Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Not a clue as to the makers.  They sure are fabulous souls though!!  Sooooo, which one are you keeping?  B'cause the one on the right just winked at me and said if you don't keep him he'd maybe like to live with me.   

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Awwww.  Now don't go making me all weepy and stuff.  I've missed all of you more than you know.  Thank you for such a warm welcome back!!!  Oh, and hey, I have a bunch of bears and 1 bunny on the go at the moment.  Bit of a learning curve working with some older patterns and trying to figure out what I did with them.  It's coming back to me pretty quickly though.  The bunny pattern will be the first to go.  What the heck was I thinking?  Or rather, who drew this pattern up with such long weird arms?  I know some of you out there have a few of those "what the ?" patterns in your studio/workspaces.  The past year has changed me.  Changed the direction I want to take with bears.  My heart will always be in the traditional style.  However, my quirky, playful side is begging to be seen more.  Great things coming!!

Thank you again for the warm welcome back!!  And to John:  Give your mom a big hug for Bill and me.  It was soooo good to see you and to catch up in Puyallup!!

Okay, after a morning with Macey, an afternoon and evening working on bears and a little computer catch up time, it's time for me to say goodnight.

Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta

Peeking in to say a little hello!  It's been quite some time but I'm finally back to work.  I've even signed up to do a couple of in person bear shows in the coming months.  Getting back into the swing of things has been fun and interesting as I sort through my patterns and design ideas.  Some designs will be kept and expanded upon while others will be discarded.  My heart is drawn to quirky antique bears so I'm hoping to make more bears along those lines.  Anyway, I look forward to popping in a little more.  There are so many unfamiliar names here now to get to know.  :)

Warmest bear hugs,
Aleta

I have found Facebook to be an invaluable tool for promoting and selling my bears!  Yes, it takes a bit of time and even at that you can find ways to simplify what "news" you are getting.  Depending on the amount of "friends" you have, you have just upped your mailing list by that many.  I personally love FB.  However, I understand some people have run into social problems.  It's not for everyone.

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Thank you ever so much lovely ladies!     xoxo Aleta

Interesting.  I've never heard of that.  Will do a little check see.   

Hello dear bear friends!
Peeking in for a quick hello and posting four new bears to my website.  It's a smorgasbord of bears you might say as each is completely different from the next!  I'm packing up the last of my studio and these four bears have been around for awhile.  Whether because I haven't wanted to part with them, they wouldn't photograph well, they are the last of their design, or they just weren't ready, I'm giving them a chance to find a new home this week.  Maybe one of them will find his or her way into your heart.

Please meet Betsy Wiggles, Sadie Lucille, Langley Sneezle and Jack Quigley.   

Warmest bear hugs,   :hug:
Aleta

Privately as in just checking in every now and then?

Thank you for all the good wishes and luck!   :hug:

Thank you all so very much for your kind comments.  I appreciate you all very much.   

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Wanted to say hello to all my TT friends out there.  It's been awhile, I know.  Perhaps when the dust clears I'll be able to spend more time here again.  Right now it's time to move household.  I wish you all happiness and great things this year!

Warmest and biggest bear hugs,
Aleta

I'm sorry to post and run.  Wanted to give collectors out there a chance to adopt one of my bears 30-50% off.  The long and short of it....it's been a year of upheaval and we are moving.  I have to sell my bears or pack them away for awhile until we get settled again.  I'd rather pack them off to a good home than pack them in a dark box for who knows how long!  Pictured is Quigley Bluebutton.  There are three other bears....oops.....now two others available.  I'll be posting a few more in the next few days. 

Warmest bear hugs,
Aleta

P.S.  I wish I could spend more time here.  I miss Teddy Talk!

Bonnie, Brenda and Bobbie, thank you.  I appreciate your comments more than you realize.  In the end, I did answer my own questions.  I suppose we all know in our heart of hearts what we should be doing.  And Brenda, you're right.  I need to start updating my blog again.  I will.  Hopefully soon. 

I've decided to hold the line on my pricing.  If I hold on to some bears for awhile I'm okay with that.  It's another hug to get me through this bump in the road.  Sometimes a girl needs lots of hugs!  When they start selling is when I won't need them so much anymore.   

Again, thank you all so much for such great food for thought. 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Thank you, dear bearfriends for your input and honesty.  There are so many different, yet valid points of view.  I am struggling to find my way between my love of designing and making bears and the reality that they just aren't selling well for me anymore.  I have tried a simple design, and received a Golden Teddy nomination for the design, yet my collectors just weren't that interested. 

In hindsight, I think failing to keep myself out there in the public eye has hurt me the most.  Pricing perhaps would not have been an issue at all. 

Thank you again, artists and collectors alike.   :hug:

Thank you for your input Sue and Cindy!  I appreciate your thoughtful posts.  You're right Sue, it is a tough world out there.  And, like Cindy, I have been around eBay to know that it is not the place it used to be for selling bears.

I am excited and hopeful for Daphne's online bear show in November.  Perhaps after the US elections we will turn a corner in the economy and all start to feel better about spending again.

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Karen, 
Thank you for your honesty.  I applaud and admire you and your work.  You are lucky that you get the feedback via critique.  To be quite frank, with the twists and turns that life has taken in the past year for my family it has left a big void where bears are concerned.  I feel as if I am starting all over on so many levels.  I don't know where to begin.  What I do know is that I'm producing some of the very best work ever in spite of my circumstance.  Only time will tell which direction I go.  Thank you ever so much, again.

Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta

In this US economy, have you adjusted your prices down or are you holding the line?  I am curious to know and would like some really honest answers.  I've been wrestling with this question as I try to figure out how to price my bears for the upcoming Teddies Worldwide Holiday Bear Show. 

I was told awhile ago that once you drop your prices you can't ever go back to the prices they were.  With all the costs the same (if not more) how do you justify dropping the price?  Is it all about the sale?  I would imagine so if it's your sole source of income.   

Collectors, if you are reading this, how does it make you feel when an artist you've followed for awhile drops their prices?  Giddy with delight or are you disappointed?

I realize this is a tough issue to talk about for most artists and I appreciate any feedback you'd like to share.

Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta

Hello dear bear friends!
Eek has just been listed on my website.  He's my only mohair Halloween offering for the year.   I've also listed a mixed media Halloween bear painting.  It is one of two bear paintings, and the last of the bears, I will paint.  Happy peeking!

Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta

Your dolls are fabulous!! 

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Congratulations!!  You're all winners in my book!

And to Karen:  I stand in great company.  It is a very special honor to receive three TOBY's in the same year.  Enjoy your reward for your beautiful work!  It is very much deserved.

Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta

Hi Bonnie! 
I love your Little Souls dolls.....sadly though, I am in the same position you are.....having to downsize my collections. 

I hope your move is a positive one!!  Are you still in Boise?

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

That is one sweeeet little pig!!  I love her!

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

I love the look of your bears and bunnies.  They are very endearing!

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Kim, I've always loved your bears and cherish the one I do have.  Your work is outstanding!!

Warmest bear hugs,  :hug:
Aleta

Thank you all so very, very much.   :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Warmest and BIGGEST bear hugs,
Aleta