Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I have a Pfaff with the dual feed walking foot.  It's built into the machine, so you don't have to worry about attachments.  That was actually one of the features that I liked the best about the machine.  My Pfaff has been flawless and I wouldn't trade it for anything.   I've sewn through leather, fur pelts, thick synthetics, tent canvas, etc., and my Pfaff has never balked at any of them. When I purchased it, the man who was demonstrating it for me suggested I bring in the different fabrics I would be sewing on.  He went from one fabric to the next without ever changing the tension or needle.   I also sew on a featherweight,  both machines are just perfect for bear making.

If I remember correctly, Paula also uses a Pfaff.   Luann

Hi Millie.  It sure looks like a feral hog to me.  That is probably th reason the horses are so terrified of it.  These hogs are so destructive!  Around here, they can completely destroy a lawn overnight.  Homeowners go to bed at night with beautiful grass and flowerbeds and wake up to nothing but dirt, because where there is one hog, there are probably lots more right behind it.  Good luck.  Luann

Thanks for posting this about the palms.  Just yesterday, I had been talking about some new plants to put in the yard, and decided on a couple of sago palms.  All of our pets except for one cat all stay either indoors or in the backyard.  I don't want to risk the health of others pets, though.  There are plenty of other plants to choose from, though I'll need to look for something really tough - it looks like it's gonna be a scorcher here this summer.  We've hardly had any winter at all and have been in shorts and t-shirts for a couple of weeks now.

Luann

I get notices from e-Bay whenever the Naples Teddy Bear Museum has bears offered for sale.  This morning, I received a notice of new bears being offered, but it doesn't look right.  The seller is usually "isolditflo121" and the starting prices are always under $20.

The listing today shows the seller as "teddyplus" and the prices are WAY higher than usual, and all with a Buy it Now.  Shipping is way off too. 

Would someone else see if this looks weird to you as well? 

One of the auctions is 350153481730 (isoldit...) and the other is 310116696689 (teddyplus) 

I tried calling isoldit..., but just get a recording.    Luann

I purchased a bear over the weekend from a lady who recently moved to the states from England.  The bear is made by someone named Christopher James of Bygone Bears.  She said she didn't think he was making bears anymore, and didn't have any information on him at all.

Is anyone familiar with this artist?  The bear does have a hang tag, but the only information on it is the artist's name, company name and the bear's name. He is absolutely delightful, and I'd love to find out more about the artist if possible.

Thanks!  Luann

I think I'm the odd man out here.  I am using the sulfur.  I suppose I like something that's really bold - and this color is certainly that.  LOL

Luann

Hi Sue Ann.  It's a spider lily.  They typically bloom in late summer to early fall and come in yellow, red, pink and white.  I don't know if you have any of Howard Garrett's gardening books, but they are great.

Luann

Wow!  I'm really surprised at that Debbie, as I live in Texas and get info on the show.  For promoters, it's VERY difficult to know where to advertise.  I know this show has been advertised in the Teddy Bear magazines, as well as the local papers.  Additionally, the show has it's own website and there is a link to it on the Good Bears of the World website.  This show has changed hands a couple of times now, and there was a lapse of about 2 years when it just didn't happen at all.  I'm glad that it is back and in full swing again.

I put it on the calendar on my own yahoo group and my website, and a number of other artists attending have put it on their websites as well.

Sometimes, even though people have attended a show for many years, they have not signed up to be on the promoter's mailing list.  There are people who have attended our show in Austin every year for the past 12 years and don't want to be on a mailing list, even though we only send them one postcard per year. 

If you find yourself at the show this year, look us up.  I'd love to meet you.

By the way, the show is this coming Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  They are having an auction on Friday night with proceeds going to Good Bears of the World.  If anyone wants additional information, e-mail me - I'd be glad to help.

Luann

That's funny Leeann.  We had a dog that everyone thought was a Shiba Inu.  We always swore that she was - she be in your way, she be in your seat, she be in your car, etc.  Actually, she was just a big old, lovable 85 pound mutt.

Luann

Hi Donna.  We are actually planning on stopping for the night in Wichita as well.  I usually just drive straight through, but it's a 14 hour drive and we decide to take an extra day and enjoy stuff along the way.  My husband has relatives just outside of Kansas City, so I hope to get to catch up with them.  Have a safe trip - see you Friday night at the dinner and auction!

Luann

Is anyone on the list going to be in Kansas City this coming weekend for the Jubilee?  I'm leaving early Thursday morning for the drive up - making two stops to pick up others to go along.  The four of us hope to have a great road trip and are hoping to sell lots of bears.  I've been working on new pieces so I'll have different things to share.

Luann

Hey!  Remember my cat that went missing - just 2 or 3 days shy of 7 long, excrutiating weeks!  Then, one night, there he was at the door.  Don't give up.  They are tough little buggers.

The one that went missing here is now a healthy 14 pounds.

Luann

Hi everyone!  I finally got back home on Sunday from my trip to the East Coast and Daphne's show.  I left Austin, Texas on July 22nd and flew to New York and finally arrived back home on August 3rd.   I met up with a friend who lives in Manhattan and we spent a couple of days there before catching an Amtrak train to Wells, Maine.  We got there early Friday evening, but too late to go to the ice cream social. 

The show on Saturday was so nice!  Daphne has picked a really nice venue for the show, and there seemed to be people everywhere willing to help.  Absolutely no confusion about anything whatsoever.  Box lunches were available and that was very nice to have.  The competition tables were in the same room that the artists were and collectors seemed more than happy to participate by voting for their favorites.  Daphne was so welcoming, and it was great to finally be able to meet her.  Her mom and dad are just delightful, and I was pleased to bring home one of her dad's purses.  I carried that purse all over Maine, and back to New York and was asked by a lot of people where I got it.

The show was great for me, and I was really pleased with my sales.  I had a great time visiting with the collectors and hopefully some of them will be participating in Daphne's upcoming retreat.  When I told them what a great time we have at ours every year, they were all anxious to hear more about Daphne's.  I managed to sell all three of my pieces for the Habitat for Humanity booth, and was glad to hear that Daphne raised so much money for them.  I bought two pieces that were on the ornament tree, but it was really difficult to choose.  There were so many really nice pieces being offered.   There seemed to be a pretty good crowd through the show for most of the day, which was nice.  Lots of bears went out the door, and some collectors had several bags.

There was a great selection of bears at the show, as well as supplies.  It was nice to see such a well-rounded group at the show.

For anyone that has ever thought about going to do the Maine show - just do it!  We figured out the transportation situation pretty quickly with the help fromone of Daphne's helpers, and you really don't even have to rent a car.  There are trolleys that take you anywhere you want to go for $1.  You can buy a one-day pass for $3 and get on and off as many times as you want.  They stop at all of the hotels, and one even stopped at the post office for me.  Very nice local people, and the lobster rolls we had were delicious.

I'm really glad to be back, but did have a wonderful 2 weeks!

Luann

2% please
Jeff

Daphne,
Jeff Here.
My wife was there to sell not buy!
I can not believe you would let her do that.
If and when you come to Austin or New Mexico I would do that for your other half.

Good pics.

Luann said she had a good time and was very happy with her sales.

Hope she get back soon, we are almost out of cereal and lunch meat.  Just kidding.  It's milk I am almost out of.

Jeff

Our retreat IS a bear retreat!  Three days of all different kinds of workshops doing nothing but bear-related stuff.  The very first year we had the retreat, it was in conjunction with an online group.  I now host this event on my own, and it's always so much fun.  The owners of the little hotel we have it at love to come down during the weekend and see what we are working on. 

We've done workshops on airbrushing, needlefelting, painting fabric, eyelids, table displays, jewelry making (bear-related, of course), gollies, etc.  Every year we have two or three different people come in and teach different workshops, which are always VERY affordable (always around $25 - $35 each).  We have a very flexible schedule, so everyone can have plenty of time to shop in all the neat little places in town - and there are a lot of them.  A lot of the girls come in a day or two early just to shop and get to the local bakeries early enough to get some fresh baked goods.  We have a full kitchen facility, so we are able to cook all of our own meals as well. 

There is plenty for the guys to do as well.  If they like to golf, fish, hike or swim - we can accommodate them!

Shane - I'll have to check the dates for Fiesta, but we'd love to have you come.  Maybe we can tempt you with those fresh baked pralines again.  Daphne - we sure won't have it the same weekend as your show.  It's always sometime in late March or early April.  We've been thinking of doing one in the fall as well, but heck, Fall doesn't seem to get here until about December.  Ha! 

Luann

Looks like you had a great time there.  We do a three day bear retreat every spring in Fredericksburg!  It is such a fun town, just brimming with lots of little shops to poke around in - including a fabulous little wool shop that loves to see us coming.

If anyone ever gets the chance to go to Fredericksburg, Texas - make sure to stop at the Wildflower Center.  It is just breathtaking to stand on the side of the road and see flowers blooming in every direction for as far as you can see.   There is also a lavender farm not too far from there (about 45 minutes away), and if you go at the right time of the year, the peaches can be bought from fruit stands right off the trees along the side of the road.

I'm glad I only live about an hour and a half away.  It's a great place to get away.

Luann

You can only imagine how difficult it was to pick just one piece.  I also came home with one of Frank Bielec's paintings, and I'm just thrilled with it.  I saw so many that I wanted.  I'm one of those people who has to look at everything, but when I see it, I know it!  I'm just painfully slow at choosing.  By the number of bears in my collection, you'd never know it though.  They are everywhere!

I still have a couple in mind that I may contact the artists about.  There were so many bears that were just incredible this year.  I think this year's show had one of the best selections we have ever had.  By the number of bears that went out the door, I thinks others had the same feeling I did.

Luann

Here are two pieces I got at the Austin Bear Show yesterday.  The bunny is by Judy Bielec, and the red one is from Laurel Rudolph, who is a TT member.  She always comes up with the cutest pieces, and I'm glad I got this one.

Luann

Clare, I may be wrong, but I think that, according to e-Bay rules, the only reason you can retract your bid is if you put in the incorrect amount.  I realize it's too late to do anything about that now, but it sounds like she wants the item and her money too.  It might not hurt to see if you can contact e-Bay and see if they might be able to help you out.

Everything I've ever read about e-Bay transactions is to NEVER give partial refunds - especially if insurance is involved.  Put the monkey on her back and make her file a claim with the postal system.  If it goes back through e-Bay or Paypal (if that's how she paid for it), she will be required to return the item to you before she gets her money back.

Luann

Hi Clare  Speaking strictly from my own experience, I like the older ones.  I have two featherweights, both were made sometime between 1948 and 1950.  I took them to the local sewing machine shop when I first got them to have them checked out, and have been sewing on them ever since.  They are easy to maintain, make the most perfect stitches ever and are easy to move about.

I use mine almost daily, and on some days sew for 8 or 10 hours.  I've never had any problems with them.  I've been able to sew just about every type of fabric you can imagine on mine.

If I were ever gong to treat myself to something (and I didn't already have a featherweight), that would be a perfect treat.

Good luck in getting one.  I'm sure you will enjoy it!

Luann

Jennifer - click on the link at the bottom of my messages - www.lulubears.com and go to the "Shows and Events" page.  If you'll pm me your address, I'll send you a postcard with a discount.  We are offering half price admission to those that come and bring a friend.  (Both people get the half price admission.)  If you come alone, our admission is:  Adults $4 and Seniors and under 12 - $2.  With one of our postcards, we give you $1 off of the admission price.

The show is at the Holiday Inn at Town Lake - right on I-35.  From the north, take the Town Lake exit, and the hotel is on the west side of the interstate.  The ballroom overlooks the lake. Show hours are 9:30 - 3:30 on Sunday, the 29th.  Plenty of surface parking, as well as a parking garage - provided at no additional charge. 

Shane - I'll tell Frank you guys said hi - he'll get a kick out of that.  By all means - stop by anytime you are anywhere close.  We'll go back to Rudy's for Bar-Be-Que, and then stop for fresh made pecan pralines on the way back.  Yum!

Laura Lynn - Frank and Judy are a blast!  I'm sure we'll get some really fun photos.

I'm really excited about all of the artists we have coming this year.  For anyone that might be planning to come, we are hosting a "Great Opportunity" table this year with bears made by the participating artists.  Each artist can put 2 bears on the table, and offer them for a set price of either $50, $75 or $100 each.  This is a wonderful way to introduce newcomers to the bear world.  They are able to purchase quality artist bears at incredible prices.  All of the other bears on their own tables will be at their regular prices.  We've done this before and it's always been a very successful table.

I have several international artists that have sent bears for us to sell for them.  This too, has always been a very popular table.  This gives collectors an opportunity to see bears made by artists whose work they admire from afar, but have never really seen "in the fur". 

Looking forward to the show and meeting new collectors and TTers as well.

Luann

Yep!  Frank and Judy will both be here.  Judy came down a couple of months ago and taught a needle-felting class for us and decided to take a table at the show.  Not to be outdone, Frank decided he wanted a table as well.  This will be a great opportunity for anyone that collects his things to get some one-of-a-kind bear pieces that he is doing for the show.  Judy says he is working on some surprises as well.

Frank surprised all of the girls at the needlefelting class by calling during the class.  Then, Judy gave us all tote bags that he had designed.  We really had a good time.

We're gonna miss you this year Sue Ann.  Hopefully, life will straighten out and you'll be back on the bear show circuit.  I know the collectors are missing you, as we've had a couple ask about you already.

Luann

I wanted to remind everyone about the upcoming bear show here in Austin, Texas.  This year we have an incredible line-up of artists, and are very excited about everyone who is returning and those new to our show.  The show is next Sunday, June 29th, and we are sold out once again!

While certainly not "new" to the business - we are absolutely delighted to have Frank Bielec, designer of TLC's Trading Spaces as one of our artists this year!  His wife, Judy, will be here as well.  Both of them are extremely talented, and it should prove to be a very fun day with the two of them here!  I can't wait to see what they bring.  Judy called and told me they are in a competition against each other to make their tables "really something".   Hmmm, that in itself is intriguing.

We have a couple ofl TTers coming - Laurel Rudolph, who does incredible pieces and Mark Nissen, whose bears everyone loves!

We also have Linda Coker, who sells the most incredible pincushions on e-Bay.  They have tiny animals, including bears on them.  She also does other pieces - namely bears, squirrels, rabbits, etc.

I am so looking forward to the show!  We'll try to post photos during the show, and will definitely post photos after the show.

Luann

First Off This is Jeff.  This is my observation regarding this topic.
Thanks for the replies regarding the B&M.  Since the amount of store fronts (my term) has dropped, I don't really think about them.

The topic was SAVE OR SALVAGE.
This was based upon the announcement of another bear related item going away.

Remember now I have been around this business nearly twenty years and have seen many changes.  Some good / Some Bad. (My Opinion)

One thing you need to remember is that both Luann and Daphne are ARTISTS first, PROMOTERS second.

I have attended shows put on by promoters only and artist/promoters.  And there is a difference.  This is not to say the promoters only don't know what they are doing.  They are looking at the show from a different angle.  Remember this is a business.

The artist / promoters have a different approach and "FROM MY VIEW" have different concerns for the artist and CUSTOMERS.  NOTE - Without the CUSTOMERS there would be no BEAR SHOWS, Ebay Sales , etc.

If a show or magazine is out of business there are more than one reason.  It is a lot of reasons, you can put your own thoughts as to why, but most of us will never really know why.  At this point does it really matter.

The topic was SAVE or SALVAGE.

I went back and read the conversation and, nothing derogatory was said regarding the sale of bears on the internet.  It was determined to, my surprise, there is apparently another side of the business that I had not thought about.  We did not have the internet to sell bears when we started.   We recently, found at our last show, that many artists are members of "TT" but don't participate -  a loss to everyone.

I am very aware of the issues regarding full time jobs, children, and amount of time for bear shows.  My two children went to more than one show while growing up, or a short visit to grandma's while Mom did a show.

With that in mind, the Artist/Promoter was created.  Don't know who the first one was and it doesn't really matter.
These two ladies are looking for ways to increase the attendance of the CUSTOMERS and decent place for the ARTISTS to sell their wares.  It takes more than the promoter to do this.  It takes many to do their part.

I understand some cannot do shows-- that's fine.  Their reasons are their own and they should not have to explain.  It is their business.  It is dishearting for those who always have an excuse.  Wish the others well and leave it alone.

The days are changing and I am afraid that a whole new generation will not know the joy of what two talented hands can make with some fur, stuffing, and needle and thread.

It is a business for many and a hobby for some.  No matter what it is to you, it is worth SAVING or SALVAGING.

These are my observations and are not meant to reflect on my other half or Daphne.
Jeff