Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Yes ...wouldn't that be GREAT !!!! ..... I would love it !!!!

Guess we'll just have to do that via "TeddyTalk"

Wanda

Just have to sneak in for a quick quote ....

I do work out of the house, but not making bears, and I would love dearly to be able to stay home and do just that.  While at work doing things that "have to be done" I am constantly thinking about how I'm gonna get those bears done when I get home.  After a full day of conflicts, problems and chaos at work .... I'm looking forward to getting home and doing something I want to do.  But after doing chores, fixing supper, doing dishes ... I'm just too wiped out to even think about the bears.  So I usually wait for the weekends to try to get some bear work done.   Then on the weekend, hubby has other plans for us.  Since he has been home all week (he's retired) he wants to go somehwere ....There goes my bearmaking time. 

As far as working at home full time, I know I would not be able to stay in the house with hubby 24/7, so would need a "getaway" even if it was as a greeter at Walmart for one or two days per week.

As I near retirement from a glamourless job, I am starting to think about days at home and how I will fill that day.   I too get distracted very easily.  I think discipline is the number one project for me and something I need to work on right now.  For us, I think a schedule would be in order.  Hubby seems to be a stickler for doing things at certain times, etc. .... so for us, I would need to establish hours for my bearmaking and nothing else ... no traveling, no outside chores that requires the two of us, no housekeeping, etc.    In fact, I could and should start doing that now!!!

You gals have given me lots to think about ...thank you Shelli for bringing up this topic ... I too am waiting anxiously for your solution.  Best of luck !!!

Hugs,

Wanda

Well,  Now I don't feel so bad about wanting to "make the world go away" so I can do bear work!   I always feel so selfish and self centered when I want some "bear time" and everyone is demanding my time for something else ... grrrr .... and I haven't learned the word "No" yet .... got to work on that one.

Hugs,

Wanda

Thank you ...thank you ...thank you.... I still can't believe it.

And thanks to the Teddy Talk forum which has been an unbelievable source of information, hints and tips on bearmaking.   You all are such a friendly and very giving group of wonderful people.

Hugs,

Wanda

Here's a picture of the Pet Detective

Hugs,

Wanda

Thank you girls !!! .... I had already decided that my Pet Detective had not won and thought I would surely try again this year.

Judi ...not to worry, I know you were very busy ... this way it was a complete surprise and shock!

Samantha ... I was so happy to see your two entires had won ...I voted for both ...too cute and very deserving of the recognition.

Karen, yes, I would have held my breathe until the call came through ....so I guess this way I was spared the nail biting.

Hugs,

Wanda

Yippeeee !!!! ... I just got the call..... my Pet Detective won the TOBY Award for the Tableaux category !!!!

Happy ...happy Dance!!!!

Congratulations to all who were nominated and those who where voted winners of the TOBY this year.  It is such an honor and privilege to be chosen.   

Smiles and smiles ....  a mile wide !!!!!!

Hugs,

Wanda

I can do without a few things, but not my Ott lamp! ... I can sew without eye strain and matching colors is a snap under the Ott light.   I have a table lamp that comes with additional hardware to attach it to my sewing table and I too bought it when JoAnne was having a 50% Off sale.   You won't regret purchasing one and the bulb is suppose to last for quite a long time.

Hugs,

Wanda

I know, I'm always the odd woman out but .....

I always look at this from the "other side" ... when a glass eye breaks while I'm finishing a bear, it is frustrating, but then I say to myself ..."Thank God it broke with me and not the collector who just bought it" .... how embarrassing ... what would they think, that I use sub-standard materials???

So I  just count to ten, throw away the broken eye, and replace it with another one and count myself lucky that if it was going to break, it did it before it left my hands.  I usually spend a little bit more and buy the best eyes I can hoping to avoid this situation.  Don't answer the door, but that is me knocking on wood as I don't have this happen very often ...probably because I sculpt the eye socket before inserting the eyes, puts less strain on them.

Sorry it happened, but one of the few downsides of creating teddy bears.

Hugs,

Wanda

Catherine,

Yes, I do see a "family" resemblance in your creations, which in my opinion, is your style.  As you continue to make more, this "style" will become more pronounced as you design your creations more to YOUR liking and not to what others are doing.

I immediately think cute and cuddly while viewing your website.  Keep up the good work.

Hugs,

Wanda

Duhhhh ... it was right under my nose .... while thumbing through one of my favorite books last night, I saw a solution to the wired jaw.

If you look on page 130 of Nancy Tillberg's "101 Bears To Make", she shows one version of a wired jaw.   She uses a wire that is covered with batting and cloth to avoid having sharp edges in the jaw with the ends of the wire protruding well into the head to stablize the wire for manipulating the mouth.  Stuffing the head firming, which we all do anyhow, will prevent the wire from moving around.

Curiosity has been satisfied to a certain extent!

Hugs,

Wanda

Roxanne,

Hey, that looks like it will work!!! .... I just can't see a single wire without any stablization working for any length of time, but maybe so.

I had even thought about using the wire mesh I think Judi told us about when she used it in her bunny ears ... haven't gotten the details all figured out how it would work.

Good luck on the project and thank you for offering your solution.  I'll be watching.

Hugs,

Wanda

I'm probably all wrong on this, but I've always thought that anything on four legs is measured from the shoulder/withers  down to the bottom of the front foot ....ie ...dogs, horses, cows.   

I guess bears are measure differently??

Hugs,

Wanda

Wendy,

Thanks for the info on E-Bay ....I have looked at the offerings of Harry Potter CD's and have bid before, but they went higher than I wanted to pay.   But I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and buy a set.   I was playing the Order of the PHoenix tonight and my tape kept stopping and stopping .... don't know what's wrong with it, so I really want the CD ...I think they will be usable longer than the tapes.

Hugs,

Wanda

Harry Potter....Yes, I listen to the tapes all the time and will order the last one too.   I really want to get the whole series on CD instead of the tapes as mine get chewed up sometimes.

I'm always looking through rose colored glasses and I believe that Prof Dumbledor and Harry's godfather Black were only faking their deaths to bring the one who cannot be named out in the open so he can finally be defeated.   How this all comes about, I haven't a clue, but it would make an exciting story.   At the end, Harry and Jenny and Ron and Herminone leave their childhoods and become adults to go forth and do good deeds in the world.

I guess we'll all find out on July 21!!!

Hugs,

Wanda

LuAnn,

Wonderful!! .... that would be great.  Not sure I will try one or not.   I have made the open mouth and know the technique for that, but I don't really use it.   I guess I just like to know what makes things work.   

I have been known to take things apart just to see how they fit together.  All the Christmas presents that had to be put together were done by me while hubby watched and tried to help. 

If she doesn't want to disclose her technique, that's fine, I respect that decision.  I do love her dogs and I will be at TBAI this August so I can meet her in person.

Hugs,

Wanda

Thank you all for your suggestions.   My first thoughts were of wire also, but how do you  "hinge" the jaw, not sure if the wire is just "bent" each time the mouth is opened or closed or if there might be a hinge.   I know in dollmaking the wires are pushed into the body/head or whatever, but I don't think I have seen any that move.  And the wire would have to be sturdy enough so as not to lose the shape of the bottom jaw when opening and closing.   Or could there be a solid piece on a hinge type thingy inserted into the mohair jaw???    Questions, questions.

I'll just have to experiment.  Yes, I adore the creations of Tammy, Mary and Ma Sal .... extraordinary!!!

Hugs,

Wanda

Okay, my curiosity is getting the better of me.   I have been wondering how the artists make the mouths that open and shut.   I'm sure you have seen them on E-Bay ...the wonderful dogs whose mouths can be displayed open or shut.  Anyone have an idea?

Hugs,

Wanda

I have heard that if you oil or lubricate the locline ...it will not hold a position, it will be a limp noodle.   I guess it's the squeak that gives it the "staying" power.

Hugs,

Wanda

Daphne,

AWESOME

You were terrific in the interview ...I didn't see anything that could have been done better than it was, everything was PERFECT !!

I remember all the anquish you had over making all those different Mimzys and worrying about satisifying the director, etc ...it was all worth it!!!!   Congratulations!!!!   

Wanda

Judi,

I'm soooo sorry ...didn't know you where having any problems.   I do believe you are on your way to  recovery, let's hope it is a speedy one.  In the meantime, maybe you are suppose to be resting and taking better care of yourself.  Everything happens for a reason, we just never know or find out later, what that reason is.

You are in my prayers .....

Hugs,

Wanda

Aaaww ...Cute !!! ... How about Keller Killeen .... Keller means Little Companion in Irish Gaelic ..

I have always wanted to make a girl bear and name her after my friend, Katie Killeen.   So if you want to borrow for a boy's name ... feel free.

Hugs,

Wanda

I just received my ribbons yesterday.   I did receive an e-mail, but it was in reply to another question I had asked.  Shelley Stockard asked if I would be at the Toy Fair to receive my ribbon and I told her sadly  ...no.    So she put it in the mail for me.

I'm guessing that if you are not at the Toy Fair to receive your ribbon, they will be mailed to you after the show.

Hugs,

Wanda

How Sweet .... I received an adorable hand made Valentine from our own Tami Eveslage ....and I wan't even on the Valentine list.

Thank you Tami and a Happy Valentine Day to you too!!!

Jane,

Bless you and your family .... the Good Lord will keep you in the palm of His hand.

Hugs,

Wanda