Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Steve,

I understand your problem.  The bear that got me really hooked was a Steiff bear, but one of the "cosy range", so not a limited edition, but one suitable for small children.  I still love this bear, although many more have joined my hug since.
As US Bears rightly mentioned, not all Steiff bears are expensive.  Just check out the Steiff USA website and go to the "cosy friends" http://www.steiffusa.com/SteiffStore/pr … oryid=cftb.  You will find lovely teddies, starting at US$ 20,00.

Another affordable range of bears which are really gorgeous are the Charlie Bears : http://www.charliebears.co.uk/  This is an English company, but they have a list of shops in the USA that carry their bears.  They have a very affordable plush range (starting at about US$ 40,00 ) and a more expensive mohair range.

When I first started my hug of teddy bears, I thought that Artist bears were extremely expensive and certainly out of my price range.  Granted, some of them are expensive, but certainly not all of them.  Many artists make smaller bears, because they are more affordable for the general public.  I suggest you check out the "teddy bear & friends" section on TT and then click on the website of the artist whose bears you like.   Many of the artists are happy to offer layaway, so if the bear you fancy is too expensive to pay at once, you can always ask the artist if he/she will accept payment in a few instalments.   Most artists will be happy to oblige.

One of the exciting things about adopting an artist bear (besides knowing that you have a unique bear) is that you can communicate with the person who made the bear.  For instance, when I have adopted an artist bear, I always take some photos of the bear in his new home and send them to the artist.  They love to see their bears in their new home with new friends.  It really creates a bond between you, the bear and the artist.    .  So I definitely wouldn't rule out artist bears.

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

What a lovely photo, Pat, I love the expression on Chompzworth face. 

He sure does seem to have his paws full with those little rascals  .

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

Hi Becky,

Claude is really adorable; I can understand why his new "owner/dad" will be delighted with him  .

Though I am sure he doesn't need a button for people to know that he is loved; it goes without saying ! 

A gorgeous teddy.  :clap:

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter.

P.S. to Thomas : I don't like to use the term "owner", because I get the distinct impression that the bears own me instead of the other way around !  :crackup:

Hi everyone,

I just couldn't resist sharing with you the latest addition to my -ever increasing  - hug of teddies.

This is one of Dawn James' (Hugs Unlimited) teddies, going by the name of Alvin.

It was quite by accident that I found him, because Dawn had put him on the new Hugglets "Marketplace".  Glenn & Irene Jackman have decided to expand the Hugglets site with some great new additions : an online directory, a 10.000 bear makers project and a marketplace for buying and selling new and old bears.

This is the address of the marketplace and, though there are only a very limited number of bears on offer now, I have no doubt it will soon be growing very quickly :
http://www.hugglets.co.uk/marketindex.php.

Anyway, without further ado, I give you the beautiful ALVIN :

THANK YOU, DAWN ! 

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter & Alvin

Apparently the magazine isn't (yet?) available through Amazon.

I think it would be best to order your copy directly from the Collector's club of Great Britain :

http://www.collectors-club-of-great-bri … magazine=5

I already received my copy last week (sent to Belgium).

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

He is absolutely stunning, Jacqui  :clap: . 
I love the dark streak across his face  .

I am not surprised he was adopted so quickly.  Just a bit sad ...  .

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter, Simon & the gang of teds

This is one very very happy teddy.

    
To think he was the last one to get adopted at Paula's "Gathering bears in May webshow". 

Thank you, Paula ! 

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

I couldn't agree with you more, Paula: an excellent publication, not only destined for bear artists, but also for all teddy bear enthusiasts (rich or poor).  I definitely think this is the way to go for a succesful teddy bear magazine : more attention to manufactured bears (e.g. Harrods Christmas bears), related beary arts (e.g. Michael Quinlyn-Nixon's teddy calendar), bear books, bear shops, etc. 

I read this Teddy Bear Annual from front to cover and loved every page of it. 

Well done, Kathy !   :clap:

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

Lovely bears, Terrie, all of them (though my favourite is "Jasper", top right photo). 

No wonder two of them have already found new homes  :dance: .

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

Oh Maria, that is just awful news  .

Having to miss out on the Taiwan Awards isn't so bad (I think), but not knowing where your lovely bear is, is my worst nightmare  .
Have you got any way of tracking the parcel?  I really hope and pray that he will soon be found and then I suggest you go to Taiwan yourself to collect him  .

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

Hi Marilyn,

Many congratulations on your nomination !  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

Persimmon is a magnificent, adorable, cuddly hunk of a teddy!    
I'm sure that when the judges see him, they will fall in love with him.  :dance:

Hugs,  :hug: 

Peter & the Barling rascals

P.S. We hope your "bad luck" streak will soon come to an end !!

Congratulations Andrea, on your well deserved nomination  :clap: !

Bell-lino is lovely; I like the combination of the colours  .

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

I think he's adorable too, Ann-Maire, I love the open mouth     It's just begging to be filled with cookies. 

Hugs,   :hug:

Peter

Verity is absolutely lovely, Sylvia; she has such a sweet innocent face.       Who could resist her? 

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

Maria, my philosophy of life is :  "

There is always room for one more bear!"

(I have read it somewhere, but don't remember where) 

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

Congratulations, Natascha, you have made a magnificent animal  .

I bet she will steal the show at Wiesbaden. 

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

Awwww, that is such a cute little baby  .

Fancy that : sleeping 18 hours a day       I wish I could do that ! 

Thank you for the lovely photo, Tami and the information, Jane. 

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

Hi everyone,

After the big Hugglets show in September, I was practically broke  , so I had to hold off any adoptions of large teddies. 
Nevertheless, I did manage to add a few small teddies to my hug.   
And the reason why I wanted to share them with you is that they were all lovingly made by TT'ers. 

So may I introduce to you :

BEAU,

by Terrie Kalaputas (Terries Bears) -

RASCAL

, by Kelly Previti (Light Heart Bears) and

MATTI

, by Angela Meier (Baerenbaude).

I hope you like them; I know I do !     

Thank you to Terrie, Kelly & Angela for these lovely teddies. 

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

What wonderful news, Dawn, I'm sure that TBT will have a great future ahead with you at the helm !  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

I'm certainly going to think about other suggestions for articles and beary stuff to put in the magazine  .

Hugs,   :hug:

Peter

Hi Sue,

Both Cato and Fleur are gorgeous traditional style teddies.   
Maybe I'm an old-fashioned fuddy duddy, but there is something about the classic teddy bear design that never ceases to appeal to me.
I also like the colour of their fur very much.

Have you ever considered making them somewhat larger (20" or over) ??

Hugs,   :hug:

Peter, Bashful and the gang of teddies

Hi Sue,

I completely agree with Gail : I would never part with such a lovely Panda  .  Soooo cute and cuddly and I love the sculpted leather paw and footpads.  
Absolutely adorable 

Hugs,   :hug:

Peter, Bashful & the rest of teddy rascals

Hi Sandra,

Many congratulations on your nomination.   :clap:

The bears look really wonderful : Jester, Summer and Sue 'ki are adorable and I am sure they will be very popular at the show. 

I'm sure you will find it will be a thoroughly enjoyable day, with all the friendly artists and teddy bear lovers "oooohing" and "aaaaawing" over the teddy bears. 
... oh and you'll probably be completely exhausted at the end of the day. 

Hugs,   :hug:

Peter

Hi Julia,

Many congratulations on your nomination.  :clap:

I can understand you must be pretty nervous for your first show.  I guess most artists still feel nervous after doing many shows.
You will find that the atmosphere of these shows is very congenial  and friendly and there will be plenty of TT'ers there to say HI to you.

Don't be surprised if your bears turn out to be very popular !  Every teddy bear lover has his/her own taste in teddy bears, so there is absolutely no point in comparing your work with other artists.  I'm sure you will have a great time and be absolutely exhausted at the end of the day  !

Keep us posted how it all went.

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

Wow, Julia, they are all absolutely gorgeous.  :clap: .  :clap:   :pray:

No wonder you got three nominations, well done ! 

Even though I prefer my furry friends to be bears, I could certainly fall in love with Melba, such a cute and lovely bunny.   

I would love to receive my Christmas cards from Santa's postal service (and I bet they wouldn't go on strike  )

And if I ever decide to get married (not much chance of that though  ), I would like this couple to be my best "bear" and "bear maid" of honour. 

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter

Congratulations on your nominations, Maria !  :clap:

I'm also looking forward to seeing the pictures.

I'm soooo envious  , going on a black bear field study : AWESOME !   :dance:
That is going to be an adventure of a lifetime !

and remember :

PLEASE DO

(not) 

FEED THE BEARS

!  :crackup:

Hugs,  :hug:

Peter