Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Roxanne...

This may be a little late, but on my last two auctions, I have been trying the private bit.  No particular reason, just thought I would give it a go.
What I have learned so far, is that I have had people bid, who have never bid on my work before.  I don't know why...it could be just a coincidence, who knows.
I have also been using BIN's lately and they seem to be working very well for me...altho I am putting a lower price on the auctions than I normally would...but I really feel times are slow, everyone is feeling the 'gasoline crunch'...or some kind of a crunch.
Kim was right when she said you can go to My Ebay and click on the 'bids' number and as a seller it will show you who is bidding.  I didn't know that Kim...(thank you).  I have a mink bear on right now and the lady who was the original bidder is again, someone I have never heard of before, and has never bid on my work before.
So, your guess is as good as mine.  Are these bidders bidding because their ID is kept private?  I don't know.
:doh:

Nancy

Thank you so much girls!!  I appreciate you both so much.

I have been busy, busy, busy, Shari.
Doing just fine tho, thank you for asking.
I hope to have a website up and running soon and trying to keep things on ebay...have to finish up the bear for Penny's charity auction today and then going away this weekend.  I realized I was spending tooooo much time in front of the computer, so something had to give.
Missing everyone tho...I will pop in now and then.  :hug:
Nancy

Girls, I am asking you to please remember this little girl in your prayers today.
She is going back in for more surgery and this is not a good thing.

Her mother is beside herself, with worry.
She is asking for all prayers for little Michaela.

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V … archatomic
Thanks so much,
Nanc......

Each artist has a special look to their work...and many times they will design a different pattern, but it still has their 'look' .  Manufactured bears have this huge gigundee cutter that comes down and goes thru a pile of fabric and cuts each piece the same, they are sewn each the same way, with no thought as to it being an individual.  There is one thought in mind with manufactured bears....get it made and distributed to make money.
That to me is a science, a business venture.

Bears made by an individual are designed,  cut out with precision, yes...but not the precision that the cutter does.  Sewn together with a different mind set than the manufactured bears.  We sew with love and desire to make this bear become an individual not a commodity.

So I would say that one is...ART and one is a COMMODITY.
The same as a home made cookie verses a Keebler cookie.  Huge difference!!

Nanc........

Jane, I once read a satire written by an attorney...the story was aimed at, just what you are talking about...this world gone crazy.

Anyway, it was about little red riding hood.  We all know the wolf was the bad guy and the nasty things he did to Red Riding Hood and Grandma.

Well, as the satire unfolds...Wolf is taken to jail for his haines crimes and he hires an attorney.  It goes thru this long scenario about how Wolf has been wronged...he had a bad child hood, Red had enticed him, Grandma had entraped him and on and on, until Wolf appeared to be the victim, got off and Grandma and Red were arrested and standing trial.
It was so funny...but so sad because it seems to be right on target today.
nanc.....

Did anyone see the story that CNN  did about Bears in Munich. (Last night)

I came in on the tail end of it...but, this man sells teddy bears on his website and then he takes 'your' bear around and takes pictures of it at various places in Munich (beside a center fountain, in front of a famous Chapel, etc) and then sends you the bear and pictures...as tho the bear had been on a vacation.
He charges 125.00 a bear.

BUT...the good thing is that, our beloved Teddy Bears were getting recognition on prime time CNN.  Even the anchors were talking about it after the piece was over.

I didn't hear the whole website address...but it had something to do with Bears in Munich...I tried to pull it up but got nothing.

This seems a bit like the cabbage patch idea and according to CNN he is selling bears like crazy.  Good for him,
I hope it rekindles the bear rage.
nanc.....

LOL Shelli...:lol::lol:
You started a round of laughter here and of course our 'in house comic, Dilu'....put the icing on the cake.
Oh...cake, wonder what the PMS diner is serving today?
I am with Sue Ann tho, I would need a post menopausal diner :P
Nanc...

Wow Eileen...you DID dress your teddy.  Such a little sweetie.  You did a great job.
I hope all of these little bears raise a huge bunch of money for those precious children that are being robbed of their childhood.
I got my bear done too...but I just submitted it to Nancy's site.

Good luck to all the auctions.
Nanc......

Shantell, I just got the chance to read this post.
I will certainly put all families on my prayer list and your son as well.
We have some very dear friends in Missouri, who last year lost their 17 year old son.  They had just purchased him his first car, which he had wanted since he was 16.  He was killed in that car and they had not even made a payment it on it yet...it was that soon.  This was their 2nd son to lo0ose.
No matter how you lose a child, it has to be just the most horrific pain imaginable.
I can't imagine the coach not letting others go to the funeral...so i hope that turned out.
Nanc.......

Oh my gosh, Sue Ann...tell me you are not in Corpus Christi or Galveston...Say it 'ain't so' !!!

Is this really the way people in Texas talk?

Matilda...what a breath of fresh air you post has brought.  I love to read happy things.  Your friend reminds me of a novel I just finished called...The Poet of Tolstoy Park by Sonny Brewer.  It is an absolutely fabulous story, if you can get it there at your library.  It is very short to me, only abut 250 pages (for me that is like reading a comic book) and I ususally don't like to read that short of a book...but WOW, it is good!
I can visualize your kitchen in my mind, so please post some pictures if you can and bring my vision into reality.
Before I forget...what is CHUFFED? :lol:
And the nonor of having you quilt square placed into a quilt that will be historical.  That must put you beyond HAPPY!  WEll, congratulations and I don't blame you at all for wanting to bask in your happiness.  I always try to take what little or big joy that comes my way and dwell on that alone.

Gina, I can only imagine the joy you  must have felt with your little boy.  There is just something about a hug and a smile that nothing else can take the place of.  One time, my son got his finger caught in the garage door bracket.  It was not just a pinch, it almost crushed his little finger.  After getting it out and making sure it wasn't broken...there was just nothing I could verbally do to calm him down and we just sat on the sofa and hugged for a good 1/2 hour.  That hug said it all.  I think a mothers arms wrapped around a child is the best medicine in the whole world!  I am so thrilled for both of you, he was obviously feeling the need for your arms and I know your arms needed him!
Blessings and love to you both for sharing....tis a happy day today, indeed.
Nanc.

Sue Ann...we lived in Boca, Clearwater and Sarasota and I can tell you that I miss Florida so much, but I sure don't miss the way the hurricanes have been the last couple of years.
I have everything crossed, including my nose hairs...but most importantly I have you and your family included in my prayer list.  Boy, I tell you, it takes me 45 minutes just to get to bed, lately!
Please keep us informed as to how you are doing.  I am sure you will lose power (we do here in GA everytime one hits the Gulf Shores, Pennsi area)...but remember we will all be on pins and needles waiting for news.
Nanc......

Sometimes, I get so confused!!!!

you need to laugh alot...feels so good...seeee it's working!

Shantell, I have so many days like that, I cannot tell you...and don't even give 'poor Nance' another thought!!!

Take it from the top...what is important?  Putting a happy little face on your bear.  That is all that is really important.
If you had no hang tags, if you had no laminate (haven't read that post), or website, or logo, or banner ....or anything but a happy face on your bear...you know what!  THAT bear would sell!!

Without all the extra stuff...all by himself.  That is all it really takes because that is really what collectors are looking for, somebeary that touches their heart.
Hold you glass up to your bear with a 'salute' and tell that bear..."You know what kiddo, you got what it takes"
:lol::lol::lol:

SALUTE!!!!

Well, congratualtions Kim...I know you are thrilled.  Geez, I thought it was a avatar.  Ok, what is a banner for...showing my techie ignorance once again.  What do we need banners for?
Very nice work Tammy!!
nanc.

Ah, Amanda...you know one of the things I love about this group, is the loving ladies it is comprised of.

  Everyone of you are such special little creations in yourselves...a book could be written about each one! and the avid reader that I am...I would love to read each book. :)

This situation that I have just passed thru is in no ways going to stifle my creativity.  It may have made my flame just a little less bright for being accused of something that I myself am so against.

But it happens... there will always be  prejudice, intolerance, injustice, jealousy & so much more...so we have to just make the adjustments we need to, to get thru it and past it.

Do I feel hurt?  You bet I do! ...... Do I feel angry?  Yep, I sure do! 

And I feel very sad to know that I have to drop a part of my creations that I felt was so much a part of each one and enjoyed  doing so much, while I know that other artists can continue unabated and enjoy the story making with-out ridicule. 
It makes me ask, why my auction? why now, why the mouse?  Why not all my other auctions for 4 years...is this the first time he has ever seen my work? and certainly, why do I not have a devout collector like him, that after purchasing 2 bears is ready to charge hell with a squirt gun for me? :lol:

This is why I hate 'injustice' so much.  Shelli said she hates intolerance, but for me it is injustice.
I don't like someone having power over another human being or situation that can alter another person  or their will, in some way.
I have read several suggestions that I should provide stories after the sale, and I greatly appreciate the suggestions, but that takes away the whole point...getting to know my little friends.

Laughing here...I think I will put in my title for my future auctions...FWAP as a key word to find my auctions.
Friends Without A Past!  Heck, who knows...I may even change my newly acquired domain name to Nancy&Fwap.

Thank you so much Amanda for your support, love and care.  It means so much to me...you just have no idea.
But lets just let it go....I really am in no position to do anything different than what I am doing.

Hugs and of course Blessings,
nancy

I have had a couple of personal emails sent to me asking me how I make my own patterns.
It is easier to just post it and I am happy to help if I can.
My way is just that...my way, so I am sure it is a far cry from what a professional would ever do, but it works for me.
First I draw what I want it to look like.  Then I 'perfect' my drawing and take it to the copy shop, have it enlarged or reduced and cut out my pieces.  I trace around each piece and decide what fabric I want to use and where I want to use it.
In this case, I wanted the stretching cat, to have ultra suede paws, so you can see where I drew lines across, indicating where my seams will be.
Next cut them out again and retrace them, only this time add your seam allowances where you need them.  Here it would have been where the suede paws and arms would meet.  If you want it puffy in a certain area...add a dart...if you want it pinched in the middle somewhere, add a 'football dart'.
If I have been too vague, just let me know where you are confused.  I am happy to share all that I have figured out...but please keep in mind, this is just something that seems to work for me.  I am sure there are others of you, who do a much better job at this than I do.

By the way, this only sold for my opening bid of 65.00....so sometimes you flop!  But hey, it is fun and very rewarding to see one of your little orginals even sell at all! :lol:

I thought I was the only one up at this hour...we need to take a sleeping pill and hit the hay!

Amanda, I am just guessing here, but I think if you put your plastic pellets in a seperate pouch that is enclosed inside the bear it is considered child friendly.

Someone else may know better.  I don't think I will put any in mine, just in case!  Never took a beanie apart to see, but I am sure they are not just floating around in their on their own.:/

nanc.....

Kim, it doesn't get much easier than this place.
It is free, you have a nice clean looking auction and I used it for a long time.  I think Mary Holstad uses it too, if my memory serves me correctly.  I would have to go look at her auctions to tell you that for sure tho.

Anyway, give it a try.
SIMPLE and NICE
http://www.antique-central.com/tips1.html

Nanc,

I think realistic too Roxanne...but on the flip side, teddy bear is cute too.  As an adult....well, I would like

both!!!! :lol::lol::lol:

Nanc.

You knnow Catherine...I just recently read something about that subject.  I didn't pay real close attention to it, but it had something to do with only linking to websites that have a large amount of hits to them.

I didn't fully understand what they are talking about, but I assume they mean don't link to something like 'smoochie woochie bears' (Lord help me if there really is a smoochie woochie...my appolgies if there is) but rather link to someone like Sue Ann, Judi, Shelli...oohhh man, don't everyone run to them for a link now!!! Hope I haven't stepped into a pile of doo doo here.

It has something to do with increasing your hits.

Laura...you can jump in on this anytime now.  She may know better, what I am talking about.  She is a website whiz...
Nanc

Judi, I posted a thread along time ago about 'what happened' but I don't think you saw it.  Yes, there were a lot of us who worried about what was going on...so I am glad to hear how fortunate you were.  It is so easy to get things all messed up but clearly the address thing , which was his error, turned out to be the best thing for you.

Marie...these kind of things are always a learning lesson and we have all learned something new from your experience.
Thanks for sharing,
Nanc.........