Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I never make more than a few of each pattern so I use old cereal packets.I hand draw a pattern and make a scone.If I like him I transfer on to acetate and keep it in a zippy bag.After a couple of goes with it I tend to change something and destroy the first one.I never have more than half a dozen in existence at any one time.This post has inspired me to keep more and be more organised.

I will be on the beach at the time but I would love to be there.I could walk the dogs in my slippers drinking copious amounts of ginger wine just to be sociable!!!
Diane xxx

I think your bears are mad wee creatures.You have your own look which is something to be very proud of.Some artists never get that.I always laugh (in a good way) when I see yours listed.Lots of people will smile when they see them but there are very few who can just buy what they fancy.Think of the pages and pages of bears available and how hard it is for everyone to stand out.In todays market with all the competition anyone who sells all their bears is in the minority.Please don't think of changing them.You are definately not doing anything wrong and the teddy world would miss your wee nutters!!!
Big hugs and a pat on the head
Diane xxxx

I do agree in part with almost everything said here.I think I feel a special allegiance to the animal that pays my mortgage every month.I hate censorship but then I do think some bondaries cannot and should not be crossed.History has taught us this.
I have always found the use of real fur in bear making a bit of a mystery.I don't get it and don't fancy ever touching one never mind owning one but then lots of people obviously don't find this offensive.I have looked at this persons other bears and think some are quite funny and well made.I cannot change my mind on the use of Vivisection in the name .I am not religious but have to hang on to my belief that some things are just wrong in my mind and that I feel obliged for the bears sake to speak out.The older I get the more i can see other peoples point of view .
After posting about the article that made me so upset in the Teddy bear and friends magazine I remember thinking how nice it must be to not care but then on reflection I am pleased to still be able to get upset.I hope I never get blase about abuse to animals.
I am glad there are lots of replies as it shows we all care.
Hugs Diane

Oh my lots of interesting comments here.I needed my brain for the first time in a while.I actually love horror movies and scary stuff in general.I think it is wrong to explot animal suffering.I know this was a jokey vivisection bear but the fact that many thousands of animals are bein experimented on while her weird bear is on ebay makes it a bit sick.I know everyone has different ideas on the subject of animals used in experiments but even if you thinks it is acceptable this use of it as a shock tactic to make money cannot be right.I can see she is talented and I admire some of the realistic scary bears listed.I just wish she had not crossed the line(as I see it).Then again that may be seen as censorship which is another grey area.As I have droned on about before I do feel we who make money from these creatures to owe them, if nothing else respect.There I have said my bit now.
Diane xxx

I don't have a problem with nasty looking bears it was the use of the term vivisection which got me going.My daughters bedroom used to be covered in posters of the Murder dolls and slipnot etc and she liked some pretty dodgy music .Most of her Goth pals were far better behaved and more intelligent than the so called normal kids and all of them were into the dogs when they came round.I am not a cutesy person myself but hate the name she has given the "bear".The rst she has listed are not my kind of thing but I don't find them offensive like this one.I suppose it takes all sorts ???
Diane xxx

Has anyone else spotted this on ebay.Who would call a bear vivisection Vinnie????What a hideous idea.
I am not sure of what its all about???Anyone get it?/Am I an old fart?My daughter used to be a goth and would not like the association with vivisection.
Bewildered Diane
http://cgi.ebay.com/GOTHIC-evil-horror- … dZViewItem

What a horrible thought being trapped underground.I have everything crossed for them.The time must be going by so slowly for them and their poor families.I must go check the news.
Diane xxx

I sleep with the female german pointer and my daughter (she's the one in the picture )has the other two in the picture under the duvet with her.We have a big hairy ginger dog too but he sleeps in his basket like a real dog!!!Our house is so cold in the winter that we started the habit just to warm up.We get ice on the inside of our windows.Dogs are definatley good bed warmers.
Diane xx

My dogs like to be stacked and often the cat goes on top.They all love contact with each other or a human to sleep.

I am just back from the beach and plan to sew most of today.It is actually hot here ,very weird.This evening my daughter and I will go for chips and eat them on the beach with the dogs running like loons.She is in the midst of exams so no socialising for a wee while.All she seems to be doing of late is studying and sleeping as the attached pic shows.
Sunday I would like to paint the fence,summerhouse ,shed and pergola as it will dry quickly in this heat.Cosmopolitan lifestyle eh????
I haven't had my haircut by a proffessional for six years.I just get Hayley to lop the end of my pony tail off every few weeks.I am a natural beauty ha ha!!!!
Diane xxx

You are a very clever girl,classy colour combinations too!!!Diane xxx

I wait till abot seven and take the pictures on my now famously shabby window sills with the sun behind me.The clours seem truer at that time.Good luck mrs Grump!!!
Diane xxx
p.s can't wait to see a wee moonling in dayglo orange!!!

I used to sell to shops many years ago.I letters in those days with pictures and prices.Not many sell on commision.Most shops need a large discount so they are not seeling your bears way over your sale price.You could send e-mails with a link to some bear pictures.Many businesses don't open mail with attachments thses days because of all the virus.
You need to set out your prices and terms in advance.Good luck.
Diane xxx

Drat I forgot to wash my face in the morning dew.That is our custom for May day over here.It is also a holiday for Banks etc.I like the flowers for the teacher idea.Ours are all closed though.
Diane xxx

That is a good point.I used to have lop eared bunnies fr my daughter but stopped keeping them as they got so many ear problems.No wonder though with the poor lambs ears scraping along the ground all day.Gun dogs use their floppy ears to sweep scent up to the nose and so far mine have had no problems.Pointers don't have really long ears like bloodhounds though.I clean them every two days to stop any problems.
On another note as well as gun dog training I have stuck to the letter by the dog listener for training.I think your equivilant in the U.S. is Cesar Romano???I watched him on cable and thought his ideas were great.Excercise,discipline then affection.It has worked well with my four as they are all obedient and happy.

I just went away and read up on them.I love dogs and like to know breed origins.I have been to three of the canary islands where they originate.They seem to have the characteristics of staffordshire bull terriers which I love too.Nice to come on TT and learn something.Have fun with the babies.They look so cuddly.
Diane xxx

Thanks for the information.I didn't think they would do it if it was cruel.I was not sure if this was a sticky up ear breed???I have german pointers that had their tails docked before I got them.I used to think it was wrong but I have another non docked dog who is constantly ripping open her tail .i Think dogs in the field benefit from docking now but don't understand why breeds like boxers still do .I know that in some contries it is illegal too.
Diane

They are beautiful and I am so pleased they have a good home now.Their ears are so erect.Do dogs still have them doctored in the u.s???It is illegal here so our dobbies and great Danes look very different.I have never seen this breed before.
I am sure you will have loads of fun with them.It is nice for dogs to have company I think.
Hugs Dianexx

Hi Amelia,
I am afraid I can remember seeing Faerie Bearies as long as ten years ago at scottish shows.I suppose it is too obvious not to have occured to people before.(don't mean to be cheeky there )Maybe she thought it was a long used term like traditional and anime???I don't think you should worry as it would take a lot to beat your wee bears.
Diane xxx

If you steep it in water and turmeric first then dye it over with brown it will be less reddish brown.You can also use a yellow dye  dry it then dye it brown for a deep colour.I like to dye things three or four colours separately for richer tones.
Diane xxx

If she can afford artist bears then she should buy a computer poor dear!!!
If only these people could see the time and effort it takes to make a bear and not just the one you are buying but all the rejects and weirdo's you made to get to this stage!!!
Diane xxx

I have been a full time bear maker for nearly ten years now.I worked in a bank before this but wanted to be a stay at home mum.I am divorced and my daughter ,now 16,and I  have lived on teddies all this time.I get no maintenance so it has been hard at times.I work long hours making my wee scones and break up my day with an hour gardening,a two hour walk with the dogs and an hour of weights and step.Other than that and being a mum I pretty much sew and design bears all day long.I get up at five so I can fit it all in.I have bought an old house that I am renovating and have a big garden(big for scotland anyhow) which I have built from scratch.I am lucky to sell every bear I make and don't  take this for granted.I could probably have made more money if I was able to make editions but I can only work this hard if I don't get bored.All my bears are one off and I buy materials in small amounts to keep me interested.
Diane xx

I don't do it and don't think I would like to be asked myself.It is a bit like those shop assistants who jump on you as soon as you enter the shop.I only communicate with buyers past and present.
Diane xx

absoloutely gorgeous!!!
Diane xxx