Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

The difference between reborns and straightforward baby dolls is that the reborns are sold as kit 'blanks', with no painted features, hair, etc.  The skill is in bringing the doll to life - 'reborning' it, by painting realistic skin tones, even mottling and milk spots, and inserting eyelashes and hair.  To me it looks like making highly realistic film props.  I think the term 'Reborn' came from the original hobby of taking an existing vinyl doll, stripping off the paint and modifying the doll to create something more realistic.  The whole thing has become way more sophisticated these days and the choice of models, paints, etc is mind-boggling!  They are not my cup of tea, but, like many of you, I appreciate the skill involved.
Hugs,
Christine

And they can be lethal too - I forgot to mention that they are held together with a cotter pin and tension spring... you have to be very careful when you take the thing apart or you could take out someone's eye!!

Seriously, unless they have improved on the design in recent years, I don't think they are worth the bother.  Loc-line or wobble joints give a much more pleasing effect.

Hi Guys,
I make bears in all shapes and sizes - but there IS something special about the minis!  The trick is to try to get your tiny bear to look as good as his bigger brothers:  one of the biggest compliments anyone can pay me is to say they didn't realise how small a bear is just by looking at his picture. 

I think you have to develop a totally different mindset for making minis.  I find that I need to be in a really calm frame of mind and have peace and quiet to do this successfully - it is almost a kind of meditation!

Here is one of my latest bears - Antoine, who stands around 5 1/2 inches.  He is made from Sassy smoky long pile... oh yes - you will find that Sassy Fabrics are addictive too!!

Hugs,
Christinex

I had some once - they look like a small satellite dish!    To be honest, I never found them very successful - very fiddly to insert, and the actual range of movement was quite limited.  I think you would be better going down the Loc line route...
Christinex

Definitely - I agree!!!  The face and personality either 'speak' to a collector or they don't - no matter what the size.  And I know of several miniaturists who charge a premium for their bears and who have long waiting lists and never have anything left at the end of a show - because their work is exquisite and the artistry is clearly apparent.  Collectors can see this and are happy to pay for quality.  Also, many collectors are running out of space so are looking to small and miniature bears to continue their hobby. 

Making miniature bears requires a whole set of special skills and I truly belive that, being able to make something on a tiny scale that is as lovely as its full-sized counterpart, is a gift not given to all - it should be cherished and celebrated, and the price charged should reflect the quality of the work, whatever its size
Hugs,
Christine

Hi everyone,
I have just uploaded a picture of 'Bei-Jing' to the gallery.  He was made as a commission and has a hand-sculpted and painted face.  The rest of him is made from Intercal's dense alpaca.  He is 19 inches tall.
I am working on another panda to take to Hugglets - picture coming soon!!
Hugs,
Christine

Hi there,
Try this one also: www.imstuffedfur.com

Best wishes,
Christine

Lovely, Paula - I really admire your bent limb bears, and your open mouths are superb! :clap:
Hugs,
Chris

Thanks guys - guess I should stick with the sculpted noses and not go back to stitched ones, huh?
The funny thing is that I have been doing my noses like this for so many years that it now takes me waaaay longer to stitch a nose than to sculpt one!
Hugs,
Chrisx

Thank you so much, Birgitta! :hug:
Chrisx

Due to a last-minute hitch at work, I will be unable to be at TBAI this weekend - BUT my bears have travelled on ahead and will be ready and waiting to meet all the conventioneers on my table.

You can see pictures of all of them on my website, but here is a sneak preview of a few of them.
Hugs,
Chrisx

I can help with the proof reading!!
Hugs - and many more successes, whatever you do!!
Chrisx

Thanks so much, guys!!
I LOVE making these new bears and have just ordered up some more Sassy fabrics - one of them is a gorgeous deep plum colour.  I am aiming to have some more of these little chaps on my stand at the Hugglets show next month... pictures soon!
Huggies,
Christine

Hi Krista,
Yes, there is!    Click on the'Profile' button and then click the 'Privacy' section from the left hand menu.  There you will find all the options for your e-mail settings - tick the box that says "notify by e-mail for private messaging".

Hugs,
Christine

I agree with Jane,
Sorry - but your terms were stated quite clearly and this person cannot ask for their deposit back.  Fortunately, you still have the bear so you are not really down on the transaction as he will find another home.  If you want to sweeten the pill a little a little, I suppose you could offer to credit her deposit against another bear at some point in the future? 
This kind of thing really does make me cross and I am sorry if your customer is having some trouble that makes it impossible to pay you what she owes - BUT you are not her personal banker and she can't just dip in and take her money out again when she feels like it.
Paula, you are tact personified and I am sure you will find a gracious way to state your case.  Good luck - and let us know how it turns out.
Hugs,
Chrisx

Paula - how can you have started on bears for Hugglets already????    I have only just begun thinking about TBAI and my gallery piece!!! 

Lovely bear, by the way - is that Intercal fur?  I made a Cupid bear once out of something similar and he turned out really well.
Hugs,
Chris

Hi Jane,
I would thoroughly reccommend 'Body Stress Release' as well, if you can find a therapist in your area.  I used to go regluarly when I lived on the Isle of Wight and could really use some more sessions, but there isn't a practicioner in my area yet - you might be luckier.  It really does work!  The official website is here:
http://www.bodystressrelease-uk.co.uk/index.php

Good luck - anything is worth a try!!
Hugs,
Chris

Is it hand-dyed mini bear velvet, by any chance?  Some kinds are flocked onto the backing and heat set.  If the plush is then dyed using hot water the fibres can lift away from the backing - I know, it happened to me once!!

What an awful shame about your puddle!!
Christinex

I still haven't received mine, either (sigh)...
Chris

Hi Melissa,
I applaud your courage!!  This would be a huge undertaking, whatever the size of show - but my gut instinct would be to start small and then grow it gradually.  Samantha's show was approximately 60 stands - all of which were taken by excellent artists.  I am worried that you would not be able to get enough quality artists together for a bigger show than that, especially outside London.  I really do think that quality over quantity has to be the name of the game if you really want to tempt collectors to a new venue and away from their computers.

Jennie is right to say that a new show will have to be an event in itself, not just another bear fair.  Please don't think I am pouring cold water on your idea - I LOVE the idea of another show, and Northants would be very convenient for me to get to!    I hope you get the information you need to make this a success.

One other thing - I don't know if you have considered dates, but it occurs to me that there is really nothing decent in the Oct/Nov/Dec period, and nothing in March/April/May....
Good luck!
Chris

Nope, I've not had one either.  Actually, all I have ever had from them was an e-mail to say I had been nominated in two categories - but I haven't had anything in writing, and no rosettes this year, either.  Do you think they are economising??
Chrisx

Doh!  It would have helped if I could spell my own shop name properly!!

Try this: www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5583990

My username is EnglishEccentric.

Hugs,
Chrisx

Hi guys,
I have an Etsy shop too - www.EnglishEccentic.etsy.com. I have sold bear-related items there, such as journals with bears on the cover, but I haven't sold any actual bears. It desn't stop me from putting up pictures though - I figure that, at 20 cents a go I have nothing to lose!    I think it takes time to build a name on Etsy, and I hear constantly that you really have to involve yourself in the whole Etsy ethos and community thang to do really well.
I would LOVE to be part of an Etsy team though - that is probably one of the ways to raise your profile.  Can anyone tell us how the team thing works and what's involved??
Hugs,
Chris

He's gorgeous, Kelly!  I particularly like the way you shaped the beak and claws - very realistic
Chrisx

Hi Clare,
Go the insurance route!!  As the sender, I think you will have to file the claim, so ask for photos AND pictures of the packaging - you might even have to send that back to the post office.  Aks her if the box was damaged when she received it - did the postman draw her attention to any damage of the packaging?
This happened to me once, although I was the buyer:  I bought a canteen of cutlery and the guy didn't really pack the box very well. As a consequence, there was a big dent in the box when it arrived, although the cutlery was fine.  Fortunately, we were able to sort it out amicably and I was able to get a partial refund from his insurance...  It sounds like your lady is just trying it on though, so make her jump through a few hoops to see how serious she is!
Good luck,
Christine