Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Paula,
                 Personally ,I just send the Bear without waiting on the cheque from Paypal to clear, because you are covered by Paypal anyway, and the postage will arrive in your account in 5-7 days. Plus you maybe offending a New Customer that  intends to buy again from you.  I think its very much a catch 22 situation,where she has paid for a bear that is still in your posession,so to speak.  Its still annoying and most of us have had to deal with this situation too at one time or another.

Hugs Rita xxxxx

Hi All, Clearly though ,none of us should be copying someone elses designs anyway, If a person has the talent to copy ,they should have the talent to design there own bear. My first three bears were bought patterns ,which I was not happy with anyway, so for 8 years I have been designing my own,and its much more gratifying than trying to copy someone elses ideas.   Huggles Rita xxx

Hi Everyone,
                     Great Avatars, but I liked your piccie too Laure, If any of you clever people are wanting to practice ,please feel free to play around with my piccie too.  Welcome Kirsten to the group ,we are a real good mixture here as you will find out.  Hugs From Scotland Rita xxx

My goodness Rita, 3,000 Bears you have made, Gee whizz, I have been making bears for over 8 years and I don't think I've reached that target yet. But you do make great bears... Hugs Rita xxx

Sorry Louise you feel a bit down ,but I think everyone goes through these phases. I have been married for 47 years and believe me I have not gone all that time without being down at times, in fact I could call it some other names ,but won't bore you with the details. Take a wee rest from bears and give yourself some time out and I bet you come back with lots of new ideas. I have the ideas ,but I don't think its a sellers market at the moment, so I cannot get myself motivated. Take Care .Hugs Rita.xxxx

PS. I have not seen one of your so called bad bears yet.

Hi Dilu,
             I too tend to stick to Natural's but I have done a very occasional bear in colours ,but nothing too outrageous. But I do admire other peoples bears who choose to do coloured. Most of my bears are quite traditional and I dont think they would suit being coloured. I love Paula's bears ,but she uses beautiful colours.  Hugs Rita x

Come on Louise ,you must show us your new Avatar.  Hugs Rita x

Hi Daphne,
                       It was after doing some repairs to vintage bears that I got the idea, its so frustrating have to try and match up and duff up mohair just to get the right look, so about 6 years ago ,I started to put in a scrap piece ,in the hope that my bears last that long .It will save the restorer hunting to match up.  In our W I ,we were told if you know a Good thing ,Share it.  Great Oak Trees from little Acorns grow. The same applies tp Bear Makers/Artists. Just my thoughts for to-day.   

      Hugs from Scotland. Rita xx

Hi Eileen,
                    Even though I have been making bears for over 8 years now, I can still  get things wrong ,Second heads ,arms legs ,each time you try to do something different ,you usually have to tweek it hear and there.  in the beginning like you I tried calico prototypes ,but it was not the same. What a topic Dilu. GGGGRRRRRRRReat.   Hugs Rita xx

Hi, Like most of you I too started with 2 commercial patterns, but I never really fell in love with them, being a Tailoress ,I suppose the designing side of it came quite easily to me, But Eyes ,Ears, and noses came with lots of tears and tantrums till I got them right. When I finish one bear ,usually another one is taking place in my head, I get bored if I do the same bear twice. When I stuff my bears I enclose a small piece of mohair in the back on top of the stuffing ,just in case through the years a piece is required for repairing.  Huggles Rita xx

Hi Eileen,
                    I used fine silk cord for the tail and black fishing gut for his whiskers. Isn't it amazing how even as bear-makers we can all make use of things . Hugs Rita x

Thanks Sue Ann, I actually did a whole little family off them, and they sold so quickly,but were a little bit fiddly to make,if I had not enjoyed doing them,it would not have been a worthwhile project financially. Scottish Hugs Rita x

Hi Judi, I think we all feel very privileged to share in your grief, but for all youve been through I,m sure you will be a much stronger person. You have been in my thoughts for most of to-day and I hold you in very high regards for the experience that you shared with us all.. It must have been so hard for you to come to terms with ,but you have shown us your strength,and Im sure you will be looked after by those up above.  All my Love. Rita xx

Thanks Shelli, He wears Dungarees and matching scarf and he also wears a little grey shirt..Hugs Rita x

Hi Winney,  Here is a piccie of one of my Calico Rats , all dressed up and now-where to go. He He Hugs Rita xx

Hi Winney,  I dress little mice  some are calico and some are fur. I did them long before my mohair days, when I was a crafter. I did some last year for a bear shop and they all sold ,so yes ,there is a market for mice and rats out there. Hope to see your new creations soon!!!!. Hugs Rita

Hi Winney, Did you get the link I sent by e-mail. ?? Rita x

Sorry ,its my mistake, must have been a Senior Moment. It was not Intercal at all.   Hugs Rita xx

Hi Judy, How creative ,they are absolutely Stunning. Hugs Rita xxx

Well, in Scotland we call them Eyelets, but its the same thing . They are very easy to use Melanie, and are quite secure for the the type of thing you want to use them for. Hugs Rita x

Thanks for your kind words about my Avatar Eileen.

I live in Ayrshire Scotland ,not far from Troon where last years open golf was held it just 10minutes along the coast. I am about 35 minutes away from Helensburgh ,and go there often as I have bears in one of the shops there. Next time I go I will take a picture and send it to you.  Hugs rita xx

Hi Kerren , I put about everything on my tag and like you my phone number and web-site too. But there are lots of makers only put the bears name and the Edition number . However we all put the For collectors only ,unsuitable for children under 14. Which is a secondary cover if you like.  Huggles Rita xx

Hi Kerren, I think most of us has came across this problem at shows from time to time. Like you I now put smaller bears at the top of my stand ,I also have a bowl of sweets which help to distract  the little ones from touching bears. The parents never seem to notice for some reason.When my children were small ,I always warned them before we went into shops etc ,never to touch anything you did not intend to buy.

Hugs Rita xx

Well, I take anything from 12hours to 2 days,depending on whether or not it is a new creation, sometimes too if you are needle sculpting it takes a good while,I also double stitch my bears which I suppose all adds up too. If I,m pleased with my finished bear ,then it does not matter how long it takes .Quality before Quantity I would say.

Hugs From Scotland
Rita xx

Yes, I do agree with you all ,I do put every detail on my swing tags, but I do know that there are a lot of makers who only put the name. 8 years ago when I started making bears ,I phoned Trading standards and their advice was to put as much as possible on the tags letting buyers know what components were used in the making of the bear.  Thanks everyone for your replies. Hugs Rita xx:D