Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

So did I.... how did we end up on sugar & snow????? LOL!!!

Artists are creative, to be creative you have to think outside the box, to think outside the box you have to be open to LOTS of unique ideas, and try lots of different things. SO... most of us have more than one thing 'in progress' at a time or are already thinking about the next thing at least. Our conversations go the same way!!!

Now, if we were engineers.... we'd beat the topic to death and never dream of moving on to the next thing! (Hope I didn't offend anyone.... I'm married to an engineer!!!)

To get back on topic - I don't have anything original. But I'm always sure to put a tissue wrapped bear in a big plastic bag tied with fun ribbon or rafia at the top (so it's not totally air tight and the little guy can breathe!) then it goes in the box with packing material. This way should the bear end up in a puddle he won't get wet! Make sure your tissue is natural/white - NOT COLORED as it'll turn the bear color with the least amount of moisture!

So, about those engineers!!!  :lol::lol::lol:

Hugs, Daphne

A sewing table with folding leaves/sides... so you can expand and condense as needed. Sewing supply places, especially places that sell sewing machines usually have them or a catalog you can look through. I also use lots of those plastic stackable drawers with wheels so I can have stuff near me when I need it and can roll it all out of the way when necessary.

I have a whole room (it WAS the master bedroom!) to sew in but I still end up in the kitchen, dining room, livingroom..... so I'm not one to give advice!!!:/

Good luck, Clare!!!

However, before buying our house last year my hubby and I spent 4 years in a SMALL 2 ROOM apartment. The dining room table was replaced by my work and sewing tables. We sat on the couch (where there was room between bags of stuffing, etc.) to eat. The coffee table was replaced by the big plastic boxes containing my fur! AND we're both packrats! Needless to say we NEVER had company!

Judi,
I'm with Paula and Penny in not having a clue what has happened BUT..... whatever it was and whoever it was will certainly now see they are the minority here - that you are a wonderful person, artist and friend. You set a wonderful example, have much to offer and are a very talented and giving person. It's a shame some people can't appreciate and respect those things in another human being. You matter to us and your input here matters to us. In fact, it wouldn't be as interesting and fun without you here. Glad you are able to rise above... that's what makes you YOU!!!

Big Bear Hugs!!!
Daphne

PS... Now that I've gone snooping to find out what it is I missed I have to say that this sort of thing is going to happen in the automotive industry, the clothing industry, the jewelry industry, the home appliance industry.... YIKES! You name it! Can you imagine if all those 'suits' sat around in a board room pointing fingers, whining and throwing out accusations..... we'd be walking everywhere, naked and without jewels or the means to cook or clean. If we were able to find these things they'd be made by only one company with high prices, limited selections and heaven forbid that manufacturer ever went out of business! Every concept originates from somewhere, grows and benefits both the originator and others when shared. In the bear world and here at Teddy Talk that's what we're here for.....SHARING.... and we have fun doing it! I don't care where you are though, there is always someone to spoil things. But they don't stick around forever!

Oh, even my dreams, vivid as they are, wouldn't compare to Jane's dream! Awake, I couldn't come up with anything nearly as entertaining either!

Kirsten,
I found you and we had a blast.... we hopped a plane to Sue Ann's but by the time we got there..... Jane had woken up!

Jane,
Can't wait to hear what you dream about tonight!!! :D

Hugs from New England!
Daphne

Okay, there are rotten ebayers out there who really need to get a life, in my humble opinion. I haven't had a problem selling but when I left a NEUTRAL feedback for a guy regarding his lack of packaging skills he turned around left me a NASTY, RUDE NEGATIVE feedback. So over-reactive and so not necessary. I soon after got an email from a woman telling me how he did something similar to her and many others who didn't deserve a negative feedback, some had even given him positive ones! They were all joining forces and reporting him to eBay. He's still selling so I don't know what happened.

HOWEVER...... I've had many more wonderful buyers, even bidders who didn't win but emailed me to comment on my work and ask to be notified to upcoming auctions. My overall experience selling on ebay has been a positive one.

Ya know, if you owned a Teddy Bear shop to sell your bears you'd still have those few customers who were the pits in your bowl full of cherries. But you wouldn't close your doors because of them, would you?

So, we all have bad experiences (some have been awful and it upsets me when I read about them, I'm so sorry!!) but tell me Experienced Lady Ebay Sellers, have a majority been positive or negative? Have most of you stopped selling on ebay or do you continue to sell? Has eBay helped your business or hurt it?

I will continue to sell on eBay!

Know the rules, follow them.
Know your rights, persue them!

Bearing With eBay....
Daphne

Oh, I was just wishing for snow yesterday... it's been so disgustingly hot and humid here... the air is like soup and it's hard to breathe! Just one day of snow, that's all I ask! I won't tell you how long our winter was here this past winter and how much snow we had... almost daily it snowed!!! I've got some in the freezer.... Sugar on Snow is a tradition here in New England... boiling maple syrup poured over snow... it hardens to candy... with my grandmother's raised donuts and a pickle... on a hot summer day....mmmmmmmm......

Laura Lynn, I guess the benefit to being diabetic is that I can take a shot to counteract the sugar I ingest. So I can have the bad stuff, in small doses!! But that makes it all the easier to gain weight. I'll have to try drinking tea like Judi does. Very good idea.... if it keeps me from nibbling all day I'll try anything!!!

Anyway, there are HEALTHY things about New England.... :lol::lol::lol:

Sweet Hugs,
Daphne

Good, I knew if I just waited til morning it would be gone... I have so much mohair I ought to be using. It's like quilting fabric... I buy anything I see that I like, with out a plan for it... I could make a hundred quilts... of only there was enough time.... SIGH!

Laure, have fun with it! Be sure to let us know what you make out of it!!

My grandfather would tell you to be sure and hold your mouth just right. Perhaps that was a 'farmer' thing? He was the greatest man!

Anyway, if it's any consolation, I made a 3 inch frog once... that's 4 long skinny legs to turn right side out and also get the webbed foot through. HA! While pushing and pulling and tugging and throwing (flying frogs legs) I'd poke through a seam and have to start all over again. By the time all was said and done I had made 9 frogs legs. And had to promise my hubby I'd never make another frog! (The negativity oozing out of my sewing room scared him away more than once!) I offered to serve him fried frogs legs for dinner but he wasn't interested! :P

Good luck Suzanne and welcome to the land of the Hopelessly Addicted to Bears!!! We look forward to hearing from you often!!!

OK, I am thinking New England in the Autumn, a quaint inn (Like the Hugging Bear Inn in Vermont perhaps) with a trip to the Vermont Teddy Bear factory (so we can show them how it's really done!!) and of course right down the street from there is THEEE Ben & Jerry Ice Cream Factory And what's autumn in New England without a trip to the apple orchard to pick apples, drink cider (unless you have that sugar thang like so many of us do) and sample apple cider donuts (OK, diabetes, hyperglycemia (?) or not you've GOT to have one of those!!!) There's always a craft show or two or twenty and some smaller bear or bear and doll shows we could bombard!! And the mountains with their pallet of warm fall colors are just amazing!

That's just coming from little ol' me who happens to live here in New England. :lol::lol:

Hugs,
Daphne

PS. Hey you Aussies - Autumn is September/October here in the states!!

Hi Ladies,
Just an update... I decided to try robshelp.com and 4 hours later had an auction template created! Yes, 4 hours!!! I had to edit my photos and come up with the verbage for the listing so that probably took up at least an hour or more!!!! OK, I'm SLOOOOOW! Anyway, in the end I'm happy with how it came out and in the future I'll have the format ready now and just have to change pics and words. I got the background to match my website, etc. I learned a lot too! All for free! So, thanks, Danni!!! Now the true test.... will my ebay auction actually get bids????

A moose... chocolate moose.... I have a pattern if you are interested. It's my own... it's on my website if you want to see what it looks like. Seriously, moose are very mangey in the spring as they loose their winter coat.

I'm always looking for something unique and different to use.... I think I'll go have a look at this peach mohair. Anyone able to give me a quick link, I have to be honest, if I go searching for it I'll find 5 other mohairs I'll want to try in the process of trying to find the peach!!!

Well, I attach the head to the body, then go back and do the face, ears, etc. With the empty body attached you have something to hang onto. Then you can put the body between your knees while you pin ears on. I do this sitting on the couch, feet on coffee table, knees bent, then the head is at eye level and I'm pretty comfy. Works great 'til the dog comes over to see what's going on!!!

I do one thing that sorta helps me....
I keep my pattern pieces in manilla file folders.
When I have finished a bear from a particular pattern I write on the inside of the folder the date, fabric used and name. But I never go back and compile this info onto one log. The next time I pull that pattern out I say "Oh yeah! I forgot I made him!"
I usually take digital photos with in a day or two after finishing the bear so I have the dated photos on my computer if I really get stuck for info.
But I've got to do something better!!!

Oh, I believe in miracles alright and have definitely heard of times folks have adopted and then right around the same time become pregnant. My cousin has been trying desparately for 4 years to get pregnant, gone all the artificial routes without success. I told her she'd get pregnant but to quit trying so hard as she was always getting herself in quite a mental state over it all and the expenses.... wow! Well, a few months after they quit trying, she resigned to being childless and began to relax, she got pregnant!! Yippee!!! I'm not going to be as lucky BUT, I know God has a plan and all will come to be in His time. Not that patience is my strong point!!

Danni, you have a twin... how cool!!! As an only child I think having a sibling would be wonderful as I get older and my folks get older and life throws you things you wish you had a sibling there to share it with. Not that all siblings have close relationships. Anyway, rambling here..... Any cool TWIN stories to share?

I put the 'tush tag' in the back of a leg. After putting it in the back and having it stick out like a sore thumb and get in the way of those hugs I opted for the back of the leg so most of the time it's sat on and not visible. So I guess it's a 'thigh tag'?:lol: OK, bad!

I think that signing the hang tag is like a painter signing his painting. For me it's a pride thing. "I made this adorable bear and I get to put my name such a wonderful work of art!" Yes, there are those misfits I'd rather NOT sign!!!:/

Now you've all made me feel like such a disorganized person...... I TRY to keep logs but then I loose them, forget to write in them, etc. I used to be organized back when I was a district manager for a large retail chain. Then I became a housewife and bear maker and all the discipline and organizational skills went down the drain. Could I interest any of you and coming to New England and getting me organized? My accountant would love you!

There is a saying about a messy workspace and being an artist but I can't remember how it goes... anyone know the saying I'm talking about?

Daphne the Disorganized

I listen to the radio or talk to the dog. Tucker is a great listener. I've been thinking I should get some books on CD to listen to. Then I'd be multi tasking! On nice days this spring I'd have the windows open and listen to the birds. Now it's 99 degrees and humid as the tropics so the birdies are chillin' in their nests and the house is closed up with the a/c on. I don't do TV much. There are a couple of programs each week I watch with hubby at night.... NUMBERS and NCIS and if I can stay up late enough I watch Judging Amy. We used to watch JAG but that's just been canceled after 10+ years. I can't sew and watch TV. I get sucked into the TV. Lucky for me I find the rest of the stuff on TV stupid. OK, the Home and Garden channel is interesting sometimes. And of COURSE animal planet. But I can't watch more than an hour or two a week.

Now, if I could use the computer AND sew at the same time I'd be in heaven!!!!! Heaven!!!!!:lol::lol::lol:

Daphne

Someone needs to tell us where the "I'll hug him and love him and call him George" thing comes from. I don't think I quoted it quite right but I can almost see and hear the character saying this. Was it a Disney movie? Wasn't it a sort of dopey voice? PENNY!!!!! Help!?!

This is driving me crazy.... like trying to figure out where I put my credit card. It's been missing for 4 days and I just KNOW it's in my possession SOMEWHERE! I stand in the middle of the kitchen tapping the side of my head saying "Think, think, think....." just like Pooh but it's not working.:(

Oh, I hope so too, Kirsten!! After 10 years without success I FINALLY had exploratory surgery and well, the bottom line is no kids for us. I have not been able to talk my hubby into adopting.... YET!!! He's decided at 43 he's too old and set in his ways to become a father. UGH!!! That's what I get for marrying an 'older man' (by 8 years.) I hope and pray God will bless you with your very own little miracle! I'm sure the possibility now is very exciting for you!! :)

Shelli, I've been wondering about the time thing too! This page might help you: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/. The UK is 8 hours ahead of you.

G'night!
Daphne

I use soft satin tush tags... I haven't a clue where I got them from... good thing I got 1000! They are custom ones with my logo on them, web address, etc. I can't write on them Wish I could, just to date them.

Oh, Shelli, that sounds like a great resource! I'm off to check it out!!!
Thank you!
Daphne

Hi,
I've noticed some of you use auction templates to create your listings on eBay. What's a good one? There seem to be so many template services out there. I want FREE (or almost), and USER FRIENDLY! But also not too restricting. I dont' need picture hosting.
Any suggestions?
Thank you!!! 
Daphne

I used go to my local office supply place and buy the business cards I can run through my printer. Then I designed them myself and printed them off. I too fold them. I also laminate them. I think we may have had that part of the discussion on here some where? (Too many bear message boards - too few brains to remember what we talk about where!) Kirsten's method of having a printer do them up is probably less time consuming and may even cost less. I did the business cards at home because in the first few months I began using them I kept changing the layout. (The inside of mine has a check list for material used, a place to write the bears name, my signature and the date.)

Daphne

I was just thinking last night that it seemed awfully quiet without you, Dilu! I was thinking/hoping you were off doing something fun and exciting. I guess not!:/ Glad you are back amongst the wacky, loving, bear hugging bunch of us!
Hugs, Daphne

Micron markers are fabric markers. They are fine tipped, come in a limited number of colors and are meant mainly for writing on fabric - not shading. Check out this webpage for a basic overview: http://www.gellyroll.com/products/pens/ … icron.html

And you are NOT in trouble Miss Danni!!! This message board is meant for building communication - we may be bear artists but we're people too! Sometimes I think it's hard to find answers to a bear related question in these posts because we OFTEN get 'off topic'. But we sure have fun!!!! :lol::lol::lol:

Hugs,
Daphne