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Hi Susan,
Your new site looks quite good -- very clear and easy to use, and great photos, too.
Now, don't hate me for being a former English teacher. My only advice is that you check all the things I used to check on my students' papers: grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. I know you're still working on the site, and that's the only thing I could find that didn't look great.
Becky
I also prefer Firefox to Explorer, Tami, but if you can, I'd recommend getting Explorer 8 off of your computer first. From what I've read, there are aspects of it that are designed to interfere with Firefox. (Microsoft is not playing nice -- again.)
That's a lovely little jacket you made for Flip. He looks like he's all ready to go out into the world:)
Becky
Thank you for your comments and compliments. I really do appreciate them.
Both of these bears are stuffed with lambswool, which does make them nice, huggable "armfuls."
Joanne - it's funny (or maybe not) that I'm forever trying to make myself less stocky, and my bears are also on the portly side:) Maybe it's a good thing that yours don't seem to gain any weight!
With my best,
Becky
Louis really is a pretty bear, Peter! I'm surprised that he went for so little, but then many bears don't seem to be selling at all.
On the other hand, eBay buyers can seem very capricious, and some artist bears have sold recently for very good prices. Perhaps there are fewer people buying at all, but when the few have their heart set on something, they find the money for it?
Thanks for sharing the photos,
Becky
I'm also a fan of Auctiva and am willing to pay the $3.00 a month.
If you look at eBay's information about the new "5-free" policy, they state that it does not apply to third-party listings. You'll pay the "normal" (i.e. post-five) final value fees instead.
Becky
The Norton mohair is just lovely! It makes a very fancy "suit" for this sweet bear.
Becky
I'm pleased to introduce a commissioned bear -- Vincent.
Vincent is made from Helmbold mohair and has topaz-colored glass eyes and wool felt paw pads. He is the younger brother of my earlier bear Henry, so I'm including a photo of the two of them together.
Becky
Ah, Eva. This little guy has given me the biggest smile I've had all day. Thank you!
Becky
Flocke has a wonderful facial expression! She looks like a very good and understanding little friend.
Becky
Abigail is lovely, and I love the story! I'm sure the rat's new mom is delighted with her new friend.
Becky
Your Tiff is precious, Tami! What a beautiful girl, and I can see that she wants for nothing:)
The photo of Tiff smiling up at you from her pile of gifts is priceless!
Becky
Thanks for the clarification, Edie. I've never cleaned an other-than-mohair bear, but I've heard those old types of plush can be tricky.
And as I re-read the original post and its mention of "thin fabric," I'm wondering whether there are bare spots with no fur, and it's the fabric itself that's dirty. In that case, you probably wouldn't do more than vacuum, I suppose.
(Wish your friend good luck from us:)
Becky
Hi Lynn,
It is possible to surface clean an old bear -- carefully. Always start by getting rid of loose dirt. I use the brush attachment on my vacuum cleaner to do this. (If you don't remove the dust and dirt, it will act as an abrasive.) Then you can gently start to brush out the fur with a pet brush -- the kind with little plastic tips on the wire "bristles" is good.
Then get yourself some mild soap flakes and make a batch of suds. Lift suds only (no water) onto a barely damp sponge or washcloth. Use this to clean the fur. Keep rinsing out the dirt and picking up fresh suds.
When you're finished, you want to air dry the bear (no electric dryers). You can continue to gently brush out the fur as it dries. (Throughout the process, of course, you have to be very careful with old ears, eyes, limbs, etc.)
The bear deserves to be cleaned, and if you do it carefully and don't drench the old soul with water, it should be just fine.
Becky
The hat is perfect. My cat would wear one just like it if she could!
The whole piece is stunning -- a wonderful homage to Weill's musical, and a beautiful work of art in itself. I get totally lost in the color and expression on the cat's face. He even has a sparkle in his eye:)
I wish I could see it in person. Thanks for sharing!
Becky
Thanks for letting us know about this, Kelly.
I tried changing my settings last night and couldn't do it. Today, it works.
For anyone else who doesn't want eBay to use your photos for its own purposes, go to "Site Preferences" on your Account tab. There, edit the "Share Your Photos" section, changing your setting from "Yes" to "No."
Becky
