Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hey Kim,
How about sharing your favourite middle eastern recipe with us then? Mind you...if it's something that takes more than half an hour to throw togather..forget it!  
What kinds of foods are middle eastern? I'm thinking wraps and curries but I'm probably way off base there!

Judi you are right about not letting the excess weight be who you are. Sometimes we need reminding though as it is easy for the way we look to become our main focus. Chances are when we feel like this we are giving off "Don't come talk to me..I'm too fat" vibes..and we do scare people off. The last time I was at this stage in my weight battle and obsessing about it all the time, was about the time when mum had her stroke. All of a sudden I realised how stupid it was, worrying about such a trivial thing, when faced with a life threatening worry. I thought alot about it all in the months afterwards..just how priorities change when we have a chance to step back and look at the big picture. Having said that, I also know than excess weight is a huge health risk too and we really must try to stay healthy...but if we were told we only had six months to live..would we spend it hiding ourselves from people because we are too fat...or would we cherish every moment we have with them?? No-one knows when it's their time.

Both yourself and Nettie and Brenda have had to face losing a sibling and that has to be one of the hardest losses you will face. You are all very strong women (although I'm sure at times you feel anything but strong  ) and you have me utmost sympathies.   :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Judi...I have to say...it is still not ideal to be getting on those scales daily....especially when you look like a goddess!
Ask Mark to put them away and just allow yourself to get on them once a week. Being women, we have huge daily fluctuations with fluid levels and our hormones wreak havoc. Weighing daily just causes unecessary stress, and I say this from experience.   :hug:
Something I was told by a dietician too, which may help us all...is that you cannot put on more than 200grams of actual weight in a day. If you eat all day (eg on Christmas) and then hop on the scales the next day to find you have put on 3 kg...just give yourself a break.....most of it will be the weight of the food in your body and fluid retention due to extra salt intake.
Ellen,
Congrats on stopping your nailbiting habit. I am almost at the two year mark now and I love my nails. The secret in that first while after kicking the habit is to make sure you ALWAYS have an emery board handy and as soon as you feel that first nick in the nail...file it off. Also keep nail hardener on them so they look nice. Do what I do and visualize handing one of your bears to someone with lovely nails instead of embarressing stumps.

Re smoking..I'm sure Heather will be able to offer some encouragment there...she has kicked it and we are all so proud of her! It's gotta be tough...but I have some extra motivation for you.
Did you know that fabrics..including our precious, expensive mohair, catches onto the smell on cigarette smoke? If you are a smoker, you can't tell. Even in you smoke outside, the smell sticks to your clothes and skin and transfers to the mohair. And there's nothing worse than a gorgeous teddy that smells like stale cigarette smoke.
I was sent a resin bear in a swap once from a smoker. Not one piece of fabric in the box...but it wreaked of ciggie smoke and I had to put it thru the dishwasher. Ugh!
It's gotta be especially tough to give up when your partner smokes. I have had two friends give up with hypnotherapy...maybe worth a try! We are all here to offer help...but we need to know when you are struggling...so be sure to yell!

Sue Ann...I'm in too! I have piled on the kilos in 2005 and am at least 15 kg (30lbs) overweight. It has started to affect my health now and I just feel like a stuffed turkey! Nothing fits...I'm back in the "Trackie Dak Brigade" (aka sweat pants) and my self esteem has plummeted. I have become a bit of a recluse as I hate people seeing me like this.
I really wanted to get stuck into losing it a few weeks back, but what's the point of losing weight just before Christmas? I knew I'd gain what I'd lost and then be back to square one. I'm so hopeless though....hubby is all for giving all the chocolate away now...but I say no way..that's MY chocolate and the diet will start when it's all eaten.  Of course I know that by doing so, I'll probably have even MORE weight to lose!!! I get into what I call my self destruct mode.  :twisted: It's kinda like a personal argument with myself y'know...."You don't need to eat that!"...'Well HAH!!..I'm going ta eat it anyway! Try 'n STOP me!!!"
It's just crazy!
It seems with me, I'm an all or nothing kinda girl. If something motivates me to lose the weight....nothing will get in my way and I will get to my goal weight. But once I lose it...it's not long before I'm back in self destruct mode again and I don't stop until I've put it back on again. The sensible thing to do of course is to lose that two kilos you've gained straightaway....but alas...I am not sensible!
I am finding too that it's harder and harder to find motivation to lose it. I have a husband who loves me no matter how much weight I am carrying and I tell myself I don't care what people think. But I do miss out on things I used to love, like going to dances (I look disgusting in a dress!!).
I have my first show in May 2006 and this is providing me with at least SOME motivation to lose the weight. I don't want to be trying to hide behind my stand!
I know it's stupid....we shouldn't let our weight govern our self worth, but for me, it's definitely an issue. I don't judge people on their weight...and many ladies whom I adore are overweight. I should learn to apply the same principals to myself.    When I am thinner, I smile more and particpate in life more and am far more self confident. This alone should be motivation, but who understands the human brain....so complex.
Apart from the physical side of things, I am struggling at work with the extra weight. I am on my feet all day and by mid afternoon, my feet are screaming. The other day, I carried a 15 kg bag of flour inside from the car....and it blew me away just how heavy it was. So that's how much extra I am making my poor body carry around every day!
At least in winter you can cover up with big clothes....we are now in our summertime...and I'm suffering with tight clothes that look yuk. I know that as soon as I lose that first kilo or two...the difference in how my clothes fit will be enough to get me going.
So bring on Monday and weighday!
I am so glad to have you all working at it beside me...we can all cheer each other on!
Fran...what a great offer..thankyou! :hug:

Daphne... I think most people tuck the fur into the seams before stitching.   But unless you actually trim the fur from the seams before stitching, you will still get fur trapped in the seams and from the right side, this fur sticks out shorter than the rest of the pile. I was taught that the fur should be picked out from the side of the stitching line to where it originated. This in turn makes the sewn seams looser as you have removed some of the bulk and the only way to rectify this is to resew the seam. (this doesn't seem to be as necessary with handsewn seams in my experience.
This has always been the way I've done it and it does give a neater overall look....HOWEVER..I have recently been trimming the fur from the seams before stitching (thankyou Winney!!) and am now totally converted to this method...it gives a superb finish with no fur sticking out where it shouldn't and I will be doing it this way from now on. It's not so obvious with shorter mohairs...but very obviously better with longer mohair.
Trimming the fur from seams is the best way not to have stubble sticking out of head gussett seams when you trimm or shave the muzzle too...otherwise you get a line of sticky outy fur. Hope this help!

I've just popped on for a few minutes...my DH has run out our Broadband time(first time ever!) downloading LINUX (GRRRRR!!!!!) and so I can't spend time online until after Christmas without it costing me BIGTIME. 
BUT...I HAD to see what was happening in here and OH I'M SO IMPRESSED JANE!!!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Thankyou so much...you made me laugh out loud and I was shaking my head thinking of all the time it took you to do this. You are one very special lady and you have a heart of gold.  
And what a great incentive for those too shy to post their pictures in the profiles section to get on and do it!!! Yay!
I probably won't make it back online to TT before Christmas...so a hugely Merry Christmas to you all! Teddy Talk has become such a big part of my life now and I thank you all for contributing to my personal growth and happiness. You all ROCK!!!

Thank you guys..your comments mean a great deal to be and are a real boost!
I haven't heard back from the store owner about whether he sold or not....will email her on Monday and ask.
Kim...you are more right than you know. In fact Alf is THE first bear I have finished since joining Teddy Talk(apart from my Aboriginal Bear which will now be entered into a competition in March.)

It has been such a busy few months for me, but things are set to change from now on as I have reshuffled my priorities and learned to say no to other people who ask favours of me all the time. I'm a bit of a yes person and have trouble saying no when asked to chip in some time for something...but sometimes it gets too much and I get frustrated when I don't have my bearing time.
I have two bears to get finished by the end of April for magazine projects and have paid in full for my show table in May...so there's no turning back. 2006 will be my year, and if I can't get my act together to make it a more serious pursuit by the end of 2006, it will go back to being a hobby for me.

Shelli, I'm still loving playing with Photoshop and am amazed at what I can do with it.

Thankyou friends! I really enjoyed making this little guy...must be the Christmas spirit! He was a bugger to photograph though...and even then I wasn't happy with the ones I got. But I finished him at midnight and had from 6.30am until 7.15am to photograph him before I had to get him boxed and get ready for work...and it was raining outside!! So I had to use my light tent indoors....which sounds great, but I don't have enough lights for it yet.
Anyways...he may come back to me yet..we'll see.

Marie! I'm so glad your overcame your shyness and told us about that lovely email! Don't ever be afraid to blow your own trumpet here with us...we all want to share in each others successes. :dance:
I'm so please your customer emailed you with such lovely words...your bears are absolute treasures and sometimes we need to be told that by others to believe it's true. You should be very proud of yourself...we are!!!   :hug:

Hi all,
It's been a frantically busy week for me but I managed to finish a Christmas bear.
11 inch high Christmas "Alf' is made from short charcoal coloured mohair with a dark maroon backing.
He has Topaz glass eyes, and armature in his arms.
His feet are lightly filled with glass beads so he stands confidently.
He is trying to hide his Santa sack behind his back but it's too big!
Christmas 'Alf' is available at Bear Essence in Melbourne...their annual Christmas sale is tonight. :dance:

Sarah Your nephew and niece are adorable! And Laura is a talented photographer too...I love her style. Rustic and black/white really appeal to me when coupled with kids...must be the nostalgia.
Here are my brood. Adrian is 14, Anna is 12 and Damian is 9. I didn't do the pics up like this just for this thread(don't have that kinda time to fiddle )...they are off a DVD I made for my nan with pics of all her family.
Ann I hope you win the uploading battle so we can see your darlings!

Shelli,
Another idea or two....
1.Tie the shoes together and hang them around the bears neck instead.
2.Have the bear holding the shoes by the satin ribbons, so they hang down to the floor.

Guys,
Thanks for the encouragement with regards to the bear. The trouble is, it's not just a dressing style.
The bear I made is an Australian Aboriginal Bear...complete with face paint and Digeridoo. I live in a very touristy area and for ages, I had been trying to think of something truely Australian to make to compliment my koala. I was browsing in a souvenir shop one day about 12 months ago, and was looking at all the miniature digeridoos and music sticks, and it hit me that the ideal think would be an aboriginal bear. So I designed up a pattern and spent some time fiddling with painting styles, because typically, aboriginal face paint is applied with the fingertips in long strokes and spots. It wasn't going to work....really messy.

So I started thinking about alternatives...went back to the souvenir shop and looked again at the miniature aboriginal digeridoos and artwork. These were all painted with dot painting, which is the style the Australian Aborigines use for their bark paintings and cooking dishes. It's not generally used for face painting...but I was willing to experiment. I wasn't able to take any of the souvenirs home to work on similar designs, so I turned to the internet. Well during my searches, I came across this site, of a well known American Bear Artist who does this very thing. My disappointment and frustration was overwhelming. Her bears are very different to mine and her painting is very elaborate where as mine was to be simple...but the idea was identical, and what's more, she calls it her 'signature style'.  She makes masks to go with them though...not digeridoos... as yet. She does make other bears besides these too.
I decided to go ahead and finish my bear anyway. But the sad thing is that I feel I can't display him now, even though  was so pleased with the result.
So you see..it's something that is quite specific. And I have since discovered that this lady is quite well known for these bears, and so there would be more than one person who would be inclined to think I was copying if I was to advertise him.
So I'm tending to adopt the appr oach that I will just continue on my merry way, and make my aboriginal bears how I like to make them and with my own ideas, and sell them within my own country at shows. After all...I AM in the right country!
It's a touchy one. I have on one hand seen quite a few interpretations of the American Indian Bear...but no-one calling them their signature style.
I also hope to be able to develop a style of painting closer to the real thing, without making a mess ...so if I can get away from the dot painting idea..I'll have them on the net for all to see! After all, I have since been told of a few other Aussie girls who have made aboriginal bears! Go Aussie!
I do thank you all for your support...you're a loyal bunch and I'm glad ta know ya! :hug:

I've been a nail biter all my life too.....until I got serious about my bears! 18 months ago I was picturing showing a bear to a customer with my stubby horrible bitten nails...and cringed. Then I pictured holding the bear with lovely long nails and it just felt so good.
I have given up once or twice before but never lasted more than a few months. My nails are very bendy and breaky or bend backwards easily. BUT, I have now had them long for 18months, and although I bit one nail off a few months back...I believe I am cured. I chastised myself so much for biting that nail off and made myself compare it to my other nice nails...and it grew back straightaway.
I have found a product that truely helps...it's called Revitanail and you can get it at Chemists. My nails were always seethrough, thin and never white...now they are. And they rarely bend backwards now either. You put a coat of this stuff on each day for seven days and then remove it and start again. It is like nail hardener but has nail nourishment properties too and it really makes them grow fast.
I have had acrylic nails in the past and when I finally had them removed (got too expensive) my nails were like glad wrap. Also, you do actually have to have a bit of growth before they can apply them...so I figured if I could stop biting long enough to grow a few mm then I could stop full stop.
The secret is to know when you bite the most...for me it was watching telly or reading. Buy a pair of those light white cotton gloves and put them on in danger times until you get some growth going. Even 18 months down the track...I can't stop admiring my new nails...an I'm really proud of myself. :cake:
Not to mention how much my hubby loves them...especially having my run them thru his hair...putty in my hands. :dance:
He used to say to me that the only thing he hated about me was my nails. And it does look yuk when you see someone chewing.
So c'mon you nail biters...stop today!!!!

Laura Lyn.
I know they say you should never discuss religion on public boards...but I felt so sad when I read your email that I wanted to respond. Please know I'm not trying to start a debate or open a can of worms, and certainly not offend anyone.

I feel so sad that you had such bad experiences with the Church. Sometimes people get it all messed up don't they?
I grew up in a strong Christian family that were a bit over the top at times too. Now that I'm grown up and have my own family, I don't attend a church at all because I hate the cliqueyness of such groups and for some reason, the lingo really turns me off.

BUT, I have kept a very strong personal faith and have chosen to put blinkers on with regard to all the stuff that goes along with being a Christian. The way I feel is that I have a genuine and quiet relationship with God and it's a very personal thing. Some people try to tell me that if I'm not involved in the church, I'm not truely committed. But I believe a persons faith and the fact that they believe is the only thing that really matters, and I do hope that one day you will rediscover God's love in your own personal way, and that a single bunch of nutters doesn't rob you of the peace He brings.
Our faith in God is something that no other person on earth can judge and these cult like organisations have a lot to answer for. :twisted:
Hugs to you  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Melissa's ballerina bears are so cute...and even cuter in the fur! :love:

Shelli...it doesn't matter if the  ballerina idea isn't original...your bear will be stamped with Shelli and be so adorable. :dance:

I came up with an 'original' idea too and made up a bear. I was so chuffed with it, until I found that another bear artist makes bears with a very similar concept and says they are her trademark...so now I'm too scared to show mine publicly. And I thought I was onto something special.....

What a wonderful surprise for you Melissa...and all the more sweet because it was unexpected! He's such a sweet little bear!
I think he is destined to stay in your hug after coming back to you once and then proving his worthiness with all those prizes!
Please keep him! :clap:

Sue Ann.
I'm sending my adoption papers in the mail...all you have to do is sign and you will have another 38 year old daughter....and very conveniently....one who IS an arctophile! :hug: :hug:

What bootiful avatars girls....great job Shelli! You have captured Judi and Dilu's 'essence' perfectly! :love:
Do you mind me asking Shelli...what you did to make the word cakewalk in Dilus? Have you used inner glow and then stroke and then used distort to make the word bigger in the middle? Looks fabulous!

I've seen Fimo faces attached the same way Shelli..only they they glue the mohair to the groove.

WoW! I haven't been able to get to the computer for a few days and am wrapt and all your helpful comments! Thank you all so much!
I will have my 12 year old daughter  Anna with me on the day...she is a great little helper at my craft markets and knows as much about putting a bear together as I do so I think she'll be a great asset.
I certainly don't need to be concerned about overcrowding my table....I'll be lucky to have enough so it doesn't look bare!

Having said that, whatever space I have left over, I will fill with supplies which will hopefully encourage people to stop too.

I like the idea of standing at the side so I am approachable...but my biggest fear is what to do with my hands! You know how when you are talking with someone, it feels awkward if you just hang your arms down at your sides?

I'm actually not overly concerned with whether I actually sell many/any bears or not. I'm trying to see this show as just getting my name out there and being seen. I have two projects coming out in magazines next year so I hope that by the end of next year, people will know who I am.

I think sometimes people are wary of buying from artists they haven't heard of...don't know. One thing that surprised me at the last Melbourne show, is that an artist whose bears are snapped up in a flash on her website and ebay, only sold one bear. This was the first time she had exhibited at this show..and yet the ones who exhibit there regularly, did well. Go figure!

Being on my feet all day doesn't bother me...I work two days a week and am on my feet from 8.30 - 5.30 on a concrete floor, so will probably be okay. The hardest thing for me will be staying at my table....it will mean I miss out on seeing the rest of the show, but I realise it's a sacrifice one needs to make when exhibiting, especially as a newbie when people need to put a name to a face. I remember at the last show...I returned to a particular table three times, hoping to catch the artist to comment on his bears...and he was never there! At the end of the day...he still had almost a full table...wonder why?

I have actually been deterred from speaking with an artist before because she was working on a bear and I didn't wish to interupt. In my opinion, it kinda gives the impression that you think the show will be a long, boring day, and so you have bought something to do. I may think about a little album with some pics on the process of bear making and have it open.
I wonder about a sign that says, 'Feel free to pick up the bears'. Although some artists say to me to go ahead and pick up the bears, I may not want to, and feel obligated if told I can.
Daphne
I would NEVER take my mum to a show with me. She is like your mum only ten times worse!

I had some of my artist bears at a market stall once(I was mainly selling manufactured bears) and mum minded the stall while I went to the loo. When I got back, a Taiwanese fella was holding one of my Pandas...one that was quite expensive. Mum was going on and on about my talents  :redface: :redface: :doh: and I was thinking 'Gosh mum, leave the guy alone..he's not gonna buy an expensive bear like that at a market". I was wrong. Not only did he buy that bear, but he emailed me a few days later and bought another! He commented that he thought it was so cute that my mum was so proud of me too! Turns out that my two bears were his first ever artist bears so I may have nabbed a new collector.
Anyway..that story turned out well...but I wouldn't take mum to a bear show with me...she would embarrass me to pieces!

Wanda...I think I'll take your advice above all, and adopt the attitude that I'm going to the show to have fun and enjoy my bears being shown. And if I sell some...even better. But I'm sure I'll come home with a ton of ideas on how to do things better next time.

Glenys, thanks for your offer of support, it's much appreciated.

Melissa, I'm glad you'll be there again. Are Trace and Alexis and Larraine coming again too? And maybe Mel? Hope we can catch up after the show again....dinner maybe?

Thank you all so much for your input..your the best! :hug:

Dear Pain :angel:

Doesn't the material rub against the disc no matter which method you use?? I know some people add a circle of fabric between the disc and the mohair on boths sides..but I don't..mainly cos I figure with collector bears, they aren't going to get their arms moved back and forth repeatedly like the old steiffs that were actually played with.

Love from
Painee :rose:

I'm almost too scared to ask this...but....what is a tapbolt exactly? Other names for them??

Great ideas and comments already! Thanks girls! Sue Ann, I think I'll look for that book.
Very interesting about working on a bear....I am kinda shy when it comes to selling my work...and I'm just worried about looking awkward and silly. Of course my biggest fear is not selling anything...

I wondered too....it must be very tempting to talk with your neighbouring exhibitors...but I'm picturing doing that and a customer comes along. You can either carry on your conversation but make eye contact with the customer...or break off your conversation and move to greet the customer...which may make them feel you are moving in for the kill!
What do you do?
Sorry for all the questions...I want to be relaxed on the day. :lol:
Denise,the show is the Melbourne Teddy Show which is replacing the Melbourne Teddy Event. It's on the 7th of May.
They are also having a Teddy competition too if you are interested!
Gail, I think asking if they are a collector or a hobbyist is a good idea...as long as I can think of a good way to say it without sounding like I'm interrogating them! After all...I pick up bears to see how they've done certain things and feel guilty when they hit me with their 'speal' when I have no intention of buying. I do tell them that I make them if they 'begin' and tell them how much I admire what they've done with this particular bear..which is always true!

Daphne,
I'll be gluing some this arvo so I'll take some pics.
Yes...you glue the washer to the bolt and also to the disk...all in one go.
How do we know the glue will hold in future? Dunno...how do we know sunscreen won't kill ya in 50 years.
I figure the main task of the glue is to hold the disc until the nut is tightened.
My ratchet isn't actaully T shaped...it's got a handle like a screwdriver. Will take pics of that too...stay tuned. :)

Oh and Daph...I'm not trying to convert you...ya gotta do what you find easiest. I get stressed trying to use set screws..you love 'em. Okey dokey? :hug:

Jane,
The good thing about Araldite is it comes in a double tube dispenser...so you push the plunger down and equal amounts of epoxy come out...no guesswork.
I found my superglue gel in the supermarket..try there.

Thinking towards my first show in May.

My experience with being a customer has ranged from being 'pounced on' and unable to get away...to being totally ignored and unable to catch the exhibitors eye.

How do you relate to people who come to your table at a show. You want to be friendly but not vulture like and you don't want them to feel they are obligated to look/comment on all your bears, but you want to be friendly enough to put them at ease.

Do you stand behind your table and greet every customer? Just smile? Work on a bear and glance up when a customer comes along?

I have done country markets before..not with bears, but junk....and always feel self conscious when customers come along. And while they are looking...I never know whether to look elsewhere so they don't think I'm desperate for them to buy something....or make conversation, which may make them feel trapped.

What do you say to your customers?

Very enlightening Shel!