talents! Those faces are amazing...what a clever lady you are! :clap:

Melissa,
Matilda is on the Aussie West Coast...so I can show him the East Coast huh? Perhaps he'd like to visit the Penguin Parade?

Judi...hugs and more hugs to you. :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  We have mountains of pets and it hurts so much when they go. The kids seem to cope better each time though...and I cope worse than ever.    
The first pet loss is the hardest by far. My kids, especially my daughter, was so upset....we all sat together and said a little prayer to God. We asked him to look after "Nilla" (pet mouse) and asked for His comfort. The kids drew a lot of comfort from this simple little prayer. :pray:  I know your faith is strong...ask God for what you need. 
Thinking of you!

I'm doing okay too..have lost 2kg in the first week...BUT that's to be expected when starting a new diet. Most people have a bigger loss in that first week, purely because they are cutting down on the amount of food they are eating.
Just don't go expecting the loss to keep that pace...it won't. (Speaking to myself here as much as anyone!)

Healthy weightloss is I/2 to 1 kg a week. It's very confusing with s talking kilos and the rest of the world talking pounds! It's time you guys went metric!   Mind you...I still need to hear a baby's weight in pounds...

Sue Ann...if I look half as good as you do when I'm your age, I'll be eternally thankful!!    

Shelli.
I've just dropped into TT for a few minutes...am SOOOO over committed at the moment it's not funny but I MISS YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!    

I just HAVE to comment on the piggy! I looked at your other two spectacular pieces first and decided that yes, they are really somethin' special....but when I saw the piggy...well, she did it for me instantly! :clap:

I'm with Gail....this one's your winner...she's in Chauncey's league! The name, the idea, the whole deal...she's IT!!!
Well done girlie!!

Hey, hey Nance...your critters are waaayyyyy up there with a chance too y'know.....don't sell yourself short! :hug:   I'm off to find your pics.....you HAVE posted them..haven't you???
In our Aussie comps, we aren't allowed to show pics of comp entries beforehand, in case is leads to judge bias...but then again, they are a different kind of comp too.

It seems that we all feel quite comfortable about the swapping of the smaller items, but a little more reserved about bears. Howzabout starting off slowly and carefully with the swap forum like Paula originally suggested, and see how it goes. The bear idea can still be talked about over time...but I personally see that as being very complex and the ideal way to generate bad feelings, which would be devastating for this wonderful group. What makes this group so wonderful is the caring, loving nature of it's members...and I don't know about anyone else, but I dread the thought that ANYTHING could happen that could bring the whole thing crashing down.
Kim, your experience is heartwarming, and if all swaps worked that way, the bear world would be a better place. But there are many people that would tell us that is not their experience with swaps...sad, but true.
I personally think swaps should be a privately arranged thing too...although I do think Danni has a good idea in that there could be a list of people who may be willing to swap bears with another. At least it saves someone from putting someone else in the position of having to say no if contacted privately as you would know they are a willing candidate. Having said that...there are only so many swaps a person can do...and some may be overwhelmed with having to turn people down after the first few offers.
I guess there are no easy answers but to proceed with caution.
Start slowly with mags and mohair pieces..that's my vote, and just see how it all pans out.

WOW Judi! What a fabulous auction! But I have to agree that you should be getting at LEAST that for your stunning pieces every time. It's true also, that having your work recognised as such a valuable commodity must be worth more than any price tag!

It's only a matter of time my friend and you will be pulling it in BIG time...and we are all SO pleased for you and so proud to know you. You are one of the humblest, most gentle people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and I hope that the future holds the answer to all your dreams. You are an inspiration and role model for us all.   :hug:

Bronwen,
I think on the contraire, that reading some of the judges comments about your bears will give people a better insight as to the kind of feedback they can expect....bearing in mind that not all judges are necessarily as fair and complementary as they should be.   BTW welcome to the list...nice to see yet another Aussie face!

Kathy...I'll scan the entry form tonight....off to work again!
It also has all the categories and requirements. I may just post in here in this thread and then anyone who wants it can just save the image and print it out. Failing that, I can send as an email attachment if you decide you want to enter.
I have entered shows in three Aussie states to date, and all the entry forms and comp judging sheets are fairly similar.

Thanks so much for the lovely compliment about my bears! I am still learning, as I think we always are, but I'm pretty happy with their current direction. What I really need is a new website as my pics on the old one are a shocker. Now photoshop is my friend, I think I can improve on them no end. Just need more time!

So many great opinions! And as Glenys said many of these areas are seperate, and yet they cross over sometimes too. I mean Critique, Judge, Advise.
Firstly....I wonder if "Critique' is perhaps a nasty word. It kinda sounds harsh doesn't it. But still, that's what they call it in comps.

Kathy...you say you are not ready to enter a competition...but there again, the big comps in the USA are very differently run and judged to our Aussie ones.

Here in Australia, we have sections for all level...from Junior to Novice, Open,New Professional, Professional and Master Class. Each has certain prerequisites....but if everyone waited until they felt there bears were 'good enough' there would be no comp.

The thing with comps in Australia is that the judges do allocate a certain number of points for whether they like the bear personally or not...and I'm not sure that once you get past the "Open' section, that this should be allowed. After all...this is the level where artistic license comes in. Having said that, I think is only a matter of time before new judging criteria is added to the crit sheets as these sheets were developed when bears were more the same and less unusual. Nowadays, anything goes! The most valuable thing about entering Australian comps is that you have someone offer suggestions to improve your workmanship, regardless of your level. Of course, once you get into the higher levels, you would expect not to be having points deducted for poor workmanship.
Workmanship is the glue that will hold a bear artists career together in my opinion. If it's there, word spreads like wildfire...if it's not, the artists career may be shorter lived.
I remember seeing two magnificent bears at the comp table when I dropped my comp bear off one year. I was sure a 'Bear of Show' tag would be on one of them the next time I saw them. I was wrong and each of them carried a red 'second' place ticket.

The only thing that could have been wrong with these bears was the workmanship...they were stunning to look at. In Australian Comps, You get a Blue ribbon if you score between 95 and 100 points, red between 90 and 95, green between 85 and 90 etc, etc. There can be more than one of any given colour in each section, but the best bear in each section gets a Rosette and/or medal as well.
I have scanned a comp sheet from a comp a while back...but bear in mind this one is for a dressed bear. One thing I giggled at on the sheet was 'Appropriate eye size.....Judi and Shelli would lose points for using larger eyes here....so they really need to update their crit sheets. There's no way you could take points off these ladies for their bears eyes!!!

Having done the complete circle and getting a little off track....I just want to clarify that my original post was in regards to something WAY more simplified than what we have been dicussing.
It's simply an idea that as friends, we can offer to look closely at another less experienced artists bear and offer any suggestions that may be of assisstance with regards to workmanship only. I certainly don't believe anyone has to right to comment on the style of someone else's bear. This is such a personal thing and it's the reason why we have so many and varied artists.

I don't think any artist who would be willing to look at and advise a newer bearmaker about workmanship has to feel that they need to be perfect before agreeing to help. People like Shantell just want to know if they are on the right track and any one of us who has had either a lot of bearmaking experience or formal class training is able to do that!
A perfect example recently came from my cousin, who lives a few hours drive from me, but we see each other often. Andy has taken up making bears...only commercial patterns as she has no desire to design her own. She makes them up to about eight inches.
The last time she visited, she bought her latest bear and asked would I give her some tips on how she could improve. I had never felt comfortable about looking too closely at her workmanship because I didn't want her to feel I was looking for mistakes and from a distance they looked great. We when I looked closely, I could see that the ears were sewn on using a whip stitch an the stitches were very noticable. Also, her seam stitches were showing and fraying in places.
Turns out that she didn't know that hand stitching should be done with a backstitch and she was using a close whipstitch (the stitch some of us use to hold the pieces together with before sewing.) She didn't know any differently! And she was SO THRILLED to learn the correct way! He next bears were superb...all it took was a little gentle guidence.
We sometimes just assume that everyone knows the easiest and most effective way to do things...but what I do know is an accumulation of years of learning and it's easy to just assume that how everyone does it.
So if a newer artist asks for you to look at a bear for them and offer help...don't feel you aren't worthy...all they are asking for  is some gentle guidence that may make all the difference. I know when I was a beginner, I would go to shows and examine the bears there SO closely and ask a ton of questions. 99% of what I know now, was learned from artists willing to share at shows, but I know not many people are that fortunate...so for them...we may be it!.

Incidently, the organisers of the Mebourne Teddy Show and Comp coming up in May, willingly welcome International entries...so if you don't mind the cost of posting your bear over...it may be a good chance for some hands on feedback!
If anyone would like an entry form, or even just like to see one to know what the prerequisites are for each section, just let me know and I'll scan one.

I think sending the bear back is the right thing to do Jenn...besides, you don't want to own a bear crafted by this person do you? It will forever remind you of this time and how rotten it made you feel.
I think if you include a note with the bear saying that it has become apparent to you that the bear you made for her has been ill received and therefore you wish to swap back again, that this will be enough to make this person feel pretty crummy. (supposing they have heart that is!)
What a shame there are hurtful people out there. I know the majority of bearmakers out there are loving and caring...but I have had my fair share of experiences with the less than loving ones too(certainly not on TT though! ), so I understand where you're coming from. It certainly leaves you with a nasty taste in your mouth. Spit it out and move on!
Love to you. :hug:

Well I have failed again and again this week....just can't seem to start. I think the problem is that I haven't quite decided HOW to do it.
I have done Weight Watchers before and lost 20kg to get to my goal...but I only stayed there six weeks and then started slowly putting it on again.
Last year I did the Atkins diet for 6 months...and like Shelli says, I felt the best I have in years whilst on that...BUT...I also struggled with the feeling that I was abusing my body with so much grease. I REALLY struggled with bacon and eggs for brekkie every single day (apart from the odd week when I made a quiche.)BUT..they got me thru until 1pm before I started feeling peckish...unlike 10am with WW.
So, I know if I go back to WW, I will lose it slowly (only ever 1/2 kilo which is 1 pound per week and I ALWAYS feel hungry on WW) or I can go for the much quicker (1kg a week every single week) Atkins...which is far more satisfying, but I do feel I am being more unhealthy. It doesn't help that I know Dr Atkins died at 78 from Heart Disease.
BTW Shelli..I'm not critising what you are doing...just talkin' out loud.    And if truth be known, Atkins will win the fight because I've gotta get some weight off soon and quick 'cos I hate myself and I am so uncomfortable!!!! It's summer here and I'm hidin'!

Something which may be worth knowing for you low carb girls, is that I never really cut back on my vegies like you are supposed to....I needed to feel I was being helthy. So apart from potato, and peas, I still had healthy helpings of carrots and pumpkin at almost every meal...and still lost my kilo each week. I also had a piece of fruit every day...can't live without my fruit.
Okay...so now I've talked it over with you guys...I've decided. Atkins it is. BUT only until I am at goal, and then I'll have to switch to heathier eating. Atkins does say that he highly discourages people who yo-yo on and off the diet as it mucks up your metabolism...but I guess that's the same in any diet. Besides, this will only be my second time.
More power to us! And if anyone has some nice but QUICK low carb recipes....I would be most grateful. The hard thing I felt last time on Atkins was the first four days! I was foul tempered and irritable, so I guess I need to expect that this time too. Watch out girls! I begin tomorrow.

Hi girls...I thought I was going to pop in briefly before work to see if anyone had replied to my post....wow...you all have so much to say while I'm asleep over here. I read the first few posts but have to rush off to work now. Keep brainstorming and offering those wonderful opinions.
When I get home, I'll scan a critique sheet from a comp and you can have a geezer at that.

Just remember...we aren't talking about critisising people's style here...we are talking more about the basics of good workmanship...not being able to see stitches...eyes and ears even...neatly stitched nose, central gussett seam and joints EVENLY tightened the same etc, etc
Gotta run,

I wish I had a sister who would make me such a special bear. Lynne you have done a wonderful job...I would be carrying him around all day every day too. What a boost for you to have your gift so appreciated too...nothing worse than giving a bear to someone who doesn't appreciate it. Great job!

I have been thinking about what Shantell said in another post about wanting to know how ones workmanship rates and how good some hands on feedback would be.

I have been fortunate in that here in Australia we have hands on judging in comps and the feedback I have received from judges constructive critisism has taken my workmanship from being okay to being excellent. When you don't KNOW how something should be to be deemed excellent quality, it's hard to set your standard.
My joints were originally over tight...but how does one know what is too tight unless a more experienced artist brings this to your attention?? My first crit sheet had many suggestions for improvement....over time, these have got less and the last sheet I had I got a near perfect score with no suggestion. I was thrilled!

On another list I am on but a while back a similar discussion was had. The end result was that some of the more well known and established artists, offered to critique (constructively of course!) some of the newer artists bears and offered suggestions for improvement. Those participating were told not to join in if they didn't really want to know or if they didn't have a tough skin    It IS hard to hear critisism aboout our bears...we feel so passionate about them...but in the long run, constructive critisim is most helpful.
There were a few girls who joined in and felt it was most worth while.

I wondered whether there may be artists in TT who may be willing to critique someones bear for them? Of course there would be postage costs etc on the behalf of the person wanting the critique done, but I reckon the pros would far outweigh the cons.

It doesn't have to be a public thing or anything.....just pick an established artist in the same country or pref in the same state and ask if they would mind....what do you have to lose?
Just a suggestion.

Can't see evidence of a battle there Deb...she's really cute! You are too hard on yourself! She may not have turned out like the bear you pictured in your mind...but mine rarely ever do either....you just have to take what comes. :hug:

Shari,
Your sons look a great deal like you and so does the gorgeous bear in your avatar! Your daughter looks more like her daddy, but with your eyes.
Beautiful family! When do we get to see the chimp you made?

Oh dear Daphne.....but hey y'know what? I flunked day one too! I got up and had three slices on toast with vintage cheese (YUM!!) before I remembered I was supposed to be starting my healthy eating plan. Doh! I think I'm going to have to put signs up for myself...and while I'm there, a printout of a recent pic of myself which shows every roll and bulge!!!!
Shari said..

Yes but Shari...we aren't supposed to treat ourselves on DAY 1 !!         :hug:

I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese!
I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese!
I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese!
I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese!
I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese!
I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese!
I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese!
I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese!
I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese!
I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese!
I must not eat yummy hot buttered toast with cheese! :twisted:

C'mon Daph...we can do it! One day at a time...and there's always tomorrow!

Marie....your bears are so darned CUTE!!!!! You are really turning out some great bears! I love this guy!!!

Okay so I'm blonde   (but then again..so is Judi...hmmm)  and I obviously should know what CC is...but I don't WAHHHHH!!!  Somebody tell me! Kimmy's clue helped...but that only takes care of one C. Oh well, at least you took my mind of my woes. :hug:  And I hope he gets CCCCCCCCCCCC's!!!!!    
Thankyou all for the empathy....and I say empathy rather than sympathy because I think most of us who have dealt with ebay have been stung in some way or other. :twisted:
You are right of course Daph, in that this smaller auction place is no match for ebay...but wouldn't it be great if ebay really did get it's comeuppance! Surely ebay started off small and grew though?
I didn't expect there to be any bears available in Oztion yet....they only added that section yesterday. Hopefully they will add an internationa; section too.
I would love to be the first to list a bear on the site, but alas, I have no bears for sale yet (except for my Christmas "Alf") which did not sell at the shop before Christmas.    He may need to be reincarnated as something else.
LL...thanks for the tip about hovering the mouse...will do that next time.  

Kelly,
I've been out of the loop for some time now...and I'd love to see a pic and hear about the creation you mentioned...sounds wonderful!

I was interested to find the email below in my inbox this morning. It was on an official "Question from ebay member" layout...only difference was that their id wasn't in the from line like it usually is...it just said member@ebay.com...which is different to normal. I have sent it to spoof@ebay.com

Hello,

I recently placed a bid on item #5590717206 being a wheelchair for me that i really need do to my age (78 years old) and it seems that i can not find the auction anymore...May i please know if you are the seller of the item above?

Regards,
Gretta.

I haven't listed anything on ebay for ages.
I clicked on "Respond Now" to tell this person that no, it wasn't me.....but the ebay page it took me to had smaller text than usual and just made me a little suspicious. So I pasted her user id into the search box and there is no such member.
So what does a person like this hope to achieve? I have no idea about the marvellously tricky stuff some hackers can do...maybe they just needed confirmation that they had picked a valid email address or maybe they were trying to steal my ebay id. Who knows...but I'm having none of it, so I just thought it may be well to warn others to check id's before replying if someone asks you an irrelevant question. It always pays to be suspicious!

Incidently, my last ebay dealing was when my 14 year old son won a Playstation game right before Christmas. We thought it was taking a while to arrive due to the stack up of postal items over Christmas. Nope. We received an email from another ebay member that we are one of 300 people and counting that has been duped by this person, who is no longer a registered user. If I had paid by CC or Paypal, I probably could have got my money back, but I paid by direct deposit (which I will NOT DO AGAIN for this reason!) so my money is gone. I have joined the other group of people who were 'had' by this same seller but by doing this and filing an "Item not received' dispute with ebay...if the money is recouped...ebay gets to retain $25.00 of my $60.00 as a handling fee! So forgive me for thinking this is unfair....but ebay actually makes even more profit from someone who is frauded!  :twisted:
So not only did they earn the original lising fees from the fraudster...but $25.00 for chasing him up as well. So why would ebay care about deterring fraudsters when they make a killing from the followup???  I also followed the links to obtain this fraudsters info.....which also means my details are sent to him. Wherever the space was for his info....there are 00000000000.....whereas in my info...he has access to my phone number, email address and postal address. So how does someone sign up without even having to give accurate contact info? There is no protection there! I'll tell you now, I've had it with ebay! :twisted:  :twisted:  :twisted:

Incidently...there is a new auction site on the net, based in Australia and in direct opposition to ebay. It's called Oztion.com.au and I think they are worth a try...especially for Aussies. There is no listing fees, only final value fees.  The highest is 3% you would pay depending on the total value.   A friend emailed them last night and suggested that they need a category called artist bears and bearmaking supplies under the doll/bear category.  It was done that instant so we're very impressed.

Ebay will continue on the way it is until it feels a threat from competition...but that won't happen unless the competition gets our support.

Of the have a strong coffee and calm down. GRRRRRR!!!!!! :twisted:  :twisted:

Well I for one hate the flexi ruler...I find mine too big and chunky and not at all accurate. Maybe it's just the brand I have, but I find it isn't flexible and accurate enough for head gussetts or footpads....and you can't achieve an accurate right angle with one.

I use a pipe cleaner (chenille stick) or thin craft wire for measuring and shaping out the curvy parts like gussets and footpads and it works great.

Another thing I do to get the curve right and the top of the arm or leg is draw around my disk, then add 1/2 an inch. This gives 1/4 inch space around the disk and up to 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Kim, I think I may have a go at a clay model...I would love to get a different shaped head than what I do sometimes...something with a more unusual muzzle shape like Judi's inset muzzle bears, but can't get my head around the hows and wherefors. So the model may do it for me....not that I hold much hope of being able to creat a clay model that looks like I'm picturing!!!
Great topic Shantell!