Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Erin, I think I am Ok, my computer is brand new, and has McAfee on it, with antispyware and such.
Thanks,
Jane P.

I looked on ebay, and that is how I managed to get in touch with a few of them.  Time to get ready for bed now, I'm an early to bed kind of gal, so I'll get back on it in the morning - maybe with any luck it will have all gone away by them - ha ha!

'Nite,
Jane P

I tried to email them, but when I clicked on the email address the usual little box didn't pop up.  Instead it was as if I was downloading a web page, with numbers clicking off in the left hand lower corner of my computer, so I got nervous and just "X'd" out.  I am not at all computer savy, so don't know if this is normal or not, but I wasn't going to take a chance.  I have tried to let as many of the "victim" artists know, and maybe they will have some suggestions.  I haven't been able to find a site for Sher-Bear or for Sh Teddys - so if anyone knows how to get in touch with them, please let them know.
Thanks,

Jane P.

Hi everyone,
I have just been advised that there is a new auction scam going on.  I'm not sure what we can do about it though.  It is not through ebay, it is a site called http://www.musistrument.com/strong-08/index.html
If anybody knows anything about this please advise me what I can do.  The have one of my bears on there right now that they have stolen the auction for.  The bear was sold a few weeks ago to another artist through ebay, and I am sure it hasn't been relisted.  They also have several other artists bears listed and I am sure they have stolen these auctions too.

Jane P.

So sorry Paula, it is hard not to take this kind of thing personally.  Cheer up, everybody here loves you!  I agree that a double blind system would be so much better.

I also want to ask everyone's advice on what you do when a customer doesn't pay, and how long you would wait before contacting ebay with an unpaid item dispute, and offering it to the next highest bidder?  She has contacted me a couple of times with excuses, however I don't want this going on indefinately.  Has anybody else had this problem before?

Thanks,
Jane P.

Thanks Rita,

I had a hard time getting the photo on.  My new computer doesn't seem to save the photos where I want - However I imagine it is the operator and not the machine!

I thought they may be something like that - there are a lot of them in the tin, but not all have the pins.  I think they are kind of interesting.

Jane P.

Finally got it!

I was at a flea market this weekend, and purchased an old biscuit tin filled with buttons and bits.  I don't know anything about buttons (except that they close shirts, pants etc), and was wondering if anyone knows anything about these particular ones.  They are about 1/2" - 3/4", made from some sort of off white coloured material, and have a shank on the back side.  A lot of them come with a split pin of some sort.  There are a couple of styles - one has the shank end showing right through to the front, and the other is a clean front.  Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks,
Jane P.

Hi Anne,
Good job - those look great!  I tried my hand at a couple today, and I really have to control myself, because I got so carried away with sticking things on that they are just a jumble of junk.  Sooooo busy.  I guess it is back to the drawing board for me.  "Control and simplicity" must be my mantra when I am making them.
I see Nancy Tillberg is going to do a course for making them, perhaps I should sign up if I don't manage to make something decent soon.

Jane P.

Hi Shelli,
I haven't a clue as to how this is done - so I will have to forward your web site address on to Ilze to do it for me.  Is that OK?
Then you can just stick my address on your links page.

Thanks,
Jane P.

Connie, he is beautiful!  I really love his colour - or perhaps he is really a she?  Anyway, it doesn't matter because (s)he has turned out gorgeous.

Jane P.

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well Brenda.  I understand that Strep is a particularly nasty thing to have.  I thought I had it earlier this year - the Doc did too, so he did the test, but fortuntely it was only the "grunge".

Take care of yourself,

Jane P.

Hi Sue Ann,

Carter is magnificent - I love his colour.

Jane P.

Got me too!!!

That's the first for today - probably won't be the last time I am fooled.

Jane P.

Personally I have never used woodwool - although a few bear makers I know do, and they love it.

I use both Fortrel and Dacron.  The Dacron has a higher loft than the Fortrel so I use the Dacron in the body, arms and legs because I like a softer  bodied bear (gives better hugs).  I use the Fortrel in the head because it packs down quite nicely and doesn't "jump" out again when I try to put more into the muzzle, and I get a fairly firm head that way.

Sorry, not much help with the woodwool.

Jane P.
www.janeperalateddies.com

That's fantastic - congratulations.
Can't wait to see the photos.

Jane P.

Yes, definately add little bits and pieces.  As some of the other posts said, it adds a sense of "history" to the bear. I think the idea of a story to go along with the bear is great too - that also adds history, and lets the collector know what you, as the artist, were thinking when you made this little creation.
Can't wait to read some of your stories Brenda and Aleta - be sure to let us all know when you next have a bear with one.

I am getting really exited about going around all the garage sales and flea markets in the summer - I don't usually find much, but I sure have fun looking.

Jane P
www.janeperalateddies.com

OMG - that turned out large!!  It really startled me.  I thought I would make it easier to see - wow, sure is.
Sorry about that.

Jane P.

Afraid I don't get up until 6:30 (my husband has already been up and let the dogs and horse out - and fed the horse - and is just going out the door to work). 
Then I make a cup of tea, check on e-mail, auctions etc. 
Get dressed about 7:30, have breakfast and feed the dogs. 
8:30 I head out with one of the dogs for my morning walk. 
Between 9:00 and 12:00 I work on bears, with a short trip upstairs to get a cup of tea around 10:30, and back down to the studio. 
12:00 to 1:00 I have lunch and feed the horse, clean the barn, and give the dogs a run on the property. 
1:00 to 4:00 I work on bears, at which time my hubby comes home and I have yet more tea with him (no wonder I am always having to pee) - then finish up whatever I was working on and at 5:00 start making our supper and feed the dogs. 
After supper and dishes I do handwork on my bears while watching TV with my hubby. 
9:00 make hubby's lunch for work next day, put the horse in the barn for the night.

Of course this only happens on ideal days, which are few and far between, and on other days "life" interferes!  You know, Dr's appts, the vet, the farrier, telephone calls, visitors, grocery shopping, banking - just stuff.

I did make one move a few years ago that I have never regretted, and that is to hirea cleaning lady.  She comes once every two weeks, and is a real blessing - I don't know what I would do without her.  One of the best things I ever did.

Well, that's my day in a nutshell.

Jane P.

Shelli, I reallylike those cards you have done up - what a super job.

I'm really new to this ATC/ACEO thing - I have figured out what the ATC means I think (Artist Trading Cards), but I just can't figure out what ACEO means - can someone please tell me? Thanks

Feeling like a real dummy - Jane P.