Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Dilu

Are you looking for something like this

http://www.sol.co.uk/r/rgmalls/tbtc/members.htm

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Oh boy is it hot today   I just can't sew or do anything bear related in this heat. I'm at work at the moment and just had to go and move my car. I nearly screamed when I held the steering wheel   oooouuuchhhh

No sign of rain here at all ........

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Hi Paula...I hope you're enjoying a sunny day. It's certainly VERY hot here on the South Coast..much too hot to even contemplate picking up a needle pheeeew

I know what you mean about falling in love with a design that's a million miles from your own. If I said Gertie Wiggins style you'd know what I mean. Long snouts, kind of a vintage look and the odd piece of clothing. I'm also finding that the anime style is really growing on me too 

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Jane, he is stunning. All that work must have taken forever  

The detail is just fantastic. I really wish you every success with your competition. I bet if you decide to sell him afterwards you'll have buyers in a frenzy

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How utterly wonderful     Fabulous work

Sludge is just adorable and what a fantastic name.

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Have a great weekend with your family Tami

I hope everyone else across the water has a special July 4th too

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Hi Penny

If you don't feel comfortable about calling the police then you could try Crimestoppers to report it/get advice. A rifle noise is so loud that anyone in your neighbourhood could have reported him, it doesn't necessarily mean it was you.

I'm sure the police will take it seriously and act on it immediately.

Hope you feel better about this soon and for goodness sake don't go hanging out of your windows until this stops

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Jenny, I work with commissions on the same basis as you. I rarely take a deposit for the reason that if the bear is not what they invisaged, there are no issues as you say. I am then also free to sell that bear to anyone else.

I think I am like most people here when it comes to commissions, unless I am fairly free to create without too many restraints I will enjoy the work. If it has to be too similar to a previously made bear I get bored and always seem to put off starting it. I generally don't accept them for this reason.

I also like to put a bear up for sale fairly quickly after completion. It keeps my work current and as I am working as a small business I like to have the cash for my work.

Because I am mostly an ebay/website seller I have never been asked for layaway. Not sure that it appeals really. I don't think my work will ever warrant the prices that people would need to pay for in installments either.

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Hi Jenny

I'd be getting a little anxious by now. I think that the time frame you have given is perfectly reasonable, especially as the bear was not secured by a deposit.

I'd also tend to agree that if the lady was knowingly going to be on holiday, then she would have informed you. Still, the additional week you have given is a fair allowance to cover that eventuality. I don't see that you can do any more than phone and email.

Something may have happened in between the initial contact and now which means that the lady cannot afford to pay for the bear at this time but she feels difficult about informing you of this. I would go ahead with your plans to offer the bear on your site after the 2 week time frame because you have of course got to be paid. She may be in a better situation to purchase another bear from you in the future.

I do hope all works out for you smoothly.
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Great stuff!  I'm sure it's all been worthwhile. Now go and enjoy those bears

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You are both in my thoughts. Sending big hugs and wishes for a speedy recovery :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Hi Clare

We're definitely watching the footie in our house. I love it......Hubby used to be the manager of our local team, it's how we met so I've always been a big footie fan.

It's half time at the moment and England are 1-0 up, Hope it lasts

Really looking forward to Wimbledon too, starts on Monday :dance:

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Oh, I see

I suppose I would have done the same thing then......I'm sure you'll find a new mum for your little bear soon.

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Oh yes, I do lots of plonkerish things too :redface:

Last week I threw £40 in the bin by mistake - fortunately I realised before I emptied the bin outside. I also bought some Fathers day cards in town and when my girls came to write them I realised that I'd forgotten to pick up the envelopes  too.

I've done the cutting out too many limbs as well and left myself short on mohair   GGrrrr

Paula....you are in good company

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Sorry this happened to you Lanie and how annoying that your customer did not pay. I hope you have prohibited them from bidding from you again.

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Hi Lanie

Glad to have you back, sorry you've been unwell. I hope you had a lovely holiday and I imagine your aunt's spirits were uplifted to see you.

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Oh Sue Ann, I'll bet you have a great time and come back feeling like 16 year olds again!!!

Have a fantastic trip

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Wow Paula, I think we can safely say it works then

Great bears....you've all inspired me now

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I usually only work with mohair but just recently I bought some plush for the first time. I got it because the colour and curly pile was just what I was looking for and I must say I'm really impressed with it and can't wait to use it.

I'm not sure that I would create a whole bear from it and was really only looking to cut the tummy piece from the synthetic and make the rest of the body from mohair in a contrasting colour.

I know the plush is much softer and silkier to the touch than most mohairs and wondered if anyone else ever mixed the two fabrics successfully.

Look forward to your replies.

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Congratulations Bev, well deserved :clap:  :clap:

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Hi Sophie, I look forward to seeing your pictures.

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Thanks Clare  :hug:

She's much better now thanks, back to school in the morning  
I'm glad you liked the article, it's the first time I've ever had anything of mine in print so I am quietly proud. I also had a lovely trip to the TBT office to meet Kirste who took the photos.

I've just thought of another task for my Elves. You know all that terrible mess that's made when you are are at the finishing stage of a bear and you are bursting with creative ideas of how to accessorise it - ribbon box up turned, paints to clear up, needles and cottons on the work surface, all those bits you save up hoping to use one day are all over the floor.......

Yep, that's what my elves can do for me. A good tidy up and put all the ribbons into colour sorted bags, sort the threads into browns, creams and colours and put all the oils back neatly and clean the brushes PROPERLY........ :redface:

Yeah Kate, dream on!

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Boy, I'm glad last week is over 

My five year old had a birthday party on Sunday,a joint party with her friend and 27 of their classmates so my friend and I knew it was going to be a bit hectic arranging the party games, the disco, prizes and food for everyone blah blah.... That was before CHICKEN POX decided to visit my daughter on Tuesday

All week it was a case of would she, wouldn't she be ok but we got there in the end and a good time was had by all including my little one even though she was particularly spotty dotty

Needless to say that not much bear making was done last week and I couldn't really check in here much so I am very sorry not to have left comments to all the lovely new bears   I kept looking at pieces of fur cut out in my workroom hoping like in the fairytale, the elves would appear at night at stitch and stuff for me.  I find that in the hot weather and when my personal life is so busy I really find stitching and stuffing hard going and it seems to take twice as long to get to my favourite part - sculpting and painting.

I was just wondering if we were all allowed the occasional visit from the elves, which part of bearmaking would you like them to finish for you?  (Pen Pen - you are not allowed to say housework!)

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Hi Shelli

What a shame you've had to come on here and explain this just because of some mindless gossip - Aren't you allowed a life outside of bearmaking that you can't keep private???

Keep your chin up, you know you have the support of everyone here

Hugs :hug:  :hug:

Oh no Paula, what a nightmare. I always think that mixed up bear boxes will happen to me one day as it usually happens that I am sending more than one parcel at once. I have to check, check and check again the paperwork to make sure bear matches buyer!!!!

I sent a parcel of 3 bears to the USA on 16th May by International signed for and it still hasn't arrived. I'm getting really anxious now. The parcel was fully insured but I still want to know where my little bears are     Has anyone else noticed this postal service being slow at the moment from the UK to USA? I sent a bear to Australia and it arrived within a week.

Hope you sell your house soon Paula :hug: