Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Nice to get a happy ending.
Diane xxxx

Hoping for a happy outcome.
Diane xxx

Like Paula I don't mark the fabric.I attch the head hold it up by the head and hold it flat.I push an awl right through both body bits and place the arms in loosely.I hold the wee soul in all different angles and attach securely if they match.Then I spear him through for the legs and do the same a again.Like Kim I find wee souls so mch easier than biggies.
Diane xxxx

When I think about age (I am 48 next week) I always look to the future and think how cross I will be at 78 when I remember worrying about my age at 48!!I will look back and think "I was so young then".
Hope that makes sense.I am in my early forties in my profile picture as I have no more recent one.I don't look much different now but Jake ,the dog I am holding has aged better I think.I have one grey hair so far and its up my right nostril ??and about an inch more round the tum but I am working on that!!!
Diane xxxx

You are so lucky Brenda.The wee soul oviously loves you to bits.Grannies are the best!!!!I want one!!!I miss mine so much.Hope wee Corson is feeling better.
Diane xxx

I think vintage toys would team up well with your teddies as they are  very traditional.I have seen quite a few artists sell props along with their creations.As long as you state this in the description it will be fine.Good luck and let us see!!!
Diane
p.s has that poor wee 6 inch bear got arms yet????

Hi Jenn
I hope you are feeling better now.I know how painful they can be.I had a bad one when I was pregnant and thought I was in labour!!!Drink lots of water at body temperature that helped me.
Be nice to yourself and get better soon
Diane

I think I mentioned this in an earlier post but here I go again.When I first started making beasr I applied for a city grant to get started.(practically a bag of jelly beans I might add!!!)Anyhoo I had to sit in front of a panel of experts to decide if what I did was art or craft.It was daunting but I came out as an artist not a crafter or crafty type or whatever I would be called.Therefore I have it on paper that I am an artist.I think because ours isn't serious or thought provocing it will always be looked down on by "arty farties".
If we were not incorporating art our bears would bot be so diverse!!!
Stay calm and try hot chocolate instead of coffee for the poor wee bunnies sake.

I think you have well and truly earned it .Well done !
Diane xxxx

Clare ,you must be high as a kite as well as broke,All those fumes!!!!I quite like the smell.I  only use it on the muzzles of bears under 7 inches.Velvet bears needit all over but I never find mohair ones do.Perhaps you use looser woven mohair???
Sorry I can't think of an alternative.I iron the edges of my parts (bears of course) and they don't curl and catch the needle and thread.That may work.
Diane xxx

I love your cat Heather.I think your bear looks good with his tail.
I used to put tails on but now they won't sit properly.

It funny to see how different we all are.I pin the ears then put in the eyes (without tying off in case I need to move them) then I embroider the nose and mouth and then I go back and fix everything if all is well.

Penny you are so funny.I don't mean to be rude about where you were born.I have very bad memories of London.My brother lived there and died in hospital there .He was very ill during the time of all the bomb scares on the underground.I spent many hideous hours trying to get to the hospital with my one year old daughter in her buggy having to get out of the tube station and find a bus etc.Not a good time.
I liked it fine when I was younger and spent at leat one weekend a month staying with my brother there.
Now I am so used to a tiny village and get a bit traumatised by all the people.I don't find it a very friendly place either.I make it my mission to speak to everyone on the tube.They look at you as if you are not quite the full shilling.

Sorry I am not taking a stand this year.I am being a big party pooper.I hate london so much!!!I want to do a small fair again .I miss the days of sharing sannies and flasks of tea.
I have done Hugglets for many years and decided last year was the last.
I want to do one in the U.S SOON.!!!

I tell regulars my reserve but haven't been asked much.I start my auction at the minimum I would take which seems much easier.
I send a lot of bears to Singapore and so far have had no problems.This guy could be genuine and new to ebay.
I also get lots of request to sell privately and end an auction which is a complete no no.
Stay calm and go with the safe option.Just tell him he'll have to bid a bit more and find out.If he wants the bear he will .
Diane xxx

Abracadabra-teddies in England have been auctioning teddies for well over a year and have made about 14000 pounds so far.I made one last year for the auction.On her site she has a picture of a rescued bear called Abracadabra.Each month there is a differenet artist bear and at christmas customers donated artist bears for a big auction.The owner Marsha has worked very hard on it.

Poor Clare ,I have been there before.
I have a collection of antique childrens books which I look through and somehow get inspired,or I clean out my fabric and usually find something that sparks an idea or I look at bears on ebay etc.
I think I fancy Aletas remedey better though!
Diane xx

My thoughts are with you.I have been through this with my beloved dog Nettie.I think this way is probably best as it happened when nature decided and she was at home.
Those we love don't go away ,they walk beside us day by day.
Diane xxxx

Oh I can't bear it.What a lovely dog and so lucky to be so loved.I can't think what to say to you it's such a sad time.We love our pets so much because they are forever kids and always rely on us.The maternal instinct is so strong with our pets making this harder for you.Just remember you are puting Zara first and that is all we can ever do.She will be at peace and out of pain and will have had a great life because of you.
I will be thinking of you .
Diane xxxx

How very sad for the families.The death of your child must be an unbearable pain.I hope time can heal.
I was sad to read Nancy's post also.
It is much harder for kids here to drive.They cannot start till 17 and the test is very difficult.In light of the statistics I think it should be harder everywhere.
All we can take from this terrible news is to count our blessings and cherish every day.

I am so touched that I got a mention in this thread.
Like Brenda I have to say I am inspired by Forget me not bears.Unlike most of you I don't collect bears or ever buy any but I would love one of them.(if I could afford it)They are the closest to antique bears around.
Elizabeth leggat is a friend of mine and she owns two steiffs from about 1910.One is cinnamony brown and so beautiful.After handling him I was amazed at how like him the forget me not bears are.They look and feel very authentic.
My ambition is to make one as good as that.
I can admire and be inspired almost every day looking through teddy talk .There is such diversity and you all have different skills.It does help to keep me going.

Poor wee scone ,sounds sore!!!What the hang dang is a birkenstock sandal??sounds like a lethal weapon.
Diane xxx

Well done with your site.It is so satisfying when you master something.Websites can be so frustrating ,I think you have to clear your mind and think completely differently.I think that is why it is so easy for kids.
I think you should have one of those fresh cream cakes with the yellow icing on top and the pinneapple inside with your hot chocolate for being so clever.
Oh I wish I hadn't thought of that ,we are eight miles form the nearest shop and I want one!!!!!
Love you site by the way !

Hi Sabine,
Thanks for lookingThat is where I bought it from but they have no more at this length.I have emailed them and asked for their supplier.
Diane xxxx

Hi Ginger,
I think you are right.I seem to remember looking at something similar a while back.The pictures on Edinburgh import are not very clear but the fabric may be similar.
I will just order some and see.
Diane xxx